Scene: The preview opening event of the Studio 54 Night Magic Exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum curated and designed by Matthew Yokobosky, Senior Curator of Fashion and Material Culture. Above, Legendary Damon, Curator of Culture, viewing exhibit photographs. Feather coat by Adrienne Landau. Notice the iconic “Moon and Spoon” embroidery on the back of the blue jacket from Calvin Klein x Raf Simons collection. That’s Cameron Silver, Fashion Director, Halston Style.
The exhibit was a flashback to the shining memorable days of the glamour, the magic, the thrill, and the disco beat via photography, fashion, drawings, films, illustrations, artifacts, set designs, and music. I could feel the inspiration of Studio 54’s lighting and sets with the design of this exhibit. It’s organized chronologically, starting with popular New York nightclubs from the 1920s to the 1960s, including the Cotton Club and the Peppermint Lounge. The show features fashion designers including Giorgio di Sant’Angelo and Zandra Rhodes; illustrators including Richard Bernstein and Antonio Lopez; and photographers including Roxanne Lowit and Allan Tannenbaum. A stunning exhibit captures the essence of Studio 54. And an instant replay!
It was the Golden Age of going out and Studio 54 was the club in town. The seventies, like the Roaring Twenties, came right after a war, the Vietnam War in this case. And people were ready for cultural changes, in politics, music, fashion, lifestyle, and a new definition of a social society. It was a collective of New York societies. Diversity of all types of beautiful people in many ways, from all backgrounds. The legendary club’s heyday lasted 33 months which opened on April 1977. Revelers included Andy Warhol, Calvin Klein, Diane von Furstenberg, Elizabeth Taylor, Halston, Liza Minnelli, Truman Capote, and Yves Saint Laurent.
The exhibit was on the fifth floor and the party was on the ground floor. Both happened simultaneously. In this post I’m referring to the celebration as the after party.
“Studio 54 wasn’t just about disco — certainly not just about disco music. It was a moment of intense curiosity.” Anthony Haden-Guest.
Scene: Matthew Yokobosky, Senior Curator of Fashion and Material Culture. “Studio 54 has come to represent the visual height of disco-era America — glamorous people in glamorous fashions, surrounded by gleaming lights and glitter, dancing ‘The Hustle’ in an opera house” says Yokobosky. Studio 54 was housed in the former Gallo Opera House and CBS soundstage on West 54th Street.
Scene: Fashions by Zandra Rhodes, Giorgio di Sant’ Angelo, and Kenneth Bonavitacola. Backdrop photo by Dustin Pittman.
Scene: David Barton, Fitness Legend who founded David Barton Gym, Susanne Bartsch, Event Producer and Queen of New York Nightlife, and friend.
Scene: Gary Goldenstein and Allison Eden. Allison Eden Studios is one of the country’s leading glass tile suppliers for commercial and residential interior decor. She designs glass mosaic artwork which she channeled into the masks. The new accessory, masks.
Scene: Dustin Pittman, Photographer, taking a snap with cell phone of Legendary Damon, Curator of Culture.
Scene: Halston, American Fashion Designer, Pant Suit ca.1971 Silk, Collection of Doris Duke.
Scene: Ariel Krupnik and Richie Williamson. Aerographics (Richie Williamson and Dean Janoff), designed the “Moon and Spoon” sculpture which hung upstage on the dance floor and descended from the ‘sky’ by surprise in a constantly changing environment of sets, lights, and disco beats. Richie is wearing the handmade medallion of the Moon and Spoon created for the exhibit by him and Myra Sheer, Moon and Spoon Company. A total of 18 items were created by them and are sold at the Brooklyn Museum Shop.
Scene: Peggie Cantlinkern, lovely silver hair guest wearing blues and blacks.
Scene: Nancy and Doug Fraser.
Scene: Marc Benecke and Myra Sheer, Co-hosts of The Marc and Myra Show on SirusXM Studio 54 Radio. Myra, former Executive Assistant to Studio 54 Co-owner Steve Rubell, and Marc, former Studio 54 Doorman.
Scene: Guests entering the exhibit. Behind the “velvet curtain”.
Scene: CT Hedden, Model with BMG Models, Talent at Zand Wagon, and Host. What a wonder!
Scene: Walking through the galleries to the exhibit.
Scene: Norma Kamali, American Fashion Designer. Left back 1979 coat made from actual sleeping bags with woodland patterns, as well as a newer Sleeping Blanket Coat originally designed for André Leon Talley in silver lame. And Zandra Rhodes designs.
Scene: Douglas Theodore Cornwall III wearing Polomo and Jeffrey Michael Anderson “I’m wearing Norma Kamali’s new deep v-neck black version of a pant suit that Bianca Jagger wore to Studio 54. The original was in white. I added the mock turtleneck.” He works with Kamali.
Scene: Zandra Rhodes, British Fashion Designer, Gown 1977 Pleated Gold Lame, Collection of Pat Cleveland.
Scene: Allison Eden, Mosaic Glass Artist, and Elijah Vielma, Stylist.
Scene: Mary Anna Smith, Custom Milliner, The Tipsy Topper.
Scene: Alva Chinn, Model, Halstonette, and Yoga Teacher, with Steven Cirona.
Scene: Myra Sheer, Co-host of The Marc and Myra Show on SirusXM Studio 54 Radio, with her goddaughter, Minka Kelly, Actress and Model. Her first starring role was in the NBC drama series Friday Night Lights and she has also appeared in other shows.
Scene: Dustin Pittman, Photographer, who has several images in the exhibit, and friend standing in front of a video recreation of the dance floor and stage effects of Studio 54 by Richie Williamson.
Scene: Carmen D’Alessio, former Public Relations for Studio 54, is a public relations star in the nightclub industry who has promoted many nightclubs in the city, from Limelight, Tunnel, Cain, and Plumm.
Scene: Kenneth Bonavitacola in front of his Wrap Dress, 1979 black jersey hand-knit rhinestones and drawing by Bil Donovan of the same outfit. During Studio 54 nights Kenneth was a a regular. He dressed and worked with Kevin Boyce as a fit model, who was one of the first club kids to favor androgynous looks. Bonavitacola is a CFDA member, was Director of Couture at Giorgio di Sant’ Angelo and then he launched the Bonavitacola label. Since 1990, he has worked with several other designers including Perry Ellis and Bill Blass. Kenneth has created made-to-order clothing including for Diana Ross, Cheryl Teigs, and Mary Tyler Moore.
Scene: Sequins, python, and gold.
Scene: CT Hedden, Model with BMG Models, Talent at Zand Wagon, and Host, wearing custom hair by Jeffrey Kelly Designs and Wig Chapel shoes; and Snoogy Brown, Studio 54 Legend.
Scene: Guests looking at Ron Galella photograph of Grace Jones performance at Studio 54, New Year’s Eve 1977-78.
Scene: Black, grey, blue, silver, necklaces, and brooches with Halston designs in the background.
Scene: Guests waiting for the elevator to go to the exhibit.
Scene: Interview Magazine cover art and photographic references. Richard Bernstein, Artist, was the cover artist for nearly 20 years.
Scene: Vanna Duex.
Scene: Moving through the exhibit.
Scene: In between exhibits. Guests in front of Albert Bierstadt’s The Rocky Mountains, Mount Rosalie, 1866.
Scene: Beth King DeVito and me. Behind the velvet rope are a handful of Beth’s, my wife, and my archives. She wore her Maud Frizon’s spectator pumps to Studio 54 a few times. One night she wore one blue and one red, it was a hit that night and the following days. And my Bloomingdale’s Studio 54 Jeans and Thierry Mugler ads. Gordon Munro’s photographs for Studio 54 Jeans on the left.
Scene: Marc Benecke, Co-host of Studio 54 Radio, Joshie Jo Armstead, Soul Singer and Songwriter, and Myra Sheer, Co-host of Studio 54 Radio, whose Studio 54 Jeans, Norma Kamali’s Sleeping Blanket Coat, and several other items are in the exhibit.
Scene: Rose Hartman’s photograph of Bianca Jagger,
Scene & Heard: You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) Sylvester, 1978.
Scene: Dustin Pittman’s photograph “Stroke of Midnight at Studio 54, 1978–79” which was captured at the New Year’s Eve party at the nightclub. Beth and I were there! ©Dustin Pittman
Scene: The After Party. Golden Girl on stilts sashaying on the dance floor.
Scene: Matthew Yokobosky, Senior Curator of Fashion and Material Culture.
Scene: Omar Hermandez and Rose Hartman, Photographer, who has several images in the exhibit.
Scene: TK Wonder in sliver and white in front of a gold streamer circular column. Some guests would enter them and have private mini moments with cocktails and conversations.
Scene: Robert Fontanelli with candy cigarette. He is an Art Director, Creative Director, Artist, and Collector. He bought the roller disco shirt in 1980 and the record cover in 1981. His sneakers have working wheels that release from inside. “I was just being a ‘character’ that night.”
Scene: Fern Mallis, President of Fern Mallis LLC, and widely credited as the creator of “Fashion Week” in New York City under the auspices of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), where she served as Executive Director for 10 years, with her associate.
Scene: Joshie Jo Armstead, Soul Singer and Songwriter. She began her career singing backing vocals for blues musican Bobby ‘Blue’ Bland before becoming an Ikette in the Ike & Tina Turner Revue in the early 1960s. She also had some success as a solo singer, her biggest hit being A Stone Good Lover in 1968. As a songwriter, Armstead teamed up with Ashford & Simpson. The trio wrote hits for various artists, including Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin.
Scene: Dancer who was part of the entertainment group.
Scene: Legendary Damon, Curator of Culture.
Scene: Bartenders at the after party, with gloves. The new normal.
Scene: L.J. Kirby, former Studio 54 Bartender. From his personal collection the Studio 54 liquor license and “A Night at Studio 54” personalized edition record sleeve with double vinyl albums are in the exhibit.
Scene: Aleksander Janik, Senior Client Advisor Luxury Retail, Guest, and Bil Donovan, esteemed fashion and lifestyle illustrators, with a client list that includes Christian Dior, where he has served as artist-in-residence since 2009.
Scene: Christian John Wikane, NYC-based music journalist, wearing Norma Kamali and Joshie Jo Armstead, Soul Singer and Songwriter.
Scene: Mikel Kilgour, Artist and Fashion Designer. “I had a showroom underneath Willi Smith’s showroom in the 80s and boutique ateliers in Short Hills and Beverly Hills.”
Scene: Golden Girl and Golden Guy dancing.
Scene: Guests enjoying the moment.
Scene: Jean of Idiosyncratic Fashionistas, half of the dynamic duo. Valerie is the other half.
Scene: Robert Fontanelli in conversation with friends. Here you can see his sneakers with working wheels that release from inside.
Scene: Guest gazing over her shoulder.
Scene: Antyon LeMonte with a great smile.
Scene: Prints and texture.
Scene: Purple, greens, and shimmer.
Scene: Nikki Kynard, DJ.
Scene: Elijah Vielma, Stylist, wearing a Versace silk jacket.
Scene and Heard: Beth King DeVito and moi. Beth is wearing a Theory suit, MSGM Milano blouse with mini rhinestones around the neck line, and Ted Muehling earrings. I wore the scarf and the Pan Am belt to Studio 54 during its 33 months of existence. The belt, originally a seat belt on the plane, was purchased at Fiorucci’s, the day time Studio 54, which was right around the corner from Bloomingdale’s when I was fashion art director there. Hat from Barneys by Rod Keenan New York, Tom Ford shirt and pants, BDG jacket, and necklace created by Beth. “So let’s dance, the Last Dance!
Scene: Leaving the event and looking back at the facade of the Brooklyn Museum. Second banner, Guy Marineau’s photograph of Pat Cleveland on the dance floor during Halston’s disco bash at Studio 54, 1977.
Scene: Farewell, Night Magic.
Presented by Spotify, Major sponsorship by Perrier USA, Mannequins by Ralph Pucci International.
Special thanks to Marc Benecke and Myra Sheer, Co-hosts of The Marc and Myra Show on SirusXM Studio 54 Radio.
This was probably the last event, the last dance for awhile.
I hope you and your loved ones are safe during these uncertain times. Stay safe and be well. Hold on to your magic. Sending love to all.