Michael Kors last night hosted a private event at his Madison Avenue store (790 Madison Avenue) for members of the Couture Council of The Museum at FIT. Michael Kors is an alumni of the Fashion Institution of Technology and has been very supportive of the school throughout his career.

Liz Peek, Valerie Steele, Yaz Hernandez

As the 60 guests spilled into the Kors’ Madison Avenue store, the women all seemed to be on a mission to find an outfit from the collection. Before the Pre-Fall 2013 Presentation started Liz Peek (Chairman of FIT’s Board) introduced Michael and congratulated him on behalf of the board for upcoming honor. Michael Kors will receive the Artistry of Fashion Award at the annual Couture Council Luncheon on September 4th at the David Koch Theater at Lincoln Center.

2013 Luncheon Chairs – Jieun Wax & Kamie Lightburn

A lot of the guests came to the event wearing the designer’s clothes. To name a few: both 2013 Couture Luncheon Co-Chairs Kamie Lightburn & Jieun Wax wore pieces from the Pre-Fall 2013 collection; Yaz Hernandez (Couture Council Chair) wore a two-tone contrast –Panel Ponte dress; Alexandra Lebenthal wore yellow zipper dress; Kay Facatselis wore a black Off-The Shoulder top; Nancy Shaw wore an emerald green featherweight wool shrug with a sleeveless Wool-Crepe dress.

Cindy Rinfret, Aundrea Amine, Nancy Shaw, Elizabeth Galt, Nicole Reynolds, Jieun Wax, Emma Pennington, & Shelly Lynch

Other guests that attended included Kate Allen, Aundrea Amine, Deborah Chatman, Dina DeLuca Chartouni, Carole Divet Harting, Webb Egerton, Nikki Erlick, Jim Erlick, Landy Erlick, Paige Ethington Hardy, Olivia Flatto, Joele Frank, Michele Gerber Klein, Jamie Gordon, Catherine Gund, Celia Hegyi, Chiu-Ti Jansen, Laurie Kasowitz, Eleanora Kennedy, Lance LePere, Stephanie Loeffler, Julie Macklowe, Christina McInerney, Chesley McLaren, Laura Mitchelson, Roseanne Morrison, Peter Panagiotopoulos, Emma Pennington, Arielle Picheny, Barbara Prawolzik, Barbara Regna, Nicole Reynolds, Cindy Rinfret, Joseph Roloyn, Wilbur Ross, Hilary Ross, Jean Shafiroff, Patricia Shiah, Valerie Steele, Jacqueline Togut, Mary Turano and Debra Wasser.

Pre-Fall 2013 Collection

Michael Kors gave a 30-minute presentation of his Pre-Fall 2013 Collection about what inspired the collection. He also talked about what its means to true sport-wear designer. While explaining the 25 looks he also interjected with how the women could incorporate a piece of the look into their year round wardrobes. After the presentation Michael spent some time shopping with the ladies and gave some style tips on how to wear his clothing.

More about the Couture Council:

The Couture Council of The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology (MFIT) will honor Michael Kors with its 2013 Couture Council Award for Artistry of Fashion on Wednesday, September 4, 2013 at a benefit luncheon at the David H. Koch Theater, Lincoln Center, New York City. The event will be underwritten by American Express. As has become the tradition, this luncheon heralds the arrival of Fall Fashion Week.

The Couture Council of The Museum at FIT is a membership group dedicated to supporting The Museum at FIT, a specialized museum of fashion.  The Couture Council helps make it possible for the museum to mount world-class exhibitions of fashion, to acquire important objects for its permanent collection, and to organize public programs, such as the annual fashion symposium.  The Couture Council accomplishes these goals through collecting membership dues and by organizing fundraising events such as the annual Couture Council Awards Luncheon, which presents a chosen designer with the Couture Council Award for Artistry of Fashion.

Couture Council annual membership is $1,000 per individual or couple, or $350 for Young Associates (under the age of 35). Membership is tax deductible to the extent provided by law. Please make checks payable to the FIT Foundation. Mail checks to The Museum at FIT, attention: Couture Council, 227 West 27th Street, Director’s Office, Room E304, New York, NY 10001-5992.

Members of the Couture Council receive invitations to at least five special events a year, including behind-the-scenes tours of the museum’s collection and exhibitions, opening receptions, and visits to the ateliers of fashion designers in New York. Couture Council members are also the first to receive notice of the annual Couture Council Artistry of Fashion Award luncheon.

Catherine Petree-Biron

Director of Sponsorship

Jonathan Marder + Company

D: 212.907.6484

M: 917.306.0865

The post Michael Kors hosted Couture Council Event appeared first on lookonline.

Where Oh, ‘Wear’ Did The Summer Go?

Anne Koch (All photos courtesy of Caroline Torem Craig )

One of the best things about attending fashion related events, is seeing people you haven’t seen for months (if not years), and catching up with old friends (a bi-product of having been in the industry for SO MANY YEARS – LOL). Such was the case at Wednesday evening’s well attended and lively Annual Summer Party, given by The Couture Council of the Museum at FIT in celebration of the upcoming September Awards Luncheon honoring Valentino.

Tziporah Salamon & Louise Doktor

FYI, it really should be called “The Annual End of Summer Party” because it is just a few weeks before Labor Day and the start of New York Fashion Week, signaling the unofficial end of summer and beginning of fall. I was glad I had a chance to chat with Joan Kaner (looking relaxed and fabulous in Ralph Rucci black tunic and pants), Patricia Mears (in an elegant Jean Yu linen dress), Cathy Hardwick (in chic white jacket over black pants), not to mention Peter Dubaux, Sara and Richard Vass, Michael Gross and Lauren Day Roberts, who I went to summer camp with light years ago and the fact that she immediately recognized me was pretty amazing in itself.

Bill Cunningham was there shooting for his columns. Seems Bill is beginning to enter the digital age. In addition to his trusty old film camera, he was using (as backup he said) a new digital style camera! And speaking of photographers, we ran into Roxanne Lowit the famous backstage and celebrity photographer whose latest book “Backstage Dior” has sold out its first printing.

Man in leopard pants

Of course, another element involved in attending any fashion shindig, is seeing the fashion on display. Last night was casual and laid back, there were the usual chic if not a bit boring, little black (and blue) dresses, smatterings of leopard and snakeskin prints, and lace (fashion’s new favorite fabric – looking especially fresh in ivory or white incarnations. But for me, it was those guests who were creative and seemed to factor in the time of the year and the location – The Boathouse in Central Park chosen for its accommodating size, it’s indoor and outdoor space, and of course, the water views which stood out. I mean really, what do you think of when you say summer and boathouse? Straw boaters, graphic nautical inspired stripes, preppy perfect blazers, polos, and shorts of course. And all the above were on display, worn by both men and women alike.

Montgomery Frazier & Kathie Dolgin

Best ‘boater of the evening’ goes to artist Anne Koch, who paired her small one, tilted just ‘so’, with a vintage ivory lace top, ivory Issey Miyake skirt, pale straw clutch and round sunglasses. Alexandra Lebenthal, a Couture Council Host committee member, managed to turn a sprained ankle into a breezy ‘fashion moment’ opting for crisp white shorts, white shirt, a yellow satin J. Crew blazer, and a matching hued satin scarf tied over her brace. The hands down best dressed ‘couple’ (I don’t even know if they came together but they were being photographed together) was Tziporah Salamon (a vision in vintage black and white stripes and graphic patterns, down to her turban and J. Crew espadrilles), and Alan Manson, in a dark navy and white striped blazer and black and white saddle shoes.

Twice the fun!

But my vote as most whimsically dressed has to go to jewelry designer Diana Brussard, who opted for Peter Hidalgo’s little white sleeveless dress, printed with the oversized photo image of a mosquito. The annoying little critters were certainly biting last night, especially if you were one of those enjoying cocktails and hors oeuvres on the outdoor deck (there was an open bar and Grey Goose Vodka was one of the sponsors). And coincidentally, when I left, I shared a complimentary shuttle bus to 5th Avenue with a woman who was complaining that she had just gotten the biggest mosquito bite of her life. Talk about life imitating art.

– Marilyn Kirschner

The post Couture Council Annual Summer Party appeared first on lookonline.

Luncheon Honoring Valentino

  The Couture Council of the Museum of F.I.T. will honor Valentino with their 2011 Couture Council Award for Artistry of Fashion at a benefit luncheon Wednesday September 7, 2011, at the David H. Koch Theater, Lincoln Center, New York City. As has become the tradition, this luncheon heralds the arrival of Fall Fashion Week. 1stdibs.com, the luxury on-line retailer, is a sponsor of the luncheon and a generous supporter of The Museum and its activities.

Valentino was chosen to receive The Couture Council Fashion Visionary Award by the Couture Council Advisory Committee, an independent group consisting of curators, editors, and retailers. Members include Pamela Golbin, curator of the Musée de la Mode; Akiko Fukai, director and chief curator of the Kyoto Costume Institute; Caroline Milbank, independent curator and author; Glenda Bailey, editor-in-chief of Harpers Bazaar; Hamish Bowles, European editor-at-large of Vogue; Ken Downing, fashion director of Neiman Marcus; Linda Fargo, senior vice president of Bergdorf Goodman; Nicole Fishcelis, vice president and fashion director at Macy’s; and many distinguished others. Dr. Steele serves as chair.

Past recipients of The Couture Council Awards are Karl Lagerfeld in 2010, Dries Van Noten in 2009, Isabel Toledo in 2008, Alber Elbaz in 2007, and Ralph Rucci in 2006. In 2008, Giorgio Armani also received a special award for Global Fashion Leadership.

To purchase luncheon tickets, please contact Vicki Guranowski, 212 217.4105, fax 212 594.9206, or email Victoria_Guranowski@fitnyc.edu

Summer Party

The Couture Council of the Museum of FIT annual Summer Party is Wednesday, August 17, 6:00, at The Boat House in Central Park. Every August members and guests get together before the Fall Fashion Week—it’s practically the last party New York fashion designers can go to before finishing their shows (and all the ladies love seeing them).

Guest expected include designers Zac Posen, Zang Toi, Maria Cornejo, Mary Jo Diehl, Cathy Hardwick, Eric M. Javitz, Gemma Khang, Patricia Field, Willa Kim,Tiffany Koury, Gilles Mendel Breitman, Thakoon Panichgul, Hervè Pierre Braillard, Steven Stolman, Patricia Underwood, Devon Scott, Yildiz Yuksek Blackstone and many more….

And fashionistas (uptown and down) including Mario Buatta, Catherine Cahill, Malik So Chic, Alva Chinn, Cece Cord, Geoffrey Bradfield, Jennifer Coleman Creel, Carmen D’Alessio, Louise Doktor, Mai Hallingby, Maria Cooper Janis, Eleanora Kennedy, Marilyn Kirschner, Fern Mallis, Alex McCord, Patrick McDonald, Mr. and Mrs. John J. Pomerantz, Yaz Hernandez, Liz Peek, Sarah Wolfe, Rosemary Ponzo, Alexandra Lind Rose, Helen Schifter, Jacqueline Weld, Lynn Yaeger and many more…

About the Council:

The Couture Council is a membership group of fashion enthusiasts that helps support the exhibitions and programs of The Museum at FIT, a specialized museum of fashion. Your participation in this membership group makes it possible for the Museum to mount world-class exhibitions accompanied by publications and public programming, such as the annual Fashion Symposium. The Couture Council also supports the conservation and documentation of the Museum’s permanent collection, as well as facilitating the acquisition of historically and aesthetically important fashions and accessories.

Members of the Couture Council receive exclusive invitations to at least five events a year, including behind-the-scenes tours of the Museum’s collection, exhibition receptions, and visits to the ateliers of fashion designers in New York. In addition, Couture Council members are the first to receive invitations to the annual Couture Council awards ceremony and benefit luncheon.

Become a Member:

 A Couture Council Annual Membership is $1,000 per individual or couple, or $350 for Young Associates (under the age of 35). Membership is tax deductible to the extent provided by law. Please make checks payable to the Educational Foundation for the Fashion Industries. Mail checks to The Museum at FIT, attention: Couture Council, Seventh Avenue at 27th Street, Director’s Office, Room E304, New York City 10001-5992.

The post Couture Council Luncheon Honoring Valentino / Summer Party appeared first on lookonline.

FashionGPS Sponsored Report:

Karl Lagerfeld & Anna Wintour

I don’t mean to harp on religion but it’s hard to ignore the subject what with the Jewish High Holy Days taking place simultaneously with Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. And of course, with today being Sept 11th, it’s hard to ignore all the talk of religion surrounding the controversial mosque being built right near Ground Zero. Regardless, I happen to think there is a bona fide link between religion and fashion; and for many, fashion, if not shopping, IS a religion. In addition, there are more than a few fashion figures – editors, retailers, stylists, designers who actually believe they ‘walk on water’ (I won’t name names but you know who you are).

Left: Lookonline editor Marilyn Kirschner in Chanel jacket and jewelry

Speaking of which, there are many who literally ‘bow’ to the ‘god’ of Chanel, easily the most prestigious fashion house on the planet, and many of the faithful have long ago deified its creative leader Karl Lagerfeld. About 200 of some of the chicest women on the planet including Anna Wintour, Daphne Guinness, Lauren Santo Domingo, Susan Fales Hill, Gigi Mortimer, Caroline Sieber, Amy Fine Collins, Alexandra Lebenthal, Amanda Harlech, and many more, turned out yesterday at a luncheon in honor of Karl Lagerfeld’s Fashion Visionary Award from the Couture Council of FIT, which was held smack dab in the middle of Lincoln Center at Avery Fisher Hall, as if to officially impart global glamour to New York Fashion Week.

Dr. Valerie Steele in Chanel necklace

It was a glorious Friday, and many in attendance were literally bedecked (and I mean head to toe) in Chanel, much of it iconic, as if to pay proper ‘homage’. There were Chanel jackets, Chanel shoes, Chanel dresses, Chanel coats, Chanel pearls, Chanel camellias (sometimes worn as headpieces), Chanel quilted bags with chains, Chanel silver and gold chains. Needless to say, many of these items were decorated with the familiar small or oversized ‘CC’ logo, and to the uninitiated, it might seem as though they were wearing symbols of a cult or religion (much like a crucifix or Star of David). While I knew this would prove to be a wonderful spectacle, I have to say it far exceeded my expectations. It was quite a sight.

Veronica Webb in Chanel blouse

Simon Doonan was the Masters of Ceremony and he wasted no time in his observation that Karl’s contributions to fashion are “inestimable” (is there even such a word?), and “beyond description”. He went on to say that KL has “managed to stay hip (utterly hip), relevant, and central to fashion”. In addition, “He is completely witty, brilliant in six languages, is the Oscar Wilde of fashion and is absolutely quotable”. He said there were too many memorable Lagerfeld quotes to mention but managed to single out a few that stuck in his mind. He recounted a story that when Karl was 4, his mother asked him what he wanted for his birthday. His reply? “A valet”. On being knocked off? “Flattery is not the right word. I don’t want to be flattered. I want to be right”.

Chanel woman in Chanel camelia & trimmed jacket

Dr. Joyce Brown took the podium next and looked around as she deadpanned the assembled crowd, (who were enjoying a wonderful lunch of warm chicken breast, rose or white wine, dessert and coffee) with the observation: “I’d say this is a successful event”. (No kidding. I’d go a step further. Without diminishing the talents of the previous designers, or the ones to follow, let’s just say that I cannot imagine another designer who the Couture Council can honor, who will have elicited such a feverish frenzy of excited followers.)

Chanel suit with camelias and Chanel dress

Beautiful actress Diane Kruger walked up to the podium wearing an ethereal Chanel dress and said that Karl’s name is synonymous with “creativity and vision”. She described Karl as her friend, mentor, and a person who has “truly changed” her life, and spoke of his intelligence and knowledge of history. She then officially awarded him the Fashion Visionary Award. Karl, a study in pale gray (jacket, pants, tie), stepped up and in his usual manner, was short, quick, to the point, and hard to understand. (I think he said he is only interested in “the next show” he is doing).

This was followed by raffle of 5 items including an iconic bag and several pieces of jewelry including a watch; each costing well into the 4 figures (Simon Doonan was quick to list the price, lauding the house of Chanel for their “generosity”.) Upon leaving, each guest received a Chanel shopping bag with a large bottle of the classic, iconic Chanel No 5. And how fitting, since Karl was the recipient of the 5th Couture Council Award. I cannot wait to see who is number 6.

-Marilyn Kirschner

The Perfect Pout

Clarins new Rouge Prodige Lipstick offers long lasting colour, without ever making your lips look dry or chapped. It stays on from morning to night and nourishes your lips without ever loosing shine or changing colour, thanks to High Fidelity Pearl technology. Visit the Clarins website to find out how you can win all 16 shades of the Rouge Prodige Collection.

Clarins Rouge Prodige Colour & Shine Lipstick, $24.00
www.clarins.com

Traveling Smart

Your goal is to never check your luggage again. Lands’ End Flightwise Luggage is a “must have” for anyone tired of the hassle and fees of checking baggage. Each piece fits in standard overheard airline storage compartments and there are 6 styles to choose from, so now your only problem is deciding what to pack.

Lands’ End Flightwise Luggage Collection, $69.50 to $ 169.50
http://www.landsend.com/

The post Fashion Notes: True Religion appeared first on lookonline.

FIT’s ‘French Connection’

Fashion designer Gemma Khang with Lookonline editor Marilyn Kirschner

It’s the Dog Days of August. Many, if not most of us, have been ‘en vacance’, or at the very least, taking it slower and easier. But it’s hard to ignore the fact that things are about to change quickly: New York Fashion Week, (which will ‘inaugurate’ its exciting new home, Lincoln Center), is just weeks away. Quite frankly, who can think about fashion (or even contemplate getting dressed to the nines for that matter) with the stifling heat we’ve all been subject to this summer? (This has been the hottest summer on record).

Thankfully, the fashion starved fashion crowd was given a mid summer’s jolt on Tuesday evening, somewhat of a ‘jump start’ to the upcoming season, thanks to the Couture Council of FIT’s Summer Party which was held at the tres elegant French Consulate on 5th Avenue and 79th Street. Quite a fitting venue considering that Karl Lagerfeld, (“one of the most important designers in the world” in the words of FIT President Joyce Brown, who along with Dr. Valerie Steele, addressed the crowd midway through the soiree), will receive the Couture Council’s special ‘Fashion Visionary’ Award (the award was created solely for him) at a benefit luncheon at Avery Fisher Hall on Friday, September 10th (the day before New York Fashion Week officially begins). Indeed, he is a highly influential, true creative genius, who has taken the house of Chanel into the 21st Century. And after all, Chanel is one of the most consummately French fashion houses around. N’est pas?

The well attended cocktail party (200+), held on two floors of the beautiful building, was festive, highly spirited, and colorful (thanks to more than a few true ‘fashion statements’ on display), and it was the perfect ‘New York’ mix (classic and edgy; uptown and downtown). Well known faces from the world of fashion: The New York Times photographer Bill Cunningham, dandy Patrick MacDonald, Lynn Yaeger, Linda Fargo, Francisco Costa, Ralph Rucci, Cathy Hardwick, eccentric fashion designer Gemma Khang, wearing a scarlet red satin cocktail dress and headpiece of her own design), etc., hobnobbed alongside social fixtures like Deeda Blair, Cece Cord (looking chic in a white pantsuit), Hilary and Wilbur Ross, Barbara Tober, Michele Gerber Klein, and Couture Council members Liz Peek, Alexandra Lebenthal (who was literally ‘pretty in pink’ thanks to her hot pink Tory Burch shirt and pants) and Yaz Hernandez (giving a nod to the ‘French’ theme in her J. Mendel dress). There was even a politician on board: Representative Caroline Maloney (the French Consulate is located within the boundaries of her 14th District).

By the way, I had a chance to chat with first time author Alexandra Lebenthal, who is President and CEO of Lebenthal & Co. and a regular on the benefit circuit. Her new novel, ‘ The Recessionistas’, which just made it’s debut on August 9th, chronicles the lives of four upper east side socialites whose worlds have turned upside down on the heels of the economic collapse in 2008. Though she did state that it is a work of ‘fiction’, it is obviously based on some real characters, and she has even woven the world of fashion (naturally) into the mix. I look forward to reading it.

It was a wonderful evening; even the weather cooperated (it was cool enough to mill around outside the consulate on 5th Avenue and take in the breezes of Central Park, right across the street). Actually, the only thing missing was Karl Lagerfeld himself.

-Marilyn Kirschner

The post appeared first on lookonline.

A cocktail party was held last night at the upper East Side home of decorator Charlotte Moss. This party kicked off the fundraising drive that culminates in the annual Couture Council luncheon where Dries Van Noten will make a rare trip to New York to receive the 2009 Couture Council Award for Artistry of Fashion.

Over a hundred people showed up on a warm and muggy night. A lot a familiar faces were out in the garden enjoying cocktails. They included Ralph Rucci, Hamish Bowles, David Chu, Christian Cota, Somers Farkas, Amy Fine Collins, Cece Cord, Arnold Scaasi, to name just a few. And quite a number of photographers were on hand, including Bill Cunningham and Patrick McMullan to record the event.

Co-hosts for the evening was FIT museum director Dr. Valerie Steele and deputy director Patricia Mears. We also ran into Charles B. Froom, the exhibition designer responsible for setting up the museum’s exhibitions and who we interviewed for our Masters of Fashion series.(see article)

The Couture Council is a membership group of fashion enthusiasts that helps support the exhibitions and programs of The Museum at FIT, a specialized museum of fashion. Previous recipients of the Couture Council Artistry of Fashion Award are Isabel Toledo in 2008 (a prescient choice made before Michelle Obama selected Toledo’s design to wear on Inauguration Day), Alber Elbaz of Lanvin in 2007, and Ralph Rucci, the recipient of the first award in 2006.

Currently on exhibition at The Museum at FIT, Isabel Toledo: Fashion from the Inside Out, a mid-career retrospective displaying approximately 70 iconic looks from the mid- 1980s to the present, including the ensemble worn by First Lady Michelle Obama on Inauguration Day. Also on exhibition, Fashion & Politics, a chronological exploration of over 200 years of politics as expressed through fashion.

-Ernest Schmatolla

The post The Museum at FIT’sAnnual Couture Council Summer Party appeared first on lookonline.

Not all the major ‘fashion moments’ over the next few weeks will take place on a runway or necessarily be in conjunction with Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. Approximately 380 celebrated ‘fans’ of Isabel Toledo (many wearing her creations) assembled yesterday at a glam benefit luncheon at the Rainbow Room. And I mean ‘fans’ literally, as some of the invited guests cooled down and paid homage to the talented designer with their black, white, red fans, (originally given out about a month ago at a cocktail party ‘chez’ Toledo in celebration of the upcoming award), which were hand painted with the likeness of Isabel by husband Ruben.

The occasion? Ms.Toledo, whom Dr. Valerie Steele labeled as “a designer’s designer”, was the recipient of the Couture Council of The Museum at FIT’s 2008 Artistry of Fashion Award. (By the way, Dr. Steele also admitted that “the smartest thing” she ever did was to “start the Couture Council”). Talk about ‘three times is a charm’; certainly it is for Ms. Toledo. The Cuban born New Jersey native is not only the third recipient of the prestigious award (the first was given to Ralph Rucci and the second, to Alber Elbaz), but it took place on the third of September. And because in Isabel’s case, it seems as though good things come in threes, the culmination of this award will be a major retrospective of Ms. Toledo’s work at The Museum at FIT, entitled “Holy Toledo! Isabel Toledo and the Art of Fashion”, opening June 19, 2009 through September 26, 2009. According to the press release, “The exhibition will feature more than 75 looks dating from 1985 to the present, including fluid jersey dresses, seductive lace, and architectural denim. Illustrations by her husband, artist Ruben Toledo, will also be featured, as will films of Ms. Toledo’s fashion shows and other visuals that explore her creative process. A lavishly illustrated catalogue, written by co-curators Dr. Valerie Steele and Patricia Mears and published by Yale University Press, will accompany the exhibition.”

Getting back to Wednesday’s event, once again, FIT’s highly anticipated annual gala luncheon (which was sold out and raised approximately $400,000) was hosted by its founding Couture Council chairs Liz Peek, Yaz Hernandez, and Sarah Wolfe, with Honorary Chairs: Harper’s Bazaar’s Editor-in-Chief Glenda Bailey and Nadja Swarovski. (FYI: all invited guests will be mailed a cameo necklace designed by Ruben Toledo with Isabel’s silhouette and signature etched onto an oval Swarovski crystal, specially created by Swarovski for the Couture council). Andre Leon Talley, American Editor-at-Large for Vogue, presented the award, and Simon Doonan, Creative Director for Barneys New York, served as the highly entertaining and irreverent emcee of the event.

Talk about fashion star power. Among the bold face fashion/social luminaries who turned out were Narciso Rodriguez, Cathy Hardwick, Kim Hastreiter, Fabiola Beracasa, FIT President Dr. Joyce Brown, FIT Museum Director Valerie Steele, Patricia Mears, Kelly Bensimon, Hamish Bowles, Cecilia Dean, Stephen Gan, Julie Gilhart, Linda Fargo, Cathy Horyn, Jeffrey Kalinsky, Derek Lam, Boaz Mazor, Paul Cavaco, Josie Natori, Candy Pratts Price, Arnold Scaasi, Peter Som, Dennis Basso, Howard Socol, Stephano Tonchi, Max Vadukul, Michael Vollbracht, Eleanor Ylvisaker, Iris Apfel, Joey Arias, Christine Suppes, Serena Boardman, Sandy Brant, Dawn Brown, and Dr. Patricia Wexler, among others.

Dr. Joyce Brown kicked things off with her welcoming address and enthused, “We are the only museum specializing in the art of fashion”. She also observed that there were “too many of fashion’s brightest lights” in attendance, for her to even begin to mention. Simon Doonan wasted no time in heaping praise on the talented designer, referring to her “magical creativity” and putting her in the same category as “the Balenciagas, Alaias, McCardells, and Charles Jameses of the world”. He couldn’t resist noting that while Isabel was born one year after the Cuban Revolution, “the luncheon we’re enjoying today is incredibly Un Communistic”. He narrated a video montage showing Isabel’s life from the time she was a little girl (she began sewing her own clothes at 9) and concluded, “this girl knows more about fashion than anyone, anywhere”. When he came upon an image of one of her earlier lace creations, he said “everyone is talking about lace but Isabel has been exploring lace forever!” He made mention of the “prescience of her clothes” which he labeled as “astounding” in that even decades old designs could easily “jump off fashion pages today”. “The great thing about working with Ruben and Isabel is that you get both of them”.

Andre Leon Talley took the stage and announced that “Isabel makes clothes women want to wear” and noted that a “childlike wonder defines both Isabel and Ruben”. He admitted telling Isabel, “I want to be like you when I grow up.” (Perhaps someone should tell ALT that he has indeed grown up!). Isabel was gracious and to the point when she accepted her award and said that the most rewarding aspect of being a designer is that “I make a difference; I’m affecting my time.”

Not only was this a glorious affair, which perfectly set the stage for New York Fashion Week, but it was filled with symbolic gestures. Sunflowers (Isabel’s favorite flower) decorated the tables and the menu, (yellow gazpacho followed by Cuban style sea bass with warm mango sauce, coconut rice, and black beans), was Cuban inspired and delicious at that. Joey Arias kicked things off with his rendition of the Billie Holiday song, “You’ve Changed,” dedicated to Isabel. I guess there’s no escaping the word ‘change’ these days, whether it relates to politics, fashion, or life.

Oh, and by the way, speaking of the connection between art and fashion (which is by definition, inherent in everything the Toledos do), the winner of a luncheon raffle will have his/her portrait painted by Ruben, and after the meal was over, all guests were invited to take home the laminated white, black, red placemats on the tables (boasting the face of Isabel) which were handpainted by Ruben.

-Marilyn Kirschner

The post Isabel’s ‘Fans’ appeared first on lookonline.

(Press Release) The Couture Council of the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) held a luncheon and book-signing recently at Doubles Club in the Sherry-Netherland hotel honoring Susan Tabak, author of CHIC IN PARIS – Style Secrets and Best Addresses. In her book, she reveals the style secrets and favorite places that enable eight glamorous French women to achieve their special elegance.

Herself a style icon, Susan Tabak, born in New York, has long admired the French sensibility and love for life, “Parisians have more imagination. They play with fashion and they are themselves not just a walking advertisement from a magazine—the total look from one label is out.”

Patricia Mears, deputy director of the museum, hosted the event, which was attended by Couture Council members and guests, including journalist Elizabeth T. Peek, Cece Black, Mariana Kaufman, and Coco Kopelman.

Formed in December 2004, the Couture Council is a membership group designed to help enhance museum exhibitions, conserve FIT’s extensive, world-class costume and textile collections, fund acquisitions, and improve facilities.

Benefits of membership include invitations to exclusive events and private viewings, admittance to museum educational programs, acknowledgements in exhibition galleries and printed materials, and complimentary publications.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for those with a passion for the fashion arts to support the only museum in New York City dedicated entirely to fashion,” said Dr. Valerie Steele, museum director and chief curator. “It’s also an excellent way to meet and become part of a circle of informed fashion enthusiasts.”

The Museum at FIT houses one of the world’s most important collections of fashion and textiles. It is the first museum in the United States to offer a permanent exhibition of 250 years of fashion and textile history. Every six months, approximately 100 new objects are chosen. The museum’s costume collection encompasses 50,000 objects dating from the 18th century, with particular strength in 20th-century fashion. The textile collection includes 30,000 textiles from the 6th to the 21st centuries. The museum also presents changing thematic exhibitions, both scholarly and artistic.

For more information about joining the Couture Council contact:
Brenda Pérez
FIT Director of Media Relations (212) 217-5967.

The post FIT’s Couture Council Honors Susan Tabak appeared first on lookonline.