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Forget the Met Gala. For these New Yorkers, fashion's biggest night is at the library
By
Helen Ho
Published May 6, 2024
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Photo by Helen Ho for Gothamist
By
Helen Ho
Published May 6, 2024
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New York’s best fashion event? It all depends on who you ask.
The first Monday in May is famously “fashion’s biggest night out,” the Met Gala. It's an invitation-only, $75,000-a-ticket red carpet extravaganza to raise money for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute.
But for many New Yorkers, fashion’s biggest night is the first Sunday in May, when the Brooklyn Public Library hosts the free People’s Ball, billed as a “celebration of fashion, personal style and inclusivity.”
Astrid Angevine, Anita Jack, Debbie Rondon and Alana Joseph
Photo by Helen Ho for Gothamist
Karina Williams
Photo by Helen Ho for Gothamist
The main branch of the Brooklyn Public Library was packed on Sunday for this year’s ball, which coincided with Cinco de Mayo.
Photo by Helen Ho for Gothamist
Mikey Moon
Photo by Helen Ho for Gothamist
Sue Laurita (left) and April Palmieri
Photo by Helen Ho for Gothamist
Among the attendees was April Palmieri from Kensington, Brooklyn, who was wearing a Betsey Johnson dress and Skechers. She said she was drawn to the night's focus on inclusivity.
“This is the answer to the the Met Gala that nobody can attend unless you have corporate sponsorship,” Palmieri said.
Guests were encouraged to dress up and “walk the runway” in the library’s lobby.
Clifton Aaron Hinton
Photo by Helen Ho for Gothamist
Brownsville resident Clifton Hinton walked the runway and said he was attending the event for his first time. His outfit, from the designer DUROSEAu, included red to honor Cinco de Mayo and polka dots to honor the designer’s recently deceased mother, who loved them.
Although he said it gave him “chills” to walk the runway, it was his favorite part of the night.
A young attendee at the People's Ball.
Photo by Helen Ho for Gothamist
“When I went out and everyone kind of received me, it made me feel a little like that weight that was lifted off my shoulders," said Hinton. "That was probably the best part of the night for me."
Fiona Tedds (left) and Diane Velletri.
Photo by Helen Ho for Gothamist
Fiona Tedds, an English fashion historian who lives in Graniteville, on what she called “the Fair Isle of Staten,” said she was attending the ball because “it's so much fun and it's the big thing, middle finger up to the Met Ball.”
She said her outfit was inspired by a pirate vibe and the element of “swashbuckling” in some of designer John Galliano’s recent fashion shows.
Darryl Goodwin (left), Beau McCall and Curtis Noel (devil costume in back)
Photo by Helen Ho for Gothamist
This year’s People’s Ball was hosted by actress Delissa Reynolds and stylist Robert Verdi. It included a raucous party, with a performance from Kevin Aviance and music from DJ Spinna. It also featured a special tribute to iconic New York Times style photographer Bill Cunningham by some of his muses, including Jean Stone.
Jean Stone was a muse for the late, iconic photographer Bill Cunningham. This year's People's Ball honored what would have been his 95th birthday.
Photo by Helen Ho for Gothamist
The Met Gala takes place on Monday evening. This year’s theme is “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,” and the hosts are Anna Wintour, Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya, Chris Hemsworth and Bad Bunny. It will be livestreamed on Vogue's website.
Additional reporting by Kerry Shaw.
Tagged
new york city
libraries
brooklyn
brooklyn public library
fashion
metropolitan museum
met gala
Helen Ho
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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