Art and New York City are about as synonymous as Paris and Christian Louboutin.
Which means on any given night of the year, Manhattanites have their pick of art filled evenings in one of the city’s many galleries, museums, and pop-ups.
But, perhaps the trendiest art party of the year is held at the Whitney Museum of American Art. The museum’s annual fete draws hundreds of major players from the art, fashion, business and tech worlds.
Because I blushed knowing I was invited, I trusted the night’s glam to Vu Salon in the Peninsula Hotel. The midtown celebrity haunt is located on the 21st floor, offering swoon worth city views in a calming and intimate atmosphere. Makeup artist Zorina Czora gave me some serious contour vibes and my hair was left big and perfect.
With hair and makeup done, we headed downtown to the Whitney Museum in NYC’s fashionable meatpacking district. It was Tuesday night and thankfully before this week’s polar vortex made its entrance.
This year’s party was sponsored by Forty-Five Ten. A Dallas-born multi-brand boutique that merges fashion and art, inciting the new, the unconventional, the eclectic, and the inspired.
Guests had full access to the otherwise very crowded Andy Warhol—From A to B and Back Again exhibit. What does an Art Party guest do in a Warhol exhibit with nobody around? Get Instagram famous, of course!
Don’t worry, the art was safe as drinks were required to stay on the museum’s ground floor where jars full of pink candy provided the centerpiece atop the high tables spread throughout. Chocolate covered bananas and strawberry smoothies were also passed around but it was the cookie dough cones that had us at first bite.
Personalized poems, a very pink photo booth, and tunes by DJ KITTENS kept the well-heeled guests entertained and dancing into the evening.
“Orange Is The New Black’s” Natasha Lyonne served as this year’s Whitney Art Party Co-Chair and we couldn’t help but spot her fellow Netflix co-star Alysia Reiner too. Other celebrity guests included Maddie Ziegler and musician Poppy.
With the party ending after midnight and because we’re not in college anymore, post-party self-care was super important – especially in winter as our skin is already puffy and dry… and that’s before the champagne!
We left that job to Skinney Med Spa whose new gold facial treatment left our skin dewy and glowing. According to the salon, gold is said to stimulate the skin’s cells improving blood circulation. Gold also deeply hydrates, has a brightening effect and has anti inflammatory properties. The gold mask is then removed with a Vitamin E and Rosehip oil facial massage.
Warhol, Gold and New York City. Not bad for a Tuesday.
The Art Party is hosted by the Whitney Contemporaries, a group of young leaders and arts patrons who play an active role in fulfilling the Whitney’s critical mission of supporting American art. Art Party proceeds benefit the Whitney’s Independent Study Program and other education initiatives.