Two years after moving from the Upper East Side to the Meatpacking District, the Whitney Museum continues its record of hosting parties that draw out some of the finest in entertainment, fashion, and of course, art. Katie Holmes, Jeff Koons, Hilary Rhoda, and Alek Wek were among attendees at the museum’s Gala and Studio Party last night, which raised over $5M dollars for the museum. Unlike last year, the ceremony and dinner took place on the museum’s first floor, whereas the after party shifted to the eighth floor, a mixed indoor/outdoor space with views of lower Manhattan. DJs Sam French and Kitty Cash were on deck for tunes, and there was no shortage of photo booth action thanks to this year’s sponsors Audi and Michael Kors.
- NEW YORK, NY – MAY 23: Model Hilary Rhoda attends the Whitney Museum’s annual Spring Gala and Studio Party 2017 sponsored by Audi and Michael Kors on May 23, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images for Whitney Museum)
- NEW YORK, NY – MAY 23: Model Alek Wek attends the Whitney Museum’s annual Spring Gala and Studio Party 2017 sponsored by Audi and Michael Kors on May 23, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images for Whitney Museum)
We found Milly designer Michelle Smith in the crowd with her pal singer Drue. “I love art in general and coming to the Whitney. I’m a designer who makes her clothes in New York City, so I really find an affinity with the Whitney,” the designer told The Daily on what draws her to the shindig each year. Also spotted? Hearst darlings Joanna Coles and Nina Garcia, who wore Michael Kors. “I’m taping season 16 of Project Runway this summer—until July!” Garcia told us about her summer plans. “I feel like it’s good [that we’re not involved in the casting process] because we’re impartial in a way. We have no idea who the designers are until they arrive!”
- NEW YORK, NY – MAY 23: Creative Director of Marie Claire Nina Garcia attends the Whitney Museum’s annual Spring Gala and Studio Party 2017 sponsored by Audi and Michael Kors on May 23, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images for Whitney Museum)
- NEW YORK, NY – MAY 23: Editor-in-Chief of Marie Claire Joanna Coles attends the Whitney Museum’s annual Spring Gala and Studio Party 2017 sponsored by Audi and Michael Kors on May 23, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images for Whitney Museum)
The event also saw Gabriel-Kane Day-Lewis, Will Cotton, Reed Krakoff, Soo Joo Park, Pom Klementieff, Wes Gordon, Lauren Bush Lauren, Cipriana Quann and TK Quann, Tracy Anderson, Brett Heyman, Samantha Angelo (in Rubin Singer), and more. Some guests hopped between the museum and Valentino’s resort show after-party at the Top of the Standard just across the street.
- NEW YORK, NY – MAY 23: Artist Jeff Koons (L) and Sean Kyah Koons attend the Whitney Museum’s annual Spring Gala and Studio Party 2017 sponsored by Audi and Michael Kors on May 23, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images for Whitney Museum)
- NEW YORK, NY – MAY 23: Gabriel-Kane Day-Lewis attends the Whitney Museum’s annual Spring Gala and Studio Party 2017 sponsored by Audi and Michael Kors on May 23, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images for Whitney Museum)
- NEW YORK, NY – MAY 23: TK Wonder (L) and Cipriana Quann attend the Whitney Museum’s annual Spring Gala and Studio Party 2017 sponsored by Audi and Michael Kors on May 23, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
- NEW YORK, NY – MAY 23: Sophia Macks attends the Whitney Museum’s annual Spring Gala and Studio Party 2017 sponsored by Audi and Michael Kors on May 23, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images for Whitney Museum)
- NEW YORK, NY – MAY 23: Will Cotton and Alina Cho attend the Whitney Museum’s annual Spring Gala and Studio Party 2017 sponsored by Audi and Michael Kors on May 23, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
- NEW YORK, NY – MAY 23: DJ Kitty Cash performs at the Whitney Museum’s annual Spring Gala and Studio Party 2017 sponsored by Audi and Michael Kors on May 23, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)