9.6.12: Gettting FIT for Fall | New York Social Diary

Gettting FIT for Fall

10:00 AM. Photo: JH.

Thursday, September 6, 2012. A warm very humid day in New York. The kind that makes you uncomfortable, With occasional raindrops to add some more muggy.

New York is back in town. Yesterday’s traffic was back to normal: logjam. I went over to Lincoln Center where the Couture Council of the Museum at FIT was hosting its annual 2012 Couture Council Award for Artistry of Fashion luncheon on the Promenade of the David H. Koch Theater.

Each year they honor an important fashion designer. This year they feted Oscar de la Renta. This luncheon, which kicks off Fall Fashion Week in New York, has become the official “Summer’s Over” autumn luncheon, comparable to the Hat Luncheon held in Central Park every Spring, and drawing many of the same guests. Oscar drew the biggest number of guests – more than 600, and they raised almost $1 million – a record for the Couture Council.

The program opened with the luncheon’s co-chairs Eleanora Kennedy and Alexandra Lebenthal welcoming the guests. Then Liz Peek, who is Chairman of the Couture Council told us more about the Museum at FIT and the school itself which now attracts thousands of students. It is one of the few schools, Liz told us, where the graduates get jobs almost right away. The Fashion industry is one of the most important industries left in New York and its influence is reflected all over the world.

Liz introduced Dr. Joyce Brown, President of FIT who announced a new Couture Council scholarship – all four years. This year the program was funded by one of the luncheon guests who wished to remain anonymous (although I later learned she was at my table). Then Liz introduced Mayor Bloomberg who was also a guest at one of the de la Renta tables, and there to present the award to Oscar.

The mayor seemed particularly relaxed to be there. Usually when he makes a speaking appearance, he arrives on time, gives his speech and then moves on to the next appointment. Yesterday he enjoyed a leisurely lunch (Annette de la Renta hosted the table and among her guests were Barbara Walters and Henry Kissinger), The mayor’s speech about Oscar was affectionate and admiring. He pointed out that his companion Diana Taylor, also present, was wearing Oscar.

Valerie Steele, Alexandra Lebenthal, Oscar de la Renta, Eleanora Kennedy, and Liz Peek.

Alexandra Lebenthal and Eleanora Kennedy.

Oscar de la Renta and Mayor Bloomberg.

Simon Doonan and Liz Peek.

Monica Rich Kosann.

In accepting his award Oscar told the guests that he believed that he worked in “the greatest country in the world,” a country that had been generous to him with a long list of friends and supporters, greater than he had time to recount although “they know who they are.” In reflecting on his career which now extends a half century, he revealed that he “loves” his work and to this day nothing gives him more pleasure than working in his studio on his collections. He added that after all these years, he is still learning.

Durability in the fashion business is a hard task. Most designers’ professional life at the top rarely extends beyond a decade or two before the creative juices lose their potency. Nowadays, as it is in so many businesses, designers often opt for the big hit, the buy-out that leaves them wealthy, if they can achieve that. Oscar de la Renta, like his European mentors, has quietly become an institution, marrying ready-to-wear with couture, serving the chic and well-dressed with what is now his classic good taste. He himself presents a well dressed man, easy on the eye yet impeccable in the detail and choices.

The view from the promenade.

The view from above.

Many women in the room yesterday were wearing one of his designs. He commented that one woman was wearing a suit of his from 1968. Even he was amazed when she introduced herself and reminded him, although he remembered it. She was Chiu-Ti Jansen, and frankly it looked like it could have been plucked out of his latest collection. I’d also guess that Ms. Jansen wasn’t on the planet when that suit was first shown in a collection. Eleanora Kennedy was wearing the great de la Renta red dress that Ann Romney wore the night of the Nomination of her husband at the Republican convention. Liz Peek also was wearng a brand new Oscar. It was probably a fair guess that almost all the women in the room who own an Oscar de la Renta design was wearing one yesterday. The result was everyone looked great.

Now the melee begins. Today really kicks off the week with Fashion Night Out. Yesterday all the stores along Madison and Fifth and many in other parts of town were gearing up for the evening of hosting the crowds who will visit and celebrate.