On the Eve of the Met Gala, Brooklynites Show Off Their Bold Style and Honor the Legacy of New York Times Street Fashion Photographer Bill Cunningham
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BROOKLYN, NY — Last night, hundreds of New Yorkers gathered at Brooklyn Public Library’s (BPL) iconic Central Library for the fourth annual People’s Ball. Hosted on the eve of the exclusive Met Gala, and co-curated by Souleo, the Library’s event is free and open to the public, allowing everyday New Yorkers to walk the red carpet, flaunt their style on a runway and express their individuality.
“The People’s Ball has become one of Brooklyn’s rituals of spring,” said László Jakab Orsós, Vice President of Arts and Culture at Brooklyn Public Library. “Last night, hundreds of people from every corner of the borough and from every walk of life showed off their stellar outfits and unique personalities on a runway in the middle of the public library. This event celebrates the true spirit of democracy and reminds us that fashion and creativity belong to everyone, and you really don’t need much to be a relevant part of it- just imagination, inspiration, courage, and a zest for life- values that at we all deeply believe in at the library."
Special guests included Marilyn Kirschner, Lauren Ezersky, Jean Stone, Lana Turner, Tziporah Salamon, and Amy Fine Collins who were frequent muses for legendary New York Times photographer Bill Cunningham. Known for his candid photographs of fashion-forward New Yorkers, Cunningham would have turned 95 this year.
Actress Delissa Reynold (A Thousand and One; Wu-Tang: An American Saga) and Celebrity stylist and life-style expert Robert Verdi hosted the evening with music from DJ Spinna. Kevin Aviance, the legendary DJ, musician and performance artist sang for the crowd.
The People’s Ball extends BPL’s mission to provide access for all to educational, economic, and cultural enrichment opportunities.
In addition to the People’s Ball, the Library is home to BKLYN Fashion Academy, a competitive and rigorous education program for aspiring designers.
About Brooklyn Public Library
Brooklyn Public Library is one of the nation’s largest library systems and among New York City’s most democratic institutions. Providing innovative library service for over 125 years, we support personal advancement, foster civic literacy, and strengthen the fabric of community among the more than 2.6 million individuals who call Brooklyn home. We are a global leader in the fight for the freedom to read through our Books Unbanned initiative, offering teens across the US access to the library’s online catalog. We provide nearly 65,000 free programs a year with writers, thinkers, artists, and educators—from around the corner and around the world. And we give patrons millions of opportunities to enjoy one of life’s greatest satisfactions: the joy of a good book.