Mickalene Thomas: Dressed Up for the New Museum Spring Gala

Zachary Zchwartz, VOGUE, April 18, 2023

Vogue

 

Hosted at Cipriani South Street, the New Museum Spring Gala, honored Judy Chicago and art collector Charlotte Feng Ford. The Beaux-Arts maritime venue was a fitting venue for the gala, two downtown Manhattan institutions joining forces for a fabulous fundraiser. 

 

The gala’s dress code was “electric sunset,” a challenge for New Yorkers who comfortably wear black on most occasions. Impressively, they rose to the occasion and dressed loud in color, spanning the full gamut of an evening skyscape. Dresses were in shocking coral and fuschia, sunflower yellow, and every variation of citrus fruit. Attendees opted for a maximalist take on attire, with exaggerated fabrics pleated, gathered, buttoned, pinned, and ruched.

 

A seated dinner in the cavernous ballroom followed the cocktail party, where bright purple tablecloths laid the foundations for yellow and pink floral centerpieces and colorful custom serviettes. 

 

As the evening sun set on a party-themed electric sunset, New York City’s sunset was ironically overcast, but the New Museum Spring Gala’s energy and fashion remained on theme: electric.

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