Since launching her designer swimwear brand in 1993, Lenny Niemeyer has become the queen of Brazilian beach fashion, with 16 stores across the country. But she is just as famous for her fabulous parties. Here, with specially translated excerpts from her book ’Lenny Niemeyer: Delícia Receber’ (entertaining is a pleasure), the niece by marriage of Brazil’s most famous architect shares some musings on the art of entertaining and celebrating life.
Advisory panellist: Lenny Niemeyer
Advisory panellist: Lenny Niemeyer
’Lenny Niemeyer: Delícia Receber’
On her legendary parties
’The biggest of all my parties and the only one really planned in advance is the Fashion Rio. This is when I celebrate the end of four months of hard work preparing my summer collection - I hardly have time to go out and meet friends during this period. I like to ’dress’ the house according to the theme of the collection. You can say it’s a themed party. I bring together eclectic groups: the Friends of Rio and Sao Paulo, models, journalists, producers and all the people who directly or indirectly have a hand in my work, or a stake in my life. This is a great mantra for a party: groups gather different ideas, different conversations and joy. Fashion Rio ends up being a party of big meetings - and sometimes disagreements... But that’s another story.’ Lenny Niemeyer
’Lenny Niemeyer: Delícia Receber’
On her legendary parties
’The biggest of all my parties and the only one really planned in advance is the Fashion Rio. This is when I celebrate the end of four months of hard work preparing my summer collection - I hardly have time to go out and meet friends during this period. I like to ’dress’ the house according to the theme of the collection. You can say it’s a themed party. I bring together eclectic groups: the Friends of Rio and Sao Paulo, models, journalists, producers and all the people who directly or indirectly have a hand in my work, or a stake in my life. This is a great mantra for a party: groups gather different ideas, different conversations and joy. Fashion Rio ends up being a party of big meetings - and sometimes disagreements... But that’s another story.’ Lenny Niemeyer
A spread from the book
On a home with life
’My house is a picture of my experiences. In the living room, I display art books, gifts gained from friends and the objects that I bring home from my travels. So everything is well mixed; there is no defined style. I think it is the stories of each of these items of sentimental value that give comfort to the guests. When I started decorating my apartment, architects Claudio Bernardes and Sig Bergamim - who are great friends and know my lifestyle well - gave me a valuable piece of advice: a look that is too tidy, planned and without the owner’s personal touch risks seeming like a cold shop window.’ Lenny Niemeyer
A spread from the book
On a home with life
’My house is a picture of my experiences. In the living room, I display art books, gifts gained from friends and the objects that I bring home from my travels. So everything is well mixed; there is no defined style. I think it is the stories of each of these items of sentimental value that give comfort to the guests. When I started decorating my apartment, architects Claudio Bernardes and Sig Bergamim - who are great friends and know my lifestyle well - gave me a valuable piece of advice: a look that is too tidy, planned and without the owner’s personal touch risks seeming like a cold shop window.’ Lenny Niemeyer
A spread from the book
On celebrating life
’To me, there is no such thing as being alone on a birthday or just going out for dinner. Of course, nobody is obliged to always be in a happy spirit, but the date is certainly a good reason to banish any low mood and celebrate life. However big or intimate the party, birthdays deserve to be celebrated - preferably with people we love.’Lenny Niemeyer
A spread from the book
On celebrating life
’To me, there is no such thing as being alone on a birthday or just going out for dinner. Of course, nobody is obliged to always be in a happy spirit, but the date is certainly a good reason to banish any low mood and celebrate life. However big or intimate the party, birthdays deserve to be celebrated - preferably with people we love.’Lenny Niemeyer
Lenny Niemeyer at one of her many parties. Photograph by Marcelo Tabach
Lenny Niemeyer at one of her many parties. Photograph by Marcelo Tabach
Lenny with her daughter, Izabel Niemeyer, and friend, Irajá Carneiro. Photograph by Marcelo Tabach
Lenny with her daughter, Izabel Niemeyer, and friend, Irajá Carneiro. Photograph by Marcelo Tabach