Inside the 2025 Whitney Art Party

Inside the 2025 Whitney Art Party

BY Paper Magazine | Jan 31, 2025

This year, the Whitney Museum transformed into “Studio 99” for its annual Art Party, inspired by disco music and New York’s nightlife scene in the ’70s. The flashy fundraiser hosted rising artists and industry leaders, all dancing together to DJ sets from The Muses and Jenny Albright while collectively raising money for the Whitney’s Independent Study Program.

“The Whitney Art Party is one of my favorite events of the year,” says designer Cynthia Rowley, who co-sponsored and co-hosted the event for the second year in a row. “It’s a quintessential New York party. The crowd was so fun and glamorous, as always, and the Whitney team did a fantastic job transforming the space into a disco dance party.”

Photography: Matt Weinberger

Names like Mischa Barton, Real Housewives' Jessel Taank, Emily Hampshire, Blu DeTiger and Dianne Brill were in attendance, alongside co-chairs like drag legend Tabboo! and PAPER’s editor-in-chief Justin Moran on the Art Party host committee. Guests sipped on specialty cocktails from Maestro Dobel Tequila, had the opportunity to see the Whitney’s Alvin Ailey exhibition before it closes February 9 and received gifts from Aesop on their way out.

Daniel Walters, one half of The Muses, says the Whitney Art Party is always one his favorites events of the season. “This year’s was made particularly special with its emphasis on Edges of Ailey, a truly sensational and multi-sensorial experience,” he adds. “The exhibition’s spirit of movement and dance could certainly be felt on the dance floor, while we danced for hours on end to the disco greats.”

The Muses played everyone from Donna Summer to Amanda Lear throughout the night. This, according to the DJ duo’s other half Jack James, is where the real magic happens: “where people come together in their nicest clothes to dance, and celebrate art and New York.” But as much as James lives to party, he also loves for it to be over: “so I can take my eight-inch platforms off,” he laughs.

Photo courtesy of BFA/Jason Lowrie

Mischa Barton

Photography: Matt Weinberger

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