Luncheon Honors Fashion Designer Arthur McGee 3/3/2009 7:20:39 AM
January 26, 2009: The Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art hosted a luncheon to honor fashion designer Arthur McGee celebrating his legacy as the dean of African-American fashion designers. The event was hosted by the MET with the support of the director Thomas P. Campbell, curator in Charge of The Costume Institute Harold Koda, chief audience development officer Donna Williams, Richard Baker the chairman of Lord & Taylor who sponsored the luncheon and The Defining Style Advisory Committee founded by Aziza Braithwaite Bey to recognize American fashion designers of color, was integral in planning and making this formal recognition a possibility.

Many of Arthur’s designs were on display at the luncheon and over 125 guests came to celebrate his remarkable career. Actress Cicely Tyson delivered remarks and the designer received proclamations from Governor Paterson, Mayor Bloomberg, and the New York Department of Cultural Affairs.



Dr. Aziza Braithwaite Bey, Johenetta Shearer, Arthur McGee and Maxine Gordon



Susan Taylor, Dr. Aziza Braithwaite Bey



The Advisory Committee presenting Arthur with a plaque



Iris Irby, Dr. Aziza Braithwaite Bey, James Daughtery, B. Michael, Arthur McGee, Art Lilly, Cicely Tyson, Harold Koda, Stephen Burrows.

Some Press coverage of Arthur McGee being honored at the MET:

Women’s Wear Daily – Jan. 28, 2009 Arthur McGee – With Honors: http://www.WWD.com

http://www.blackvoices.com/blogs/2009/02/03/unsung-fashion-hero-arthur-mcgee/

http://www.patrickmcmullan.com/site/event_detail.aspx?eid=28149

http://guestofaguest.com/nyc-events/the-met-honors-fashion-designer-arthur-mcgee/

http://www.wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/fashion-scoops-lily-allen-valentino-1953134#/article/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/fashion-scoops-lily-allen-valentino-1953134?page=6

The Amsterdam news www.amsterdamnews.com February 6, 2009 p 18

the following papers also covered the luncheon.
 
Women’s Wear Daily January 28, 2009
Sunday February 1, 2009 Style Section of the New York Times
Amsterdam News
Carib News
Beacon NY News