Painting a Masterpiece: Birkenstock’s 250th Anniversary Celebration

2024 marked the monumental 250th anniversary of Birkenstock, a brand that has strutted from “health shoes” to a symbol of style and practicality. To celebrate this milestone, the global icon chose Bangalore's Taj as the backdrop for an unforgettable event. And guess who was tapped to add a creative twist? Paint Bar!

The Big Ask

Birkenstock’s celebration had to do two things:

1. Honor their loyal customers.
2. Wow industry influencers while showcasing their fall-winter collection.

No small task, but we live for challenges like this. Our goal was to translate Birkenstock's legacy into art that guests could replicate and take home as a cherished souvenir of the celebration. The result? Two thoughtfully crafted designs: one capturing the timeless Arizona sandal basking on a tranquil beach, and the other spotlighting the modern clogs confidently striding through vibrant cityscapes.

Sounds straightforward, right? Not quite. Once the designs were approved, we added a touch of sophistication by digitally printing them onto canvases, ensuring guests could focus purely on painting. To elevate the experience, we embossed the Birkenstock logo on the back—because attention to detail matters. Just when we thought we had it all figured out, the client threw us a curveball. Impressed by the results, they doubled the order from 150 to 300 canvases… with less than five days on the clock! Challenge accepted!!

When the Clock Ticks Faster

Events always come with a side of chaos. Sourcing the extra canvases in time? That was our Mount Everest. But thanks to some good ol’ team ingenuity (and maybe a few frantic phone calls), we pulled it off. After all, if it’s not a race against the clock, is it even an event?

When the Clock Ticks Faster

Events always come with a side of chaos. Sourcing the extra canvases in time? That was our Mount Everest. But thanks to some good ol’ team ingenuity (and maybe a few frantic phone calls), we pulled it off. After all, if it’s not a race against the clock, is it even an event?

The Grand Day: Poolside Perfection

The big day arrived, and we set up shop at the gorgeous JW Marriott poolside pavilion. Bangalore’s weather gods were kind, granting us cool breezes as we arranged tables to seat 30 participants at a time.

Here’s where it got tricky. With so many people filtering in and out, our initial plan of a “man-to-man defense”—having each artist guide an individual guest—went out the window. The crowd was overwhelming (in the best way possible), so we pivoted to batching sessions. Every 30 minutes, new groups of eager painters took their seats while others grabbed drinks or admired the exhibits.

By 4 PM, the first half of the event ended, and though we were already running on fumes, there was no time to rest. We had to be ready for round two at 6 PM.

Lights, Music, Action!

As the lights came on, the DJ set the tone, and the second half of the event kicked off with a bang. For this session, we returned to our one-on-one approach, ensuring every influencer had a personalized painting experience. The combination of music, wine, and art created an unforgettable atmosphere.

Just as we were preparing to call it a night, Bangalore threw in a curveball—a sudden downpour. Fortunately, the event planners had thought ahead, and all exhibits and painting stations were under cover. Guests gathered in the shaded areas, drinks in hand, chatting and watching the rain. What could have been chaos turned into a charming end to a magical day.

Final Tally: A Resounding Success

In one day, we painted with over 300 people, pulled off two seamless sessions, and left everyone with not just a canvas, but a story to tell. Exhausted but proud, we packed up knowing we’d made Birkenstock’s 250th-anniversary celebration truly special.

Here’s to more milestones, more paint, and just a little more sleep next time!

Pictured above : Is a strong team of women, right before executing an event for 300 people ! 
[Top] Left to right : Sneh Chawla, Tarini Chawla, Gowri Krishna, Muksan Jain, Nishitha Gowda
[Bottom] : Shashikala, Nishka Mehta