It’s officially been 10 years since the Whitney Museum opened its doors in the Meatpacking District, and on Tuesday night Max Mara helped the museum celebrate both that anniversary — along with 10 years of their Whitney bag — at the annual Whitney Gala.
This year’s event honored artist Amy Sherald, curator Barbara Haskell and longtime supporter Richard DeMartini. Guests “The White Lotus” stars Michelle Monaghan and Leslie Bibb reunited at the event, roaming the cocktail hour together on the museum’s ground floor. Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy, Andie MacDowell, Laura Harrier, Kathy Hilton and Nicky Hilton Rothschild, Ubah Hassan, Jordan Roth and Wes Gordon were also in attendance.
After taking to the Met Gala steps a few weeks ago in Fear of God, Sherald had opted for a white floral Marc Jacobs look for the night.
“Working with Jerry Lorenzo at Fear of God, I love that team,” Sherald said, describing her Met look as “quiet dandy” that “let [my] internal swag shine.” The highlight of the night for the artist was seeing Madonna.
“I love her and I’ve been obsessed with her since ‘Desperately Seeking Susan,’” she said.
Scott Rothkopf, Amy Sherald and Darren Walker.
Alyssa Greenberg/WWD
In addition to being honored by the Whitney, Sherald’s work “American Sublime” is currently on exhibit in the museum.
“It means a lot, because it’s a dream come true to have a show here, and then also to be surrounded by all these people and all this love and support is wonderful,” Sherald said.
Maria Giulia Prezioso Maramotti, a third-generation Maramotti family member and a board member of the Max Mara Fashion Group, no longer lives in New York but remembers when the Whitney relocated downtown.
“I lived in Chelsea, so it was walking distance. I really remember the day that it opened here, in the Meatpacking District which was obviously already here but it changed the neighborhood,” she said.
Maramotti was one of many Italians in the room for the night, celebrating Max Mara.
“It’s like being back home,” she said.
Shortly after, the xylophone chimes alerted the room to head for the industrial elevators and upstairs to where dinner, toasts — and a surprise TLC performance — awaited.
Tionne Watkins and Rozonda Thomas
Alyssa Greenberg/WWD