To mark the release of the magazine’s inaugural CULT 100 issue, CULTURED gathered the film, art, fashion, and music worlds for a night to remember at the Morgan Library.
After a month of rain storms and surprise earthquakes, the sun shone over Manhattan yesterday evening as over 400 guests descended on the Morgan Library and Museum. Hosted alongside presenting partner Valentino, the inaugural CULT 100 celebration took place in the gilded Midtown building, which first served as the private library of J.P. Morgan and is celebrating a centennial of its own this year. The festivities were a glowing homage to CULTURED’s first CULT 100 list—an enviable group of innovators, trendsetters, renegades, and other heavyweights from the worlds of art, film, literature, fashion, food, and film—all of whom are doing their part to change our culture for the better.
Upon arrival into the Renzo Piano-designed atrium—outfitted in an effortlessly chic lounge composed of a curated selection of pieces courtesy of Banana Republic Home, the CULT 100’s exclusive design partner—guests were treated to a welcome drink and hors d’oeuvres. The Lost Explorer, the event’s exclusive mezcal partner, served a suite of seasonal cocktails, including a reimagined negroni and punchy crowd favorite Naked in Tulum. The sustainably made agave spirits, handcrafted in Oaxaca, celebrate the biodiversity of Mexico and reflect founder and conservationist David de Rothschild’s enduring dedication to reframing the environmental movement as inclusive and celebratory.
While the likes of Amy Sedaris, Victoria Pedretti, Jia Tolentino, Andrea Long Chu, Julio Torres, and Mickalene Thomas made their way into the historic library, New York-based DJ Memphy—a model and musician who has helmed the decks at Madonna’s parties and walked in shows for Savage x Fenty, Mugler, and more—set the tone with a set that permeated the monumental space.
The Morgan—which boasts domed ceilings adorned with intricate, Raphael-inspired murals; a formidable 15th-century Italian fireplace; and countless towering shelves filled with leather-bound first editions—was decked out in a constellation of otherworldly floral arrangements by local botanical artist Floral Studies Flora. In ambiance and community, the evening brought a new generation of daring cultural changemakers into conversation with one of the city’s richest historical sites.
Despite its size, the Morgan’s majestic halls played host to countless intimate moments. Musicians Moses Sumney and Kelsey Lu and photographer Quil Lemons reclined for a conversation in the custom Banana Republic Home lounge; writers Jazmine Hughes, Tolentino, and J Wortham visited the Lost Explorer mindful tasting experience; Annabelle Dexter-Jones and Dianna Agron compared notes on their latest projects; CULT 100 digital cover star Myha’la and Darren Aronofsky tried on pairs of polychrome glasses courtesy of Caddis, the art world’s go-to eyewear brand; Komal Shah, Tyler Mitchell, and Nate Freeman chatted in front of George Washington’s death mask; and Alison Roman and Sharon Coplan Hurowitz swapped places at the photobooth with the likes of Katerina Tannenbaum.
Presently, guests gathered for opening remarks from CULTURED’s Editor-in-Chief Sarah Harrelson, who took the stage in Reza jewelry and a jade green ensemble from Valentino’s Spring Summer 2024 L’Ecole collection. Valentino also contributed a rotation of pastel garments from their latest collection to two of CULTURED’s four CULT 100 cover shoots—featuring comedian Bowen Yang and writer Ocean Vuong, who also wore the brand during last night’s festivities.
Harrelson honored the pair and the full CULT 100 community with her speech, saying “The individuals on the inaugural CULT 100 are shaping our experiences—they are challenging our beliefs, and in the process, they are making a more generous and intimate world for all of us.”
As she concluded her remarks, a wave of servers swept onto the floor, carrying magnums from exclusive Champagne partner Champagne Lallier aloft and filling more than 200 glasses. Throughout its 115 years, Lallier has been the crowning detail of many elegant gatherings, soirées, and celebrations, and the champagne was sipped throughout the night.
Vuong made his way onstage next, reading from his recent release Time Is a Mother, the acclaimed writer’s second poetry collection. The book’s title, as novelist Catherine Lacey writes in her profile of Vuong for the issue, reflects the poet’s dry wit and creative confidence, both of which were on display during the event as he thanked Emily Dickinson and his New England childhood as inspirations for a poem about shoveling snow.
After Vuong’s reading came a performance by singer and cellist Kelsey Lu. The New York-based performer has collaborated with the likes of Blood Orange, Solange, Florence + the Machine, and more. As guests, such as Miles Greenberg, Rowan Blanchard, Willa Nasatir, Silver Iocovozzi, and Meriem Bennani, cozied up at the foot of the stage, Lu delivered rapturous renditions of some of her notable songs, including “I’m Not in Love,” punctuating her performance with flourishes of an imposing sword. Absorbed by the artist’s intricate arrangements, the crowd sipped from a wide selection of vintages courtesy of IBest Wines.
After an evening of musical and poetic delights, design marvels, unforgettable drinks, and glowing conversation, CULT 100 attendees left with the most coveted gift bag on the event circuit—custom CULT 100-embroidered L.L. Bean boat totes filled with hand-made Maison D’Etto candles and fragrance Discovery Sets, Furtuna Skin Biphase Moisturizing Oils to help restore the glow the morning after, and a selection of signature items from The Lost Explorer. As the evening came to an end, CULTURED’s newest cult members made their way back into the balmy New York night armed with the inaugural CULT 100 issue to tide them over until the magazine’s next celebration.
