04/03/2024
Something Different
Several years ago, we were approached by a major Canadian ad agency to help organize a staff appreciation party. They chose the venue (Steam Whistle Brewery) and the theme (Sin Is In). While we loved the venue and had organized many events there, the theme was not anything we had worked with prior. This being a creative business, we didn’t think they wanted a conservative approach to the theme. We were right!
To say Joan and I had a lot of fun coming up with ideas for décor related to the theme would be an understatement. What we finally settled on and what was approved by the ad agency was to hire models to represent the seven deadly sins - Gluttony, Sloth, Envy, Lust, Pride, Wrath, and Greed - as well as models to represent Adam and Eve and the devil. Adam, Eve, and the devil would greet guests outside at the entrance doors. The twist? The models would be body painted and then sc****ly dressed. When I say sc****ly dressed, I mean they were n**e covered with what the law required as a minimum, and then the rest of their bodies were expertly painted by professional make-up artists. They were then dressed in bits and pieces of fabric and given props to reflect their sin. Believe me when I say that where you think you see fabric on their upper torsos, it is painted on the skin. Elaborate wigs were used to complete the look of all the female models.
I think we achieved our goal as the ensuing photos will attest to. I remember that the models had to walk through part of the brewery to the reception area and, at the time, a group of German tourists were being taken around the shop on a tour. Their eyes bugged out when they saw the models. I do not speak German but some of their comments were expressed in English!
Please note that some of the photos shown were taken by Megan Vincent Photography.
