Art of throwing a party

If ever an invite lands on the mat signed “Nellie Shepherd”, accept immediately because Miss Shepherd,
who has recently decamped from West London to Wilmslow, Cheshire, is a woman who knows how to throw a party.

Boasting a client list topped by pop queen Madonna, she has thrown thousands of bashes, spanning art parties for
the off-spring of A-listers to circus-style spectaculars for blue-chip companies.

Penguin commissioned a series of children’s art books from her – and in 2003 put her in touch with a client who wanted
a children’s book launch party. The client was Madonna.“She had written a book called The English Roses, which
was beautifully illustrated,” says Nellie. “I created a 3D world from paper, so when you walked onto the roof gardens of the
venue in Kensington, it was like stepping into the book, with hundreds of graffiti roses suspended on fishing wire, and butterflies.

“She was really busy doing all the publicity, and I was given free rein. There was a floor they all collaged, including her children.
She came in a beautiful Prada dress to match the theme and in fact loved the party, which was nice, and I ended up interviewing her on
stage. It really, really helped me with my business.”

From an article by Emma Pinch, Liverpool Daily Post.