About this Event
Join us for a conversation with renowned fashion designer Jeffrey Banks to celebrate his first memoir, an account of his meteoric rise from Ralph Lauren intern to an acclaimed champion of classic American style. He will be in conversation with Teri Agins, award-winning journalist, author, and columnist at the Wall Street Journal, followed by a signing.
RSVPs are encouraged but not required. Seating is limited and will be first come, first served. Doors open at 5:30 pm.
Can't attend? (please specify that you would like it signed in the comments box at checkout).
Storyteller: Tales from a Fashion Insider weaves the incredible tapestry of Jeffrey Banks's life: a fashion designer who rose from Ralph Lauren intern to award-winning menswear creator and an acclaimed champion of diversity and classic American style.
Jeffrey Banks has blazed a remarkable path through the fashion industry. Born in Washington, DC, Banks discovered his passion for clothes at a young age. When he was just 17 years old, he landed an internship at Ralph Lauren, where his precocious talent and eye for classical American design began to blossom. Storyteller: Tales from a Fashion Insider chronicles the designer and historian's meteoric rise, graduating from New York’s Parsons School of Design to quickly launching his eponymous menswear line in 1977. He recounts the creative and business challenges of establishing his brand, known for blending traditional American sportswear with luxurious sophistication. Banks has authored several best-selling books and biographies about fashion. This is his first memoir. He is currently prominently featured in Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, a groundbreaking show at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute in New York.Banks shares intimate stories about designing for celebrities and his close friendship with Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein, who became his mentors. His designs were photographed by Bruce Weber and Richard Avedon, and others. His friendships with Audrey Hepburn, Bobby Short, and Barbra Streisand are also highlighted in the book.
But Storyteller: Tales from a Fashion Insider is far more than a catalog of names, Banks relates hilarious and touching tales with unmatched verve. The book also explores Banks' advocacy for diversity in fashion and his tireless support for young designers. Through personal anecdotes and industry insights, the two-time Coty Award and CFDA award winner reflects on fashion's evolution from the 1970s through today. The lavishly illustrated book is a must-have for any fashion lover.
Jeffrey Banks is a celebrated fashion designer. His personal taste and way of putting clothes together have earned him a consistent spot on the “International Best Dressed” list. Banks is also an accomplished author, having coauthored the following titles: Tartan: Romancing the Plaid, American Fashion Menswear, Preppy: Cultivating Ivy Style, Perry Ellis: An American Original, Patricia Underwood: The Way You Wear Your Hat, and Norell: Master of American Style. This is his first memoir.
Teri Agins is an award-winning journalist and author, the former senior special writer and "Ask Teri" columnist at the Wall Street Journal, where she developed the Journal's fashion industry beat and wrote for thirty years. She is the author of Hijacking the Runway: How Celebrities Are Stealing the Spotlight from Fashion Designers and The End of Fashion: How Marketing Changed the Clothing Business Forever. She graduated from Wellesley College and has a master's degree from the University of Missouri School of Journalism.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Rizzoli Bookstore, 1133 Broadway, New York, United States
USD 0.00
