………………My dear Friend Maurice will be 85 on Nov. 12th…….Maurice is my oldest friend in years and my oldest in length of time, and have been friends for over 50 YEARS . We were both designers working for the same company Originala which had many divisions. Maurice designed the Ginori collection and I designed the Giorgini collections. Maurice was a seasoned designer, but this was my very first job designing clothes, and I was petrified. Our offices butted up against each other and we shared a sample room…..Our friendship had a bumpy start, but we soon became fast friends……a friendship that has lasted the test of time. As fate would have it Maurice would eventually work for me as the head designer of Anne Klein 11……I called Maurice and we made a date to go and see the DIOR exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum of Art, and I would take him out for a birthday lunch. I’m embarrassed to say I hadn’t been to the museum in over 40 years. As a Parson’s student we were required to go to the Brooklyn Museum to their fashion department and do research on fashion history…..something that unfortunately does not happen anymore in design schools. I met Maurice at his apt. at 10 Hanover Square in the heart of the financial district. He has a small but lovely apt….He always had impeccable taste. Our mutual friend Steve, who also worked for me, met us at his apt. Steve also designs, but his work is very different and specific. Steve designs religious vestments and all clothing a priest wears, and everything that dresses an alter. It’s very interesting work……..The plan was to meet at Maurice’s then take the subway to the museum, have lunch and on to the museum to see this fantastic exhibit…..I had not been in a subway for 40 years!!!!! Steve had to help me to get a Metro ticket to get on the train! It was a short ride from lower Manhattan to Brooklyn. We went to a small “Soul Food” restaurant, and had a delicious lunch…..then on to the museum. Steve had already bought the tickets so we were good to go. Masks and vaccine card were required!
Hi Louis,
Was going to go to the Museum yesterday until I realized it’s “ticketed” in advance, went to the parade instead. Going in December. Several years ago they had a Charles James exhibit, such glamour!
Happy Weekend, Elaine
P.S. I would have swooned had I seen you!!
Love it!!! I want to go!!!
xxxo,
A.
Louis, you made me chuckle when I realized it had been 35 years since I had been to the Brooklyn Museum as well. They had a great section for children. At that time, it was not a very good area. so I drove and it was as much of an nightmare as the train. The train stop, now, is beautiful and a forerunner of what you are about to enter. So delighted to see improvements. I think I would be shell shocked being on the subway after all these years, so happy your trip from downtown to Brooklyn was short. What a delight for all of you to spend the day together after all these years. Lovely! I’m on to reading your description of the exhibit and the pictures as well. oxoxox Cat
All of Charles James’ archives were housed at the Brooklyn Museum and were only available for study for years until everything was moved to The Met. oxoxox Cat