Ruben Toledo, all photos Marilyn Kirschner
On Friday evening, the President, the Board of Governors, and the Fashion Committee of the National Arts Club presented Ruben Toledo with the National Arts Club’s Medal of Honor for Achievement in Fashion.
The renowned Cuban-American illustrator, painter, sculptor, designer, and fashion chronicler was honored for his contributions to fashion, art, and design. The event was held at the historic Tilden Manson, home of the NAC at 15 Gramercy Park South.
“What makes Ruben’s work so special for me is the imagination and the emotional and psychological truths he sees beyond our facades. When generations in the future investigate who we were in this increasingly chaotic and confusing moment in time, they should really look at the work of Ruben Toledo because, in his lines, our history lies.” – Vanessa Friedman.
Ruben is the 17th recipient of this prestigious award. Geoffrey Beene was the first honoree in 2003, followed by Carolina Herrera, Oleg Cassini, Arnold Scaasi, Ruth Finley, Pat Field, William Ivey Long, Badgley Mischka, Iris Apfel, Patricia Field, Norma Kamali, Narciso Rodriguez, Naeem Khan, Anna Sui, Valerie Steele, and Joseph Abboud.
“There are so many facets to Ruben Toledo’s many talents, and his work is connected with each of us differently and impactfully. It became abundantly clear that there is a version of Ruben Toledo in everyone’s artistic hearts. A medal of honor seemed to be the most logical way to show the fashion and art world’s appreciation.” – David Zyla, Co-chair, Fashion Committee and Governors, the National Arts Club.
Maryanne Grisz, Ruben Toledo, Marylou Luther
Ruben is one of the most beloved and revered figures in fashion, so it was not surprising that the sold-out event drew a group of highly esteemed heavy hitters representing New York’s creative community.
Cecilia Dean, Ruben Toledo, Chiara Clemente
Among the notable 145 guests were NAC President Tara Cortes, Co-chairs of the Fashion Committee Catherine Kleszczewski and David Zyla, Amy Fine Collins, Steven Kolb, Simon Doonan, Jonathan Adler, Tonne Goodman, Maryanne Grisz, Barbara Tober, Marylou Luther, Jon Marder, Ike Ude, Bethann Hardison, Julie Gilhart, Keli Goff, Lynn Yaeger, Marisol Deluna, Cecilia Dean and Chiara Clemente.
Chiara Clemente is directing a feature-length documentary on Isabel Toledo (and Ruben since one does not exist without the other). Cecilia Dean, along her VISIONAIRE partner James Kaliardos, Kim Hastreiter, and Paige Powell are producing the film in partnership with David Dinerstein and Robert Fyvolent of Mass Distraction (Academy Award winners of Summer of Soul a couple years ago). They are aiming for a release date next year.
Marilyn Kirschner
The suggested dress code was ‘Creative Black Tie’: black and white with a touch of red, inspired by longtime Toledo signatures. This code reflected Ruben’s unique style and ability to blend classic elements with his own creative twist, and many complied.
From left, Marisol Deluna, Jonathan Cole, Tanya Melendez, Ike Ude, Patricia Mears
The evening celebrated love and creativity, with cocktails kicking off the festivities at 6 PM, reception music by Kurt Weiting setting the tone, and a sumptuous 7:30 PM dinner. The meal, crafted by Executive Chef Alex Bowman, was a culinary delight and a visual feast. FYI, Vanessa Friedman’s husband was a thoroughly enjoyable seatmate.
Ruben is working the room.
Even though Isabel was not present in body, she was very much present in spirit. After all, there would be no Isabel without Ruben or Ruben without Isabel. This was a common theme and thread connecting the speeches throughout the night.
Steven Kolb and Vanessa Friedman
The event’s speakers were Vanessa Friedman, fashion director and chief fashion critic of The New York Times; Wendy Goodman, design editor of Curbed and New York Magazine; Alina Cho, an Emmy Award-winning journalist; Judith Thurman, an Award-Winning writer, biographer, and critic; and Valerie Steele, director and chief curator of The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology and NAC Medal of Honor recipient in 2022.
“Even though the label on (Michele Obama’s historic 2009 inaugural outfit) said Isabel Toledo, it became abundantly clear to me that without Ruben’s sketching, there would be no Isabel. Ruben is the one who brought Isabel’s ideas to life. It was a perfect dance and thrilling to watch.” – Alina Cho.
Ruben’s sketches were displayed on the wall in a slideshow during dinner.
Each speaker had her own take and touched on her unique experiences and relationships with Ruben. Vanessa spoke about Ruben’s incredible eye as a “reporter” and his ability to capture details for posterity, not with a camera like Bill Cunningham, but with his pen.
Wendy Goodman spoke about the enchanted Toledo loft, where magic routinely happened. Alina Cho spoke about the historic outfit Isabel created for Michele Obama at their first inaugural, how it changed their lives, and her life after she was the first to get the story as a fashion reporter at CNN.
“The nature of the nightmare that we are currently living through in America makes the celebration of honoring Ruben Toledo even more important, timely, and urgent. It is also a celebration of the freedom and promise the US once offered to immigrants and asylum seekers like Isabel and Ruben Toledo, who arrived from Cuba.” – Judith Thurman.
From left, Judith Thurman, Valerie Steele, Ruben Toledo, Alina Cho, Vanessa Friedman, Wendy Goodman.
Judith Thurman was the most political, touching upon current issues, immigration, and loss of freedoms while also speaking about Ruben’s pure heart, his avowed feminism, and, naturally, the enlightened love Ruben and Toledo shared. Cabaret singer Joey Arias’s sultry performance provided a fittingly sultry musical interlude.
“I am still dizzy, intoxicated in love with my woman, and blessed with that feeling which keeps me going. I am ready to book out once my work is completed to her satisfaction. But as you know, Izzy is a perfectionist.” – Ruben Toledo.
Amy Fine Collins was another guest who took the dress code seriously.
Valerie Steele also discussed Ruben and Isabel’s symbiotic relationship, how beautifully they worked together, and two exhibitions at the Museum at FIT (1998 and 2009) that illustrated the couples’ unique and creative process.
Valerie Steele holding the award she and the other speakers received from Ruben Toledo.
Tara Cortes, President of the National Arts Club, presented Ruben with the Medal of Honor, and of course, Ruben gave an emotional speech. Then, in true Ruben form, he turned the tables. Not wanting to be the only honoree, Ruben called up the four women who spoke and presented each one with a special award he created for the occasion.
LATEST COMMENTS:
LOVE all of this. Thank you, Marilyn. <3
My fave is the Gorski. Best look and function to me!
A Marvelous Tribute to IRIS, a one-of-a-kind work of art!
You beautifully, tastefully, and rightfully said it all. I do think Melania’s Adviser Herve Pierre influences her choices.
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