The month of April, spring gala season was in full swing. Here, we’re looking back to share happenings from Los Angeles to Paris with the likes of the Bronx Museum, Black in Fashion Council, DESTREE, H&M x Mugler, and more.
Patti LaBelle, courtesy of BFA.
In New York on April 10, the night before the Fashion Tech Forum conference, we saw its founder Karen Harvey celebrating the upcoming event with a night at Scarpetta. Guests like Chrissy Rutherford, Joe Holder, Elle’s Nina Garcia, Willa Bennett from HightSnobiety, AnOnlyChild’s Maxwell Osborne, and Colm Dillane of KidSuper could be found at the NoMad eatery, partaking in an intimate cocktail and seated dinner, before the evening culminated with a performance by the icon Patti LaBelle.
Andrea Hazen’s EXPO Chicago celebration.
On April 14, timed with the EXPO Chicago, Art Advisor Andrea Hazen spent an evening with friends at the Brad Lynch-designed Wood House in honor of art and architecture that enhance our everyday lives. Within this city oasis, Hazen hosted a guest list of artists, gallerists, collectors, and more—including names like Jerry Gogosian, Nick Cave, Bob Faust, the Director of EXPO Chicago, Tony Karman, Sam Vinz, Onyedika Chuke, and Cheryl Sandner. Within the marvelous modern structure of the Wood House, they enjoyed drinks and discussion before dining on a menu prepared by Portia Belloc Lowndes of Feast Productions.
Judy Chicago, Lee Quiñones, and Isolde Brielmaier, courtesy of Yvonne Tnt/BFA.com.
Back in New York on April 17, the New Museum saw its annual spring gala hosted by honorary chair Aurora James alongside chairs Shelley Fox Aarons, Mitzi Eisenberg, and Susan Feinstein. This year honoring the artist Judy Chicago and the philanthropist Charlotte Feng Ford, partygoers arrived for cocktail hour, dressed to the theme Electric Sunset, before coming together for a seated dinner. Following a live auction with Amy Cappellazzo—which saw special editions donated by Nicolas Party and Faith Ringgold, along with works from the likes of Andrea Bowers, Jim Shaw, and Jamian Juliano-Villani—guests were treated to a set by the musician Samora Pinderhughes before DJ April Hunt took the stage, providing entertainment late into the night.
Photo by Sansho Scott/BFA.
Next, Mugler anticipated its collection launch with H&M in an immersive night of fashion and entertainment at the Park Avenue Armory on April 19. The evening was attended by the likes of Pamela Anderson, Chloë Sevigny, Lourdes Leon, Moses Sumney, Young Emporers, Chloe Wise,and Charli XCX. With an audience of over 800 attendees, the night was conceived as a convergence of dance, clothing, music, and club culture, featuring a runway show previewing the new designs, accompanied by performances from Shygirl, Amaarae, Eartheater (all of whom were dressed in the daring collection). The event was complete with an afterparty featuring performances and DJ sets from Bobby Beethoven, Asmara, and Goth Jafar.
Pharrell and Helen Lasichanh, courtesy of DESTREE.
That week in Paris, the clothing and accessories label DESTREE launched its SS23 capsule collection with the artist Ben Arpea, which saw Arpea’s artistic motifs applied to a duo of exclusive prints. There to celebrate the collaboration—which features garments like a dress, a skirt, and a jacket-and-pants set—were attendees like Pharrell,the artist, DESTREE co-founders, Geraldine Guyot and Laetitia Lumbroso, Alexandre Arnault, Meadow Walker, Carine Roitfeld, and Helen Lasichanh.
Courtesy of Kyle Goldberg/BFA.com.
In Los Angeles, the Black in Fashion Council (BIFC) welcomed spring with an elegant dinner made possible by Fred Segal, held at the West Hollywood Edition’s Ardor Room on April 20. In a curated space by With Creators, complete with abundant greenery overhead, guests like Sandrine Charles, Brittany Hampton, Ade Samuel, Lindsay Peoples, Jason Rembert, Laron Howard, Jan-Michael Quammie, and Hannah Stoudemire came together over sumptuous bites and specialized sips from Belvedere and Chandon.
Klaudio Rodriguez, Angel Otero, Olivia W. Douglas, Will Calhoun, courtesy of BFA.
And in New York on April 26, the annual fundraising gala for the Bronx Museum was held in honor of the artist Angel Otero, Grammy award-winning musician Will Calhoun, and the arts patron Olivia W. Douglas. Hosted at the Ziegfeld Ballroom, the night encompassed a cocktail reception and silent auction with Artsy (including works by artists like Virgil Abloh, Derrick Adams, Nari Ward, Firelei Báez, and Abigail DeVille), a performance by the Grammy-nominated, Bronx-native Eddie Montalvo and Orchestra, a seated dinner, and the presentation of awards to the evening’s honored guests. The evening successfully raised 30 percent of the annual operating budget for the museum—the only free contemporary art museum in the city of New York.
Courtesy of Jacquie Aiche.
Last week in New York, we joined top jewelry stylists, editors, and VIPs at Francesca Simons Consulting‘s preview at Casa Cipriani to gain a sneak peek at some of the season’s top fine jewelry brands. Of note was a selection of gorgeous items from the Los Angeles-based designer, Jacquie Aiche, who most recently gained traction for her sold-out collaboration of watches with Timex. Featuring stainless steel gold-toned cases and bracelets, crystal accents, and dials with natural lapis lazuli, it represents wisdom and intuition, which promotes creativity and clarity. The face is complete with the signature Jacquie Aiche evil eye engulfed in a heart, meant to protect the wearer from harm and negativity. The collaboration’s third iteration entitled “Sweet Romance”—created to honor the passion, kindness, connection, and love that speaks to the heart, just in time for Mother’s Day—launches tomorrow online.
