BRAVO BETSY: Betsy Bloomingdale took matters into her own hands Tuesday night at the American Folk Art Museum benefit where she was being honored. “What shall we have,” she said, smiling and standing behind the bar dressed in her finest Oscar.
The Tribeca Rooftop was filled with art and fashion folk there to celebrate the grande dame as well as Kiki Smith and Eli Broad (who couldn’t attend due to a last minute conflict).
Smith was decidedly less gregarious. “I try to say as little as possible at these things,” she said, sticking close to the artwork hanging on the walls.
A silent auction included items like a hand-knit Shetland cap by Michael Bastian and a doll made of bottle caps and wood by artist Mr. Imagination. The live auction brought it $14,000 for a week in Tuscany and $16,000 for a stay in Dorado Beach, Puerto Rico.
Afterwards, the DJ turned up the music, which clearly pleased Bloomingdale. While her granddaughters stuck to the outskirts, she took control of the dance floor, clapping and shaking her hips to “I Will Survive.”