Jean Schlumberger Trophée de Vaillance brooch worn by Diana Vreeland, 1941

I live near the Museum of the City of New York, but never knew much about it until its chairman, James Dinan, asked my husband to be a trustee in 2008. Since then, I’ve attended several events (and chaired an exhibit about the designer, Valentina). Meanwhile, Jamie’s involvement with the museum has improved its exhibits and enabled it to compete with the other major cultural institutions in New York City.

With Judith Price

Over time, I’ve become more involved with the Museum, and find myself very impressed by its exhibits and events. During the most recent New York Fashion Week, for example, I went to the opening of a remarkable new show, Notorious and Notable: 20th Century Women of Style. The event was co-organized by the museum’s director, Susan Henshaw Jones, and Judith Price, president of the National Jewelry Institute.

Christian Dior gown and coat worn by Bernice Chrysler Garbisch, 1964

With Iris Apfel

Stephen Burrows evening dress worn by Ethel Scull, 1960s

This exhibit is particularly wonderful because the clothes displayed are from real women whose names, and style, we all know: Jackie Kennedy Onassis; Joan Crawford; Tina Chow; Brooke Astor; Isadora Duncan; Sophie Tucker; Babe Paley; Lena Horne; Iris Apfel (who was in attendance); Angela Lansbury; Bella Abzug; Sunny von Bülow; Lauren Bacall; Kitty Carlisle Hart; and Susan Gutfreund, just to name a few.

Yellow gold handbag (maker unknown) carried by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis,1970

With Harold Koda

I was mesmorized–and my editorial director, Mark Grischke, loved it, too. We wanted to stay longer, but had to dash downtown for another show. I did have time to chat (briefly) with Harold Koda, Judith Price and Susan Henshaw Jones–but not for long. Mark and I plan to make a second visit.

Meanwhile, the show is now up, and it’s absolutely a “must-see”. It runs until January 3, 2011. Don’t miss it!

Photographs by Wai Ng. Additional images courtesy of the Museum of the City of New York