A team of business and creative brains have joined forces to present a Nelson Mandela Bay version of the famous New York Met Gala and raise funds for the Friends of the Art Museum.
The inaugural Museum Gala was launched at No 5 Boutique Hotel in Summerstrand this week with Bay-born fashion designer Jenni Button the guest of honour.
Along with Port Elizabeth designers Ati Setipa, Braemor Lundall-Sauls and Kelly Dillon as well as internationally renowned Bay-bred designer Laduma Ngxokolo, Button will showcase her “wearable art” garments at the gala on Thursday September 27.
Friends of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum head Cedric Vanderlinden said the idea was not only to raise much needed funds to acquire new art, but to collaborate with crafters and fashion designers to highlight creativity in the city.
“It will also draw attention to an important cultural institution in the metro – it’s more than just another gallery, it’s also a museum for everyone and a lot of people tend to forget how important it is to us,” Vanderlinden said.
The gala was also being held in Heritage Month to accentuate the rich cultural heritage of this region.The Park Drive buildings are home to an extensive collection of art, but the curators are severely hamstrung by lack of funds, says gallery director Emma Taggart.
“There is a critical reason for this event: we need funds to continue our function,” Taggart said. Funds raised will go towards the purchase price of Eastern Cape artworks with the focus on young up-and-coming artists.”
She said traditionally fashion was not respected as much as fine art, but the Met Gala – after which the Bay event will be modelled – showed the two creative genres could co-exist and spur each other on.
“Our collection has always been about our craft and design so it has always reflected the diversity of all art making – and we’ve also had incredible wins with fashion figures who have made it big,” Taggart said, with a nod to both Button and Ngxokolo.
“We have a large collection of Southern Nguni beadwork that will be on exhibition and we will reflect on contemporary fashion also.”
The Met Ball or Gala, formally called the Costume Institute Gala, is an annual benefit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute in New York City, of which Vogue editor Anna Wintour is patron. It attracts the who’s who of Hollywood who vie for invites and splash out on themed costumes and designer garments for the night.
In the same way that the Met heralds the start of the Costume Institute's annual fashion exhibit, Port Elizabeth’s Museum Gala also will mark the opening of an exhibition at the art museum.
Bay PR practitioner Michelle Brown is the event organiser, described by Taggart as “our Anna Wintour” for her “commitment to fashion and attention to detail”. The Art Museum is partnering with Mantis Collection, Elle and Elle Decoration, and Magnetic Storm.
An exclusive guest list of only 100 will be treated to cocktails at the art preview in one hall at the museum before moving across to the other exhibition space for a black-tie dinner and fashion show, featuring ballerinas as models.The next day, Button will present a workshop at Mohair South Africa sharing her creative and business acumen gathered over nearly 40 years.
“I’m very excited – it’s going to be a phenomenal evening, !” Button said at this week’s launch.
She presented one dress which she will develop to be shown on the night: “a contemporary version of a cultural design influenced by the leopard skin worn by the Zulu kings.”
Mantis chief executive Adrian Gardiner – an art connoisseur and collector – said he had had no hesitation when asked to support the Museum Gala.
“Art has always been part of my life and it is more than a pleasure to be involved.” he said, hinting at other future art collaborations benefiting tourism in the metro.
Ticket prices for the gala will be released at a later date. Further information from Brown’s PR on (041) 581-6424 or send an e-mail to: michelle.brown@axxess.co.za