3 Creative Live Activation Ideas for your NYFW + Valentine's Day Event

Valentine’s day is taking place during New York Fashion Week once again! If you’re in search of the perfect, on-theme activation to entertain your guests with, you’re in the right place! Here are some creative station ideas to make your special event unforgettable:


 

Guest in sketches in this post are wearing looks from Dior Spring ‘26 and Valentino Spring 26

 
  1. Decorate your own fashion portrait

Guest’s love seeing themselves transformed into fashion sketches, especially when they’re dressed for the front row! Take it a step further by setting up a little decoration station where guests can then embellish their portraits with stickers, glitter, or other fun accents. Bonus points if you include branded elements! For example: stickers of mini shopping bags with your logo, or tiny product stickers guests can place on their sketch. This not only adds a playful, interactive touch, but it also reinforces your brand in a memorable way!

Live Fashion sketches: Get guests involved by letting them embellish their portraits after the artist draws them.


2. Fashion ‘Galentines’

Treat your guests to their own Valentine featuring a fun fashion portrait of themselves. To make it extra special, you can provide lace, colorful mini paper hearts, and ribbons so they can each decorate their Valentine themselves after having their sketch done. This is a perfect way to give attendees a keepsake they’ll treasure, and also invite them to join in on the creativity.

Fashion valentines: Guests can take their completed sketch over to the DIY valentine station and get creative!


3. Themed live product customization

Have an artist onsite to personalize your gift bags in real time! This creates a lasting, functional memento from the event, and also gives guests highly shareable, on-theme content. It works especially well for cosmetics and fashion brands, events with swag and sponsors, and bridal showers or parties.

Product customization: Guests can request specific motifs, or the artist can offer design options from a brand approved list.


After all, when Fashion Week and Valentine’s day overlap, it’s the perfect excuse to host the cutest event! 💕

Which of these ideas is your favorite? Leave a comment!

 

Deanna Kei is a fashion and beauty illustrator who collaborates with brands to create custom illustrations, and illustrated trend reports and content. She also sketches guests live at special events, brand activations, weddings, and private parties. To discuss a collaboration or book live fashion art for your next event contact: DeannaKei@gmail.com or see here for more details!

13 Amazing New Jersey Venues You'll Love!

Did you know that some of the most beautiful event venues can be found in New Jersey, just miles outside of New York city?! The state has countless unique event spaces, from rustic barns, to restaurants with views of the city skyline, to beach spas overlooking the open sea, and everything in between.

As a live wedding illustrator I often share creative event entertainment ideas, but before you book the talent you need to choose the space. So this time I’ll be sharing my photos and notes from some of the amazing venues NJ has to offer!

Scroll below to see13 of my favorite venues that I’ve done live guest sketches at. *This list is in no particular order.


1. Molos Restaurant - Weehawken, NJ

guest sketch by Deanna Kei

Why you’ll love it: This Greek and Mediterranean restaurant is right on the Hudson river and has an unmatched view of New York City. Its private event space is lined with full windows so that guests can watch the boats pass by as they dine. The restaurant itself is located in Weehawken, just beyond the Lincoln tunnel.


2. The Ryland Inn, The Coach House - Whitehouse Station, NJ

 

guest sketches by Deanna Kei

 

Why you’ll love it: The Coach House at the Ryland Inn has a beautiful cocktail hour room with raised ceilings, wood paneling, and a rustic feel. The attached main ballroom (not pictured) is a charming refurbished barn.


3. The Ryland Inn, The Grand Ballroom - Whitehouse Station, NJ

guest sketches by Deanna Kei

Why you’ll love it: The Grand Ballroom at the Ryland Inn is located in a separate building on the grounds. The high ceilings are decorated with elaborate chandeliers and there is a separate room for the cocktail space, a piano bar, as well and multiple more intimate sized event rooms.


4. Wave Resort & Spa - Long Branch, NJ

guest sketch by Deanna Kei

Live guest sketches by Deanna Kei

guest sketch by Deanna Kei

guest sketch by Deanna Kei

Why you’ll love it: The Wave resort is a beautiful spa venue overlooking the sea at the jersey shore. It has an airy loft event space with a roof top balcony area for outdoor ceremonies. The resort is framed by a cute beach town and is a minute walk from a carousel, ice cream shop, and more!


5. TPC Jasna Polana, Princeton NJ

 

guest sketch by Deanna Kei

 

Why you’ll love it: The TCP Jasna Polana is a classic styled country club, set beyond a breathtaking arched gate and brick entry way. The ballroom has a domed ceiling and is lined with full windows that look out on the grounds.


6. The Sheraton - Eatontown, NJ

guest sketch by Deanna Kei

guest holding their sketch by Deanna Kei

 

Live guest sketches by Deanna Kei

Why you’ll love it: The raised ceilings and modern lighting design of both the ballroom and the cocktail space make the Sheraton at Eatontown a chic choice for events.


7. Art Factory Studios - Patterson, NJ

Bride and Groom sketch by Deanna Kei

Why you’ll love it: The Art Factory is such a one-of-a-kind space! The ground floor has a vintage art market feel to it. The upstairs level is made up of multiple areas, including an outdoor space. The event design options are limitless!


8. The Westin Governor Morris - Morristown, NJ

guest sketch by Deanna Kei

Bride and Groom sketch by Deanna Kei

Why you’ll love it: The Westin Governor Morris has a classic, open floor cocktail space making it a great choice for larger events. Beyond the doors is an ornate ballroom where the tables frame the dance floor.


9. The Imperia - Somerset, NJ

 

Bride and Groom sketch by Deanna Kei

Live guest sketches by Deanna Kei

 

Why you’ll love it: The Imperia’s unique ceiling designs and wall and carpet furnishings make this venue a must-see! Their multiple banquet rooms can accommodate both larger or smaller events.


10. The Park Chateau - East Brunswick, NJ

guest sketch by Deanna Kei

live guest sketches by Deanna Kei

Bride and Groom sketch by Deanna Kei

Why you’ll love it: The Park Chateau has a gorgeous library space just outside of the main cocktail room which can be opened up to extend the area. The cocktail hour room also opens to an outdoor ceremony space.


11. The Venetian - Garfield, NJ

Why you’ll love it: The Venetian’s ballroom has a beautiful curved double staircase leading down from the bridal suite to the dance floor, perfect for making a grand entrance. The chandeliers and color changing light-lined ceiling bring the perfect ambience to any type of event.


12. Nanina’s In The Park - Belleville, NJ

guest sketch by Deanna Kei

guest sketch by Deanna Kei

Why you’ll love it: Nanina’s in the Park is known for its beautiful outdoor garden area. Inside, the ballroom has a large dance floor in the center surrounded by an elevated seating area so guests have a perfect view.


13. The Meadow Wood - Randolph, NJ

guest sketch by Deanna Kei

guest sketch by Deanna Kei

Why you’ll love it: The Meadow Wood’s grand stair case is the first thing your guests will see as they enter and its the perfect backdrop for photos.


Deanna Kei is a New York based live event illustrator who turns guests into fun fashion illustrations at special events. She’s available to book for both live and virtual events. *Contact deannakei@gmail.com