Jennifer Lopez in Gucci and Ben Affleck
On Saturday night leading lights from the art, film, fashion and entertainment industries gathered once again under the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s iconic Urban Light installation to kick off the annual Art+Film Gala presented by Gucci. This year’s event honored American artist, activist Judy Baca, and and filmmaker David Fincher.
Longtime trustees Eva Chow and actor Leonardo DiCaprio, and Gucci Creative Director Sabato De Sarno greeted the high wattage crowd, which included Andrew Garfield, Halle Bailey, Jesse Plemons and Kirsten Dunst, Jessica Chastain, Jodie Comer, Julia Garner, Keanu Reaves and Alexandra Grant, Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal and Yara Shahidi–all of whom naturally sported pieces from the Italian luxury fashion brand. As the guests caught up over cocktails they were also treated to a first look of the Ancora Notte collection in action as Mariacarla Boscono, Vittoria Ceretti, Kirsty Hume and Abbey Lee modeled the first evening wear collection designed by De Sarno since his appointment in January and an ode to life after dark.
Dinner this year came courtesy of three-time Michelin Star Award Winner Chef Mattia Agazzi of Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura in Beverly Hills. After guests had tucked into their starter of Parmigiano Reggiano Royale, LACMA Director Michael Govan took to the stage to formally welcome the A-list crowd and announce Baca’s upcoming exhibition, Painting in the River of Angels, in which the artist will transform the museum into her studio and paint two more sections of her iconic The Great Wall of Los Angeles mural that depicts the history of California. Eva Longoria then paid tribute to the artist’s contribution towards recovering Mexican-American history through her work. Before the main course could be served, however, the serious business of table-hopping began: Billie Eilish held court in the luxury portable restroom trailer, while Greta Lee and friends took a break at the outdoor bar. It was only Brad Pitt’s turn to honor his longtime collaborator Fincher (the actor and director made three movies together including Se7en, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Fight Club) that spurred the party to return to their seats.
The after-dinner special performance by Lenny Kravitz again proved too tempting for everyone to remain in place for long and so dessert was served on the go as Kim Kardashian, accompanied by photographer Mert Alas, Quinta Brunson and Paris Hilton rushed outside to secure a prime spot near the stage. After being introduced by Jennifer Lopez, Kravitz, who has a long history with the Italian fashion house (Frida Giannini outfitted him for his 2008 European tour), closed the celebration with a rousing rendition of Fly Away. The perfect soundtrack as glamorous gathering dispersed into the night.
