Lydia Fenet, Allison Aston, Clare McKeon, Joann Pailey, and Sloan Overstrom in Rachel Roy and accessories by Judith Leiber and Baccarat; Photo: Mary Hilliard

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The keenly anticipated Young Fellows Ball brought 600 supporters and their friends to the remarkable Fifth Avenue mansion that houses The Frick Collection. This year's event, Bal de Chinoiserie, took its inspiration from fanciful, Eastern and Eastern-inspired objects popular in the homes of Western art collectors since the seventeenth-century. On display in the museum galleries and Reception Hall are many fine examples of blue and white and famille noir porcelains from China. Several upstairs hallways in the former 1914 residence bear whimsical chinoiserie painted ceilings replete with monkeys dressed in eighteenth-century Western fashions, seated figures (warriors, Japanese and Chinese courtesans, elders, and others), exotic birds, dragons, dramatic rock formations, lanterns, and pagodas. Such motifs were incorporated into the decorative scheme that transformed the mansion on this very special evening and were also be found in the sartorial choices of the Frick's guests at Bal de Chinoiserie.

Now in its twelfth incarnation and named consistently by The New York Times as one of the "most memorable" Parties of the Year, the ball is also a widely covered and watched social event of the New York season. Guests filled the elegant Garden Court and Music Room for cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and dancing; they also strolled through the museum's historic galleries that contain, in addition to Asian porcelains, a celebrated collection of masterpieces by Degas, El Greco, Fragonard, Goya, Rembrandt, Renoir, Titian, Turner, Vermeer, and others.

Leadership of the event, and various others, wore gowns by Rachel Roy.  Among them are Chairmen Allison Aston, Lydia Fenet, Clare McKeon, Sloan Overstrom, and Joann Pailey.

Adorned by Judith Leiber were event Chairmen Allison Aston, Lydia Fenet, Clare McKeon, Sloan Overstrom, and Joann Pailey, as well as several members of the Young Fellows Steering Committee, among them Caitlin Davis, Sarah Irwin, and Lucy J.Lang.

Jeweled by Baccarat were event Chairs Allison Aston, Lydia Fenet, Clare McKeon, Sloan Overstrom, and Joann Pailey. Fashion sponsor Rachel Roy was also be jeweled by Baccarat.

The Frick Collection's new Chinoiserie Market Tote made its debut as the gift bag for this event, and it contained products from Dior Beauty and Frederic Fekkai, Parker Pens, and Financier Coffee & Sweets.

Veuve Clicquot generously supplied champagne for the evening. Wines were donated by Newton Chardonnay. Vodka was provided by Belvedere Vodka. Caterer Olivier Cheng magnified the Asiatic theme and mood of the evening with a fanciful offering of both savory food and desserts.