FIT's Couture Council Lunch Honoring Oscar de la Renta

In 2006 the Couture Council of FIT honored the American designer Ralph Rucci (a favorite of FIT) with an Artistry of Fashion Award and started what has become an annual tradition and marks the start of New York fall fashion week.  Alber Elbaz, Dries van Noten, Karl Lagerfeld and Valentino have all been honored at this annual lunch.  You can see my photos from last year's Valentino lunch here.

So this year's "Université of Fabulosité" Award goes to Oscar de la Renta.  Master of the big, beautiful ball gown. King of a land called Pretty.  Emperor of an elegant and romantic world where all the girls are princesses.

1970s gypsy inspired Oscar de la Renta ensemble.
Gift of Penelope Tree.  Collection Museum at FIT.

1970s silk gazar Oscar de la Renta available now at RARE vintage:

and Once Upon a Time, in a tiny kingdom in the center of New York... a look back at some other great Oscars we have had at RARE vintage...

1965 Oscar de la Renta for Jane Derby:

1969 Oscar de la Renta photographed in Bazaar:

and at RARE vintage:

I loved this oh so pretty 1980s cocktail dress in heavy black lace and pink silk gazer:

and this was another favorite which I wish had kept but sadly sold...

Oscar de la Renta for Pierre Balmain haute couture.  Look at the belt the leopard print silk chiffon dress came with.  A work of haute couture art.

just a few of my favorite things!

FIT Lunch Honoring Valentino

Valentino received the Fashion Institute of Technology's Artistry in Fashion award today at Lincoln Center.  I was lucky enough to be seated at the table next to Valentino where there was much air kissing going on.  Daphne Guiness was there in towering sparkly shoes, Anna Wintour gave a lovely speech about Valentino and Simon Doonan gave a very funny speech about Valentino's Université of Fabulosité.  

Giancarlo Giammetti and I arrived at the same time.  The perenially lovely Bill Cunningham was about to take a photo of me in my vintage Valentino Couture when he saw Giancarlo Giammetti and I insisted he photograph Giancarlo (after all, he can take my picture anytime:)  

Anna W and Valentino:

Chiu-Ti Jansen wearing Valentino Couture and a Valentino panther belt from RARE vintage at the lunch:

Daphne Guinness beautiful in black and white:

And everyone rises for the King of Couture, Valentino:

Here a kiss, there a kiss, everywhere a kiss kiss.  Diane Von Furstenberg and Valentino:

Diane Von F and the always beautiful Marisa Berenson:

Looks like somebody's dogs were barking:)

BFF's:

I wish I could whip my hair into a similar confection.  Love it.  She looks beautiful.

Simon Doonan said, " With Valentino you get the whole package: talent, genius and a ferocious commitment to craft."