Valentino Garavani arrives at Lincoln Center with Kobe Bryant and his wife Vanessa
Is his figure less than Greek? Is his mouth a little weak?
Whether or not the song lyrics apply, the renowned Italian designer is our Fashion-y Valentino and he was honored this week at a Lincoln Center event. Every year a gala luncheon for the Fashion Institute of Technology/Couture Council Award kicks off Fall New York Fashion Week. This September all the stylish luminaries attended once again.
Anna Wintour with Valentino
Lauded for his “fabulosity,” and cited as a man who “lives the life that lives up to his clothes,” the designer accepted the award presented by Vogue Editor, Anna Wintour. He acknowledged that for almost 50 years he has “had the joy to dress American women.”
In deference to the guest of honor, several women in the crowd wore his designs. Paula Zahn and Andrea Stark pulled vintage day dresses out of their closets, and Kim Kassel and Coralie Paul both sported his giant leather rosettes. Michelle Harper’s rainbow banded gown was from a collection of Garavani Couture, and Kristina Kavalenko and her daughter Stacey wore Mother-Daughter Valentino.
pictured on left: Iris Apfel and Andrea Stark
► click to view more images of Valentino’s designs worn by women in the crowd
Judging from the rest of the crowd who sported outfits ranging from simple sheaths to floor length gowns, today’s fashion trend appears to be “anything goes.” We did spot some recurring themes:
Animal Prints
Karen Lefrak
From accessories to printed dresses, there was the roar of animal prints. Karen Lefrak’s dress featured full-length spots, Lucia Hwong Gordon was wrapped in leopard and Carol Mack was encircled with a leopard belt.
► click to view images of Lucia Hwong Gordon and Carol Mack dressed in animal prints
Punches of Red
Daisy Soros, Noreen Buckfire and Jamee Gregory
Bright shades of red showed up on Daisy Soros, Noreen Buckfire, and Jamee Gregory. Hilary Geary’s fur-buttoned orange suit veered strongly to crimson. Michelle Gerber Klein donned a scarlet Pucci sheath, and Liz Peek had a red wrapped bodice.
Classic Pantsuits
Melania Trump
Stepping out in classic black pantsuits were Melania Trump, jewelry designer Annalu Ponti, and perennial Best-Dressed Cece Cord. Adrienne Vittadi turned the tables and appeared in post-Labor Day white.
Sleeveless Dresses
Yaz Hernandez
Shunning suits, dozens of guests wore a wide-ranging variety of sleeveless sheaths. Yaz Hernandez chose color-block black and white. Charlotte Moss and Somers Farkas accessorized with short and long beads, and Patricia Duff added a loopy belt. A monumental print decorated Marjorie Reed Gordon’s knit, Martha Kramer Fox’s neckline had delicate neckline stitching and Nina Griscom’s dress was creamy molasses leather.
The Originals
Lorry Newhouse
Distinctive concoctions showed up on Lorry Newhouse, who designed her own lace-over-nude with modest long sleeves. Perennial standout, Iris Apfel—whose wardrobe was once featured in a show at the Metropolitan Museum—mixed and matched a mélange of color. Daphne Guiness showed the kind of style that that will be on display in an exhibit devoted to her later this month in the FIT Galleries. She sported a stand-out black and white hairdo, and wore an extreme black suit and tottery shoes.
► click to view images of iris Apfel and Daphne guiness dressed in originals