The Guggenheim Museum in New York City already resembles a spaceship from the outside. But last night at the museum’s International Gala pre-party hosted by Dior, the interior was also sporting a particularly galactic feel and a pitch-perfect galactic sound. Lured by the promise of a performance by electronic whiz-kid Grimes, a mix of art hounds and It chicks turned up to orbit the new circular structure in the middle of the cavernous main hall. The signature winding ramp that rings the space was packed with guests staking out their spot for when Grimes took the stage. Statuesque twins TK Wonder and Cipriana Quann had a prime place above the main-level crowd. “We’re huge fans of Grimes,” said Quann. “She’s created a subgenre of electronic music—it’s amazing,” TK Wonder agreed.
Other guests, including A$AP Rocky, Lake Bell, and Eve Hewson, waited patiently for the show to begin, stopping for a glass of Veuve Clicquot in the cordoned-off lounges or for a snap in the photo booth. Best-looking couple award went (again) to Zachary Quinto and Miles McMillan, both sleek in dark suits. The space was packed with ingenues in high-necked sequined frocks and models in brightly hued side-laced vests (think Hanne Gaby Odiele in a glossy ruby red vest from the brand). Winding slowly through them all, greeting fans, was Raf Simons, soon-to-be former creative director of Dior, who seemed to be enjoying a bittersweet evening with friends. “It’s quite emotional,” said Alexia Niedzielski. “He’s an amazing, brave person.”
Shortly after 10 p.m., the lights went down and the music switched to Grimes’s high-energy club beats. The curtains that had veiled the stage dropped and there she was, in sparkly Dior sneakers, mixing and bopping alongside black-clad dancers. Despite what appeared to be slight technological difficulties, the artist performed a 30-minute-long set and partygoers cheered along with her until the end. “She’s such a good performer,” raved Kiernan Shipka, as the night wound to a close, “and this is such a ridiculously cool space.”
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