Inside The Museum of Arts and Design En Plein Air Gala
Vogue
Maria WardThursday night, The Museum of Arts and Design hosted the young patrons En Plein Air gala presented by Clé de Peau Beauté and honoring lighting designer Lindsey Adelman. Upon arrival to the Bohemian Benevolent Association in New York, guests were greeted by two custom chandeliers from Adelman's latest Cherry Bomb Fringe collection. "I was after capturing something you see in nature, like Spanish moss on live oaks, and using a rigorous industrial design process to express that," Adelman said. "It was a mix of the very practical and the very mysterious."
Indeed, the fixtures added ambiance and a flattering glow perfect for pre-party photographs; attendees like Christina Ricci, Cleo Wade, and Indré Rockefeller took advantage before making their way past works by artists Sebastian Errazuriz, Bosco Sodi, Todd Pavlisko, and Andrew Erdos. The Neo-Renaissance palazzo-style space was transformed into the French countryside as a nod to the tradition of Impressionists painting outdoors in natural light. In keeping with the theme, the tables were set with whimsical mismatched vintage floral Haviland Limoges china atop rustic burlap tablecloths. Putnam & Putnam–fashioned garlands made of eucalyptus, bay leaf, and olive ran through the center of the banquet tables while fresh lavender sprigs bound with twine sat next to vintage flatware.
The dress code called for romantic flowers, though Adelman took a more contemporary approach to her attire in a sculptural Rick Owens top and black slacks. "I had about 45 minutes to find something so I went straight to the store," she said. "His designs look unusual on the outside, but they fit better than anything I've ever put on: Your arms feel longer, your waist feels tinier, and your shoulders feel broader." Clé de Peau Beauté senior vice president Tomoko Yamagishi was a vision in a Giambattista Valli floral gown further amplified by a radiant complexion, which she credited to the brand's new foundation stick. "For spring, it's all about natural skin," Yamagishi explained. "Like you're wearing nothing at all."
A living installation of lush flowers, plants, and foliage covered the stage at the rear of the room, sprouting up around a single wooden swing in a scene that evoked an 18th-century oil painting by Jean-Honoré Fragonard. "I love how all of the flowers in the set look so natural and raw and yet totally over-the-top," observed Adelman. The lights soon dimmed signaling the start of dinner, which began with courgette ravioli with spring zucchini blossoms and ended with hazelnut meringatta and mascarpone ice cream. As a final highlight, each guest was handed a Clé de Peau Beauté gift bag as she headed out the door.