The Winter Show at The Park Avenue Armory is all about art and socializing reports ALEXANDER HANKIN
The Young Collectors Night has descended upon the Winter Show. The evening raises vital funds for East Side House Settlement, a community bastion dedicated to bringing quality education and resources to the residents of the Bronx and Northern Manhattan. This year’s theme – “The Blue Grotto” – invokes the spirit of an enchanting haven that drew writers, artists, and intellectuals alike during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
As a member of the Benefit Committee and in a nod to the theme, I adorn myself in a regal royal blue Versace jacket, accented with a stunning diamond and sapphire brooch crafted by my mother from a necklace she wore in her own portrait, which proudly hangs in our Bucks County home. My date for the evening, the handsome, dashing Jay McCuley, is truly the only Canadian export they won’t impose a tariff on!
I arrive at the fair and run into glamorous Laura Day Webb, one of the evening’s co-chairs, sparkling in a sequined Alice & Olivia dress. As we were chat, Casey Kohlberg joins us, looking fabulous in a vintage Givenchy pearl-studded dress and a whimsical seashell Judith Leiber bag. If you’re unfamiliar with Casey, you must know her—she boasts an exquisite collection of enchanting designer bags – my personal favorite is her Chanel Guitar bag.
Venturing further into the exhibitions, I catch up with my art world partner-in-crime Polina Proskina in head to toe The Row. We meander into the Lawrence Steigrad Fine Arts booth, a personal favorite of mine for its extensive collection of 17th-century Dutch masterpieces. I meet up with Eric Viner, in Thom Browne and Megan Melbourne in an Anno Domini silk dress inspired by Jean Démosthène Dugourc’s 1779 “Verdures of the Vatican” tapestry. Nearby, Brittany Beyer Harwin, channels the timeless elegance of Carolyn Bessette Kennedy.
I continue my exploration and bump into Brynn Whitfield. Despite a tumultuous second season of RHONY, Brynn, with a twinkle in her eye, quips, “The waiters are really hot here. Have I hit the age where I can flirt with waiters? I mean, look at me—I’m rocking a caftan!” Side note: Brynn’s green and gold Tamara Mellon caftan is far from matronly.
In front of a striking Tom Wesselmann cigarette sculpture, Leo Braundy and Ally Shapiro in an aqua Staud dress—share that this is their favorite piece at the fair. These two seem to be inseparable. I wholeheartedly agree with them, though I must confess I hardly see as much art as I desire, having been too busy indulging in caviar-studded grilled cheese.
As the evening draws to a close, Jay indulges me in a photo shoot in front of the Meissen figure wall. The delicate porcelain evokes fond memories of my grandmother, an avid collector. At that point, it feels “it’s time to put Nanna to bed.” Well, what I really mean is heading to Chez Margaux where the evening’s after party is in full swing.
