A Garden of Earthly Delights at the Museum of Arts and Design's 2016 Gala
Vogue
Todd PlummerWhen it comes to flora, there isn't a problem that florists extraordinaire Putnam & Putnam can't solve. Last night's theme at the Roger Vivier sponsored Museum of Arts and Design Gala was "Garden of Earthly Delights," inspired by the iconically intricate triptych by Hieronymus Bosch. So when guests arrived at 680 Park Avenue, they were greeted by a resplendent tree complete with hanging moss, butterflies, and even a few fake snakes thrown in for fun. "Two-thirds heaven, one-third hell," said event cochair Bettina Prentice when she explained how she worked with Putnam on the evening's flowers. "I told them I wanted the centerpieces to be a little evil, a little 'up to something.' "
The evening also featured several tongue-in-cheek hallucinogenic references, from the mushrooms and poppies scattered on each table to small vials of absinthe at each place setting. "Well, it looks like it's going to be one of those nights!" said Lulu Frost designer Lisa Salzer, as she led her table in taking the absinthe as shots. MAD is one of the spring party circuit's more intimate galas—only a fraction of the size of something at, say, Cipriani Wall Street—so if the impromptu absinthe shots were any indication, it was that this is one party where guests feel a bit freer to let loose and just have fun.
"Garden of Earthly Delights" also made for an interesting opportunity in terms of dressing. Some attendees stuck with the theme, such as Alexandra Chemla in floral long-sleeved Erdem or Laura de Gunzburg in a dark, romantic Valentino gown. Others stayed true to their everyday personal style. La Ligne sponsored a table, and in addition to founders Valerie Boster, Meredith Melling, and Molly Howard wearing the brand's signature stripes, the table included several other familiar faces, including Britt Maren, Martha Hunt, and Nell Diamond.
"I love working in New York because you can be whoever you want to be here," said the evening's honoree, artist Ghada Amer. What she said next perfectly captured the spirit of not only the evening, but MAD as an institution more generally: "Everyone is from somewhere else, but here we come together to create art and celebrate creativity."