The Whitney Art Party invitation read “downtown dressed up”—the wardrobe choice of the night for the annual celebration that brought together BCBG Max Azria, artists, models galore, and the cool young fashion crowd at Skylight in NYC. And with Max Azria as the host and sponsor, it wasn’t surprising to see stunning frocks abound, though this year bandage dresses were less obvious than years before.
“I didn’t want to wear a dress,” said Selita Ebanks of her ridiculously awesome BCBG Max Azria vest and leggings. “This was fierce and sexy, downtown chic!” We say, well played, Selita. She wasn’t the only one with a stunning fashion choice. Dree Hemingway, Lydia Hearst, Lisa Cant, Brooklyn Decker, Julie Henderson, Arlenis Sosa, Constance Jablonski, and Harley Viera Newton all wore BCBG Max Azria, while Sessilee Lopez, Maggie Rizer, and Hilary Rhoda all chose Max Azria designs, dressing them up in their own creative ways. To throw in a little curveball, Myf Shepherd, Alana Zimmer, and Lonneke Engel were all in creations by ADAM, the other designer of choice for the night given designer Adam Lippes’ participation on the committee.
And while the night’s fashions were an obvious draw, there was also the art to consider. “All our walls are still white,” said Julia Stegner, “so maybe we’ll find something nice tonight!” On the other hand, Brooklyn, at her first Whitney Art Party, was dealing with the fact that her art of choice had already been auctioned off and sold. “Chris Wyllie is one of the artists here, and I am absolutely lusting over a pair of doors, but someone already bought them. I’m renovating my apartment and that would look so good on my living room wall.”
Guests mingled in between the massive space, decorated with palm trees and a huge pink neon sign that flashed between “ART” and “PARTY”—as if anyone could forget the collaboration of the night. “This is my first time and I’m really excited,” said Sessilee. “I don’t know what to expect. Everyone told me I’m going to have a great time and make a lot of new friends.” And though the space was massive, it filled quickly with old friends and new, even causing the champers to run out. But everyone was having so much fun at the P(ART)Y that it was clearly no deterrent in causing the night to go on into the early hours.
