Eleanor Lambert: Met Gala Founder and Fashion Icon

Eleanor Lambert, born in 1903 in Crawfordsville, Indiana, transformed the landscape of American fashion and culture. A trailblazer with a sharp eye for art and style, she elevated New York into a global fashion capital. From founding the Met Gala to launching New York Fashion Week, Lambert legacy endures in the glamour of modern fashion.

Early Life and Artistic Roots

Lambert grew up in a modest Presbyterian family, her father leaving to join the circus. To support herself, she cooked for local college students and wrote shopping columns for newspapers. Her passion for art led her to study at the John Herron School of Art in Indianapolis and the Art Institute of Chicago. Initially dreaming of becoming a sculptor, she soon realized her talent lay in appreciating art rather than creating it. In 1925, at age 22, she moved to New York City, where her career began to take shape.

A Shift to Public Relations

In New York, Lambert started at an advertising agency, promoting artists and galleries. Her knack for publicity caught the attention of the art world, where she worked as the first press director for the Whitney Museum and helped establish the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). She also co-founded the Art Dealers Association of America, representing artists like Jackson Pollock and Salvador Dalí. Her work bridged art and commerce, setting the stage for her pivot to fashion.

Revolutionizing American Fashion

In 1932, designer Adele Simpson hired Lambert for publicity, thrusting her into the fashion world. At the time, Paris dominated global style, and American designers struggled for recognition. Lambert saw an opportunity. During World War II, with French fashion inaccessible, she launched initiatives to spotlight American talent, reshaping the industry.

Creating New York Fashion Week

In 1943, Lambert organized the first New York Fashion Week, then called Press Week. The event showcased American designers like Claire McCardell and Norman Norell, drawing attention away from Paris. Her strategic vision gave U.S. designers a platform, cementing New York as a fashion hub. Today, NYFW remains a cornerstone of the global fashion calendar.

Founding the Met Gala

In 1948, after the Museum of Costume Art merged with the Metropolitan Museum of Art to form the Costume Institute, Lambert created the Met Gala. Initially a midnight supper called the Party of the Year, it raised funds for the Costume Institute with $50 tickets. Held at venues like the Waldorf Astoria, the event was an intimate gathering of New York elite. Under Lambert guidance, it laid the foundation for what would become fashion most glamorous night.

Other Landmark Achievements

Lambert influence extended beyond the Met Gala and NYFW. In 1940, she launched the International Best Dressed List, a prestigious ranking of stylish individuals that included figures like Jackie Kennedy. She formalized it with a committee, later passing it to Vanity Fair in 2003. In 1962, she founded the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), nurturing emerging talent and establishing the CFDA Awards. Her work with designers like Halston, Bill Blass, and Calvin Klein elevated American fashion globally.

A Legacy of Innovation

Lambert was a pioneer in diversity, being among the first to hire Black models for fashion shows and champion Black designers. She also organized fashion shows for the March of Dimes, raising millions, and advised Truman Capote on his iconic 1966 Black and White Ball. Her ability to connect art, fashion, and culture was unmatched.

In 1965, President Lyndon Johnson appointed her to the National Council on the Arts, recognizing her cultural impact. The CFDA honored her with the Eleanor Lambert Award in 2001, celebrating her contributions. Until her death in 2003 at age 100, she remained a towering figure in fashion.

Lambert vision turned fashion into a cultural force. The Met Gala, now a star-studded event raising millions, reflects her belief in fashion as art. NYFW continues to showcase new talent, and the CFDA supports designers worldwide. Her legacy is a reminder that one person bold ideas can redefine an industry.

From a small-town dreamer to the empress of New York fashion, Eleanor Lambert story is one of ambition, creativity, and lasting impact. Her work continues to inspire designers, publicists, and fashion lovers everywhere.