On the Town: Luxe Affair brings high fashion to OKC | The Journal Record

An idea suggested to Oklahoma Contemporary a few years ago grew into a celebration of the intersection of fashion, contemporary art and design and turned into Oklahoma City’s newest big social event.

Organizers from Oklahoma Contemporary kept hearing the question – “Why don’t you offer a Met Gala of Oklahoma City, or even the Midwest?” said Trent Riley, the art center’s new executive director. The Met Gala is a fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute in Manhattan, New York known for its lavish theme-inspired fashion and celebrity presence.

Out of that idea came the nonprofit fundraiser Luxe Affair, which Oklahoma Contemporary hosted recently. About 500 people attended.

“We had a blast,” said Erik Salazar, who chaired the inaugural event with his partner Christopher Lloyd, who serves as a trustee for Oklahoma Contemporary’s board, noting the Met Gala idea was the event’s guiding principle.

On display were costumed mannequins dressed by University of Oklahoma design students, Korey Eakers from Grand Gentleman, Stella Thomas of Stella Thomas Designs and fashion and costume designers from Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City University, William and Lauren and NASH Engineered Fashion.

Based on the party’s success, the art center plans to make Luxe a regular fundraiser every other year celebrating the art of high fashion, Riley said.

“It really, really was a lively party that had a little bit of everything for anyone,” Riley said. “Fashion is very much a part of our culture here in the metro area, and it’s becoming a bigger part of that everyday life on a daily basis.”

Even though a scheduling conflict sadly kept me from attending, Riley and Oklahoma Contemporary’s Linda Santiago offered a rundown of what the inaugural Luxe event involved, as did all the happy, colorful social media photos.

In addition to costumed mannequins, guests enjoyed performances by the OU School of Dance students and local band TWIGG. Two separate areas (on the North Lawn and in the Te Ata Theater) featured music provided by DJs Kora Waves and Yuchiboy. Artist Jenny Elton from Oklahoma Contemporary’s Studio School created live sketches of partygoers and their “show-stopping” attire, quoting the invitation for the “dress-to-impress” style theme. Others involved include catering by Café Contemporary, bar service by WanderFolk, a balloon-filled photobooth from Bublee Pop, flowers by Trochta’s Flowers, marquee lights by Alpha Lit, event lighting by Titan AV, décor by Mood events and late-night bites provide by Bún Box.

Riley said the Luxe Affair was a chance to celebrate Oklahoma Contemporary in a big way, especially since festivities surrounding its grand opening in March 2020 were canceled in the initial days of the pandemic.

Proceeds from the Luxe Affair will benefit Oklahoma Contemporary’s educational programs, such as Camp Contemporary scholarships and art-making materials for free public programs.

“We were thrilled to collaborate with so many artists and partners on Luxe Affair, and it truly turned into the Met Gala in Oklahoma City,” Salazar said. “We can’t wait for the next Luxe Affair in 2026.”

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