Chairmen in Vera Wang and Tiffany: Lydia Fenet, Joann Pailey, Allison Aston, and Elisabeth Saint-Amand; photo: John Calabrese

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To mark the Frick’s seventy-fifth anniversary in 2010, the museum has created a year-long series of celebrations, programs, and new offerings, the true kick-off of which was the Diamond Deco Ball on February 25. This keenly anticipated event was the eleventh annual fundraiser hosted by the museum’s Young Fellows. As was the case this winter, the Young Fellows Ball is frequently heralded by The New York Times as one of the “Most Memorable Parties of the Year.” In 2010, the museum turned the clock back seventy-five years for an elegance-infused art deco soiree, the core of which occurred in the Garden Court and Music Room, both added to the residence in 1935 by the celebrated architect John Russell Pope.

Despite the severe snowstorm that raged throughout the afternoon and all evening (shutting Fifth Avenue down at one point), more than 600 people braved the weather and, once inside, enjoyed the complete comfort of the former Frick mansion. Over $235,000 was raised in support of the education program, in the process.

Jeweled by TIFFANY & CO. were Event Chairs Allison Aston, Lydia Fenet, Joann Pailey, and Elisabeth Saint-Amand.  Leadership of the event, including Chairmen, and members of the Young Fellows Steering Committee, as well as a variety of other guests, wore gowns by Vera Wang. These included: Allison Aston, Fiona Benenson, Alina Cho, Caitlin Davis, Lydia Fenet, Lucy Jane Lang, Clare E. McKeon, Lisa D. Morse, Joann Pailey, Elisabeth Saint-Amand, Lauren Santo Domingo, and Georgina Schaeffer

Gift bags were donated by D.U.R.T. bags (Do Use Resources Thoughtfully, made with 100% natural fibers) and contained products from Dior Beauty, Fekkai, Vera Wang perfume, ELLE magazine, and Vita Coco, and a notebook featuring the Contesse d’Haussonville, from the Museum Shop of The Frick Collection. 

Champagne Pol Roger generously supplied champagne for the evening. Wines donated were Durbanville Hills and Two Oceans from Aveníu Brands. The Stelac Foundation underwrote the vodka. Caterer Olivier Cheng complemented the theme and mood of the evening with a fanciful offering of both savory food and desserts.