Leave it to the Folks at the American Folk Art Museum to show their Young Patrons how to have an old fashioned good time.  Except, with a room full of stylish New Yorkers, flirty details like cheeky fortune cookies, a simple, classy open bar and killer tracks by DJPS1, there was absolutely nothing old fashioned about it (with the exception of the historical quilt hanging behind the DJ booth, but even that seemed to be winking as it, too, throbbed to the beat).   The 100% Folk party was 100% real.

Of course there were unique folksy touches here and there, like a short but wonderfully sweet fashion show by very cool designer, Kelsey Quan.  One of the surprise hits of the night was the “design your own hat” a la Art Nouveau whimsy–a craft table set up by the underground television heros, Paper Tiger. What could have easily been a kitschy disaster, actually turned out to be a disarmingly delightful amusement.  Party-goers were encouraged to let their imaginations and inhibitions run amok with crazy holiday ornamentation and all manner of material fancy (check out some special moments on their facebook page).

Once bedecked in millinery magnifique, the party only engaged its revelers all the more, and the dancing came into full swing.  Hat’s off to the Folk Art Museum— You made a Friday night, smack dab in the middle of the holiday chaos, fun and fancy all at once!

— Ava Fedorov

Photographs by Ava Fedorov for Socially Superlative