Vive le Fashion Week
AUGUST 27, 2019
GUEST DIARY• BY: KAREN KLOPP AND HILARY DICK
The upcoming New York Fashion Week in September has a decidedly French twist this season as two heralding events are on the horizon. On September 4th, the Couture Council of The Museum at FIT will honor iconic footwear designer Christian Louboutin with its 2019 Couture Council Award for Artistry of Fashion. This luncheon that takes over the the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York City is THE most stylish event and signals the return of the swans to roost after summers perched outside the city. A cacophonous din fills the fabulous space with excitement and glamour as friends and fashionistas reconvene.
“To be recognized by The Museum at FIT’s esteemed Couture Council is a great honor,” Louboutin said. “While my designs have roots in Paris, I feel very lucky to have access to some of the most specialized craftsmanship in the world; that has allowed me to push my creative boundaries and celebrate inclusivity and self-empowerment through cultural exchange.”
Of course, no glam gal worth her weight in kale can resist the lure of the iconic red soles that have long symbolized power and style.
Recently, the Couture Council held an evening in the Louboutin Boutique on Madison in advance of the luncheon. We shared some bubbly with the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology director and chief curator (and ever-effervescent) Dr. Valerie Steele, and set about to serious shoe shopping, make more productive by the libation.
As Director of the Museum at FIT, we not surprised by Valerie’s interesting and diverse choices in footwear.
Trés Glamour …
Chic Comme L’enfer …
Toute la Journée …
Hilary was having a ball with the brilliant sparkling styles to suit her personality.
“I was like a child in a candy store, loving every beautiful shoe on display. But I do tend to go for the glitter and was especially drawn to the pump below. I felt as though I was wearing Cinderella’s glass slipper … but with sparkle. You would definitely be the belle of the ball in these, and they are incredibly comfortable for dancing the night away.”
´Etoile Brillante …
Bottes extraordinaire …
Glissades Fantastic …
I had a decidedly more practical approach. With the upcoming new season, I checked my shoe stock and decided it was time for a new pair of sexy black pumps. And had no trouble locking down some choice pairs. Note the low cut vamp in most Louboutin styles creates the ultra look of “toe cleavage!”
Parfait! …
Pourquoi Pas? …
Cherchez la Femme …
Coup de Foudre …
Now that we are well heeled (sorry, we couldn’t not resist), off we go to Museum at FIT for a major exposition opening on September 6th. Curated by Dr. Steele, Paris, Capital of Fashion will explore how and why Paris became the international leader of the fashion world.
The lavishly illustrated book traces how the mythic “aura” of Paris fashion was constructed over generations, as the splendour of the court at Versailles came to be echoed by the spectacle of the haute couture.
If you haven’t been to the Museum at FIT, put it on your To-Do List for fall. While the scope is vast, the scale is intimate, their archives boundless and the exhibitions inspired. In an hour or less you can enhance knowledge through a period in time as seen through the eyes of fashion. We cannot wait to view the new exhibit and discover its relevant context.
The Museum continues its celebration 50th Anniversary of Museum at FIT throughout 2019. Watch the video below to hear from designers on the inspiration the institution has provided throughout its history. Known, for intelligent, ground breaking and thought provoking exhibits, Michael Kors notes: “Museum at FIT is the fashion insider’s fashion museum. That is what is so brilliant about all of the exhibits.”
