In this edition of Friday Fête, Whitewall brings you behind the scenes of novel and highly anticipated events in New York, including New York Botanical Garden’s yearly Orchid Dinner, the Art Production Fund annual gala, and more.
New York Botanical Garden’s Annual Orchid Dinner
Photo by BFA / Carl Timpone. Courtesy of Guerlain.
On February 22, the New York Botanical Garden dazzled guests at The Plaza Hotel with its annual Orchid Dinner, in celebration of its latest exhibition “The Orchid Show: Florals in Fashion (February 17–April 21), designed by three creators: Hilary Taymour of Collina Strada, Olivia Cheng of Dauphinette, and Kristen Alpaugh of FLWR PSTL and Haus of Stems.” The event—held annually to raise support for NYBG’s global plant research, conservation, and education initiatives—began with a cocktail reception where guests could purchase rare orchids and tour the stunning orchid tablescapes. A curated multi-course dinner and lively dancing to DJ Runna’s music followed the festivities. Guests—including notables like Sutton Stracke, Christopher Spitzmiller, Gillian Hearst, Dascha Polanco, Charlotte Groenveld, Melodie Ray, and Jenny Cipoletti—received a special gift bag from Guerlain, one of the gala’s sponsors, that included invitations for facial treatments and its brand-new Orchidée Imperiale Gold Nobile products.
Sunset Happy Hour at PUBLIC Hotel
Courtesy of PUBLIC Hotel.
At the start of March, we ventured to PUBLIC Hotel for the launch of its rooftop happy hour menu. The Roof’s new selections, offered weekdays from 5-7 p.m., offers a lineup of sumptuous bites and sips, from cocktails to Magnolia Bakery cupcakes. We sat in the corner, surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows, with a panoramic view of the NYC skyline. Soaking in the sunset rays, we also enjoyed cocktails—some even bottled by Via Carota—and unwound gazing at the city views around us.
The Future Rocks Launch Party at ILIS
Photo by BFA / Jason Lowrie, Nicholas Hunt. Courtesy of The Future Rocks.
Last Wednesday, March 6, The Future Rocks and Lightbox Jewelry hosted a launch party at ILIS for The Ring II—a collaboration between the two brands that features a lab-grown diamond set—with two color options—in a cutting-edge lab-grown white sapphire band. Guests, including Adwoa Aboah, enjoyed a cocktail hour surrounded by a breathtaking setup of the collaborative collections illuminated in the dark by miniature spotlights. Later, guests were treated to a unique ILIS dining experience.
Art Production Fund’s 14th Annual Gala
Sophia Bush, Hank Willis Thomas, Jen Rubio, Ashlyn Harris. Courtesy of Art Production Fund.
Last night at The Grill and The Pool, Art Production Fund returned with its annual gala, this year with a cruise theme. For its 14th annual gala in partnership with SAKS, the high-seas-themed celebration raised over $850,000 in support of the non-profit’s public art projects. Over 300 guests decked out in their best Overboard dress to enjoy a cocktail hour, complete with an oyster and Champagne Lallier installation by Laila Gohar and Aqualillies merpeople who greeted guests with branded APF slippers and life vests. Dinner, curated by APF Board member Sarah Hoover, commenced with a performance commission titled “Visiting Hours” by Shikeith. Executive Director Casey Fremont and Director of Operations Kathleen Lynchled the room in a toast as guests enjoyed their shrimp cocktail and crudité, blinis, and Carbone’s signature lobster. Every table setting included gift bags from Saks and individually embroidered APF windbreakers. The night culminated in a live auction supported by UOVO and led by Christie’s Deputy Chairman of Post-War and Contemporary Art, Sara Friedlander. Notable guests included Neil Blumenthal, Indré Rockefeller, Olivia Wilde, Sophia Bush, Diana Agron, Huma Abedin, Paul Arnhold, Diana Louise Bartlett, Stacey Bendet, Drew Barrymore, and more.
