Vital Proteins Collagen Water

Rachel DeMarte — one of our dear friends and a top Chicago planner — is putting together a high gloss fashion show and cocktail reception for Vital Proteins Collagen Water. Vital Proteins is part of an emerging market, targeting clean collagen to support the production in your body, for hair, nails, skin, bones, and joints — and the event needs to be a buzzworthy celebration of a new product. 

The goal is to create an entire universe for the brand — this has to be experiential and to feel like another planet where press, influencers, and celebs feel transported through the creative use of culinary and mixology.  

The event will be at the Harris Theater Tent in Millennium Park, featuring a show by Fashionaholic and 500 guests. Needless to say, EC needs to create social media-worthy menu and decor ideas ASAP.

Vital Proteins’ brand is all about a healthy, vibrant lifestyle that’s fueled by clean ingredients of the best quality — so we begin thinking immediately about how our menu can mirror this mission. It’s also crucial to create an Instagram-first menu leaning into the buzziest trends across the internet. Julie – our GM and IG deep diver – researched creative vessels for the cocktails. We designed and created Vital Proteins 8 oz. customized drink pouches with branded labels and unusual straws, printed signage, and customized culinary and mixology serving elements (think square lucite trays, LED serving trays, mirrored ice troughs, lucite mobile serving carts).

The beverage menu is playful, incorporating the Vital Proteins mixture with unexpected twists: blackberry hibiscus slushies, blueberry mint mojitos, and delicious bites. Moscow Mules, that accompanied the mini lobster rolls, are mixed with Lemon Ginger Vital Protein Water. 

Trend forward bites, accompanied by custom-designed graphic signage pennants, picks, and Bev naps accompanied of Spicy tuna tartar, mini lobster rolls, wild mushroom griddle cakes with black truffle aioli, mini brie and preserve grilled cheese sandwich bites, shredded short rib popovers, and mini fish tacos. Tiny one-bite hors d’ oeuvres kept the party going, lightly.