Frick Takes on English Accents for Hunting Party

Inspired by the equestrian- and hunt-theme paintings by 18th-century artist George Stubbs, planners re-created the ambience of British manor houses for the museum’s Young Fellows benefit.

March 7, 2007

The hunt is a resonant theme for most New Yorkers (who isn’t searching for the perfect job, apartment, or romantic prospect?), but the Frick Collection’s eighth annual Young Fellows ball paid tribute to chases more closely associated with horses, hounds, and foxes. Colleen Tierney, the Frick’s head of special events, and Galen Lee, horticultural and special events designer, planned this year’s event around the museum’s exhibition of British artist George Stubbs’ paintings. (The dress code on the invitation, aimed at the institution’s youngest patrons, read, “Black Tie, Britches, Dress to Exhilarate.”) Using a few elements to capture the concept—the museum building was modeled after 18th-century European homes and needed little embellishment—the theme carried through to the food, with passed hors d’oeuvres from Mary Giuliani Catering & Events that included mini beef cottage pies, filet of beef on Stilton crostini with horseradish crème, and mini grilled cheese with truffle oil.

—Sara NeufferPosted 03.07.07

To evoke an English garden at twilight, Lee placed candlelit wire tree sculptures in the fountain’s pool and filled the flowerbeds with hydrangea and primroses.

The Frick’s staff, outfitted in elaborate riding apparel, guided the socialite-heavy crowd of nearly 700 through the topiary-filled entrance hall.

Topiaries framed a hunt-inspired backdrop from a George Stubbs painting currently on exhibit at the Frick.

In the music room, DJ Pat “Caramel” Regne held court while committee members, including the ubiquitous Tinsley Mortimer, hit the dance floor with designer Angel Sanchez (an event sponsor who dressed many of the committee members).

Guests more inclined to lounge found respite in the living room-like setting of aged leather club chairs and comfy fabric couches clustered around a faux fireplace on the perimeter of the room.

Sponsor Möet & Chandon provided champagne poppers—miniature bottles of bubbly with a plastic flute attached to the top. The poppers, which attendees swigged like a beer bottle, reminded us more of an English pub than a garden party.