While millions of New Yorkers spent last night in full Hygge mode following the first snowstorm of the season, Dior and friends of the Guggenheim museum still managed to party — in the most high-fashion sense, of course. The two-day extravaganza was the annual Guggenheim International Gala, sponsored by Dior. Day one was a pre-party with a performance by Jorja Smith. A young crowd of starlets and influencers dressed up in their Dior finery — including many short hemlines considering the freezing temperatures outside. Dior designer Maria Grazia Chiuri gushed over Smith’s performance, “She’s so cool, she embodies a really contemporary woman.”
But the dedication was even clearer the second night. “It would have been easier to sleep here from last night,” one guest said upon entering the museum. A fresh blanket of snow caused major traffic delays and Uber surcharges for the crowd attending the black-tie dinner, which officially honored artistic philanthropists Alice Walton and Dimitris Daskalopoulos. But nevertheless, a crowd of celebrity- and art-lovers made the trek to the Upper West Side. Many came in with rubber boots or Uggs on, but quickly changed into stilettos at coat check. The gala must go on! Gwyneth Paltrow, Karlie Kloss, and Jorja Smith gathered in the theater on the ground floor of the Guggenheim to listen to an arrangement of the oldest-known written song, dating from 13th century BCE. Then, it was time for dinner in the foyer, bathed in pink lights and decorated with pastel flowers that transported guests away from the tundra outside. After a Swedish-inspired dinner (a tribute to the exhibit on display at the Guggenhim, Hilma af Klint), it was time to swap out the stilettos for Hunter boots and venture out into the cold. See the best outfits from the two-day party below.