Dec. 13, 2017

Arizona Costume Institute Holiday Luncheon

The Arizona Costume Institute Holiday Luncheon has become a can’t-miss Valley tradition. This year’s event, chaired by Libby Cohen, packed Phoenix Art Museum’s Steele Gallery on Dec. 4.

The featured speaker, the highly acclaimed New York costume designer, stylist and fashion designer Patricia Field entertained the crowd with her high energy.

Field is a native of New York and one of fashion’s greatest visionaries whose multi-faceted career has spanned more than five decades. She has received widespread critical praise for her pioneering vision of style, a fashion philosophy that values eclecticism, creative expression and an understanding of oneself over the chasing of trends. She is the award-winning costume designer for Sex and the City, The Devil Wears Prada and Ugly Betty. In 1966, she established her eponymous boutique that operated for 50 years in New York City. In 2016, Field created an online shop at patriciafield.com that continues to bring her creations to fans around the world. She is currently the costume consultant on the TV Land series Younger.

Field started her presentation by congratulating the large audience for its great sense of style and elegance. The stylist shared childhood reminiscences as well as her best fashion career memories collected over the years working with renowned actresses such as Meryl Streep, Sarah Jessica Parker, Anne Hathaway and many more. Field also shared the full story behind the iconic “Carrie Bradshaw tutu.” The tutu that Sarah Jessica Parker so famously wore during the opening credits of Sex and the City was a chance find from a bargain bucket, revealed Patricia Field. It cost just five dollars. Field finally offered practical tips on dressing essentials.

The presenting sponsor of the luncheon was Chrissy Sayare, owner of To Be Continued in Scottsdale, who graciously donated a $50 gift card to each attendee.

All proceeds from the 2017 ACI Holiday Luncheon enhance the objectives and goals set forth by ACI in support of the fashion design department at Phoenix Art Museum. Fashion design exhibitions and various programs at the museum will benefit from the funds.

PHOTOS BY HAUTE PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY

Angela Keller and Lauri Termansen; Dr. Katalin Festy-Sandor and Ronna Beeson

Luba Burns, ACI president; Patricia Field, event speaker; Dennita Sewell, The Jacquie Dorrance Curator of Fashion Design; and Libby Cohen, event chair