In the bird world, Kevin Lee would be a peacock. Clothed in designer jeans, a pinstripe blazer and a polka dot scarf, he accessorizes perfectly with pointy loafers and designer eyeglasses. Each lock of hair is precisely sprayed into place.
Lee is all about style, and so is his profession. His floral event production company, LA Premier, has been in business for more than 20 years. A pioneer in the industry, he’s known for creating stunning and elegant displays. Potentially tacky elements — ceiling-high tree branches adorned with white “snow,” crystals and chunks of fake ice — are transformed into opulent and tasteful designs.
The go-to floral designer of the stars, Lee created the looks for major celebrity weddings, including those of Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore and Christina Aguilera.
For Aguilera, Lee created a winter wonderland theme. However, Brad and Jen’s million-dollar Malibu wedding in 2000 proved a bit more complicated.
“What Brad liked and what Jen liked was totally different,” Lee says. “He was more Zen and more modern, and Jennifer liked a sweeter and prettier and more feminine [look]. It was a challenge merging the two, but it came out really beautiful and fantastic, and it was fabulous.”
More than 50,000 flowers — a mix of rambling roses, wisteria and lotus flowers — decorated the affair held at producer Marcy Carsey’s mansion. There was also a floral-studded canopy. “It was very romantic and elegant,” Lee recalls.
His other celebrity clients include Oprah Winfrey, Tom Cruise, Keanu Reeves, Eddie Murphy, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sela Ward, Anthony Hopkins and Wolfgang Puck. He’s also served as the floral designer for Oscar and Grammy parties, and countless movie premieres.
Today, Lee is working in his Beverly Hills shop. He greets clients and talks with designers, constantly moving through the 4,000-square-foot space. A 10-foot tall arrangement in the lobby cascades from the ceiling, and behind closed drapes, half-finished arrangements fill the room.
“Hi darling,” he says to Ellie, a regular client. “What, are you pregnant again?” Ellie is planning an anniversary dinner for her nonprofit group, and fussing with centerpieces. And Ellie isn’t pregnant; she’s just, uh, curvy.
“Omigod, I love feathers,” he says. “But no leaves — green is too dark. Why are you stressing yourself out over this? Let me make it look good.”
Lee puts Ellie at ease, which might explain why she’s been coming to him for 10 years. He has a knack for winning the trust of his clients. Last summer, Wolfgang Puck flew Lee to Capri, Italy, to plan and design his wedding.
“We had to create three different designs for three events,” Lee says. “It was grand. He got married on July 7, 2007. Seven-seven-oh-seven — a lot of people got married at that time because it’s lucky. I got lucky that year, too.”
At each of his events, Lee is the designer and in charge of the overall vision. He ensures the theme is articulated through lighting, design, linens, flower arrangements and table settings. He also coordinates with vendors and oversees every last detail.