Welcome to Hosts at Heart, an expert guide on how to bring people together with CHANDON– with advice on everything from menus to music and so much more.


In this edition, Brooklyn-based jewelry designer Bernard James shares how to host an anniversary celebration as big as his community of friends and collaborators. As the founder of his eponymous jewelry brand, Bernard believes hosting milestone gatherings is an opportunity to open up the celebration to a larger community - the core of his brand.

SET THE TONE

SET THE TONE

The energy of any event starts with the space it’s held in—and creating that energy begins before guests arrive. For our one-year anniversary gathering at our Greenpoint store, we had a crowd as large as the occasion we were celebrating.

FIND BRUT

ENGAGE EVERY SENSE

ENGAGE EVERY SENSE

It’s all about the senses - it’s all about the detail. For the aroma, we selected a delicate sandalwood incense, sourced from Asayu Japan. For our bubbly, we loved serving CHANDON Brut – its balance and elegance make it a versatile choice that appeals to a wide range of palates, while its nutty and brioche-like flavors add a touch of sophistication. CHANDON brought the right mix of complexity and approachability to truly elevate this special milestone.

REVEL IN THE MOMENT

REVEL IN THE MOMENT

Hosting isn’t just about the event—it’s about the reason behind it. Celebrating our store’s one-year anniversary has been a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our team and the support of our larger community. For this milestone, we chose to open the celebration beyond our team, and instead to our community – allowing us to share this special moment with those who have supported us all year long. Community is at the core of who we are as a brand, and we couldn’t imagine celebrating without everyone who made this journey possible.

ENCOURAGE NEW FRIENDSHIPS

ENCOURAGE NEW FRIENDSHIPS

Although I obviously have my own personal relationships with most of the people that walk through the doors of 181 Franklin Street, the beauty of every event is the potential for people to either meet someone new or continue a conversation from the previous one. I love to encourage friends to meet someone new, transforming gatherings into meaningful events, where everyone feels connected and inspired.

LOOKING FOR MORE HOSTING TIPS?

EXPLORE