Ruth Finley poses for a picture celebrating with her 65th anniversary cake at her office
Fashion Calendar publisher Ruth Finley received “The Medal of Honor” from The National Arts Club last night in New York after a cocktail party and dinner for over 250 of her family, friends and associates. The award was presented to Ruth for her 65 years publishing the Fashion Calendar, which is called by many the “bible of the fashion industry”
Both Carolina Herrera and Mary Lou Luther spoke during the formal presentation and the award was given by Aldon James Jr. the President of the club. Some of the guests included Stan Herman, Steven Kolb, Peter Arnold, Mary Ann Restivo, Christina Neault, Owen Davidson, and Gayle Dizon. Past recipients of the award have included Geoffrey Beene, Carolina Herrera, Oleg Cassini, Arnold Scaasi, and Betsey Johnson.
The National Arts Club was founded in 1898 by Charles deKay. He was the literary and art critic for The New York Times for 18 years. He and a group of distinguished artists and patrons conceived of a gathering place for artists, patrons and audiences in all the arts. The club is located in the historic Tilden Mansion at 15 Gramercy Park. The building was first built in the 1840’s and then was given a massive overhaul in the 1870’s by famed architect Calvert Vaus, who was also one of the designers of Central Park.
Lookonline’s Marilyn Kirschner spoke to Ruth in a video interview a number of years ago as one of our “Masters of Fashion” interviews. Click to play this very interesting and extensive video interview with Ruth Finley on the founding of the Fashion Calendar.
– Ernest Schmatolla
