PHOTOS: Inside the Art Production Fund’s 2026 Après Ski-Inspired Gala

Huma Abedin, Nicky Hilton, Stacey Bendet, Jenny Mullen, and Caroline Tate Angel. Neil Rasmus/BFA.com

The Arts Production Fund has thrown some memorable parties, but its 15th annual gala — an après-ski fantasia staged in the Seagram Building — was perhaps the most committed to it. Under cool blue lighting, fur-clad celebrities in flowing dresses and winter whites munched snacks from their servers in puffy Moncler outfits, tossed Shotsky’s Absolute Tabasco and watched the entertainer Amanda Ross is (Former figure skater) finds her advantage on simulated ice in her long career Untitled character (re).

There was a queue at Kelly Wall Sad thinking The Penny Press is reserved for most cocktail hours, making it a prime spot for people watching. Among the more than 300 guests, the Observer spotted the former Clinton aide and author Huma AbedinFashion CEO Stacy Bendetthe core and designer community Nicky Hiltonangel investor and influencer Hannah Bronfmanstructural engineer Colabat YantrustEntrepreneurs Rachel Blumenthal and Neil Blumenthalart collector Christine MackCelebrity doctor Jake Deutsch And designers Cynthia Rowley, Sergio Hudson and Anna Sui. Among the artists on site were co-chairs Derek Adams and Sanford Biggers, Mickalene Thomas, Will Cotton, Marilyn Minter, Michael Chuabuco and Ludovic Ncott.

Upstairs, gathered dignitaries from media, fashion, finance, philanthropy and the arts made their way through the place settings designed in the shape of ski passes to their tables, where they sat down to an Alpine-inspired menu designed by the author Sarah Hoover: Fondue, truffle pizza and chicken steak with a lemon martini and hot chocolate kept the après-ski illusion alive. The Arts Production Fund raised a record $1 million that night, thanks in part to a spirited paddle-raising operation led by artistic consultant Gabriella Palmieri. From there, the evening’s speakers wrapped up their act with another round of skateboarding footage before the appropriately themed DJ duo, the Polar Bears, took to the deck to sing classic anthems from the early 2000s.

Aspen ran down Park Avenue until the clock struck midnight. One observer heard murmurs of an after-event party that may or may not include the influencer Tinxgallerist Hannah Traoréwriter Amanda Lee Burkettthe photographer Angelica Hicksheiress Ivy Getty And the author Chloe Wiseamong other things, but before we could confirm, the lights came on, and people were packing their jackets.