PHOTO: Inside the Frick Collection's 2026 Young Fellows Ball

Emira D’spain and Ava Dash. Matt Borkowski/BFA.com

Last week, the Frick Collection opened its doors to one of New York’s most anticipated parties: the New Friends Ball. Now approaching its third decade, the sold-out gathering drew hundreds of the city’s best-dressed under-45s, there to support the museum’s exhibits, preservation efforts and public programming—and, just as important, to be seen doing it. Guests responded to the year’s theme, Time Travel, with an array of memorable ensembles inspired, no doubt, by the much-anticipated “Gainsborough: Portrait FashionThe exhibition, which explores the intricacies of fashion in 18th-century British portraiture. The result was a scene reminiscent of the Gilded Age, albeit with Renaissance, Georgian, Rococo and—on one occasion—Star Trekkian flourishes thrown in for good measure.

Many familiar faces stood out among the crowd, each dressed to match the splendor of the setting. Local luminaries included socialists and philanthropists Natalie Bloomingdalepatron of the arts Alexander Hankinsocialist and art supporter Casey Kohlbergphilanthropist Laurence Milsteinthe queen of fashion Cynthia Rowleythe ebullient Christopher Griffin (aka Plant Kween) and Vogue’s impeccable editor Lilah Ramzi. The out-of-towners were just as impressive, among them the scion of the Fendi fashion dynasty Alessia Fendiheiress to the Getty oil fortune Ivy Gettygrandson of JFK and Democratic political figure Jack Schlossbergoutstanding designer Zach Weissthe British-Italian socialite and Made in Chelsea personality Mark-Francis VandelliSaturday Night Live’s Marcello Hernandezpattern Ava Dash AND Emira D’Spain and the designer Bach Mai.

Did you miss this year’s New Friends Ball? Maybe, though barely and only because the 2025 gala was tied to it the much-celebrated reopening of the historic institution after lengthy renovationsa once-in-a-generation case that set an almost unjust precedent. What didn’t change was how the gorgeous outpouring of gowns almost overshadowed the beautiful artwork on display. But only about.