Friday Fête: Ruinart Toasts to NEW INC, Dior Celebrates Dior Cruise 2019, and More

On Monday at Pier Sixty in New York, the 70th Annual Parson’s Benefit honored Gucci’s Marco Bizzarr, Farfetch’s José Neves, and musician Solange (who wore Shanel, a label by a Parsons MFA graduate). Hosted by La La Anthony and Hilary Rhoda, the night welcomed guests like Vince Staples, Rondee Hollis-Jefferson, Dapper Dan, Kelela, Dev Hynes, and Cleo Wade.

On Tuesday, we stopped by Bouley Botanical for a cocktail reception and seated dinner hosted by Ruinart for the New Museum’s NEW INC art program—the first museum-led cultural incubator that provides artists with space and resources to elaborate on their works. Walking in, guests were treated to glasses of champagne, as they chatted with art world patrons about passion projects and multimedia art. Chef David Bouley greeted dinner guests, explaining each dish to attendees like Chloe Wise (artist), Carly Mark (artist), Perry Chen (Kickstarter Co-Founder & Chairman), Antwaun Sargent, Marlies Verhoeven Reijtenbagh (The Cultivist Co-Founder & CEO), Karen Wong (New Museum Deputy Director), Julie Solovyeva (Art Basel Director), and Tamir Muhammad. During dinner, we heard from two artists participating in NEW INC: Elaine Young, showcasing scientific designs apart of her brand LAByrinth and Jakob Kudsk Steensen, revealing futuristic simulations for ecological awareness.

From there, we ventured to The Whitney Museum of American Art for its annual gala. The night raised $4.8M at its annual gala and studio party. The celebration honored artist Lorna Simpson, as well as longtime trustees Joanne Leonhardt Cassullo and Beth Rudin DeWoody. With sponsors Audi and Michael Kors, the night welcomed guests like Nina Chanel Abney, Wes Gordon, Natane Boudreau, Nina Agdal, Torkwase Dyson, and Kerry Doran to a dinner ending with a performance by Cynthia Erivo. The party on the fifth floor welcomed more attendees to cocktails, canapés, and entertainment by Saint Heron.

That night, Theory also hosted the launch of a new book entitled California Captured co-written by Sam Lubell at its 40 Gansevoort Street location in New York. For the brand’s new Pre-Fall 2018 collection, creative director Martin Andersson was inspired by mid-century modern architecture and the photographs of Marvin Rand. In celebration of the connection between Theory’s collection and Rand’s photographs, Theory hosted a private launch event and discussion, opening up an installment of eight photographs on view through June 18.

Also on Tuesday, but in L.A., Barneys New York and Byredo’s founder Ben Gorham celebrated the capsule collection “Elevator Music” at Barneys New York’s Beverly Hills flagship. The private dinner hosted by Freds at Barneys New York celebrated the new fragrance, designed in collaboration with Off-White c/o Virgil Abloh, which is now available at select Barneys New York stores, and online.

Wednesday night in Paris brought a special dinner by Dior to celebrate the new Dior Cruise 2019 collection. Just steps away from the Sacré-Coeur, a café made for the event called Chez Christian welcomed guests to cocktails, elegant bites, music by a cabaret singer, and artistry by portraitists and silhouettists.