Daily Front Row

2010 June 10

Wet & Whitney

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Christina Ricci in a Hervé Léger by Max Azria dress and BCBGMAXAZRIA clutch and heels, and Lubov Azria with a BCBGMAXAZRIA clutch and dress in collaboration with Liz Magic Laser
BILLY FARRELL / PatrickMcMullan.com View Gallery

(NEW YORK) The crowd at last night's Whitney Art Party had to deal with a few unexpected elements this year: a new location (at 82 Mercer), a torrential rain, and a record amount of competitors at the event's celebrated art auction. "I've been trying to bid on something," shrugged Prabal Gurung. "But there's literally a wall of people in front of me." Christina Ricci had a different strategy. "I was savvy and got here early," she said. "It probably won't win me any auction, but I got to see great pieces in peace."

Lubov and Max Azria hosted the bash for the fourth straight year, and the group's CEO took the art theme to heart. "I'm basically wearing a piece of art work tonight," smiled Lubov. "I've given our dress to Liz Magic Laser and she turned this around into a one-of-a-kind original. I don't have any anxiety that someone else will be wearing the same thing!" The Azrias co-hosted the evening with Adam Lippes, Allison Aston, and Emile De Ravin, among others. The actress was clearly inspired by her surroundings.” I was always self-taught," she explained. "I dabbled in pencil work, watercolors, and pottery. But after tonight, I might need to push myself to do more!”

BCBG-clad guests like Maggie Grace, Alek Wek, and Leigh Lezark ruled the night, while Selita Ebanks wielded a very complex train. "I really had to protect this baby from any attacks," she joked. While Ebanks was guarding her dress, the likes of Sean Lennon, Yigal Azrouël, Hana Soukupova, and Richard Phillips monitored the bids. The work by Cecily Brown, Pae White, Terence Koh, Nate Loman, and Josephine Mackseper (among many others) was up for grabs—but it was expensive, unlike the watermelon and goat cheese hors d'oeurves. 

And as usual, the Los Angeles-based Azrias were enjoying their Gotham getaway. "We don't miss any big museums or exhibits on the West Coast," said Lubov. "But you really have to search for great stuff. And in reality, L.A. people are a bit nuts. But that's what we get for living in a town full of actors!"
VALENTINE UHOVSKI