| The exciting world of Social Media brought me to Jeffrey Banks. I have, of course, admired his work forever, first and still as a designer and then and now as an author. I got to Jeffrey through Facebook accounts from our mutual friend, the multi-talented, Michael Vollbracht who I did have the pleasure of knowing and working with…I did a blog post recently just following his untimely death. I am posting this Profile of Jeffrey, who graciously agree to do my nenasnotes questionnaire, on the day of Michael’s Memorial Service in New York. | 
|
Michael Vollbracht’s delightful work as a student at Parson’s where he won the Norman Norell Award, Mr. Norell was not able to present the award instead it was presented by Bill Blass who became a lifelong friend of Michael’s and who designed the Blass Collection after Mr. Blass’ death. I bet they are now very busy designing the robes for the angels!
Last week Jeffrey delighted my nenasnotes The Fashion Book Club group, via conference call, with reminiscences of the unsurpassed designer Norman Norell as recounted in Jeffrey’s exquisite book NORELL: Master of American Design. Jeffrey’s books are as well done as his design work, all perfection. Thank you, Jeffrey Banks, for joining my blogging adventure and for sharing your insight into the world of fashion via your exceptional books…you can be sure I will call upon you to chat again in the very near future to discuss another of your books….let’s see which one shall be next….stay tuned!! Want to hear more about this unique creator…read on in Jeffrey’s own words…… |
|
 WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB
My first job was at age 15 selling Men’s clothing at Britches of Georgetown . I loved it and on my very first day sold more than any of the seasoned professional salesman did combined.
BRIEFLY DESCRIBE YOUR MOST RECENT OCCUPATION
Unfortunately, it seems to be planning memorial services for friends.
WHEN DID YOU DISCOVER YOUR FIRST IMPRESSION OF YOUR TALENT
I always loved to draw, and at a very young age thought that I might become an artist. That was until I found out that most of the artists that I admired did not achieve success or fame during their lifetimes, so at the tender age of 10 I decided to become a designer. The reasoning being that I would know rather instantly whether the things that I designed had struck a cord with the public….or not!
 WHEN DID YOU KNOW YOU HAD “MADE IT”
I think it was the day after the night I won my first Coty Award and I was with my Mother at Bergdorf’s on the up escalator and two guys were going down on the down escalator and I heard them say as we sailed passed …” Oh look, there’s designer, Jeffrey Banks!”
 Coty Award winner 1982
   HOW YOUR ORIGINAL PASSION BROUGHT YOU TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW
I feel so lucky that my original passion for fashion has allowed me to make a living, branch out to books, go on television, teach, and meet so many of the people I most admired in the world. I feel very fortunate.
     All in Norman Norell…..Lynn Revson one of the biggest collectors of Norell.
   WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN YOUR ALTERNATE CHOICE AS A CAREER….WAS THERE ONE
There really wasn’t an alternate choice at the time. But, as I love photography so much, I would have to say, Art Director.
YOUR FAVORITE BOOK, MOVIE, THEATER (LEGIT, MUSICALS), BALLET, OPERA, SYMPHONY, TYPE OF MUSIC YOU LIKE TO LISTEN TO, LOCAL RESTAURANT
Favorite Book : A Private View by Irene Mayer Selznick ( a great read on early Hollywood by Louis B. Mayer’s daughter )
Favorite Movie: Funny Face ( it’s got it all : Fashion, Paris, Fred Astaire, Audrey Hepburn, Givenchy, Gershwin, Avedon)…who could ask for anything more ?
Theater: Anything Sondheim !
Ballet: Anything Balanchine !
Opera: Anything Directed by Bartlett Sher
I love show tunes , Streisand, and Adele
My favorite restaurant is Union Square Cafe
HOME….MODERN, TRADITIONAL, ANTIQUES (WHAT ERA) ECLECTIC
Mostly modern, clean white with some antiques in bleached pine. I work with color all day long so I need an absence of color at home,
WHO WOULD YOU HAVE AT YOUR FANTASY DINNER AND WHAT WOULD YOU SERVE
Fred Astaire, George Gershwin, Michelle and Barack Obama, Audrey Hepburn and Rob Wolders, Hubert de Givenchy, Bruce Weber, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Jeffrey Banks, Diahann Carroll would be the guests.
I would serve my Risotto with Carmelized Onions and Figs with a side salad of Heirloom Tomatoes with a Shallot, Dijon Mustard, and Honey Vinaigrette (see recipe below). For Starters: Baked Brie with Honey, Brandy and Walnuts. For dessert, Assorted Gelatos
|
|||
|
|
|
FAVORITE VACATION SPOT VISITED AND/OR ON YOUR GO TO LIST
London, is my favorite city after NY and I love Italy, especially Florence, Tuscany and Venice. Love to discover (and re-discover) great museums and try new restaurants.In London, Theater and Shopping is everything for me!
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING MOST IN YOUR FREE TIME? FAVORITE WORK OF PUBLIC ART
I LOVE to read (books and magazines ) especially biographies. I love going through The Metropolitan Museum and The Frick Collection here in NY.
HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED As a kind person, loyal to his friends.
THANK YOU AND BRAVO JEFFREY BANKS, BRAVO!
ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF JEFFREY BANKS WITH EXCEPTION OF THE BOOK COVERS, TAKEN FROM GOOGLE PHOTOS.
Jeffrey’s favorite link and blogs:
Instagram
YouTube Videos
|
|||
| ELEANOR BANKS’ MEATLOAF | Ingredients: |
1 lb Ground Chuck 1/2 lb Pork Sausage 1 Medium Small Onion (chopped finely) 1/2 Green Pepper (chopped finely) 2-3 Spines of Celery (chopped finely) 3/4 cup Bread Crumbs Salt & Pepper to Taste Celery Salt 2 Cans Hunts Tomato Sauce Combine all ingredients mix very well with 1 can of tomato sauce. Shape loaf in lightly greased Pyrex pan. Take other can of tomato sauce and mix with 1/2 can water and set aside. Place loaf in pre-heated oven set at 350 degrees for 1/2 hour. After 1/2 hour reduce heat to 325 and bake loaf for additional 40 minutes. Pour off excess fat and baste with tomato sauce that was set aside. |
|
| JEFFREY BANKS’ HONEY, SHALLOT, DIJON MUSTARD VINAIGRETTE | 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil | 1/8 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard 1 1/2 teaspoons honey 1 large shallot, finely chopped 3/4 teaspoon Kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
|
I must begin this review by saying I am most certainly not a fan of the current Russian regime, in fact I am appalled by it. I was fortunate to visit this extraordinary country and meet its gracious people in 2002 (I will do blog posts on the amazing trip in the future) when it was just learning to embrace its new “freedom” from Communism, well, I’m afraid, that was short lived. Since I’m not a political commentator nor do I like to express negativity in my posts, I shall not bore you with my opinions on how I feel about the Russian government and its involvement in our affairs, but rather turn to the grandeur of the Romanov’s in the 19th century and their ultimate demise.
1938 caddying for all the top players in the PGA, my Father, Ivon (that was his signature on his artwork and what everyone called him) in his glory. Next to Ruthy and Nena, his wife and daughter….it was his life and he excelled at it, but then he was a natural born athlete. Being the daughter, and only child of a major jock, I learned at a very early age if I wanted to spend special time with my Daddy, I needed to love sports as well. I can assure you I have no athletic prowess what so ever but do love to attend or watch sporting events, especially football (my favorite) and golf….I spent many hours walking golf courses as well as going to see the Bears and Cubs, with him, we were “North Siders” after all!!!!. As much as he loved playing he never wasn’t there for his family. He would play early matches and be home early….he even played with colored balls in the winter. We would stop at the golf range to hit a few buckets of balls on weekends, it was across the street from Indian Boundery Park, we were there all the time. In addition, I went with him to play the Evanston Community Course, now 
A mocked up photo (I can’t imagine what he would have done with today’s technology)….fooling around while taking the sport very seriously, same year 1938.
A couple of trophies I found at 
And here with some of his chums, circa mid-1940’s….love the cap (not really) and not my favorite photo of him….but here you see one of his trophies. They were stunners. Many sterling, some silver plate, all engraved. One of our housekeepers decided she liked them so much she decided to take them! Sad but true….at least I can picture them in my mind. 
A bit of golf history…it seems it’s origin is China, not Scotland, although it is most certainly the Scots who can lay claim to it’s popularity.
Love this by Norman Rockwell. 
All the photos of Ivon from my scrapbooks all others unless, otherwise noted, found on Pinterest photo credits unknown.
No this post isn’t about tiny Coalport, Meissen or other small collectibles (I can do that later) but rather actual tiny houses!!!! Yes, ones you live in. Full disclosure, I already live in a tiny house…what you say, “I thought you live in a high rise condo”, true but it is 700 square feet…so I am qualified to discuss the subject…just saying! As a child I adored my doll house and, of course, spent many hours making many log cabins with my Lincoln Logs with Daddy.
But I envision something more Pygmalion or actually Beaton’s My Fair Lady decor… 
If truth were told I would love to retrofit a Vintage Airstream….some thoughts…
Too much…in my mind never….and I would have to consider where to house ALL my books.
How I see my caravan in its pastoral setting….I can dream can’t I…..
I wanted to talk about a designer I’m sure isn’t familiar to many of you, unless, of course you obsessed over the exquisite gown Rihanna wore to the 2015 Met Gala, China: Through The Looking Glass…that designer is GUO PEI. Based in China, her Haute Couture collections in Paris are always beyond spectacular. Often compared to Alexander McQueen and John Galliano she shows pieces that are, in my opinion, works of art.
In the Met exhibition, China: Through The Looking Glass.
The designer in her Salon. I suggest we all keep our eyes out for what is next for GUO PEI! I personally can’t wait!!!!
Photo by Rachel McGinn taken in Philadelphia
Looking for vintage pieces at the Madison Bouckville Antique Show in Bouckville, New York.
A portion of the finale.