THIS MONTH'S VANITY FAIR...

Comtesse Jacqueline de Ribes and Eleanor Lambert

The September issue of Vanity Fair has an incredible article entitled The Last Empress of Paris by Amy Fine Collins -- is a great read about the interesting and inspiring life of Jacqueline de Ribes. It should come as no surprise that Jacqueline de Ribes and Eleanor Lambert were great friends. The photo above of Comtesse de Ribes and Eleanor Lambert was included in the article. The September issue of Vanity Fair on newsstands right now is truly not to be missed -- it also includes Vanity Fair's International Best Dressed list - originated by Eleanor Lambert and given to Vanity Fair upon her death.

NEW YORK WAS HER CITY...

Photography by Karl Giant

I began this project because I have a passion for Eleanor Lambert. She had vision, tenacity and drive. She had an impeccable eye for talent. She loved new ideas and interesting people.

Her tireless work, not only in fashion, but in so many areas of our culture touches us daily. She created the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), organized fashion week, started the Coty Awards and The International Best Dressed List, she created the Costume Institute at the Met, the Costume Gala and of course she championed fashion designers, turning them into stars, superstars and some... legends. The list of her accomplishments goes on and on - keep logging on, because we are going to talk about all of it! But, it would be impossible to capture the essence of Miss Lambert without talking about the city as a central character in her life.

New York was her city, she knew it well and she loved it. It was her home for nearly 80 years. Forbes Magazine once said of Eleanor Lambert: "She treats New York like a small town." Indeed she did.

Miss Lambert spoke about her affection for New York just before her 100th birthday. ''Every idea gets a hearing in New York,'' said Miss Lambert, ''And if no one agrees with you, then you better get another idea.''