The last day of Oprah’s Legends Weekend—celebrating iconic Black women in art, entertainment, and civil right—consisted of a lively gospel brunch on the sprawling grounds of Oprah’s estate.

Sipping Bellinis and Bloody Marys on the vast front lawn, glamorous guests enjoyed spectacular performances led by the king of gospel—Bebe Winans—with accompaniment by Shirley Caesar, Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, Dionne Warwick, and Chaka Khan, among countless other gifted musicians. Guests made their way to the garden for a delightful Sunday brunch with exceptionally curated food stations. Colin sat with Sugar Ray Leonard whose wedding he designed years earlier!

As a parting gift, Oprah compiled the weekend's music collection so guests could continue their celebration at home for years ahead. 🎶 ...

The highlight of the Oprah’s Legends Weekend was an elegant white-tie ball at the Bacara Resort in Santa Barbara. Notable guests included Michelle and Barack Obama, Quincy Jones, Lionel Richie, Usher, Spike Lee, Tyler Perry, John Travolta, Diane Sawyer, and Barbara Walters, among many others. Colin has never seen or been surrounded by such greatness before - it was electrifying.  

From Oprah’s show-stopping haute couture Vera Wang ball gown to the extraordinary dinner by Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, and the custom, multilevel 1940s Art Deco installation in the ballroom, the night was dazzled with style and glamor. Colin even built the tiered wall sconces himself.

Another recitation of Pearl Cleage’s poem, “We Speak Your Names,” left the room teary–eyed, while musical performances by Chaka Khan and Michael McDonald prompted an unforgettable night on the dance floor. ...

Throwing it back to Oprah’s LEGENDS WEEKEND! This 3-day mega-event celebrated 20 legendary Black women in art, entertainment, and civil rights.

Among the Legends included Maya Angelou, Aretha Franklin, Coretta Scott King, Rosa Parks, Diana Ross, Cicely Tyson, and Tina Turner – just to name a few. Oprah also invited a younger generation of 40 guests—who she termed the “Young’uns”— to meet and celebrate the remarkable women who preceded them. Some of the Young’uns included Alicia Keys, Angela Bassett, Ashanti, Brandy, Halle Berry, Janet Jackson, Iman, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Missy Elliott, Naomi Campbell, Natalie Cole, Phylicia Rashad, and Michelle Obama.  
 
The event began with a luncheon at Oprah’s stunning estate. Guests had cocktails in the main residence then were transported via a customized San Francisco trolley to the front garden for a (now legendary) group photo by acclaimed photographer, Kwaku Alston. The trolley then brought Legends and Young’uns to the bespoke gazebo we created in the gardens.  

Guests sat at a table in the shape of a giant ‘O’ where an abundance of vibrant florals and complementary soft hues created an organic springtime feeling. Every detail—from the embroidered napkins to the hand-painted china and even the seat cushions—was custom-made for the occasion!
 
After welcome toasts and an exquisite luncheon, it was time for dessert. Waiters presented the women with miniature hat boxes with a chocolate surprise inside – edible potted plants! (And yes, every woman had their own waiter – the epitome of #TheGoldStandard.)

John Legend performed “Ordinary People” and Pearl Cleage read a poem she wrote for the weekend, “We Speak Your Names.” The Legends offered advice to the Young’uns and Oprah surprised everyone with a parting gift. Oprah gifted each Legend with a gorgeous engraved red alligator box. Each box held 10 carats of diamond earrings.

The Legends received 10k diamond drop earrings and the Young’uns received diamond hoop earrings. Now that’s a legendary party favor. 💫 ...

Thank you @archdigest for featuring our revamp with @bocaresort! #TheGoldStandard ...

Thank you Grace Ormonde and @wedding_style for the GORGEOUS CODA feature! Swipe to see beautiful memories from Colin and Danny’s epic wedding celebration - plus a few never-seen-before photos! #LifeAsItShouldBe #TheGoldStandard ...

Nestled in the Swiss Alps, a chic private chateau hosted an unforgettable celebration of art, music, and culture... Guests entered through the garage for an underground cocktail hour. A car by Richard Prince lay on a turntable as the focal point. After cocktails, we transitioned upstairs. The focal point of the dinner space was a large silk cylinder in the middle of the room.  After a French-Vietnamese dinner, the orange fabric dropped—Kabuki-style—to reveal Lang Lang, arguably one of the world’s most famous pianists performing on a rotating stage beneath a canopy of Chinese lanterns. After Lang Lang’s performance, the piano magically disappeared and the stage became the dance floor.  Guests danced late into the night. #itsallinthedetails #prepandemicthrowback ...

MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT! 💥 Colin’s new book—The Gold Standard—is available for pre-order now! This is Colin’s 11th book but his first about business and the power of proactive customer service.

As we soon transition into post-pandemic life, customer service will be more important than ever before. Colin is laser-focused on the experience and how to make lasting first impressions and emotional connections. He inspires you to consider essential questions: In a crowded space, how do you set yourself apart? How can you create a culture of proactive customer service to be noticed first and always remembered?

Colin discusses practical protocols and explores experiential touchpoints that any business—from a law firm to your local market—could use. Here’s the secret: It’s all about giving customers what they didn’t know they wanted.

“This book has been a long time in the making and I’m so grateful to share all that I have learned and what continues to serve me well.” Thank you HarperCollins for bringing this book to life!

Coming this September! Secure your copy via the link in our bio. ...

This dreamy post-wedding brunch was not complete without pops of tropical orange florals, breezy lounge areas with blankets and parasols, and of course… an epic Bloody Mary bar.🍹• PART 3/3 ...

1 WEEK until Bridelux’s Symposium - “Turning The Taps Back On.” ✨ Join Colin and fellow industry leaders on Thursday, April 8 for a virtual fireside chat about post-pandemic opportunities and plans for the next year. Full access includes all sessions, a speaker Q&A, networking, catch-up recordings, and more. Reserve your spot via the link in our bio! ...

When the biggest hurricane in 20 years was on its way to Hawaii, we had to pivot and adapt our plans accordingly. Foregoing the original design for an outdoor ceremony, we created a beautiful indoor ceremony with something old, something new, and something blue… From the ethereal chapel to the monochromatic cream florals and azure accents, this wedding design was as airy and romantic as the location itself. #WhateverItTakes • PART 2/3 ...

Can we go back to this gorgeous rehearsal dinner in Maui, Hawaii? 🌴 We created this chic tropical paradise with a popping contrast of creams and vibrant reds. Coral napkin holders played to the location, while silver plates and flatware added a touch of glamour. Guests sipped refreshing lemongrass ginger cocktails as the sun set over the ocean... #LifeAsItShouldBe • PART 1/3 ...

PART 3/3 – The final night of this 3-day birthday celebration featured designs inspired by Murakami, our host’s favorite artist.

This look was all about COLOR. 🌈 We covered the tables with printed Murakami graphics and lucite tabletops for a stylish yet sleek look. We added vibrant charger plates and contrasting linen napkins embroidered with Murakami characters in various hues and styles.

Kaleidoscopic Gerbera daisies in clear bud vases ran along the center of the tables for a playful pop of dimension, while an abundance of silver candles brought a touch of glamour. (We also arranged our host’s initials in candles for another special touch!)

Swipe for an exclusive look one of our design renderings. ✨ ...

PART 2/3 – Hosted at ABC Kitchen, the second night of this 3-day birthday soirée honored pop artist Roy Lichtenstein.

We transformed the tables into massive Lichtenstein comic strips with custom vinyl decals featuring our host. We topped the lively tables with yellow flowers in clear bud vases, glass candelabras, yellow charger plates, and bowls of irresistible yellow candy. Gray water tumblers and linen dinner napkins with custom embroidery balanced the vibrancy of the yellows for an animated yet chic final look.

After dinner, we moved the party to a luxe Manhattan nightclub. Seven dancers painted in Lichtenstein-inspired artwork greeted guests with sparkling magnums of Cristal champagne and Grey Goose vodka that spelled out our host’s name. Talk about an entrance!

Three men painted in Keith Haring-inspired artwork presented our host with a striking Haring-inspired birthday cake—then everyone partied ‘til sunrise! 💥 ...

PART 1/3 – Throwback to this glamorous 40th birthday celebration!

This 3-night event was all about ART.💥 Each night we honored a different artist through design and décor, and we dedicated the first night to Richard Prince.

To build anticipation for the celebration ahead, we separated the cocktail area from the dining space with a sheer curtain. When it was time for dinner, we pinned back the curtain to reveal the spectacular Prince-inspired dining room.

We lined the dinner tables with contemporary black vases, onyx wine glasses, iridescent votives, and glass oil lamps for a chic and sexy look. We added a tasteful touch of color with green Cymbidium orchids, emerald dinner napkins and water tumblers, and of course, Prince-inspired menus.

After dinner, we surprised guests with a burlesque fire show featuring an antique bathtub as the focal point. Everything gets hotter when the sun goes down… 🔥🔥🔥

Stay tuned to see what the next two nights have in store! ...

PART 3/3 - The 2008 grand opening of Dubai’s Palm Island and Atlantis set the world record for the largest fireworks show in the history of pyrotechnics at its time. Fireworks launched off every balcony and illuminated the entire 226km perimeter of the island. Only the 2,500 VIP guests in attendance witnessed the spectacle from below while nearly 1 BILLION people tuned into CNN’s satellite feed from above. #WhateverItTakes ...

PART 2/3 – The grand opening of Dubai’s Palm Island and Atlantis featured unparalleled theatrics and special effects.💥

Leading up to the world record-setting fireworks show, a 70’ dragon wound its way through the cocktail area carrying sushi by @therealnobu. Marching soldiers led guests to the dining space where a combination of HD video projection, lighting, and pyrotechnics of epic proportions told the story of Atlantis Rising from the Sea. Atop a custom-made 75,000 sq. ft. deck, 2,500 VIP guests enjoyed a formal dinner hosted by Michelin-starred chefs Nobu Matsuhisa, Santi Santamaria, Michel Rostang, and Giorgio Locatelli.

Spectacular entertainment throughout the evening—including performances by Kylie Minogue, Priyanka Chopra, Nawal El Zoghbi, and Donna D’Cruz—made the night one remembered for a lifetime. ...

PART 1/3 - The spectacular $25M opening of Palm Island and Atlantis in Dubai was one of—if not, *the*—best events in Colin Cowie history. The celebration attracted VIP celebrity guests around the world, set a Guinness world record, and was arguably one of the world’s most talked-about parties. Swipe to see why… #WhateverItTakes ...

PART 6/6 - From the ‘glamoflauge’ safari party and welcome cocktails to the beach party and wedding day, the CODA fashion was truly unforgettable. Swipe to see some of the most show-stopping looks—and let us know your favorites in the comments below! 💥 ...

PART 5/6 - Exactly one year ago today, Colin and Danny exchanged vows in front of 176 of their closest family and friends at Cape Town’s sumptuous Boschendal Vineyard.

The grooms crafted their own wedding from start to finish, putting unique and personal spins on the rituals and ceremony. They shared a 100-year-old Louis XIII cognac toast with their groomsmen then walked down the organic aisle in two groups, greeting and mingling with guests along the way.
 
In lieu of rings, Colin and Danny exchanged custom Jacob + Co. bracelets engraved with CODA and the date – 02/22/20. Guests blessed the bracelets during the ceremony before they were locked onto their wrists.

The attire was ultra-glamorous black tie and no one held back! Colin and Danny wore custom Saville Row tuxedos from Thom Sweeney. Close friend and best man, Naeem Khan designed custom ombré gowns for the women in the wedding party, their sisters and closest friends. Best friend and officiant Sloan Lindemann Barnett looked incredible in Chanel Haute Couture.

The grooms said ‘I do’ and cold white pyros shot out from grand stone urns. The 22-piece orchestra played “Love’s Theme,” and their lives together began!
 
Colin created a sexy, masculine atmosphere for dinner using deep reds and shadowy grays. He covered the tables with red roses and burgundy dahlias, leafy greenery and mosses, halved figs, and hundreds of candles for a natural yet romantic look.
 
Between Alistaire Lawrence’s three courses, the grooms enjoyed amazing heartfelt speeches. Colin spent eight months writing and rehearsing his speech for Danny, and it was one of the most special moments of the entire wedding.
 
Marcela Roggeri, Danny’s best friend and the top classical concert pianist, performed two of their favorite songs and the SA Three Tenors performed two opera classics.

Danny jump-started the party by dancing a tango with their talented friend Lisa Heiden. The uber-chic CODA nightclub opened and they danced ‘til sunrise - yes, they went to 6am.
 
“I still can’t believe our epic CODA wedding was a year ago today. Thank you to everyone who made this magical day happen. This will forever be my favorite wedding!”

-Colin ...

PART 4/6 – Colin and Danny’s rehearsal dinner took place at a stunning villa in Boschendal. Chef Alistaire Lawrence curated a delicious menu, and Colin treated his closest friends and family to an all-encompassing Louis XIII tasting experience. A Louis XIII specialist spoke about the spirit’s rich history, and Colin and Danny toasted to their families with the signature Baccarat sunflower glasses. ...

PART 3/6 – The Grand Café and Beach was the best place for Colin and Danny to host a glamorous and energetic Mykonos-style beach party.
 
The grooms and their guests lounged in the sunshine, sipped endless refreshing and potent cocktails, and enjoyed each other’s company before the big day. It was epic... The day started at 1pm and ended at 9:30pm.

Colin opted for a cheery yellow theme, adorning the space with countless sunflowers and lemons, to celebrate the happy occasion. A giant sunflower sculpture spelled out ‘CODA’ beside the dance floor. The grooms’ joint DNA went into every aspect of the wedding so they named the celebration ‘CODA’ for Colin and Danny.
 
From the radiant yellow accents to the giant disco ball, Colin’s attention to detail was above and beyond. Beverages chilled in a life-size boat and lemon-clad attendants provided sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses to guests in the sun. It’s also no surprise the fashion at the beach party was absolutely fabulous.
 
The iconic drag queen trio, the Trolley Dollies, rallied guests with a marvelous performance before guests packed the dance floor with Colin’s all-time favorite and NYC’s best... DJ Coleman. He’s a rock star!
 
At the end of the day, Colin and Danny gave guests custom Lalela scarves. The scarves had an outlined image of Colin and Danny surrounded by the name of every guest. Colin and Danny have been longtime supporters of Lalela and they were honored to share the initiative with their guests.

100% of Lalela’s proceeds go towards helping young artists and at-risk youth find their voice and overcome the narrative of poverty through the transformative power of arts education. 💛🍋🌻☀️ ...

PART 2/6 – Colin and Danny flew their guests to Cape Town and once everyone was settled, they hosted a fabulous welcome party at Chinchilla.

Colin created a breezy lounge area with plush seating, bright accents, and an abundance of fresh florals for guests to socialize during sunset. Guests brought out their most vibrant and tropical looks for the occasion and they looked fabulous!

The grooms and their guests sampled the most delicious spread of South African appetizers and drank @volcantequila (carried to South Africa by CODA tequila mules!) and of course, Colin’s signature 120-mph shots.

People made speeches and told stories, and Colin brought out an unforgettable chocolate cake but the best was yet to come… 🌴🌺🍸 ...

PART 1/6 - Exactly one year ago today Colin and Danny kicked off their epic week-long wedding in South Africa. The spectacular celebration began with a dinner in the bush. The theme was glamoflauge; every guest dressed as their favorite safari animal and the fashion was out. of. control.  

Colin designed a chic bush camp with rustic wooden furniture and a natural color palette for guests to relax in style.

Traditional African food was served in abundance, including South Africa’s classic braai (bbq) and dozens of local dishes.

Interactive storyteller Gcina Mhlope entertained guests around a massive bonfire with a story about Colin and Danny’s history. Gcina even connected their story to the once united continent of Pangea, as South Africa, Colin’s home country, and Argentina, Danny’s home country, were once connected and are now reunited.

After the sun went down and the storytelling came to a close, guests danced the night away fueled by Colin’s iconic 120-mph shots. 🦓🇿🇦🍸🐘♥️🦁 ...

PART 2/2 - The wedding day! This spectacular coastal celebration proves that hard work pays off. This complex and challenging installation necessitated a particular level of creative problem solving—one that included constructing a sub-floor to cover the massive boulders in the garden.

The tent was inspired by a collection of Ralph Lauren Fabrics. We actually used Ralph Lauren wallpaper in the entry tent. As you swipe, note thick plank wooden floors, the navy velvet columns with crystal sconces, the sunken dance floor, and the elegant crown molding. The look and feel of this tent is very residential.

We added dimension to the dining space by designing four different tables with four different fabrics: a classic navy and white stripe, an Anglo-Indian print, a French Toile, and an espresso wood tabletop with a linen runner.

Cantilevered about 18 feet over the water, the outside deck held a collection of chic seating areas overlooking the ocean. We covered the exterior tent walls in faux stone take our look #aboveandbeyond. ...