New York Bat Mitzvahs
At Blacker and Kooby, we have a unique vantage point into the world of 12/13 year old minds….the Bat Mitzvah girls are the best! I just recently helped create invitations for four young women who are interconnected through school, activities and friendship. I was impressed with their maturity and fashion sense. I love help creating the best Bat Mitzvah invitations in New York City for these styling and savvy city teens.
The first young woman, Nora, came in with her mom. Nora knew exactly what she liked, and was very specific about colors and font. She created an ensemble from Luscious Verde, in beet, breeze, orchid and cream, with neptune ink.
Her fun choice of colors matched her vibrant personality. Nora was no novice to the design world. She had already launched an internet business with her friend that sold “duct tape bags”. Nora, I want to follow you on twitter! You are going places!
The next customer, Brooke, also came in with her mom and proceeded to unleash her inner design goddess. She did NOT want the typical Bat Mitzvah invitation. We decided to look at some wedding books for inspiration. Brooke fell in love with Checkerboard’s iridescent pearl paper. She chose inks in silver and lime inks, and added highlights or margarita paper, here and there. The dove on her invitation, symbolizes peace. The “bayz hay” on the upper right hand corner infuses some spiritual good luck. Brooke’s invitation mentions the name of her grandparents on her cards, a very nice touch. Go Brooke!
Next came Hannah, another totally stylin’ chick! Hannah had a very specific idea in mind. She brought in a precious paper-cut silhouette of her profile that her third grade teacher had created. We scanned the image in photoshop and integrated it into her design. Hannah specifically asked us to use gold foil stamping on her invitations. She liked the shininess and brilliance that foil stamping achieves. With Checkerboard’s grape and cream papers, and lilac ink, the foil stamping made Hannah’s tri-fold invitation come to life. The result was arty, feminine and fun. You rock, girl!
I want to mention that Blacker and Kooby had designed and printed invitations for Nora and Brooke’s older siblings. We have a long history of event-driven relationships with our customers. It is such a pleasure re-connecting with our former customers as they celebrate the most special moments of their lives…..
The last of our fabulous foursome was Katie! Her invitation had special meaning to me, because not only had I done Katie’s birth announcements, and her sister’s, BUT…..I designed Katie’s parents’ Wedding Invitations and Programs years ago!
Katie was very enthusiastic, and choosing her invitation was a family event. Mom, Dad and younger sister all played a role in the process. Katie’s Hebrew name is Shoshana, meaning “rose”. We were searching for the perfect rose invitation to herald Katie’s big moment. Once again we turned to the wedding albums, and found a Checkerboard ensemble that would allow us to pay homage to Katie’s name and hold all her accessory items in an organized and attractive manner.
A black folder with bermuda and white inserts and black ink, outfitted with an abstract rose image that bled off the corners did the trick. A coordinating Bermuda ribbon literally sealed the deal. When the designing part was done, Katie jumped up and down and gave me the biggest hug.
Working with all four of these super young women was such a treat. Doing Bat Mitzvah invitations is so much more than ordering printing, it is working with individuals who are deciding just who they want to be. They are entering womanhood, joining a community and expressing themselves. Nora, Brooke, Hannah and Katie were all able to infuse their personalities, spirituality and aesthetic senses into their invitations. I was honored to work with each of them and help create the best Bat Mitzvah invitation in New York City!