John SchlossbergMatt Borkowski/BFA.com
Few events signal the start of the spring social calendar in New York quite like the Young Fellows Ball at The Frick. On Thursday evening, the museum hosted the annual benefit, drawing a well-dressed crowd across art, fashion, politics, and media.
This year’s theme, Travel Through Time, paid homage to the centuries of world-class art housed within the museum’s storied collection. And the bold fashion on display certainly brought it to life on the night. Several guests in the crowd—which included Alessia Fendi, Ivy Getty, Jack Schlossberg, and Mark-Francis Vandelli—took cues from Marie Antoinette’s court, with panniers and towering pouf hairstyles a’plenty. Others channeled Renaissance-era paintings in sweeping floral gowns layered in tulle. One attendee even wore an ornate chain headpiece evocative of medieval armor, paired with shimmering silver makeup for a playful, modern twist
The event spotlighted the newly-unveiled exhibition, Gainsborough: The Fashion of Portraiture, which explores the connection between the artist’s signatures and the style that was de rigueur in 18th century England. Aimee Ng, the museum’s chief curator and the mastermind behind the show, described the fete as a modern interpretation of Gainsborough’s ethos. “A night like tonight reflects the individuality that Gainsborough was going for. You come as your best self, whether that’s in H&M or Chanel,” she told Vogue. Gainsborough’s portraits were elevated and beautiful, and he conveyed his subjects as they wished to be seen, she added. “We don’t know what anyone is wearing, but everyone is participating in the same joviality and is being themselves. It was aspirational; it didn’t have to reflect reality. Tonight feels a bit like that.”
Upstairs in a VIP lounge, partygoers were transported to an atmosphere reminiscent of the glittering café society of 1920s Paris. Guests reclined in plush booths beneath a soft golden glow, sipping Ruinart Champagne and enjoying delicate caviar bites, stealing a moment away from the bustle of the main halls.
It was for all these reasons that the night is a favorite of Ivy Getty, who has a lifelong appreciation of the arts. “I grew up in a family that prioritizes going to museums,” she said. “Wherever we visited, we’d have a whole museum tour booked.” As such, supporting the next generation of artists and nights like this, she added, feels especially meaningful at a time where so much attention is pulled towards modern technology.
The Young Fellows Ball has long been a fixture of the city’s calendar, and many members say it’s the sense of community that keeps them coming back—beyond the grandeur and elegance. “It’s one of the best ways to meet people in New York who care about the same things as you,” remarked the evening’s vice chair, Casey Kohlberg.
Gainsborough: The Fashion of Portraiture will be on view at The Frick through May 25, 2026.
