On Thursday, Sotheby’s fêted its Vision of America sale with a glamourous preview reception celebrating all things American, including the CFDA: Defining American Style auction. The latter’s 37 looks, which benefit the CFDA Foundation, were prominently displayed in a special, museum-like space, and anchored by Norma Kamali’s magnificent red Statue of Liberty Centennial gown – and what’s more American than Lady Liberty.

The exhibition weaves together the story of American fashion in a powerful way, but on this night, it also was the revelers who provided their take on current style statements. CFDA Chairman Thom Browne, who curated Visions of America, was a popular sartorial choice, accentuated by Amy Fine Collins’ chic Tuxedo dress from the designer replete with a trompe-l’oeil bowtie. Julia Fox arrived as a skin-baring bride – thong and more on view – courtesy of Fancì Club, with Richie Shazam in a splendid, sculpted Puppets and Puppets gown in tow. Other guests included Anna Wintour, Alina Cho, Cathy Ho Lee, Indre Rockefeller,  Ken Downing, Keesean Moore, Linda Fargo, Laura Brown, Marilyn Kirschner, Nina Garcia, Evan Mock, AnnaSophia Robb, Meredith Duxbury, and Cory Michael Smith.

They were joined by CFDA members including Stan Herman, Stacey Bendet Eisner, Mary McFadden, Ralph Rucci, Christian Siriano, Dao-Yi Chow, Maxwell Osborne, Carly Cushnie, and Jason Wu.

The CFDA: Defining American Style exhibition is open to the public at Sotheby’s New York through January 20, and the auction runs through January 23 on Sothebys.com.