Colin Cowie: The Mind Behind the Magic

Colin Cowie

Miami, FL – November 26, 2024 – Renowned event planner and global citizen Colin Cowie has traveled over 16 million miles and explored nearly 100 countries, drawing inspiration from diverse cultures around the world.

Through his website, books, television appearances, and personal example, he inspires others to live their best lives. Born in Zambia and raised in South Africa, Colin is also deeply committed to supporting charities focused on children’s education and health. “I was living in South Africa, and I didn’t believe in the political system,” shares Cowie. “I wanted to live somewhere where we spoke the same language, and the weather was similar. I set my sights on California.”

“I arrived with $400, one well-cut suit, one suntan and big dreams, and never looked back.”

Over the years, Cowie has cemented his name in the event-planning space amongst celebrities, socialites, and industry professionals throughout the world. Celebrated for his immersive design approach, he meticulously crafts experiences that engage all the senses—sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell—for his clients, including high-profile celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston, Tom Cruise, Jennifer Lopez, Oprah Winfrey, Ryan Seacrest, and Kim Kardashian.

When asked about his approach to crafting the perfect event, Cowie shares his strategy lies on listening to and transforming the ideas of others. “I have aways said that great style comes from ruthless editing,” he shares. “l take all their ideas, edit them and tell a well thought out story with a beginning, middle and end, always focusing on all 5 senses to tell that story uniquely and personally.”

Grand Opening of Atlantis, Dubai

WRE: Colin, you’ve built an incredible career in luxury event planning and lifestyle design. Can you share with us what initially sparked your passion for this industry?

Colin Cowie: I was living in South Africa, and I didn’t believe in the political system. I wanted to live somewhere where we spoke the same language, and the weather was similar. I set my sights on California. I arrived with $400, one well-cut suit, one suntan and big dreams, and never looked back. I started with a small catering company, and that led to bigger productions and bigger parties and then suddenly it was a full-fledged event production company. I started my foray into this industry in Los Angeles, and then moved my headquarters to New York City, and now Miami.

Wedding at New York Public Library, NY

WRE: What inspired your decision to move to Miami, and what are you most excited about as you settle into the city?

CC: At the beginning of the pandemic, I decided to move to South Florida. I came here and was very fortunate to be able to sign three long-term contracts in the hospitality space and launched Thrive Hospitality. And now, in a post-pandemic world, I have no desire to move back to New York. For the first three and a half years here, I found myself traveling all over the world non-stop because we were dealing with an event revolution from all the weddings that never happened during the pandemic.

Wedding at Ashford Castle, Ireland

WRE: For a few years you were gatekeeping Miami, but recently you have been very active with events at your home and charitable galas like Best Buddies. Why did you decide to activate Miami?

CC: Last year, there was an article in the Miami Herald listing the top five event planners in Miami, and my name wasn’t even mentioned! That’s when I realized we had to start activating Miami, and we launched an Activate Miami program. We just did Best Buddies last week and have several parties planned for Art Basel. I recently completed a renovation on my apartment, which is spectacular, so I entertain on a regular basis, which is something I love to do. Colin Cowie Lifestyle has an established office and team of people here. We’ve really gotten to know our way in and around South Florida. We specialize in weddings, milestone celebrations, corporate events, charitable galas and more!

Colin Cowie

I do not follow a lot of trends as they come and go. My approach is to tell a timeless story that will be chic in 10 years’ time and not seen as a passing fad.

Colin Cowie

Wedding in Cannes, Frances

WRE: What’s on tap for Art Basel? Tell us everything you are doing. 

CC: During Art Basel, we’re doing a wonderful collaboration with Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos from the Ritz-Carlton South Beach for a celebration of the artist Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya and the launch of the Ritz-Carlton residences. I’m hosting an intimate party in my own home called Krug, Caviar & Keys with Marcela Roggeri, Europe’s number one concert pianist. We are also working closely with the team at Bal Harbour Shops for a holiday installation. It’s a dazzling holiday tree fashioned from thousands of crystal strands, designed as an inverted chandelier. Inside, smaller chandeliers, which were suspended traditionally, shimmer and rotate, adding dynamic brilliance. Above the tree, chandeliers of varying shapes and sizes will illuminate the winter wonderland experience. And we’re doing a fun holiday event for Bal Harbour later in December.

Grand Wedding in Jaipur, India

WRE: You’ve worked with high-profile clients and on grand-scale events. What’s been your most memorable event to date, and why does it stand out to you?

CC: It’s always the one I’ve just done or the one I’m about to do. Nobody wants to know that your event was better than their event. But I’m still on an absolute high from what we did a few weeks ago in New York City for the Fortune Global Forum. It was an amazing event and now we’re planning to do the same forum in Saudi Arabia next year.

Indoor Garden Wedding in Brooklyn, NY

WRE: When creating an event, what’s your process for understanding a client’s vision and transforming it into a tangible, immersive experience?

CC: I’m a very good listener. I like to listen to the client, I like to ask them a lot of questions and understand what they like, what they don’t like, what are their idiosyncrasies, where do they like to take a vacation—and learn as much about them as I possibly can. I have always said that great style comes from ruthless editing. I take all their ideas, edit them, and tell a well-thought-out story with a beginning, middle, and end, always focusing on all five senses to tell that story uniquely and personally.

Fundraiser in Upstate New York

WRE: In your opinion, what are some of the biggest trends shaping luxury event planning and design right now? How do you stay ahead of the curve when it comes to innovation?

CC: Today, we’re living in a world of absolute specialization. It’s not about the caterer anymore. It’s about the caterer with this signature chef. It’s not just about a drinks program, it’s a drinks program featuring this sommelier. The furniture rental space has never offered more variety. Every area of event design has become incredibly specialized today. Another trend is drone shows. While we were all getting excited about drone shows earlier in the year, the newest technology now pairs the drone together with pyrotechnics.  I do not follow a lot of trends as they come and go. My approach is to tell a timeless story that will be chic in 10 years’ time and not seen as a passing fad.

30th Wedding Anniversary in New York City, NY