Daily Front Row

2009 February 27

Le Frick, C'est Chic

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(NEW YORK) "Monique said it best,” exclaimed one of the The Frick Collection Young Fellows Ball Chairwomen, Lydia Fenet. “We all like a beautiful set of crayons!" Monique that Fenet was referring to was Lhuillier, who dressed nearly twenty women for the occasion to the nines, but in all fairness chairwomen like Allison Aston, Joann Pailey, and Elizabeth Saint-Amand had time to prepare. The designer signed on as the sponsor for the big spring fundraiser eleven months ago, Ivanka Trump agreed to be a jewelry sponsor for the second straight year a day after last year’s bash, and Roger Vivier came through with accessories.  “I got a little emotional when I came in to the room,” described Lhuillier who’s bound for Dubai next. “It's a lot to take when I saw all my beautiful creations from different parts of my career all one amazing museum space.”

The ticket-buying guest list couldn’t have been more diverse. The dapper group encompassed Cecelia Dean, Kuwait royals Sheikh Ahmad and Alanood Al-Sabah Kuwait royals, Emma Bloomberg, Tinsley Mortimer, Spencer and Alexis Bryan Morgan, Sylvester and Gillian Miniter, Andrew Fry, Ellie Hawke, and eight month pregnant Coralie Charriol Paul (she’s due in the every end of March). While looking around the room, Trump had the cause on her mind. "The ball supports the museums education program which I feel is instrumental in educating our youth,” she said. “It’s an amazing event and a nice excuse to dress up and spend the night with friends."

On her part, Katrina Bowden admitted that this was in fact her first time in the institution. "I've never been to the Frick before, so what a way to make an entrance,” The 30 Rock star offered. “I feel lucky to be part of this real life Les Liaisons Dangereuses.” And the organizers did their best to bless the night’s theme with beautiful flower arrangements, Fragonard event lighting, and catering that included a naked fresh salmon station, boeuf bourguigon, blini with caviar, and banana éclairs. There was even a very late night after-party at the St.Regis sponsored by La Perla and the chairwomen were encouraged to were company’s lingerie. “I politely declined an offer,” quipped one of the co-hosts. “I’m more comfortable in a floor length gown.”

Lake Bell meanwhile admitted that this party was almost like a homecoming for her. “I grew up on Upper East Side, so I of course I heard about this Young Fellow's Ball,” she smiled. “I also used to come here with my mother but haven't done so since I was ten.” But she pointed that her next film role won’t require a tailored dress. “I’m about to play Alec Baldwin's young crazy wife. But that can never get boring!”
VALENTINE UHOVSKI