The History of the Costume Institute

Speranza

The Christian Dior show party was described in "the New York Times as "another tedious" evening.

After that, Emily Rafferty and Annette de la Renta gave the CHAIR's role back to ANNA WINTOUR -- and the long-playing cast of SOCIETY CHARACTERS was permanently replaced by fashion high jinx and commerce, some say, to the delight of the crowd.

In years to come, Wintour's co-chairmen would include socialites

OLD (like Jayne Wrightsman)

NEW (like Mrs. David Koch)

and IN-BETWEEN (like Caroline Kennedy and Stephanie de Monaco).

More often, they would be the ruling class of the 'new' "society": fashion marketers (as some call them), like Tom Ford, Tommy Hilfiger, and Aerin Lauder) or FILM STARS like George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Nicole Kidman, and Sienna Miller.

In recognition of her success, ANNA WINTOUR was named an HONORARY TRUSTEE in 1998.

Through her importance to the Metropolitan Museum of Art was often dismissed by art lovers as 'negligible', her effect on the Met's image is INCALCULABLE.

Like fashion, the cast of characters now changes annually and grows somewhat 'less exclusive'.

The PARTY of the Year (or Anna's Party), though still a fund raiser, is now a marketing opportunity for all concerned.