Inside the Best Celebrity Parties, Galas, and Events of the Season

On May 19, guests gathered at Fendi’s Madison Avenue flagship in New York City to celebrate the Baguette 26424 Re-Edition. The name references the first model code assigned to the bag, which quickly became a signature silhouette of the house upon its 1997 release. The crowd featured friends of Fendi, including Blake Lively, Olivia Wilde, Ayra Starr, Delilah Belle Hamlin, Ella Hunt, Steph Hui, Deacon Phillippe, Lux Pascal, Esther McGregor, and Ivy Getty.

At the event, guests were treated to a preview of the new bags, available this July in 20 designs inspired by the Fendi archive, and first seen on the runway of Maria Grazia Chiuri’s fall 2026 debut collection.

The immersive evening also featured a look at the Baguette Lab, which, for a limited time, will provide complimentary restoration services for clients’ own vintage Baguettes.

On Saturday, May 16, Dia Beacon brought together a notable crowd of more than 600 members of the art, film, and fashion communities (including Paloma Elsesser, pictured here) to celebrate the Dia Art Foundation’s Spring Benefit. The gala—which started with a morning reception at Dia’s Gerhard Richter gallery before moving on to a lovely family-style spring lunch—paid tribute to artists John Chamberlain, Tehching Hsieh, Lee Ufan, Agnes Martin, Hélio Oiticica, Kishio Suga, and Jack Whitten, each of whom has had recent or upcoming exhibitions at the museum.

After lunch, guests were invited to wander the galleries and explore Dia’s grounds. Those in attendance included artists, philanthropists, gallerists, collectors, and other creatives including Alicia Keys, Steve McQueen, Derek Blasberg, Lauren Santo Domingo, Carrie Mae Weems, Laurie Simmons, Diamond Stingily, and many more.

The benefit also marked Dia Beacon’s new partnership with Chanel. Co-chairs included house designer Matthieu Blazy, Dia’s Board chair Nathalie de Gunzburg, and artists Joan Jonas and Lisa Yuskavage. Proceeds from the gala will support the museum’s ongoing programming, including installations, publications, and public educational initiatives.

On May 14 in New York City, Troye Sivan made his way to the Meatpacking District for a carnival-themed party thrown by Coach to celebrate its new collaboration with the Los Angeles-based creative collective Brain Dead. Sivan snapped photos in the cavernous space on West 14th Street, which had been filled with fairground treats and games like cotton candy stands, balloon popping, and even a cyclone-style amusement park ride installed inside.

Launching globally on May 29, the collection features lots of playful touches, like the cartoon sketched onto the leather bag gymnast Suni Lee is pictured holding, with creative director Stuart Vevers, above. (Vevers’s children were also in attendance for the party; the VIP tots spent the evening running from popcorn stand to merch booth to miniature golf.) Inspirations for the capsule include Tokyo street style, collectible souvenir culture, and merch the designers dreamed up that would be sold at this fictional amusement park.

A surprise runway show took place midway through the night, putting all the wares from the collection on display.

Vevers took a bow with Brain Dead cofounder and creative director Kyle Ng while guests like Lourdes Leon, Aquaria, and Ella Emhoff cheered them on.

Gold House hosted its fifth annual Gold Gala at the Music Center in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday, May 9. The event brought together over 650 of the most influential Asian-Pacific and multicultural leaders across industries, all dressed in “heritage-inspired black tie” from AAPI designers.

Bowen Yang opened the show with a monologue before an array of awards were handed out to actors Charles Melton and Simu Liu and Olympic freestyle skier Eileen Gu, among others. Hayley Kiyoko performed her song, “Girls Like Girls,” while H.E.R. and Liza Soberano shared an exclusive first look at their upcoming film, Forgotten Island.

Guests took in the show while enjoying a three-course dinner from chef Justin Pichetrungsi and drinks provided by Hennessy. When the programming came to an end, attendees let loose at the Billboard x Gold House Founders Party. There, RuPaul’s Drag Race stars Nymphia Wind and Plastique Tiara performed before Mortal Kombat II star Joe Taslim took the stage for a DJ set.

It was not your average book club on April 28, when friends of Valentino gathered together at the Marciano Art Foundation in Los Angeles. This was a high-fashion evening, though the reason for the event was a book. The night was dedicated to the launch of Specula Mundi by Mark Borthwick, the new haute couture tome with a visual narrative that reinterprets the collection of the same name by Alessandro Michele.

Patricia Arquette, Maude Apatow, Sombr, and more stars were in attendance, dressed in their Valentino best. Those who missed the presentation of the collection in Paris last January were transported there thanks to a Kaiserpanorama installation on-site.

The hottest accessory of the evening was, of course, Specula Mundi, produced in a limited edition of 1,500 numbered copies. A close runner-up was the new Valentino Garavani Devain bag, held by Arquette and Apatow, among others.

Teyana Taylor pregamed the Met Gala at the event, showing up in a romantic black dress.

Tate McRae attended in an animal print jacket from Valentino’s pre-fall 2026 collection and a Devain bag.

On April 28, the arts nonprofit Creative Time invited New York's art and fashion worlds into the Russian Tea Room for its 2026 gala. Over borscht and vodka, guests celebrated the organization's new Executive Director, Jean Cooney, and honored artists Guadalupe Maravilla, Molly Gochman, and philanthropist Michelle Coffey. Co-chaired by stylist Kate Young, designer Waris Ahluwalia, and Nordstrom, the night was unexpectedly full of Russian bears. Waiters dressed as polar bears toted bottles of vodka while guests—from artists Kara Walker and Chloe Wise to designers Daniella Kallmeyer, Wes Gordon, and Henry Zankov—mingled around a giant bear-shaped ice sculpture. The night ended late, with dancing to sets by Leigh Lezark of The Misshapes and Jean d'Armes.

Gala season in New York City is officially in full swing. Apex for Youth—an organization that mentors and supports underserved Asian and immigrant youth in NYC—hosted its annual fete on April 16 at Cipriani South Street. The event drew over 600 guests and raised nearly $3.7 million for the nonprofit, which offers health-focused programming, education, and community engagement via volunteers. Olympic champion Eileen Gu, shown here with Michael Chung, attended the event, along with actress Lana Condor, who received honors.

“The Inspiration Awards Gala is one of the few moments where you can see the full ecosystem of Apex in one room—our youth, mentors, supporters, and partners,” executive director of Apex for Youth Jiyoon Chung told W. “It’s powerful because the impact is tangible. You’re not just hearing about change—you’re witnessing the relationships and community that make it possible.” That sentiment proved true when Avantika Vandanapu, pictured here, presented Condor her award onstage.

Of course, the dinnertime auction is as key for a gala as the starry guest list. During the evening, guests like Kim Shui—photographed here with Chloe Misseldine and Isiah Magsino—Sandy Liang, Dao-Yi Chow, and many other New York City insiders helped raise nearly $4 million for Apex for Youth.

Next up on April 15 was The Bronx Museum of the Arts, which held its annual gala at Tribeca Rooftop this year. Artist Awol Erizku, cultural patron Lois Plehn, and designer and artist Colm Dillane (aka KidSuper)—pictured here with The Bronx Museum’s director and chief curator, Shamim M. Momin—received honors during the stylish party, which included dinner and a live auction.

Joey Bada$$ and Ferg, shown here, were also in attendance for the soirée—the museum’s most important yearly fund-raiser, which also served as a welcome party for Momin, who threw her first Bronx Museum gala that evening.

Tyrell Hampton at The Bronx Museum’s gala.

Alex Consani may be known as a downtown fashion darling, but on Friday, April 10, the model traveled to Times Square for a party celebrating the acclaimed artist Tomokazu Matsuyama’s latest work. Along with Lulu Tenney, Hank Willis Thomas, and many more art-world stars, Consani feted Matsuyama’s new piece, Morning Again, with a soirée that began at the Times Square EDITION and ended on the Red Steps—where Consani joined Matsuyama to watch the project illuminate Times Square.

Commissioned by the Times Square Arts Midnight Moment program, Morning Again will screen nightly from April 1-30 from 11:57 PM to midnight, on nearly 100 electronic billboards in Times Square.

In the piece, the Japanese–born, New York–based artist Matsuyama—pictured here with Hank Willis Thomas—traces four symbolic currents that move through New York City: flows of hope, rhythm, self-expression, and transformation.

On the afternoon of Wednesday, March 26, Movado toasted its latest chapter at New York’s King restaurant, where brand president Margot Grinberg hosted a seated lunch along with ambassador Julianne Moore. The gathering marked the debut of three new women’s watch collections—Museum Bangle, Heritage 1917, and Museum Velura—as well as the official launch of Curve, Movado’s newest high-fashion jewelry collection. All were showcased alongside archival designs.

“I’ve always admired Movado for its clean, modern aesthetic and its ability to create pieces that feel both timeless and deeply personal,” said Moore. “These new collections are beautifully crafted and thoughtfully designed—a true reflection of the brand’s artistry and its commitment to celebrating women.”

On Thursday, March 19, guests gathered for an intimate dinner at The Odeon hosted by Loewe and Bergdorf Goodman. The party celebrated Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez’s first collection as Loewe’s new creative directors as well as the house’s takeover of Bergdorf’s famed windows.

American Love Story star Grace Gummer and Mark Ronson joined the exclusive group, carrying his-and-hers Amazona bags.

True Whitaker also joined the event, whose guests included Britt Lower, Michael Stipe, Jayme Lawson, Sandra Bernhard, Morgan Spector, Lucas Hedges, Isaac Powell, Talia Ryder, Tramell Tillman, and more.

Along with the collection launch, McCollough and Hernandez collaborated with Bergdorf Goodman on exclusive custom windows and an interior installation in the brand’s women’s store, bringing their spring 2026 collection to life.

On March 18 in Manhattan’s Union Square neighborhood, Dua Lipa descended upon the new Nespresso flagship boutique on 5th Avenue. Wearing a white minidress and a stunning Serpenti necklace, the singer toasted her status as the coffee brand’s latest global ambassador. Guests sipped on espresso martinis (like DJ Mia Moretti, above) and plucked tuna crispy rice bites from geometric blocks held by the waitstaff. As the sun set outside, the crowd trooped downstairs for more dancing.

Dua Lipa at the Nespresso party.

Meanwhile, farther uptown at The Pool/The Grill, art-world luminaries gathered to celebrate the 16th annual Art Production Fund gala. The event—which supports the organization’s work of commissioning and producing public art projects—raised a record-breaking $1 million. More than 300 guests including Chloe Wise and Brooke Wise, along with gallerista Hannah Traore (shown above) attended, decked out in fashion that reflected the theme of the night: après ski at the “APF Chalet.”

Legendary artists like Marilyn Minter and Sanford Biggers showed up for APF, whose executive director, Casey Fremont, can be seen here with the duo.

Spring brings countless galas to New York City, but we’re pretty sure there’s only one where you’ll find the city’s premiere “experimental clown” performing as one of artist Paul McCarthy’s famed butt plugs and donors will get called “pay pigs.” Welcome to Performance Space New York’s annual spring gala, where this year, the best way to do some good was to be very, very bad.

Playwright Jordan Tannahill, fresh off his off-Broadway success Prince Faggot, stepped into the role of creative director and reimagined a kink-friendly gala with a “Haute Fetish” dress code that that meant black leather was more common than black tie. This year’s gala honored fashion’s Michèle Lamy, artist McCarthy, and writer Samuel R. Delany, all creatives who no one has ever accused of being prudes. Naturally, Tannahill called in former dominatrix Julia Fox and her BFF, the photographer and model Richie Shazam, to cohost. Dressed as a gala table to open the night, Fox reminded the crowd this was a kink-friendly event. She pulled up comedian Julio Torres onstage to interrogate him about his favorite kink. “A memorable, entertaining night supporting the arts,” he demurred.

French singer Yseult, long-known for making a statement on the Cannes red carpet, made her United States performance debut with her new single “Freak” accompanied by a BDSM performance by Mistress Nina, Dahlia Damoiselle, and Tristan Allen.

Moses Sumney performed a multisong tribute to Lamy, including his first performance of his song “Rank & File” in years.

Performance artist and clown Alex Tatarsky’s tribute to Paul McCarthy was undoubtedly one of the evening’s most delightfully weird moments.

Right as the elevator doors were about to close and take us to the fifth floor of the WSA building for Free Arts NYC’s 26th Annual Gala, none other than Rosie Perez slipped in. There’s no better omen for a good night in the city than starting it with an accidental run-in with one of its cultural icons. Once inside, we were greeted with a glass of red wine and gallery walls full of 70 works on paper by a who’s-who of art-world notables, including Tschabalala Self, KAWS, Will Cotton, and Marilyn Minter. They would all be auctioned off that night through an online portal to benefit the nonprofit. Even New York’s new first lady, Rama Duwaji, donated a sketch.

Founded in 1997, Free Arts NYC provides kids from underserved communities with both daylong creative workshops for younger artists and more in-depth mentorship and scholarship programs for teenage artists.

This year’s edition honored three women from three different generations: artists Katherine Bradford and Sasha Gordon, and Jody Quon, creative director of New York magazine. Yet the three didn’t just show up to collect their adoration on gala night. Earlier in the year, the trio stopped by to both offer advice and create alongside Free Arts students. The results—“exquisite corpse”-style drawings—were also on display.

“Free Arts is planting seeds of curiosity that will undeniably make this world more beautiful,” Quon said upon accepting her award. “We are not just investing in children’s art. We are investing in the next generation of thinkers, makers, leaders, and dreamers.”

Stylist and editor Alastair Mckimm and photographer Carin Backoff represented the fashion world.

This was the rare gala for an arts foundation in which the act of creation literally took center stage. Artist Adam Dressner had set up an easel to paint live portraits of guests during both the cocktail hour and after party. At dinner, guests were provided with colored pencils and encouraged to draw on the table by Free Arts founder Liz Hopfan. Paper had been placed over some windows, with crayons provided to encourage guests to leave a doodle. “A sketch is a funny thing,” she told the crowd. “We tend to think of it as lesser, the thing before the thing. But a sketch is where we are all most honestly ourselves. It's a color test, a first instinct, a page that was never meant to be seen. This is where Free Arts lives, too.”

On February 15, Nike closed out All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles with All-Time High, a star-studded after party at the members-only Bird Streets Club on Sunset Boulevard. The event wrapped up the weekend and celebrated the intersection of sports and entertainment, bringing together figures across industries like Teyana Taylor, Travis Scott, Damson Idris, Takashi Murakami, Steve Lacy, Ego Nwodim, and more.

Zack Bia was on deck, DJing for the crowd, followed by a lineup that included Chase B, Coco & Breezy, and Hank Korsan.

The event space had a sprawling setup, where guests could move between three different floors, each with their own unique feel. The layout lent itself to the eclectic crowd that had gathered there, which also included musician Shaboozey.

Eternal beauty was the theme of the night at the Bulgari event held at the luxury jewelry brand’s Rodeo Drive flagship on January 15. VIP clients, celebrities, and creatives came together to celebrate Bulgari Eternal, a new collection breathing new life into archival designs.

Maude Apatow, Phoebe Dynevor, and Ryan Destiny were in attendance on Thursday night, enjoying the conversation and immersive experiences on offer. Apatow and Destiny, specifically, acted as models for the evening, wearing the new collection while enjoying rooftop cocktails and the celebratory atmosphere.

The mood was set by Kaytranada and Kim Gordon, who both delivered DJ sets for the guests, keeping the energy high throughout the evening. It was a true L.A. party, celebrating glitz, glamour, and, of course, Bulgari.