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This file contains award presentations from the Parson's School of Design.
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1976/03/29 - Parsons Award, New York City
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1069090
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1976/03/29 - Parsons Award, New York City
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This file contains award presentations from the Parson's School of Design.
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Frances K. Pullen Files
Frances Pullen's Working Files
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President (1974-1977 : Ford). Office of the First Lady. 1974-1977
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1976
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1975
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The original documents are located in Box 1, folder "1976/03/29 - Parsons Award, New
York City" of the Frances K. Pullen Papers at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Scanned from Box 1 of the Frances K. Pullen Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
MRS FORD'S REMARKS
1976 PARSONS AWARD PRESENTATION
at the
CRITICS AWARD SHOW
Monday, March 29, 1976
New York Hilton Hotel
- I -
THE PARSONS SCHOOL OF DESIGN
IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT CREATIVE FORCE
IN AMERICAN FASHION AND THE ARTS,
AND I AM VERY FLATTERED
BY THIS HONOR.
THE MARVELOUS DISPLAY
OF TALENT AND INNOVATION TONIGHT
SHOWS WHY PARSONS DESERVES
ITS "TOP OF THE LINE" REPUTATION.
- 3 -
BEING HERE TONIGHT
BRINGS BACK MANY EXCITING MEMORIES---
MEMORIES OF BUYING TRIPS TO NEW YORK
AS A FASHION CO-ORDINATOR
FOR A GRAND RAPIDS DEPARTMENT STORE and especially
FAR Ter, Few
AND OF THOSE DAYS DAYS CARS
WHEN I LIVED IN THIS FABULOUS CITY.
1
cordinator of Eashion
AS A PROFESSIONAL BUYER
AND NOW AS A CONSUMER,
I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ENTHUSIASTIC
ABOUT AMERICAN CLOTHES.
AMERICAN CLOTHES ARE FANTASTIC---
VERSATILE, PRACTICAL, AND EXPRESSIVE.
Todny
- 5 -
WHEREVER I GO,
1 SEE THE BEST FASHION SHOW OF ALL
PEOPLE WEARING AND ENJOYING
AMERICAN CLOTHES.
- 6 -
THAT'S WHY I AM DELIGHTED YOU THINK
insome
I HAVE HELPED YOUR INDUSTRY
WHICH DOES ITS JOB so WELL,
WITH MUCH IMAGINATION,
AND ARTISTRY, My compliments to
you The designeRs and CRAftimens of todAy.
II Am heneRed to #, # # be with you Tonight...
7 hank you for this priviledge -
PARSONS AWARD/Revised Draft
March 29, 1976
The Parsons School of Design is such an important
creative force in American fashion and the arts, and I
am very flattered by this honor. The marvelous display
of talent and innovation tonight shows why Parsons deserves
its "top of the line" reputation.
Being here tonight brings back many exciting memories
of buying trips to New York as a fashion co-ordinator for
a Grand Rapids department store and of those days when I
lived in this fabulous city.
As a professional buyer and now as a consumer, I have
always been enthusiastic about American clothes. American
clothes are fantastic---versatile, practical and expressive.
Wherever I go, I see the best fashion show of all---people
wearing and enjoying American clothes. That's why I am
delighted you think I have helped your industry, which does
its job well with much imagination.
-30-
FORD
PARSONS AWARD/Revised Draft
March 29, 1976
The Parsons School of Design is such an important
creative force in American fashion and the arts, and I
am very flattered by this honor. The marvelous display
of talent and innovation tonight shows why Parsons deserves
its "top of the line" reputation.
Being here tonight brings back many exciting memories
of buying trips to New York as a fashion co-ordinator for
a Grand Rapids department store and of those days when I
lived in this fabulous city.
As a professional buyer and now as a consumer, I have
always been enthusiastic about American clothes. American
clothes are fantastic versatile, practical and expressive.
Wherever I go, I see the best fashion show of all people
wearing and enjoying American clothes. That's why I am
delighted you think I have helped your industry, which does
its job well with much imagination.
-30-
PARSONS AWARD/Revised Draft
March 29, 1976
The Parsons School of Design is such an important
creative force in American fashion and the arts, and I
am very flattered by this honor. The marvelous display
of talent and innovation tonight shows why Parsons deserves
its "top of the line" reputation.
Being here tonight brings back many exciting memories
of buying trips to New York as a fashion co-ordinator for
a Grand Rapids department store and of those days when I
lived in this fabulous city.
As a professional buyer and now as a consumer, I have
always been enthusiastic about American clothes. American
clothes are fantastic versatile, practical and expressive.
Wherever I go, I see the best fashion show of all---people
wearing and enjoying American clothes. That's why I am
delighted you think I have helped your industry, which does
its job well with much imagination.
-30-
Parsons Award, March 29, 1976
Empremal
I
am
flattered to be honored by Parsons
School, which produces so many talented designers. It's
disight delightful to be back among members of the fashion
***** industry and it's a special thrill to be recognized
longtime personal
for my interest in American fashion
The marvelous show we've just seen demonstrates why
it is SO easy to be enthusiastic about American fashion.
The variety of styles and fabrics are in tune with our
American commitment to diversity and individuality.
American clothes are accessible, versitle sometimes
whimsical, sometimes dramatic but always expressive.
Wank
Wherever I go, I see Americans wearing clothes designed
to move with the pace of their lives.
I think there's something else important about American
clothes and that's the personal moment of cheesing express
selecting what clothes to
the way we feel about ourselves. Our American clothes show
good
individuals.)
how
we feel about ourselves and our freedoms.
Signer
That's
why I'm very pleased that you think I've helped this special
industry.
-30-
SUGGESTED REMARKS -- Parsons Award, March 29, 1976
I am flattered to receive an award from the Parsons
School of Design. Parsons has made such a unique impact on
American fashion and the development of many different kinds
of artistic expressions. It's really delightful to be back
among members of the fashion industry in this exciting city.
I can remember when my twice yearly visits to New York from
Grand Rapids were eagerly awaited and savored. With my personal
background, it is truly a special thrill to be recognized by
the leaders of American fashion.
The marvelous show we've just seen demonstrates why
it's so easy to be enthusiastic about American fashion. The
variety of styles and fabrics are in tune with our American
belief in diversity and indivuality.
American clothes are accessible, versatile--sometimes
whimsical, sometimes dramatic--but always expressive. Wherever
I go, I see Americans wearing clothes designed to move with the
pace of their lives and to match their varying needs.
I think there's something else important about clothes,
and that is how the selection of clothes helps us express our
clothes
personal feelings. Our American clothes show how good we feel
about ourselves and our freedom to be individuals. That's why
I'm very pleased you think I've helped this special industry.
#
#
#
Parsons Award, March 29, 1976
I am flattered to receive an award from the Parsons
School of Design. Parsons has made such a unique impact
on American fashion and the development of many different kinds
artistic expressions express
forms. It's really delightful to be back among members of the
fashi on industry in this exciting city. I can remember
when my twice yearly visits to New York from Grand Rapids
personal
were eagerly awaited and savored. With my professional
background, it is truly a special thrill to be recognized
by the leaders of American fashion.
The marvelous show we've just seen demonstrates why it's
so easy to be enthusiastic about American fashion. The variety
of styles and fabrics are in tune with our American belief
in diversity and individuality.
American clothes are accessible, vers tile sometimes
whimsical, sometimes skakm dramatic but always expressive.
Wherever I go, I see Americans wearing clothes designed to
move with the pace of their lives and to match their varying
needs.
I think there's something else YEXX important about clothes,
and that is how the selection of clothes helps us express our
personal feelings. Our American clothes show how good we feel
about ourselves and our freedom to be individuals. That's why
I'm very pleased you think I've helped this special industry.
30-
PARSONS AWARD
MARCH 29, 1976
I am flattered to receive an award from the Parsons School
of Design. Parsons has made such a unique impact on American
fashion and the development of many different forms of artistic
expression.
It's really delightful to be back among members of the fashion
industry in this exciting city. I can remember how eagerly I awaited
and how much I enjoyed my twice-a-year visits to New York from
Grand Rapids, when I was fashion co-ordinator for a department
store. With my personal background, it is a special thrill to be
recognized by leaders of American fashion.
The marvelous show we've just seen demonstrates why it's
so easy to be enthusiastic about American fashion. The variety
of styles and fabrics are in tune with our American belief in
diversity and individuality.
American clothes are accessible, versatile--sometimes
whimsical, sometimes dramatic--but always expressive. Wherever
I go, I see Americans wearing clothes designed to match various
needs and lifestyles.
For craftsmanship, creativity and class--American clothes
are the top of the line. That's why I'm very pleased you think
I've helped your very special industry.
# # #
not fer Release
Sept 1975
Designer Labels in Mrs. Ford's Clothes
Luis Estevez
Frankie welch
Albert Capraro
Chessa Davis (2) Cone. informal
Mel Mortman
Jo Jr. (Dallas)
Dorian by Lowell Judson
Diane VonFierstenberg
Claire Dratch
Najla (New York)
Oscar de la Renta
Glen of Michigan - sports
Maruja Gulias
Fred Perlberg
Ole Borden
Mollie Parnis severe (
Joan Lestie by Kasper
Richilene (New York)
Chester NOW
Vera Maxwell
Giorgini Gartenhaus (stale )
Constantino Christie (fav)
Fisherman's Cross of Maine
Nelly de Crab
Robbe - 11
Aileen
Sally Gee
The Desert Squire (Scottsdale)
Jones (New. York)
Halston jachet
Vera Maxwell
Pierre Cardin
Gloria Sachs
Tanner of North Carolina
Nina Ricci
Anne Fogarty
Papillion
kaye
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
March 15, 1976
MEMORANDUM TO:
PETER SORUM
FROM:
SUSAN PORTER
D.
SUBJECT:
Action-Memo
Mrs. Ford has accepted the following out-of-town invitation:
EVENT: Receive 1976 Parsons Award
GROUP: Parsons School of Design
DATE: Monday, March 29, 1976
TIME: 6:00-7:00 Reception
7:00-8:30
Show and Presentation
8:30
Dinner Dance
PLACE: New York Hilton Hotel, New York City
CONTACT: Mr. Edwin Cohen, Director of Development
(212) 741-5662
COMMENTS: On Monday, March 29th, Mrs. Ford will accept the 1976
Parsons Award at the annual Critics Awards Show sponsored
by the Parsons School of Design. The Parsons Award "is
conferred annually on distinguished men and women who not
only advance the cause of American fashion, but in SO doing
serve as an inspiration for students who are about to
assume professional and citizenship roles in American society.' "
The Parsons School of Design is the preeminent American
institution in the field of fashion design. The tribute to
Mrs. Ford is attached.
Because the evening precedes a State Dinner, Mrs. Ford would
like to return to Washington as early as possible and Mr. Cohen
has been very flexible in stating that Mrs. Ford need not
stay for the dinner if she needs to return early.
-2-
The file is attached.
At the time of her visit to New York on the 29th, Mrs. Ford
would also like 11 to see the exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum
of Art entitled American Women of Style". Mrs. Ford was
Honorary Chairman of the Costume Institute Ball sponsored
by the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Fashion Designers of
America held on December 10, 1975. The evening launched
the opening of the exhibit. Although the Museum is closed
to the public on Mondays, Mr. Thomas Hoving, the Director,
told me that this is the best possible day for Mrs. Ford
to visit. Your contact should be Mr. Richard Morsches,
Chief of Operations, (212) 879-5550.
Thank you.
C: BF Staff
Red Cavaney
William Nicholson
Kathleen Ryan
Dick Mastrangelo
Rex Scouten
Staircase
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
RE:
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Mr. Thomas Hoving
Director
5th Avenue and 82nd Street
New York, New York 10028
(212) 879-5500
"American Women of Style thru Aug.
Tuesday: 10-8:45
Wed.-Sat: 10-4:45
Sunday: 11-4:45
Monday: Closed
I Mr. CONTACT: Bichard moreches
Chrifof operations
(MR. HOVING OUT Tunn OF TOWN)
3 myken
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
800
6-7 COCKTAIL RECEPTION
OR: SMALLER
RECEPTION
150
7-8:30 SHOW + PRESENTATION
IN BALLROOM
8:30
DINNERY BALLROOM
IN
- RUNWAY STYLE
- AWARDS TO STUDENTS
- SWET PROGRAM
- PRESENTUTION TO BF
- BRIEF BF RESPONSE
-
BF FINISHED / DINNER
BEGINS
ESTA R. FORD
Parsons School of Design
cordially invites you to attend the
FASHION CRITICS
AWARDS SHOW
AND
DINNER DANCE
honoring
MRS. GERALD R. FORD
Monday, March 29, 1976
The New York Hilton
Cocktails 6:00 P.M.
Black tie
Fashion Show 7:00 P.M.
$150 per person
Dinner Dance 8:30 P.M.
$1500 per table of ten
THE PARSONS AWARD
MRS. GERALD R. FORD
The Parsons Award is conferred annually on dis-
tinguished men and women who not only advance
the cause of American fashion, but in so doing serve
as an inspiration for students who are about to
assume professional and citizenship roles in Ameri-
can society.
In this year of the American Bicentennial, there
can be no more fitting, and indeed no more deserv-
ing recipient than Mrs. Elizabeth "Betty" Bloomer
Ford, First Lady of the United States.
Refreshingly forthright, independent and enthu-
siastic, Mrs. Ford has by word and deed emerged
as a symbol of what is best in our national heritage
and character-our devotion to family, our dedica-
tion to helping the less fortunate, our passionate
belief in the promise of the future.
Not only in the way she thinks and acts, but in
the way she looks as well, Mrs. Ford is as unabash-
edly American as the house she lives in. Possessing
her own distinctive style, she has selected a ward-
robe that is designed and manufactured exclusively
by American talent. Thus, whether at 1600 Pennsyl-
vania Avenue or on visits to foreign capitals, she
imparts to all American women her deep conviction
that the highest standards of taste and craftsman-
ship are to be found not thousands of miles, but a
few blocks from home. The American fashion in-
dustry and the young student designer who may
one day provide its creative impetus can find no
greater encouragement and support.
This charming and beautiful First Lady was once
an active member of New York's arts community.
Parsons is proud that it will have the opportunity
to welcome her back for the conferral of this high
and well-deserved honor.
THE FASHION CRITICS PROGRAM
For almost half a century, Parsons School of De-
sign has been the preeminent American institution
in the field of fashion education. Most of the nation's
foremost fashion designers and about one-half of
all professionals in the field are Parsons alumni.
This year fifteen of the country's foremost fash-
ion designers, most of them Parsons alumni, will
regularly visit Parsons to participate in a unique
activity which contributes to the institution's un-
paralleled achievements in fashion education.
That activity is called the Fashion Critics Pro-
gram. Its function is to offer Parsons' second and
third-year students the rare opportunity to sub-
mit their work to the critical scrutiny of leading
designers. The response of the designer-critic rep-
resents for these undergraduates a significant part
of their training. The professional's criticism or
approval, the helpful suggestion that modifies con-
cept or shape or color-these become signposts that
provide the student with the insights and sophisti-
cation of a full-fledged professional designer.
At the 1976 Critics Awards Show, you will have
the opportunity to observe the results of this
unique education program.
THE 1976 CRITICS ARE:
DONALD BROOKS ALBERT CAPRARO
LIZ CLAIBORNE PIERRO DIMITRI
ELINORE FISHMAN DONNA KARAN
KASPER CALVIN KLEIN
ANTHONY MUTO LEO NARDUCCI
SHANNON RODGERS ANN WEBSTER
CHESTER WEINBERG
BOARD OF TRUSTEES NEW SCHOOL AND PARSONS SCHOOL OF DESIGN
Henry A. Locb, Chairman
Elinor S. Gimbel
Isador Lubin
Leona Baumgartner
August Heckscher
Alfred J. Marrow
Ramsey Clark
Dorothy Hirshon
Rodman C. Rockefeller
Adrian W. De Wind
Paul Jennings
Richard C. Sachs
Walter A. Eberstadt
Orin Lehman
Jerome A. Siegel
Ralph Ellison
Nathan W. Levin
Joseph B. Williams
John R. Everett, President
Morris L. Levinson
John L. Fava, Ex-officio
Vera G. List
BOARD OF OVERSEERS, PARSONS SCHOOL OF DESIGN
August Heckscher, Chairman
David Finn
Jack Lazar
Harry N. Abrams
Doris Freedman
Richard deY Manning
Claire B. Benenson
Mrs. Adam L. Gimbel
Mollie Parnis
William Benenson
Robert D. Graff
Mrs. J. C. Penney
William Blitzer
Marjorie Griswold
Richard J. Schwartz
Donald Brooks
Bruce Hausman
Mrs. Jerome A. Siegel
Alexander Cooper
Allan R. Johnson
Jerry Silverman
Lewis Davis
Oscar Kolin
Chester Weinberg
William M. Fine
Jack Lenor Larsen
FASHION CRITICS AWARDS SHOW SPONSORING COMMITTEE
CHAIRMAN Sanford J. Zimmerman
CO-CHAIRMEN
Sol C. Chaikin
Oscar Kolin
Jerry Silverman
Andrew Goodman
Jack Lazar
Melanie Kahane
Richard J. Schwartz
COMMITTEE IN FORMATION
Lee Abraham
Stanley J. Goodman
Ira Neimark
J. A. Baer, II
Ernest Graf
Mrs. Samuel I. Newhouse
Jack Baker
Robert L. Green
George E. Parker, Jr.
Norman N. Barnett
Majorie Griswold Grisdale
Mollie Parnis
Geoffrey Beene
Mark S. Handler
Martha R. Phillips
Robert A. Berry
James J. Harrison
Fred P. Pomerantz
Gerald H. Blum
Norman M. Hinerfeld
John J. Pomerantz
Stella Blum
Edwin K. Hoffman
Thomas B. Price
Joe Brodie
Walter Hoving
Lew Prince
Donald Brooks
Franklin M. Jarman
Oscar de la Renta
Albert Capraro
Allan R. Johnson
Shannon Rodgers
Sal Cesarani
Matt Kallman
Matthew N. (Chip) Rubinstein
John W. Christian, Jr.
S. Peter Kamins
Kalman Ruttenstein
Michael F. Coady
Richard Kaplan
Arthur Samuels Jr.
Felix J. Colangelo
Kasper
Abe Schrader
Richard Cole
Robert Haufman
Malcolm A. Shults
Jo Copeland
Clarence J. Kjorlien
Morton Siegenfeld
Mildred Custin
Calvin Klein
Bernard R. Siskind
Wilbur Daniels
Martin S. Kramer
Ben Sommers
Angelo Donghia
Lawrence Lachman
Herbert E. Strawbridge
Carrie Donovan
Eleanor Lambert
Geraldine Stutz
Jane Evans
Kenneth Jay Lane
Ruth Sublette
William M. Fine
Leonard Lauder
Julio Tanjeloff
Edward S. Finkelstein
Ralph Lauren
Gustave Tassel
James D. Finley
Laurence C. Leeds, Jr.
David M. Tracy
Anne Fogarty
Edith Raymond Locke
Marvin S. Traub
Raymond Frommer
Thomas P. Losee, Jr.
Jerome Uchin
Alan B. Gilman
Arthur Malsin
Diane Von Furstenberg
Mary Joan Glynn
Richard deY Manning
Diana Vreeland
Howard P. Goldberg
Sidney Mayer
Elmer L. Ward, Jr.
Joseph Goldman
Lee Mellis
Paul Woolard
Sidney S. Good, Jr.
Henry S. Moss
PARSONS SCHOOL OF DESIGN AFFILIATED WITH THE NEW SCHOOL
66 WEST 12TH STREET NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10011 (212) 741-5662
PARSONS SCHOOL OF DESIGN
66 WEST 12TH STREET
NEW YORK, N. Y. 10011
OREGON 5-2700
741-5662
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
February 18, 1976
Ms. Susan Porter
The White House
Washington, D. C.
Dear Ms. Porter:
I am enclosing twelve (12) sets of the invitation to
the March 29th Parsons Fashion Critics Awards Show honoring
Mrs. Ford.
Please let me know if you need additional copies of
this invitation, or if there are any other people to whom I
should send them.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
cdw Coh
Edwin Cohen
Director of Development
Enclosure
PARSONS SCHOOL OF DESIGN
66 WEST 12TH STREET
NEW YORK, N.Y. 10011
OREGON 5-2700
741-5662
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
November 17, 1975
Mrs. Susan Porter
The White House
Washington, D.C.
Dear Mrs. Porter,
Pursuant to our telephone conversation, I have reserved
The New York Hilton for Monday, March 29, 1976 for the Parsons
School of Design Critics Awards Show, at which Mrs. Ford will
receive the 1976 Parsons Award.
The tentative schedule for that evening calls for a cocktail
reception at 6 P.M., fashion show and awards presentation at 7 P.M.
and dinner dance at 8:30 P.M.
I will, of course, be in touch with your office at a later
date to discuss plans for that evening in greater detail.
Thank you for all of your wonderful cooperation.
Sincerely,
Edun. Cah
Edwin Cohen
Director of Development
LIBRARY
Parsons Award
NYC
PARSONS
SCHOOL OF DESIGN
66 FIFTH AVENUE
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10011
212/243-3910 741-5662
AFFILIATED WITH
THE NEW SCHOOL
October 17, 1975
noting on
Miss Susan Porter
will med
The White House
Washington, D.C.
Dear Miss Porter,
On October 9, Mrs. Ford met with Albert Capraro at The Waldorf
Astoria in New York. At that meeting Mrs. Ford graciously consented
to accept the 1976 Parsons Award from the Parsons School of Design,
at its Annual Critics Awards Show.
This event will be held early Spring, 1976.
Mrs. Ford asked that I write you with some suggested dates for
her consideration. We would like to schedule our 1976 Show on Tues-
day, April 20, Wednesday, March 31, or Monday, March 29.
Please let me know if any of these dates are acceptable to Mrs.
Ford, or any dates that would be more convenient for her.
I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.
Sincerely,
Colum. Cohen
Earter is april 18.
Edwin Cohen
Director of Development
66 w.12th St.
NYC.
(212)741-5662
Kay -
Jud -
fing
gram
Dear Mrs. Ford:
I just want to thank you for being so
kind and letting me do the interview.
As you know, at the-Parsons Dinner, you
were acclaimed by all my industry friends
who found your speech stimulating, honest,
and inspiring to all----young and old in
the fashion business. Thanks again. I
shall treasure the memory of my Betty Ford :
exclusive.
With warm affection
Elenic