We Went and Threw Ourselves a Party

The Volstead, NYC

If there’s one thing we have learned since becoming American, it is that one should not shy away from the chance to celebrate oneself. Be it birthdays, un-birthdays, graduations, anniversaries or making it through a tough work-week, stateside folks love any excuse to relax, pour an adult beverage, and share a few laughs.

Who are we to argue?

And so, we decided the launch of I Am Staggered USA was as good an excuse as any to drink too many martinis and pat ourselves on the back for a night (want to see the beautiful people (and us) in action – Click here for the Flickr Stream)

But where would we have it? Who would we invite? What would we put into the gift bags?

The answers came to us in a vision; somewhere cool.  Everyone we know. Shaving cream, hair products, wine tags, gift certificates–and lubricant.

We are men, after all.

After a few emails and several phone calls (which may or may not have been peppered with a bit of groveling) we had the pleasure of partnering with some of the most respected brands in the industry: The Real Shaving Company, Axe Hair, Bloom Boxx, SIA, Royal Amethyst Invitations, Michael Andrews Bespoke,  Bridal  Reflections, The Brighton Shaving Company, TagIt! and Wet.

With gift bags that would make Bond proud, we now needed a venue to match.

Thanks to our section on how to write the perfect speech, we knew what to say.

Enter David Willner of the esteemed Park/South Hospitality. One of the most well-known event planners in New York , David set us up at The Volstead, a Park Avenue “hot spot” where people much swankier than we are hang out on a regular basis. When celebrity photographer, Phillip-I-shot-Heidi-Klum-Naked-Wong offered to take photos of the event, we may or may not have bragged a little to our buddies across-the-pond.

The invitations were sent out and fingers and antlers were crossed.  The result was an event that surpassed our highest expectations. Over 100 editors, stylists, designers, publicists, writers, vendors and engaged  men who wanted to talk about weddings without ever mentioning the color teal came to enjoy great food, strong drinks and a glimpse of our mascott, Cameron, dancing about in his powdert blue tux.  When we looked at our watch and saw the party had gone three hours longer than planned, we knew it was a success. All-in-all, the experience taught us two things:

1)      Americans love to say the word “staggered”.

2)      The best thing about a party is the party.  The worst thing? The morning after.

Thanks to all of our sponsors and guests for making our launch such a memorable event. 

–The Staggered Team

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• Well, Hell, We Got Ourselves a Cocktail
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