Art Style: What Frieze New York’s Most Fashionable Fairgoers Wear to Buy and Sell Art

In the first of a new series, we document the sartorial sensibilities of women in the art world and on the go.

A woman looks at the art of Fred Eversley's "Untitled (Blue Mist)" during Frieze New York. Photo by Timothy A. Clary via Getty Images.

There’s a lot to look at at Frieze New York this week, from Yayoi Kusama’s field of stainless steel orbs to Red Grooms’s life-size, sculptural recreation of an MTA bus, to a series of linen paintings by Jenny Holzer that were inspired, in part, by the Mueller report.

There was another kind of visual inspiration in ample supply as well: the sartorial flair of fairgoers. Art-fair aisles offer a particular kind of catwalk, where dealers and collectors alike strive to remain comfortable (you are on your feet most of the day, after all) without compromising style. And despite the gray, rainy day, a number of attendees were up to the challenge nonetheless during Frieze’s VIP preview on Wednesday. As the first installment of a new series documenting art-world style, we’ve rounded up some of the best ensembles spotted during the Frieze fair’s kickoff day, along with a little information about the women behind their assemblage.  

 

Photo by Sarah Silverstein.

Photo by Sarah Silverstein.

Tina Kim, exhibitor 

I’m here representing my gallery and working all day today, so comfort, of course, is key. This patterned pajama set is by Dries van Noten. I have my fancy slippers on. And on top, I’m wearing a light coat by Yohji Yamamoto, which is good for a rainy day.  

 

Photo by Sarah Silverstein.

Photo by Sarah Silverstein.

Bree Zucker, exhibitor

I’m representing kurimanzutto gallery. I’m here to see the fair and get a sense of the crowd. Tomorrow we have an opening at our space on the Upper East Side, so it’s always nice to walk around and kind of experience the collective art-fair energy awaken the city. This outfit is inspired by dear friends of mine in the art world. My jacket is from Unis boutique. I also have this beautiful bandana, which is indigo; I’ve been obsessed with wearing shades of deep blue and navy for the last few years. I love my Cartier watch, too, which my father gave me, and I always think of him when I wear it.

 

Photo by Sarah Silverstein.

Photo by Sarah Silverstein.

Nathalia Zemel, exhibitor

I work as a producer for a Brazilian art gallery, Almeida e Dale. I’ve been traveling for the last 18 days, and wasn’t prepared for the chilly weather today! These are the warmest things I brought with me for my travels, that are still sort of spring-y. My sunflower top is from Zara.

 

Photo by Sarah Silverstein.

Photo by Sarah Silverstein.

Omayra Alvarado, exhibitor

My gallery is Instituto de Visión and we’re based in Bogotá, Colombia. We’re having a great opening so far, and getting good feedback from people about a whole new set of works from our artists. Today, I wanted to look very professional, but in a cool way. All of the things I’m wearing are by local Colombian designers, and my necklace is from Sidney Garber.

 

Photo by Sarah Silverstein.

Photo by Sarah Silverstein.

Anisa Tavangar, attendee

I am a freelance writer and I do digital media for a gallery here. Comfort is always key for me, so the sneakers are necessary. I’m a believer in having staples that you continuously pair together, with pops of color here and there, like my blue jacket or yellow nail polish. The red in my hair is always useful for that color factor, too. My jacket is from Zara and the shoes are Tory Sport.  

 

Photo by Sarah Silverstein.

Photo by Sarah Silverstein.

RoseLee Goldberg, attendee

I’m the director of Performa [New York’s performance art biennial], and I love seeing the art that people from all over the world bring to the city for Frieze. It’s very good work. Right from the moment I walked in the door, I was impressed. I thought that Kusama piece was a knockout. And everything’s stood up to that. I call this my little energy jacket.

 

Photo by Sarah Silverstein.

Photo by Sarah Silverstein.

Laura de Gunzburg, attendee 

I run a company called the Cultivist [a global arts club], so I’m here to view the art and explore the fair. We’re doing a few things here for our members today. I feel like this is one of the fairs where they get really unlucky with the weather. I wanted to wear something good for running around and rushing from fair to fair. My pants, which I love, are from my friend’s boutique, Koibird, in London.

 

Photo by Sarah Silverstein.

Photo by Sarah Silverstein.

Kendy Genovese, attendee 

I’m a curator for Weinstein Gallery in San Francisco. I’m here to look at the art. I was thinking about a long day of walking and doing five fairs this week when I got dressed this morning. I can’t remember where I got my earrings, but they’re my favorite part of this ensemble.

 

Photo by Sarah Silverstein.

Photo by Sarah Silverstein.

Annemie De Maeyer, exhibitor

I’m here today for Axel Vervoordt gallery. I definitely wanted to wear flat shoes so I could move around easily. Heels aren’t great for that. I like clothes that are simple and functional, but artful. My skirt is from a Belgian unisex shop called TWIGGY. The owner is constantly looking for new designers and and she assembles really lovely, personal collections.

 

Photo by Sarah Silverstein.

Photo by Sarah Silverstein.

Zahra Rasool, attendee

I’m just here to view some of the art today. I thought it was going to be a lot warmer than it actually is, until I stepped out. I put on this cotton top and went back inside for my ribbed jacket, which I got at a local boutique in Berlin. My bag is from Fossil. 

 

Photo by Sarah Silverstein.

Photo by Sarah Silverstein.

Megan Yuan, attendee

I wasn’t really thinking about what I’d wear this morning, other than I wanted to be comfortable for a long day on my feet! I chose these pants by Maison Margiela. I work for an art advisor and we’re walking around the fairs for our clients today.  

 


Follow Artnet News on Facebook:


Want to stay ahead of the art world? Subscribe to our newsletter to get the breaking news, eye-opening interviews, and incisive critical takes that drive the conversation forward.