The VIP Event of The Year — How I Lost 16K, Learned to Pivot, and Still Crushed It

This VIP event is the largest event I produce every single year. It takes well over a year to plan, and the 2026 VIP Event of the Year marks my 5th year creating an unforgettable artistic experience for this community.
And yeah… even WITH losing 16K.
(We’ll get to that part.)
Let’s start at the beginning — conceptualization.
I start planning the next VIP Event THE WEEK AFTER WPPI. Dates and location scouting begin an entire year in advance because this level of production is basically like planning a massive wedding.
In 2025, I had a group chat with my previous year’s models and we started tossing around venue ideas. Every year, I try to do something new and unique. I love blending produced sets with environmental backgrounds to create variety in the images. I’m intentional about making sure this event never feels like one giant shooting bay.
The vibe is simple:
One massive networking experience filled with drinks, laughter, connection, and incredible photos.
It’s never just a thrown-together production. Every detail is meticulously planned by me. All gowns and lingerie are made by me (unless noted otherwise for last-minute additions). Every set design concept runs through me first — with the exception of Lindsay Adler’s brilliant set concepts and lighting collaborations this year.
By April 2025, our model chat was still buzzing from the Parisian Palace mansion event in March. We kept asking ourselves: how do we top that location?
So we went on a treasure hunt.
Mansions. Museums. Studios.
And then…
An entire hotel.
One of my models saw on TikTok that you could rent out a whole hotel in Las Vegas. A little research later — she was right.
I immediately called The Lexi Hotel and booked a walkthrough for August.
Every year this event grows, and we constantly get asked how to become a model. So the last two years, I opened an official application from August to September. Models are announced September 15th and selected by my team.
One of my strictest priorities is inclusivity across ethnicity and body type. That representation matters deeply to me as a designer.
Once models are announced, I gather measurements and start my favorite part — designing.
I intentionally stay hands-off in the selection process so my team can manage it while I focus purely on studying each model’s features and designing wardrobes based on instinct, artistry, and how I feel when I see them.
This year we had 180 applications.
One hundred and eighty.
I’m beyond grateful for my team helping manage that so I can stay focused on the art.
Models can return two consecutive years. After that, if selected again, they receive free admission and a drink ticket as a thank-you for being incredible contributors.
We don’t play favorites.
Sometimes my team really wants someone back, but we may already have similar features, body types, or looks represented. Diversity always comes first.
So keep applying — especially next year. Some repeat models won’t be returning, which means new faces will have opportunities.
Now let’s get into the venue.
(I know this is what you really want to know.)
Why did we change venues last minute?
Yes, we outgrew our space.
But that’s only part of the story.
We originally booked The Lexi Hotel. I was ecstatic. A whole freaking hotel as a creative playground? The perfect balance of built sets and environmental shooting. Absolute dream.
August 10–17, I was in Vegas touring the venue, meeting with the props warehouse, introducing myself face-to-face, and finalizing contracts.
Tickets launched August 15th — and you guys nearly broke my website. They sold insanely fast. People were telling me they checked out the second sales opened and still got ticket #15.
That’s unreal. And I’m so grateful.
Contract signed. Everything set.
Then… fast forward a few months.
I’m deep into set designs, building concepts around gowns custom-made for each model. Color palettes. Themes. Personality alignment. Every detail intentional.
Then December 7th hits.
I get a message from a Vegas local I know.
A news article.
“The Lexi Hotel files for foreclosure and goes to auction December 17th.”
I didn’t hear it from the hotel.
I found out from a news article.
Gut punch.
I contacted the hotel immediately. Their response?
“Don’t worry. Everything’s fine. These things happen.”
My gut said otherwise.
I contacted Las Vegas lawyers. I needed answers.
What happens to my contract?
I can’t cancel — this event is over a year in the making and only three months away.
Then it became official.
Foreclosure.
What did that mean for me?
It meant I lost $15,904.
And the chances of getting it back are slim.
I got confirmation January 17th.
So what do you do when something like that happens?
You don’t let it win.
You pivot.
You work harder.
You bring more.
I immediately searched for new venues and reached out to a massive production studio in Las Vegas.
The owners were incredible.
Shoutout to MG Studios for being absolute badasses and helping us pivot last minute. Real ones.
All of this happened less than a week before we left for our Madeira, Portugal retreat (Feb 2–10). We hit the ground running.
Over a year of planning.
A full pivot a month before the event.
While preparing for an international retreat.
Who does that?
My team does.
No one is going to stop me from doing what I love. And it’s only possible because I’m surrounded by the most selfless volunteers, sponsors, and models who showed up fully to make sure this event truly was:
THE EVENT OF THE YEAR.
This was the biggest business lesson of my life. The most stressful. The most rewarding. I came home stronger, sharper, and more prepared than ever to keep building unforgettable artistic experiences.
Next year’s event will be announced in August for March 2027.
Special Thank Yous
Lindsay Adler — thank you for being our special guest and bringing your knowledge, light, and love.
To our sponsors — the gear and equipment you provided totals tens of thousands of dollars. Your support makes this level of production possible.
To every volunteer — you donated your time and muscle and helped us fully set up in FOUR HOURS. Rockstars.
Dottie Vee and the Heads Will Roll Salon team — you always deliver the most badass looks. My models are flawless every time.
Mrs. Coco at Stage and Screen Props — my Vegas grandmother. A true light.
To the models — you showed up from 1pm until the party ended serving looks and creating magic. Photographers had art because of you.
Special shoutout to Michal for stepping in HOURS before the shoot. MVP energy.
Sponsors

Sponsors:

Babydream Backdrops- you guys provided thousands of dollars of backdrops for this event and it doesn’t go unnoticed. Without your backdrops we would have been shooting such boring sets. Each set was so meticulously planned and with your help it was executed flawlessly. Thank you Aileen and Whitney for helping pull this off.

Nanlite- You guys provided soooooo much gear for this event. You lit Lindsay’s sets flawlessly with all your amazing product and added so much value to her 5 sets. Because of you, attendees had an opportunity to learn and explore light in a way they never would have been able to in their own studio without trying it first. Thank you.

Geekoto- Hiram, you specifically my man. Thanks for always coming through and being a supporter of Kayla Douglas Artistry. Thank you for sponsoring the remaining sets and adding so much value to the event. We love and appreciate you.

Prism FX Lenses- thank you for sending us some amazing filters for attendees to have an opportunity to learn and explore images in a way they never would have been able to before without your lenses. You helped create some true magic.

Cheetah stand- Charles and David, you guys have become like family. Your constant support and belief in what we do here is so appreciated and the fact you’re always willing to go above and beyond (well over 30 stands by the way) and provide so much product and take the time to DRIVE IT all the way across country from Texas is mind boggling. You guys are the real mvp and I’m a cheetah girl for life. lol

Painted Lotus Designs- Jeanie, WOW. You always execute your designs and just bring a level of artistry to the table that never ceases to amaze me. I’m so grateful you were apart of this years event and I hope to always continue to work with you as your artistry doesn’t go unnoticed and I’d love to combine forces in the future. You’re a rockstar.

Tailored Body Jewelry- Meghan, you stepped in rather last minute to help me out with a last minute wardrobe malfunction. You came in and spent your time hand crafting such a beautiful bralette for Keira’s set within 2 weeks of the event. That hardwork and effort doesn’t go unnoticed and I’m forever grateful.

Seven Rubies- Stacy!!! Oh what a kind soul you are. Connecting boudoir photographers around the world and sponsoring this event is so awesome of you. Thank you for your contribution to help put together such a wonderful event. I wish you all the light love and success.

Volunteers

Special thanks to our volunteers;

My husband (Ric Lewis) honey, you always go above and beyond. Because of you, I am a better woman and entrepreneur. Thank you for selflessly working your ass off, directing the setup of the event and helping guide the team and going above and beyond to make sure that our event is a smashing success. You’re a superhero even if I don’t say it as often as I should. You are the MOST appreciated. I love you.

Aneasha, thank you for being such an oversupportive ride or die best friend that will do anything to help make sure our events run smoothly. If you guys don’t know Aneasha Caldwell that better change right now (Joy Arts on fb)

She is a force to be reckoned with, my anchor, my best friend and the one I gladly share one brain cell with because we’re on the same wavelength.

Rusty George- dude. Rusty. Man. Bro. You go ABOVE and beyond. That’s it. You go absolutely above and beyond to constantly help, run errands, make sure things are set up and broke down on time. And you don’t even ask for anything in return. That is THE definition of a good human who is 1000000% supportive and it does not go unnoticed. You are so appreciated my man. More than you know. Thank you for always supporting us and loving us because you kick ass. Idk what I’d do without your support.

Braulio Rocha, you’ve become like a brother. We’re family now my friend. Thank you for always being a supportive soul and a ride or die.

Rob De Clerq- Dude. I saw you working your butt off out there getting footage of all the sets and doing interviews for me to showcase what the VIP event is really about. Your contribution and dedication to helping capture this event in its true essence is so appreciated and doesn’t go unnoticed. Thank you.

To those who went above and beyond as volunteers,

Thank you Carolina Waldroff, Raven Peterson, Ali Almazar, Dania Cintron, Jessica Napier Faehnle, Joanna Lee Kilgore, Michael Selinger (love you bro even if I got RBF LOL), David Scott Bowles, Nikki Lister, Suzanne Claire, Heidi Baxogscy, David Franco

For taking your time to truly help make this event a success

Pratik and Bella, dude you guys weren’t even a registered volunteer. You just showed up and selflessly started helping with everything and breakdown. Because of you our breakdown went by even quicker and that was 100% from the kindness of your heart. Thank you.

Tatijana Malone- my best friend of 11 years. The girl that saw me when I was a retail store manager and we blasted Kendrick Lamar and folded clothes together before the store opened. You flew all the way from Orlando to help support me. That doesn’t go unrecognized. All week you walked with me, helped me set up and supported me through and through whether it was at my booth or at the vip event. I truly love you to pieces best friend.

And last but not least, my dad and step mom.

Dad and sheran, you came all the way here to watch my magic. See what I do for the first time and see how it all comes together. You selflessly got up with me the morning of the party at 8am, moved over 500 pounds of lights and props into a U-Haul and helped set up this event. You both went above and beyond even though you didn’t even have to an I’m forever grateful.

Dad, because of you and your support of me as a child in my creative endeavors alongside my mom- I am the woman I am today. Between the school projects to building a zip line out of raw materials as a child in our backyard- I am the woman I am today because you raised me to be just that. I’m so grateful you were there to witnesssuch an amazing event.

Behind the scenes images submitted by Joanna Kilgore

EDITED IMAGES BELOW BY RIC LEWIS (NOT ALL SETS PICTURED AND WILL BE UPDATED ONCE IMAGES ARE COMPLETED)

Please see this Linktree for all exact links to sets, backdrops and model links below

https://linktr.ee/kayladouglasartistryvip