Team Whitney
Donatella, Sting, Mariah Show Support for Museum
For its fall fundraiser last night, the Whitney Museum of American Art scored a glam duo: Donatella Versace, who sponsored, and Sting, who performed a suave mini-set during dinner to celebrate the theme of "Past Present Future." Another indestructible A-lister, Mariah Carey, dropped by with hubby Nick Cannon, who deejayed the after-party.
The first wave of guests for the sit-down gala included Christina Ricci, Julian Schnabel, and Cindy Sherman, as well as co-host Patrick Dempsey, who waxed rhapsodic about his art collection. "Each one stirs me emotionally, and it's an emotional journey every time you interact with it, look at it, feel it, smell it," he said. We were totally with him, until we realized he was talking about sports cars.
Other done-up attendees at the black-tie shindig name-checked their favorite artists. Hana Soukupova, towering over everyone in high heels, revealed she's a serious Warhol collector. A bit expensive as hobbies go, no? "They're up there, but you have to negotiate," she counseled. Byrdie Bell reported she'd just toured painter Ellsworth Kelly's house and studio on the Hudson. ("No Champagne, but he did bring out fresh-squeezed grape juice.") Becki Newton, meanwhile, collects a little closer to home. "[My mother's] an artist. Her stuff's incredible," explained the Ugly Betty star, who likes to use the barter system to get hold of Mom's work. "I'll make her a huge lasagna," laughed Newton. The Whitney, which is obliged to acquire art by more traditional means, raised $3 million in non-pasta tender.
ERROR:
