’Tis the season for holiday parties, though last night’s, hosted at Fabiola Beracasa Beckman’s West Village home, struck a rare balance of cozy and cosmopolitan. For starters, even the most seasoned of New York’s culturati were impressed by the art. A Sol Lewitt mural in the entryway ushered guests into the fête, thrown in honor of AD global editorial director Amy Astley and her new book, AD at Home. The Christmas tree, heavily bedecked with ribbon and lights, nearly hid the Picasso ceramics lining the dining room walls. Beneath the tree’s boughs, copies of AD at Home were tucked inside burgundy-and-pink AD totes.
“It’s the perfect setting for a party like this,” said Beracasa Beckman of her 1820s Federal-style town house, which was featured on AD’s December cover. Derek Blasberg, who wrote that story, cohosted the event along with Julianne Moore, Amanda Brooks, Rachel Feinstein, and John Currin. “Fabiola and I have been friends since I was in college,” Blasberg said. “She’s an inspiring wife, mother, and successful filmmaker—and on top of it, she has fabulous taste!”
.jpg)
In one corner of the parlor, Astley perched on a chaise next to artist Brian Donnelly (a.k.a. KAWS) as they flipped through AD at Home. Anna Wintour shared a laugh with Marc Jacobs (his acrylic nails matched the green hues in his checkered suit). Chloë Sevigny (in Tiffany jewels) and her gallerist husband, Siniša Mačković; Athena Calderone; Jeremiah Brent; Lauren Santo Domingo, Jon Batiste; and Douglas Friedman were there too, the mix of tastemakers a true creative menagerie. All the while, Beracasa Beckman graciously gave mini tours to her curious guests—the basement spa was a particular favorite of Diane von Furstenberg.
“Fabiola is fabulous—just like her name—and the best hostess,” Astley said. “Her attention to detail is incredible.” And Beracasa Beckman proved her taste doesn’t falter for the holidays: All the ground floor fireplaces were roaring. Garlands festooned with dried orange slices wrapped around the stairwell. Gingerbread houses perched under gilded silver mirrors. But the star of the scenography was, as Astley put it, the “buffet to end all buffets.” Think elaborately architectural crudités, raspberry-studded cakes, and palm-size prawns, all from Acquolina Catering and nestled amongst green taper candles and silver bowls of pomegranates. The custom tins of caviar emblazoned with the AD at Home logo were a hit—they were all gone by the end of the night.
As the evening progressed, guests drifted into the darker, warmer living room—the best “place to hang,” as Beracasa Beckman put it. Those who lingered popped open yet more champagne, toasting to Astley and cozying up near the fireplace. We can’t think of a better way to celebrate the season.
