PHOTOS: Inside the Frick Collection’s 2026 Young Fellows Ball

Last week, the Frick Collection opened its doors to one of New York’s most anticipated events: the Young Fellows Ball. Now approaching its third decade, the sold-out rally has drawn hundreds of the city’s best-dressed under-45s, to support museum exhibits, conservation efforts and community programs—and, most importantly, to be seen doing it. Guests responded to the year’s theme, Travel Through Time, with unforgettable collections inspired, no doubt, by the much-anticipated exhibition “Gainsborough: The Fashion of Portraiture”, which explores the intricacies of fashion in 18th-century British portraiture. The result was a scene reminiscent of the Cool Age, albeit with Renaissance, Georgian, Rococo and—in some—Star Trekkian flourishes thrown in for good measure.

Among the crowd were a number of familiar faces, each dressed to match the splendor of the place. Local luminaries included a socialite and philanthropist Natalie Bloomingdalepatron of the arts Alexander Hankinsocial and artistic supporter Casey Kohlberga philanthropist Laurence Milsteinfashion queen Cynthia Rowley,bullient Christopher Griffin (aka Plant Kween) and flawless Vogue editor Lilah Ramzi. The out-of-towners were equally impressive, among them the scion of the Fendi fashion dynasty Alessia FendiGetty oil fortune heiress Ivy Gettygrandson of JFK and a Democratic political figure Jack Schlossbergdesigner extraordinaire Zach WeissBritish-Italian socialite and Made in Chelsea humanity Mark-Francis VandelliSaturday Night Live’s Marcello Hernándezmodels Ava Dash again Emira D’Spain and designer Bach Mai.

Is this year’s Young Fellows Ball lacking in last year’s performance? Perhaps, although it was not easy and because the 2025 gala was tied to the much-celebrated re-opening of the storied center after a long renovation, it was a once-in-a-lifetime event that set the wrong precedent. What didn’t change was how the throw of beautiful clothes almost enhanced the works of art on display. But almost only.

Ivy Getty

Lilah Ramzi

Tiffany Frasier

Bach Mai and Alexandra Longanecker

Alexandra Bell

Christopher Griffin

Alexis Light, Axel Rüger, Angie Calderwood and Aimee Ng

Eugenia Bullock

Vanessa Gordon

Sarah Bracken and Giovanni Fares

Brittany Beyer Harwin

Laurence Milstein

Zoey Schorsch and Erin Scott

Megan Zuckerman

Ned Shatzer and Avishan Bodjnoud

Erin Shaffer and Zach Weiss

Olga Sorokina

Valeria Camargo

Emira D’spain

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