“Phaidon’s Star-Studded Soiree: Linda Evangelista, KAWS, and Thom Browne Join the Festivities”

New York Style Celebrates Phaidon‘s Centennial

An Artistic Celebration of Creativity

A centennial is an impressive achievement in any industry, but particularly so in book publishing. On Wednesday night, Christie’s hosted a cocktail party to unveil Phaidon x Christie’s “100 Years of Creativity” in celebration of Phaidon‘s 100th anniversary. The event was attended by a star-studded guest list, including cohosts Linda Evangelista, Thom Browne, Peter Marino, Madison Cox, Rashid Johnson, and Nina Magon. The event, held in an un-air conditioned space on Sixth Avenue, showcased the rich history of Phaidon‘s publishing through a contemporary lens.

A Celebration Amongst the Creative Crowd

The event drew a largely creative crowd, with notable attendees including artists Mickalene Thomas, Derrick Adams, and Linda Beglis; architect Bjarke Ingels; photographer Wolfgang Tillmans; The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Max Hollein and Andrew Bolton; designer Todd Oldham; chef Ana Roš; Grace Coddington; writers Vince Aletti and Bob Colacello; and the Ford Foundation’s Darren Walker.

Books as Art

One of the themes of the event was the concept of books as art. Artist Brian Donnelly, known professionally as KAWS, spoke about his love for books and his enjoyment of creating them. Donnelly, who is set to release two books with Phaidon and its Monacelli imprint, spoke about the unique experience of owning a physical object that can be enjoyed for decades and provides access to art in a way that is unlike anything else.

Exploring the Rabbit Hole

Donnelly also spoke about his love for collecting old catalogues and books by his favorite artists, citing Andy Warhol’s Index book as an example of a book that is more of an object than anything else. He mentioned artists Martin Ramirez and Martin Wong as other favorite finds, highlighting the pleasure of delving into an artist’s history through their old catalogues.

The Artists Collaborate

KAWS, who is known for his collaborations with Uniqlo, also spoke about the connection between art and fashion. He expressed his excitement about the opportunity to introduce his art to a wider audience through collaborations with Uniqlo, which now includes the sale of books in their stores. KAWS sees this as a way to open the door to a larger understanding of his work.

A Night of Gratitude

Phaidon‘s chief executive officer, Keith Fox, expressed his gratitude for the attendees, acknowledging the challenging nature of the publishing industry. He also thanked Phaidon‘s owner, Leon Black, for his support. Peter Marino, who attended the event in his signature all-leather attire, was also acknowledged for his contribution to the world of design. The night was filled with vibrant outfits and lively conversations, showcasing the intersection of art, fashion, and literature.

An Ever-evolving Industry

The celebration of Phaidon‘s centennial reminds us of the enduring power of books and the evolving nature of the publishing industry. Through collaborations, new distribution channels, and a focus on books as art, Phaidon continues to adapt to the changing landscape and remains a vital force in the world of creativity.