Chanel’s Matthieu Blazy co-chairs Dia Art Foundation gala honoring Steve McQueen and Roni Horn
The fashion house sponsored the Dia Fall Night event in New York, where Coppola, Cotillard and 400 art-world guests gathered to celebrate two artists and bid farewell to the organization's longtime director.
Chanel and its creative director Matthieu Blazy co-chaired Dia Art Foundation’s annual Fall Night fundraiser on Monday evening, an event that drew some 400 guests to New York’s Chelsea neighborhood to celebrate artists Steve McQueen and Roni Horn. According to Vogue, the occasion also marked a farewell to Jessica Morgan, who is stepping down after 12 years as the foundation’s director to become director of the Tate in London.
The evening opened with a viewing of an exhibition by Argentine artist David Lamelas at Dia’s Chelsea location, then moved to Storied NYC several blocks away for a candlelit dinner. The guest list included Sofia Coppola, Marion Cotillard, Julio Torres, and various visual artists. Both McQueen and Horn are represented in Dia Beacon, the foundation’s flagship exhibition venue, where they have mounted installations.
Tributes to the honorees
Artist Matthew Barney delivered an on-stage tribute to Horn, his longtime friend, reflecting on her multifaceted practice. “I’ve never asked Roni if it was her, in the clown costume, in her photographic series Clowd and Cloun,” he said, according to Vogue. “I guess I didn’t ask because I know that Roni isn’t a clown, but there is a brilliant comedian in there. And a poet, a pragmatist, an intimate, an analyst, a confidante, an artist, and a close friend—brutally funny, and awfully clear.”
Musician and poet Meshell Ndegeocello honored McQueen with a spoken-word performance that moved through the dining room. According to Elle, Ndegeocello had worked with McQueen on the audio design of his 2024 installation “Bass” at Dia Beacon, and she was joined during her performance by vocalists and a guitarist.
Morgan’s milestone and the endowment push
Board chair Nathalie de Gunzburg offered remarks honoring Morgan’s tenure, citing her impact on the organization’s operations and culture. “I have learned so much from you,” de Gunzburg said, according to Vogue. “Not only about this institution, but buildings, programming, conservation, HVAC, and gardening—but also as a woman, you are exceptional.”
Morgan revealed that Dia is nearing a $200 million endowment goal. “It’s been an absolute joy to work here,” she said, adding with a laugh: “I’m going to be looking very carefully to see what’s going on, so don’t mess it up.” She also reflected on the foundation’s evolution during her time there, noting that the organization had tripled its collection by bringing in many new voices from artists represented in the room that evening.
Chanel’s arts partnership
Monday’s event marked the second collaboration between Chanel and Dia Art Foundation, according to Vogue.
This article was compiled by the Glamorade editorial desk from the official announcements and reporting listed under Sources.
