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party report
October 9, 2016

Bottega Veneta–Sponsored Gala in the Garden Was Star-Studded, Not Stuffy

By Carita Rizzo

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Photo: Billy Farrell/BFA.com/Billy Farrell/BFA.com

While the word “gala” usually calls to mind floor-length gowns and expensive tuxedos, the annual Hammer Museum Gala in the Garden, sponsored by Bottega Veneta, is a different kind of affair. It’s star-studded but not stuffy, as evidenced by Will Ferrell in mint-green corduroys.

“This is one of those events where you kind of mix it up a little bit,” Ferrell told the Cut. “And my wife was wearing red pants, so I thought green. We’re right on the verge of the holiday season,” added the Elf star.

Guests gathered to celebrate artist Laurie Anderson and director Todd Haynes for their groundbreaking work in a variety of mediums, from Haynes’s films to Anderson’s performances and visual art. Gold lanterns hung high above the tables in the courtyard, illuminating guests like Emma Roberts, Patricia Arquette, and Laura Dern with an amber glow as they mixed, mingled, and snacked on tiny, triangle-shaped finger foods during cocktail hour, with catering by Suzanne Goin of Lucques.

In previous years, guests were able to check out the galleries, but with no art to peruse, guests instead flocked to the bar. That’s where we found January Jones in a black Bottega suit and brassiere top, nursing a beer with Mad Men costume designer Janie Bryant and a female friend. “I’m not an aficionado, but I appreciate it,” Jones said. “I know I have good taste because whenever I like something, it’s a million dollars. It’s unfortunate.”

Norwegian author Karl Ove Knausgård smoked a cigarette in the corner, looking like he was trying to avoid small talk of any kind. The prolific writer said he was relieved to be the one honoring and not being honored tonight. “There’s always an element of embarrassment to be honored,” he told the Cut. “You feel always like you don’t deserve it, and it’s an odd thing. But when you’re honoring someone that you really like, it’s just a joy.”

But is there any way to ease the pain for the person being honored? “I can’t ease the pain,” deadpans the man who wrote a six-volume autobiography called My Struggle. Here’s hoping the discomfort will inspire new art.

On a nondescript wooden bench, besties Amanda Peet and Sarah Paulson held court, letting the party come to them. Paulson briefly leaped up to give Emma Roberts a hug and a kiss on both cheeks, before quickly returning to her seat lest someone else steal her place. Leaning over the duo, Minnie Driver joked, “Back to the bus stop!” before continuing on with her date for the evening, with her mother.

It was an excellent “bus stop” to be stationed at. Soon the evening’s co-chairs, Jodie Foster and Alexandra Hedison, joined Peet and Paulson, and the foursome wouldn’t budge for the rest of the cocktail hour. So what does it mean to co-chair a gala?

“What does it mean?” Foster asked Hedison.

“We share the shame chair,” Hedison quipped.

“That’s pretty much it,” said Foster with a smile. “Honestly, it was mostly Annie [Philbin, museum director] stressing out and telling us her various stresses. And us telling her it was all going to be okay.”

Meanwhile, Selma Blair was trying to make her way through the crowd. “This is so strange. None of the galleries are open. I’m devastated,” she said, not looking too devastated. “I’m still pleased, but I don’t know what the deal is.” Blair always enjoys the dynamic of the evening, even if she couldn’t check out the museum’s collection last night.

“I think it’s always a much smarter group than what I am used to dealing with, considering I just hang out with my 5-year-old — who is also very smart,” she added with a laugh. “This is really a special museum. Since I’m not rich, I can’t support them in the way that I should, so I come to this. How’s that for honesty?”

“It’s time for dinner,” people in the know announced. The jazz quartet quieted down as the crowd pushed its way through the suddenly very narrow passages like salmon swimming upstream. Paulson, Peet, Foster, and Hedison calmly observed the madness until just a few stragglers were left scurrying past them. In mere minutes, the bus stop was empty. Dinner was served.

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Gala in the Garden Laurie Anderson Photo: Billy Farrell/BFA.com/Billy Farrell/BFA.com
Gala in the Garden Sarah Paulson (wearing Bottega Veneta Early Fall 2016 Multicolor Printed Crepe Georgette Dress, Peony Ayers Belt, Nero Pump an... Gala in the Garden Sarah Paulson (wearing Bottega Veneta Early Fall 2016 Multicolor Printed Crepe Georgette Dress, Peony Ayers Belt, Nero Pump and Rose Buvard Clutch), Tomas Maier, and Amanda Peet Photo: Billy Farrell/BFA.com/Billy Farrell/BFA.com
Gala in the Garden  Model Alessandra Ambrosio wearing Bottega Veneta Fall Winter 2016/2017 Mist Fine Light Cashmere Jacket and Pant, Silk bl... Gala in the Garden  Model Alessandra Ambrosio wearing Bottega Veneta Fall Winter 2016/2017 Mist Fine Light Cashmere Jacket and Pant, Silk blouse, Nero Suede Pump, Nero Belt, Intrecciato Silver Bracelets and Knot Clutch. Photo: John Salangsang/BFA.com/John Salangsang/BFA.com
Gala in the Garden Amanda Peet, Sarah Paulson, Alexandra Hedison, and Jodie Foster Photo: Billy Farrell/BFA.com/Billy Farrell/BFA.com
Gala in the Garden  Amanda Peet wearing Bottega Veneta Fall Winter 2016/2017 Nero and Barolo Wool Checkered Dress, Barolo Soft Wool Lingerie... Gala in the Garden  Amanda Peet wearing Bottega Veneta Fall Winter 2016/2017 Nero and Barolo Wool Checkered Dress, Barolo Soft Wool Lingerie Top, Barolo and Nero Shiny Calf Intrecciato Belt, Earrings, Nero Pump and Knot Clutch. Photo: Billy Farrell/BFA.com/Billy Farrell/BFA.com
Gala in the Garden  Andie MacDowell wearing Bottega Veneta Cruise 2017 Shamrock and Nero Embroidered Grid Printed Crepe Dress, Rust Intrecci... Gala in the Garden  Andie MacDowell wearing Bottega Veneta Cruise 2017 Shamrock and Nero Embroidered Grid Printed Crepe Dress, Rust Intrecciato Sandal, and Knot Clutch. Photo: John Salangsang/BFA.com/John Salangsang/BFA.com
Gala in the Garden  Emma Roberts wearing Bottega Veneta Fall Winter 2016/2017 Rose Buvard Soft Wool Lurex Dress, Rose Buvard Lingerie Soft L... Gala in the Garden  Emma Roberts wearing Bottega Veneta Fall Winter 2016/2017 Rose Buvard Soft Wool Lurex Dress, Rose Buvard Lingerie Soft Lurex Top, Mist Espresso Soft Exotic Skin Belt and Knot Clutch. Earrings by AMMANII Nehal. Photo: Billy Farrell/BFA.com/Billy Farrell/BFA.com
Gala in the Garden  January Jones wearing Bottega Veneta Fall Winter 2016/2017 Nero Light Worsted Wool Jacket and Pant, Nero Light Stretch V... Gala in the Garden  January Jones wearing Bottega Veneta Fall Winter 2016/2017 Nero Light Worsted Wool Jacket and Pant, Nero Light Stretch Viscose Yarn Top, Nero Pump and Crocodile Clutch. Photo: Billy Farrell/BFA.com/Billy Farrell/BFA.com
Gala in the Garden Jodie Foster and Alexandra Hedison wearing Bottega Veneta Fall Winter 2016/2017 Nero Dark Grey Ancient Silver Knitted Grid Lur... Gala in the Garden Jodie Foster and Alexandra Hedison wearing Bottega Veneta Fall Winter 2016/2017 Nero Dark Grey Ancient Silver Knitted Grid Lurex Wool Jacket and Pant, Light Silver Round Toe Bootie and Knot Clutch. Photo: John Salangsang/BFA.com/John Salangsang/BFA.com
Gala in the Garden  Laura Dern wearing Bottega Veneta Fall Winter 2016/2017 Nero Mist Ancient Gold Embroidered Grid Silk Organdy Dress, Nero... Gala in the Garden  Laura Dern wearing Bottega Veneta Fall Winter 2016/2017 Nero Mist Ancient Gold Embroidered Grid Silk Organdy Dress, Nero Nero Shiny Calf Intrecciato Belt, Nero Suede Pump, Knot Clutch and Earrings. Photo: John Salangsang/BFA.com/John Salangsang/BFA.com
Gala in the Garden  Minnie Driver wearing Bottega Veneta Early Fall 2016 Multicolor Viscose Jersey Dress, Nero Suede Pump, Silver and Enamel... Gala in the Garden  Minnie Driver wearing Bottega Veneta Early Fall 2016 Multicolor Viscose Jersey Dress, Nero Suede Pump, Silver and Enamel Bracelets, and Knot Clutch. Photo: Billy Farrell/BFA.com/Billy Farrell/BFA.com
Gala in the Garden Sarah Paulson and Todd Haynes Photo: John Salangsang/BFA.com/John Salangsang/BFA.com
Gala in the Garden  Selma Blair wearing Bottega Veneta Cruise 2017 Mist Nero Embroidered Refined Cotton Linen Dress, Nero Pump, Ciel Pepita ... Gala in the Garden  Selma Blair wearing Bottega Veneta Cruise 2017 Mist Nero Embroidered Refined Cotton Linen Dress, Nero Pump, Ciel Pepita Necklace and Knot Clutch. Photo: John Salangsang/BFA.com/John Salangsang/BFA.com
Gala in the Garden Tom Ford, Laura Dern, and Jorn Weisbrodt Photo: Billy Farrell/BFA.com/Billy Farrell/BFA.com
Gala in the Garden  Actress Jodie Foster wearing Bottega Veneta Fall Winter 2016/2017 Nero Mist Embroidered Grid Silk Organdy Dress, Nero Sh... Gala in the Garden  Actress Jodie Foster wearing Bottega Veneta Fall Winter 2016/2017 Nero Mist Embroidered Grid Silk Organdy Dress, Nero Shiny Calf Belt and Knot Clutch. Photo: John Salangsang/BFA.com/John Salangsang/BFA.com
Gala in the Garden  Mamie Gummer wearing Bottega Veneta Cruise 2017 Mist Barolo China Red Overlap Micro Square Lace Blouse, Mist Nero Vesuvi... Gala in the Garden  Mamie Gummer wearing Bottega Veneta Cruise 2017 Mist Barolo China Red Overlap Micro Square Lace Blouse, Mist Nero Vesuvio Bonded Summer Tweed Skirt, Nero Pump and Knot Clutch. Photo: John Salangsang/BFA.com/John Salangsang/BFA.com
Gala in the Garden  Mamie Gummer and Tomas Maier Photo: Billy Farrell/BFA.com/Billy Farrell/BFA.com
Gala in the Garden  Liz Goldwyn (wearing Bottega Veneta Fall Winter 2016/2017 Mink, Nero and Dark Sergeant Embroidered Multicolored Checkere... Gala in the Garden  Liz Goldwyn (wearing Bottega Veneta Fall Winter 2016/2017 Mink, Nero and Dark Sergeant Embroidered Multicolored Checkered Knit Dress, Nero Pump and Knot clutch) and Kim Gordon Photo: Billy Farrell/BFA.com/Billy Farrell/BFA.com
Gala in the Garden Patricia Arquette and Eric White Photo: John Salangsang/BFA.com/John Salangsang/BFA.com
Gala in the Garden Will Ferrell and Amanda Peet Photo: Billy Farrell/BFA.com/Billy Farrell/BFA.com
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  • bottega veneta
  • hammer museum
  • gala in the garden
  • jodie foster
  • sarah paulson
  • amanda peet
  • january jones
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