NYFA Auction Draws Fashion-Friendly Crowd

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The Friedrich Petzel Gallery was packed with candy-colored dresses — bright oranges and purples seemed to be the faves for the evening — some donated by the fashion designer Diane Von Furstenberg for the benefit. The event’s proceeds will go to support NYFA’s mission to empower artists through grants to individuals as well as emerging organizations. While cameras flashed, drinks were downed, and art was admired, many of the ladies (and even some gents) had hair pieces artfully designed in a playful, prop-filled studio in one corner of the room.

The guests were colorful and plentiful. Photographer Andres Serrano was in the house, along with Alex McCord, star of Real Housewives of New York, with her husband Simon van Kempen. Girl-about-town Sarah Basile and curator Anastasia Rogers accompanied Hayley Bloomingdale, she of the famous last name. And scoping the fashion scene were fashion blogger Tia Walker and Stylecaster writer/editor Carol Han.

While some guests were chatting, others were checking out the art to determine what to bid on. Jason Liddell, who works in finance, had his sights set on Tree Melt, a red, white, and blue ink-and-watercolor print of a melting Popsicle. Bidding started at a modest $350.

“There are a lot of bargain hunters out there, which isn’t great for the art world, but it’s good for the buyers,” Liddell said. “People at these auctions aren’t buying for the artist’s name, but because it’s a more accessible way to participate in the art world.”

A few lots down from the Liddell work, lawyer Glenn Troost stood guard by an oil painting titled Goya, Stubbs & Audubon, over which a bit of a bidding war had ensued. “I love this because it’s got so much going on that I can look at it for days,” Troost said, admitting that he had already selected a spot for it in his new home in Palm Springs, California. “I’m guarding it with my life.”