agnes gund

Photo: Taghi Naderzad

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Agnes Gund, 74
Arts Patron and Philanthropist

The president emerita of New York's Museum of Modern Art and chairwoman of MOMA PS1 considers herself more an aesthete than a fashion plate. "I'm interested in how people use design to not only look more attractive but be more interesting," says the grandmother of 12 who still attends "two or three events" every night.

Fashion Crush
"I love Vera Wang's attitude and style. She did my daughter's wedding dress."

Favorite Things
Ralph Rucci, Akris, and vintage Geoffrey Beene. "I could wear Beene's pants because I have no bottom, which is both good and bad."

Wouldn't Be Caught Dead In
Nail polish. "I got a manicure for the shoot, but I usually don't wear it."

Style Secret
"I like scarves—they call attention away from a sagging neck." Gund also swears by NYDJ jeans: "They flatter even when your weight goes up and down."

Note to Younger Self
"Be more confident. If you're not, you can fall into awful ways of not standing up and projecting yourself."

Jacket, Peter Pilotto, $2,392. Pants, Lafayette 148, $398. Earrings, Gorjana & Griffin, $30. Watch, Piaget.