LEAD

But I always say, one's company, two's a crowd, and three's a party

By Burton Simpson, Sophie Colley, Kyra Carpenter, and Blake Plassman
Photography by Anja Kreibaum
December 07, 2009


Let's be honest, the typical kegger and pin the tail on the donkey gets old after a while. Why not pull the pin on an awesome party grenade and throw an Andy Warhol-inspired sixties bash?

First, a little back-story:
Andy Warhol was interested in the mass-produced nature of American consumer goods. His method of artistry reflected this, and he produced his iconic artwork in a New York warehouse known as "the factory." It also happened to be the hangout for Warhol's bohemian retinue. It had the atmosphere of a party, and was where Warhol made his magic. A little known fact is that while Warhol was the creative genius behind his work, did not actually produce most of it himself; his subordinates were in charge of the real production, and so adhered to the "factory" motif. However, it was the constant atmosphere of a party, which really gave the factory its reputation. It is this den of creativity, mass production, eclectic personalities, and unique fashion that we will attempt replicate with this little shindig.

DECORATION
So now that we've convinced you that a Warhol party is the kind of creative move needed to improve your social status, you probably want to know how to make it happen. First, you're going to have to find a place you can turn into the factory. Don't stress; with the right decorations any room can recreate the look.

Go Silver: Once you know where you're going to party, buy a lot of tin foil. The walls should be nearly covered with sheets of it. The silver walls of Warhol's factory remain one of its iconic features. Going along with the silver theme, silver balloons and mirrors can also give your factory a bit of authenticity.

Red Couch: Another key part of Warhol lore. To get the effect without a new couch, just drape a red sheet or couch cover over one you already have. Or try searching for a free couch on craigslist.

ART: Finally, to make it truly a Warhol party, put up some prints of Warhol's art. Soup cans and bananas are great additions, as they inspired his most famous pieces. If you're really brave, have a TV showing some of Warhol's films. Be warned, they aren't for a party to which you'd bring your grandmother.

At this point, you've got your own factory. Now, you'll need workers.

FASHION
Andy Warhol's factory was a uniquely sixties event. For your factory party, ask your guests to dress for the era. If they don't know how, here are some tips.

Mod fashion was a big trend in the sixties, so mini-skirts, vinyl and bright colors are encouraged.

A-line dresses, dark eye makeup, and false eyelashes are accoutrements women can incorporate to achieve the sixties feel.

Futuristic patterns and the space look were popular, and can be emulated by guests.

Icons: To get an idea of what was actually worn, they can check out the styles of celebrities like Twiggy, Mary Quant and Edie Sedgwick.

Guys will look fine in a sleek suit with a thin tie. Those cool cats who are looking to invest themselves more in their roles can take a look at the exquisite style of Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, and the ultra-pasty Andy Warhol himself.

DRINKS
For this classy party, you'll need some classy drinks. Whether you make cocktails or mocktails, the best drink to bring back the sixties is the classic martini. Some other drinks to consider when buying supplies are Gin and Tonic, Brandy Alexander, Tom Collins and Manhattans. Recipes for these timeless drinks can easily be found online[link] or in any bartender's guide.

MUSIC
Perhaps once, maybe twice in your life, you will go to a college party and a strange sound will come to your ears... music that isn't rap! GASP! Well, brace yourself; this party is going to be one of those times. The proper music will really provide the right mood and add a degree of authenticity to the event.

Warhol had friendly relationships with many prominent musicians, so finding a few good tracks to fit both your tastes and Andy's shouldn't be too hard. Here's a few examples of what you can work with:

• The Velvet Underground: This influential band is a must-hear for everybody. Their quirkiness might grow on you after a while. Warhol assisted in the production of their music for a while, and created the iconic banana album cover for them.
• The Rolling Stones: These guys give you a lot to work with. Warhol designed a few album covers for these guys and made a few portraits of the ever-awesome Mick Jagger.
• The Cars: Warhol directed and appeared in a music video for their song "Hello Again." The result was oddly cool.
• Devo: Reputed to have been strongly influenced by Warhol. These guys give you access to a few good eighties hits.
• David Bowie: One of the few people who could rival Warhol in a crazy-cool-creepy-awesome contest, Bowie was also influenced by Warhol, writing "Andy Warhol" for his hit Hunky Dory album
• Aretha Franklin: One of Warhol's last works was a portrait for Franklin's album Aretha. Maybe not the best stuff for straight up partying, but I'm sure you can fit Aretha in somewhere.

As you can see, there's more than enough appropriate music to fill a few Warhol-inspired playlists. Just resist the urge to force-feed your guests the same things they hear every weekend.

So there you have it, all the ingredients for creating your own Andy Warhol themed party!