Despite the biting cold of a New York City evening, Martha Stewart, the esteemed first lady of the city, led a glamorous procession of Bravolebrities into the Whitney Museum of American Art for its Annual Art Party on Tuesday night. The exclusive event, held at the famed Chelsea institution, promised a celebration of audacious creativity in art, fashion, and music, drawing a crowd willing to pay a premium for entry.
A Night of Bold Expression and Quiet Luxury
Guests were encouraged to embrace the theme of 'bold expression' by arriving in their most vibrant prints and patterns, with tickets costing $275 if purchased in advance or a steep $525 at the door. However, Martha Stewart, the 84-year-old lifestyle and skincare guru, charted her own sartorial course. Eschewing the loud directives, she epitomised quiet luxury on the red carpet, bundled in a sophisticated Louis Vuitton ensemble comprising a cozy sweater, off-white trousers, and a tan cape.
Stewart, who has recently entered the political fray after encouragement from her teenage granddaughter, appeared radiant and younger than ever as she posed alongside Real Housewives of New York star Sai De Silva. Her presence underscored a fascinating mix of personalities at the gala, blending entertainment figures with political connections.
Political and Reality TV Crossovers
While Stewart is a newcomer to political discourse, the event also hosted a more established political figure. Rama Duwaji, an illustrator and the wife of Democratic Socialist New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani, was spotted mingling discreetly with friends. Although she avoided the step-and-repeat photo area, her attendance added a layer of political intrigue to the evening, as guests received luxurious Aesop gift bags.
The red carpet was dominated by committee members and celebrities from the Bravo universe. Former Saturday Night Live star Ego Nwodim, 37, made a striking impression in a bold red Libertine outfit, styled by the renowned Micaela Erlanger. Erlanger herself turned heads in a plunging hot pink Libertine minidress, revealing to the Daily Mail that she is preparing to dress Meryl Streep for the upcoming premiere of The Devil Wears Prada 2.
Real Housewives Revelations and Next Gen NYC
Real Housewives of New York breakout star Erin Lichy provided tantalising insights into the future of the Bravo franchise. The luxury real estate agent hinted at the show's return, confirming that she, along with co-stars Jessel Taank and Sai de Silva, would be part of the next season. "I don't know if I'm supposed to say," Lichy admitted, before noting it was 'great' her colleagues had finally confirmed the news. She also mentioned she often gives recommendations for new cast members, though filming dates remain uncertain.
The Next Gen NYC contingent added further sparkle to the proceedings. Star Ava Dash addressed rumours about her mother, designer Rachel Roy, potentially appearing on the show and reflected on the decade-old elevator incident involving Solange and Jay-Z. Dash, signed with Ford Models, dismissed the speculation as irrelevant, stating, "It's not something that gets talked about in our household. We're all great and we're all thriving, so why are we trying to beef with each other?" She spent the evening partying with co-stars Ariana Biermann and Brooks Marks, as Charli xcx's pal The Dare provided the DJ soundtrack.
Throughout the night, guests flocked to bars, including one uniquely situated inside an elevator, ensuring the celebration of art and style continued with fervour despite the freezing temperatures outside.
