For Frieze New York’s highly anticipated return, exhibitors and fair attendees alike readied themselves to be seen by the art world as if they’d never been seen before (or at least in just over a year).
Despite the rain, many fairgoers donned fantastic ensembles during yesterday’s V.I.P. preview day that featured everything from funky, vibrant colors and patterns to cool, clean lines.
For our latest installment of Art Style, our series documenting the fashions of stylish art-world constituents at art fairs, we rounded up seven looks from Frieze’s kickoff day, along with the inside scoop on the women who assembled them.
Samantha Ozer. Photo courtesy Maria Vogel.
Who: Samantha Ozer
What She Does: I’m an independent curator and writer.
Why She’s Here: I organized an exhibition at Clima Gallery in Milan in the fall. They couldn’t fly here for Frieze, so they asked if I could run the booth for them.
What She’s Wearing: A linen-silk jacket by Cecilie Bahnsen. She’s an amazing Danish designer. I’m obsessed with her.
How She Describes Her Style: Shock value is important!
Her Favorite Artwork at the Fair: Dana Lok’s work behind me. It’s exciting that she’s a Brooklyn-based artist getting a lot of attention. This new series of paintings she made in the last few months is really special.
Carla Shen. Photo by Maria Vogel.
Who: Carla Shen
What She Does: I’m a collector.
Why She’s Here: I’m here to look at all the art, see all my art-world friends who I haven’t seen in months, and hopefully buy some things, too.
What She’s Wearing: I’m wearing a dress that I bought yesterday at my favorite shop in Soho, 3NY.
How She Describes Her Style: My style, today at least, is street-meets-rainy day.
What She’s Excited About at the Fair: I bought a work by a young artist named Veronica Fernandez at Jenkins Johnson Gallery, which is very exciting.
Michelle Patterson. Photo courtesy Maria Vogel.
Who: Michelle Patterson
What She Does: I work for Frieze in media sales. I do advertising for the magazine.
Why She’s Here: I’m meeting a couple of my clients and seeing the fair.
How She Describes Her Style: Very eclectic and very free, with a modern flare. I don’t really think about what I’m wearing. It’s pretty dependent on my mood. I buy what I connect with!
What She’s Excited About at the Fair: I’m really excited to see all of the booths. There’s a lot of galleries here that I’m familiar with. I’m especially excited for Downs and Ross, Hauser and Wirth, and PPOW. The list goes on and on.
Simone Shields. Photo courtesy Maria Vogel.
Who: Simone Shields
What She Does: I’m an associate director at Pace Gallery.
What She’s Wearing: A Band of Outsiders blazer, handed down from my fairy godmother, a Sies Marjan dress, handed down from my mom, and boots by Alexander Wang.
How She Describes Her Style: It’s an inconsistent mélange…
Her Favorite Artwork at the Fair: Marina Perez Simão’s beautiful watercolors.
Jahsiya Oliver. Photo courtesy Maria Vogel.
Who: Jahsiya Oliver
What She Does: I’m a painter. I have a solo show coming up with Airfield Gallery in Kingston, New York. It’ll be the second show there.
Why She’s Here: I’m here to see the art at the fair, and because I art handle for Franklin Parrasch Gallery.
What She’s Wearing: This is actually a dress that I turned into a shirt for today. It’s by Olivia Ballard, she’s a Berlin-based designer. This is one of her earlier pieces. For my show, I’m going to be wearing one of her newer works.
How She Describes Her Style: It depends on the day. Today, I decided I would dress up. I would describe my style as ever-changing, whatever I’m feeling for the day. Even when I’m not really feeling into putting together an outfit, I seem to be able to assemble some sort of style.
Her Favorite Artwork at the Fair: Sylvia Snowden’s work at Franklin Parrasch’s booth. I identify with her work a lot.
Hannah Root. Photo courtesy Maria Vogel.
Who: Hannah Root
What She Does: I’m an associate director at Pace.
Why She’s Here: To man our booth!
What She’s Wearing: I’m wearing this top I got from a vintage store in Los Angeles, and some pants from Zara. Comfort is key.
How She Describes Her Style: Linen all day, every day.
Her Favorite Artwork at the Fair: It’s a tie between a Torkwase Dyson and a Maya Lin.
Sophie Mörner. Photo courtesy Maria Vogel.
Who: Sophie Mörner
What She Does: I’m the owner of Company Gallery.
What She’s Wearing: I love this vintage Dior kilt blazer paired with my Rick Owens leather pants.
How She Describes Her Style: Lesbian chic.
What She’s Excited About at the Fair: I’m excited that we’re indoors and not in the tent on Randall’s Island this year. And as far as the art goes, I’m especially excited about WangShui’s work that we’re showing.