Chris Hessney: Vision & Design Rooted in Atmosphere
From the outset, Chris Hessney has approached events as environments to be inhabited—not staged. He honed his craft working with restaurateur Stephen Starr, Chef Morimoto, and hotelier André Balazs, then helped launch The Standard High Line in New York. In 2015, he struck out on his own, founding Hessney & Co., an international event production and design agency in the heart of Manhattan. His early career in hospitality and design informs every project: his events feel like they breathe, with rhythm, texture, and intention behind every glance and sip.
A Celebrated Clientele & Brand Collaborations
Since its inception, Hessney & Co. has served a roster of clients across fashion, beauty, entertainment, and corporate spheres. Among them are Goop (Gwyneth Paltrow’s brand), Martha Stewart Weddings, Net‑a‑Porter, Valentino, Ferragamo, Chopard, and Carolina Herrera. In addition, recognizable names from private events like Maison Margiela and Ferrari entrust their high-profile moments to Chris and his team. His reputation as one of the top wedding florists in the U.S. was confirmed when Harper’s Bazaar recognized him for his design sensibility and floral artistry.
Events That Feel Like Escape—Not Staging
Chris’s events come alive through theatrical detail infused with emotional energy. Whether he’s crafting a signature dinner for Valentino or a wellness launch for Goop, the design choices feel both deliberate and dreamy. A CH panel remarked his productions become “immersive wonderland-like experiences” with imaginative florals, tablescapes, and ambiance. His work blends fashion-forward styling with intimate hospitality, consistently attracting a chic, discerning crowd.
Personal Milestones, Public Storytelling
His own wedding—planned over a three-day weekend at Villa Balbiano in Lake Como—felt like a curated masterpiece rather than a one-off fête. The event, described in Harper’s Bazaar as a “wicked party,” unfurled across multiple settings: guests arrived by boat, dined under Murano chandeliers, danced into the night, and wove floral installations through chandeliers, gardens, and tents. It was a personal labor of love and a public statement of his creative ethos.
A Philosophy Built on Detail, Flow & Story
Chris leads with design intelligence. His process begins with spatial awareness—choosing layout, furniture, and palette first—before unfolding into florals, lighting, and pacing. He considers timing, acoustics, scent, and unexpected flourishes as integral, invisible cues that elevate an event. His approach was recently explored in interview pieces for SFERRA and Galerie Magazine, further illustrating his design-first philosophy as well as his ability to craft regal simplicity.
Each Hessney & Co. event feels curated yet lived-in—like a world you step into, with all coordinates thoughtfully placed and every guest gently guided. The personal and the theatrical exist side by side. The result is rarely conventional, and always alive.
Visit his website to discover how Chris Hessney translates design dreams into gatherings that feel timeless, textured, and deeply attuned to their hosts.
