Maximalists, Unite! The Whitney’s Annual Art Party Made a Bold and Splashy Statement

Jennifer Fisher / Martha Stewart / Nicole Daisy Toy / Cy De SilvaJason Lowry/BFA.com

Winter storm ferns may have enveloped the East Coast, but not even a blizzard can dampen the beloved Whitney Art Party. New York City’s color-loving partygoers braved the freezing cold Tuesday night to emerge from their cars on Gansevoort Street, wearing floor-length sequined gowns and kaleidoscopic prints, and step over three feet of snow into the museum.

Clearly, this year’s themes of maximalism and bold expression have found the right audience. The 6,200-square-foot main lobby was packed with peacock-print tuxedos, leopard-print dust coats and gorgeous crystal dresses. Libertine, the evening’s fashion sponsor, was everywhere, with guests from the worlds of art, fashion and culture wearing the brand’s “more is more” pieces.

“What makes this year’s Art Party so special is that it celebrates fearless self-expression. Libertine’s bold and minimalist spirit set the tone for the evening, inviting guests to embrace color, pattern and personality in a way that was both fun and artistic,” said celebrity stylist Micaela Erlanger, one of the evening’s co-chairs. Fashion During the carnival. “The Art Party turns fashion into part of the museum’s living canvas—the evening is always a delightful extension of the Whitney’s commitment to American creativity.”

Creative energy surged throughout the room, encouraged by the dancefloor-filling music of The Dare and Raúl de Nieves. Meanwhile, Martha Stewart seduced the camera shutters in step-by-step riffs, and Ego Nwodim and Erin Lichy piled into the “Dobelevator” (yes, there’s a Dobel Tequila Bar in the elevator) and headed upstairs for some after-get off work gallery exploration.

Cocktails in hand, attendees perused Calder’s Circus at 100, Grace Rosario Perkins’ Circles, Spokes, Zigzags, Rivers exhibit and Ken Ohara’s Contacts. Once their artistic needs have been satisfied, a quick trip back along the Dobelevator takes them back to the vibrant and lively festival where they stay warm until late into the night.