On November 16, 2018, members of the interior design community, musical theater world and friends of interior designer Kirsten Brant Casey came together to celebrate her life at the New York Design Center.

The tribute celebration was hosted by NYDC president Jim Druckman, longtime friend Paul Melo, and the Lepere and Odegard Carpets showroom. Kirsten was marketing director for Odegard for several years before opening her eponymous interior design firm in 2008. 

About 130 people shared memories, laughs and tears as a looping slide show captured various periods of Kirsten’s multifaceted life—musical theater actress, Radio City Music Hall Rockette, interior designer, and mother to twin sons Colin and Brant. Other photos showed  her legendary masquerade costumes.

“Kirsten loved this community of people—she always wanted to come to the NYDC to see What’s New and What’s Next,” said her husband, Jason Casey, addressing the crowd. He recalled having attended many events in the Odegard showroom while Kirsten was marketing director there, and how fitting it was to be back celebrating her.

The evening included live musical performances of Kirsten’s favorite Grateful Dead tunes by musicians and fellow NYU alumni Curtis Schmidt and Scar Rodriguez, a dance choreographed by former Rockette Ann Cooley, which was performed by “Kirsten’s Grateful Kick-line.” There was also a craft corner for Kirsten’s boys, where they got to color and create on the ground. 

Guests were encouraged to donate to defeatgbm.org , an organization that funds much-needed brain cancer research and clinical trials. 

The motto of the evening was evident throughout the night in the form of handheld hashtags: #livelikekirsten. Live full, live bright, and end with a Big Finish!

Images by Gaia Squarci