The Haas Brothers Brought a Touch of Whimsy to the Museum of Arts and Design’s Annual MAD Ball

New York’s Museum of Arts and Design is having a moment. The museum recently premiered an exhibition exploring the work of designer Anna Sui, unveiled a new young-patrons program earlier this year called MAD Luminaries, and is fostering the next generation of artists through its on-site artist residencies. Last night the institution bolstered its portfolio of fantastic programs with its annual MAD Ball. The event attracted a fabulous crowd at the intersection of art and design to celebrate the museum and honor the Haas Brothers.

Held at Cipriani 42nd Street, the MAD Ball brought together the likes of Anna Sui, Jerry Nadler, Timo Weiland, Cipriana Quann, and TK Wonder. The gala began with a lovely cocktail hour, where Mia Moretti played a DJ set while artists and patrons posed in front of the colorful Haas Brothers–designed step-and-repeat. The whimsical entrance was only the beginning of the Haas Brothers’ influence—the siblings also had a hand in the accompanying art auction and dinner-table centerpieces. Tablescapes featured gold L’Objet Haas Brothers design objects: gold-dusted palm leaves, imaginative mushrooms, and multilevel candles.

The MAD Ball dress code called for creative cocktail attire, so attendees showed up accordingly. Men wore suits with a twist, occasionally paired with sneakers, scarves, and playful accessories. Women wore cocktail dresses, both long and short, with a refreshing amount of color. Hilary Rhoda, Sarah Hoover, and Athena Calderone all arrived wearing Fendi.

Nikolai Haas wore a smart burgundy David Hart suit, while brother Simon wore stylish black Issey Miyake pleats. The duo is well known for its flamboyant creativity, including psychedelic Seussical creatures, an exciting range of materials and fibers, and a beaded Afreaks project with South Africa’s Monkeybiz. Most recently they launched a partnership with a group of talented women in Lost Hills, California, to create limited-edition hand-beaded sculptures cheekily referred to as Microfreaks. On their accolade from the Museum of Arts and Design, Simon Haas told Vogue, “Our career is about straddling art and design, so it’s great to know there’s an institution that’s doing both. The focus on crafts is close to my heart. I’m a craft-obsessed person!”

The gala’s agenda featured a seated dinner, auction, and series of speeches by the night’s VIPs. One of the speakers, founding member of the MAD Luminaries Alexander Hankin, told Vogue, “I appreciate the museum’s commitment to living artists, to working with them and seeing their vision. To get to see them talk and work in a more intimate space is one of the great things about the museum.” This passion for the museum’s programming was shared by all in attendance.