Contemporary Times Two for the Whitney

NEW YORK—What do you get when you pair cutting-edge fashion with contemporary art? One glamorous get-together. Swiss label Akris sponsored the Whitney Museum of American Art’s kick-off cocktail party at the Akris boutique on Sept. 20, in celebration of the museum's upcoming 2007 Gala and Studio Party, which is slated for October 22. The event honored the artist Chuck Close, whose work appeared in an exhibition alongside Akris designs.

Boldfaced names spotted at the party included high-profile collectors Leonard Lauder and Michael Ovitz and Vogue publisher Tom Florio. Representing the Whitney were collectors and gala co-chairs Melva Bucksbaum and Amy Phelan along with Whitney director Adam Weinberg. 

The Studio Party will be hosted by the Artists Council—a new patron committee chaired by Whitney Contemporaries founder Lisa Anastos and Holly Newman Kroft, as well as models Lauren Bush and Amanda Hearst and the artist Terence Koh.

The original version of this article contained a few errors. The event was not the Gala and Studio Party as originally reported, but a kick-off cocktail party at the Akris boutique in honor of artist Chuck Close and the Whitney; the actual Whitney Gala and Studio Party will be held on October 22. The article originally referenced the presence of Ronald Lauder; it should have indicated Leonard Lauder.