Daily Front Row

2012 March 9

Another Night at the Museum

Comments | | Print

Bonnie Morrison, Brett Heyman, Rebecca Dana, Jenny Galluzzo
CLINT SPAULDING/PatrickMcMullan.com View Gallery

(NEW YORK) Any interiors-fixated Manhattanite will tell you that taxidermy is "totally in." No wonder everyone was more agog than usual at the Museum of Natural History last night, where the ersatz institution staged its annual Museum Dance. With Saks Fifth Avenue as the sponsor, "bright and bold" as the attire, and free-flowing champagne de rigeur, it was the most festive museum moment of the social season (so far—it's only March!).

"I spray painted them," said Michael Thom matter-of-factly, referring to his neon orange jeans (formerly white), which had been transformed only hours earlier on his terrance. (A pink watch and sunglasses completed the look). Amy Fine Collins went faintly Ariel-ish in a splendid teal sequined gown that was an attraction in its own right. Gillian Miniter opted for a punchy Lela Rose, while even Jill Kargman eschewed her usual noir for a velvet turquoise number. (Very nice). Vanessa Noel won the "bold"-est award with a voluminous violet cape—all ruffles. Event chairs Dana Wallach Jones and Michael T. M. Jones, Elizabeth Kurpis and Jonathan A. Kurpis, Jared and Ivanka Kushner, Gregory and Ali Kwiat, Zibby and Andrew Right coaxed the cognoscenti over to the silent auction area, where Prada bags, Kwiat diamonds, and shopping excursions at Saks were creating a relative frenzy.

After some tomato tarte and chicken avec spaetzel, the crowd returned to the entry hall, where glow-in-the-dark cocktails in martini glasses were downed with aplomb. The smell of popcorn filled the air, as the DJ spun crowdpleasers. Foster the People, anyone? Meanwhile, the home-bound descended the steps carrying a box of three Melissa cupcakes—in acid green and blue, natch.
ASHLEY BAKER