o Fun. As optimistic and kitschy as his work which throws you off your equilibrium, this year’s MOCA Gala hosted in Downtown Los Angeles at the David Geffen Contemporary at MOCA celebrated the extraordinary Jeff Koons.  The art, celeb, and fashion-filled crowd included new Live with Kelly Co-Host Ryan Seacrest, Pierce Brosnan, Ricky Martin, Sharon Stone, Sean Penn, Paris Hilton, Gala Chairs Maurice Marciano, MOCA Director Phillipe Vergne, Lily Tartikoff Karatz,  Collectors Edye and Eli Broad, Liz Goldwyn, Michael, Eva and China Chow, and my dear friends Jennifer Tilly, George Kostiopolis, Erica Pelosini and Louis Leeman, Patrick M. Herning, and Sally and Michel Perrin. The themed evening captured the highlights of Koon’s meteoric and highly prolific career with white roses on cocktail tables, Belvedere cocktails, the iconic Ballon Dog plates (for sale) and hundreds of reflective fuchsia balloons lining the walls of the trademark Ben Bourgeois  transparent tent, recalling “the celebratory balloon animal statues that inflated Koon’s career.” The Red Carpet was filled with daring black dresses, bold tuxes, and pink gowns taking the spotlight (and reflective of the shiny invite). I was dressed in a semi-sheer glitter splashed Louis Vuitton gown direct from Paris that is one of all time favorites that seemed almost tame against a backdrop of  an eclectic mix of other daring looks.

Red Carpet

The Party

The gala format was very MOCA style with cocktails outside on a beautiful night, the LA skyline and mountains providing a stunning backdrop, and the time honored Wolfgang Puck dinner of the standard Maurice Marciano menu of Salmon salad, Loup de mer, and this time a Koonian dessert of swan shaped pavlova, sorbet, and hazelnut napoleon as another wink to his work.

Maurice and Lily, provided the evening intros and later on MOCA director Phillipe Vergne set the stage introducing a playful video on Koon’s career narrated by Scarlett Johansson. It even featured a cameo by singer Pharrell. Vergne finally introduced Pierce Brosnan adding who his own over-the-top ode to the artist. Koons finally took to the stage and shared his delight about how so many “younger artists, more and more are saying I am going to Los Angeles.” He also proudly shared that more of his work resides in LA than any city in the world.

It all ended with a moving standing ovation followed by John Legend and a three song set of “All of Me”, “Greenight”, and “Overload” with a surprise appearance of Miguel for a duet.  The night and the party then continued with all of us dancing as DJ M.O.S. took control for a throwback soundtrack as macchiatos and mini donuts were offered for revelers. We partook. Koons was spotted mingling with guests as he was enjoying every moment of a beautiful LA night. So did we.

From the LA Art & Fashion Front

NJ Goldston, The Brunette

Photo Credits: Billy Farrell / BFA