Eleanor Lambert: The Pioneer of American fashion with work that has stood the test of time.

How a marketing agent became the first ever publicist for fashion while simultaneously earning the title 'Godmother of Fashion'.

New York, the fashion capitol of America and among the top four cities known for its heavy influence. How did it coin that term? I have always wondered if that just happened to be the place where the most fashionable people lived, or if it was the work of someone who gave it its prominence. It was none other than Eleanor Lambert. With a career spanning over 40 years, she managed to introduce the world to the importance of American Fashion.

Lambert’s eye for fashion and its representation was what prompted her to form her own

company called The New York Dress Institute as the Press Director. From there,

she would represent a number of famous designers we know of today including Valentino and Christian Dior. She would soon become the brains behind the most prominent fashion events in history.

Lambert introduced us to:

Fashion Week The Met Gala

The International Best Dressed List

Her dedication and work ethic opened the doors to a whole new world of journalism that many thought could not be possible. Her grit and determination were an inspiration to all those around her, even posthumously. I admire her ability to make fashion as influential in America as it was in Europe; It could not have been easy, but she did it anyway. Godmother of Fashion; it’s no wonder she is so deserving of the title.

Beginning of her Legacy.

I see it as destiny, the way Eleanor Lambert found herself in the industry. She was not born into fashion or glamour, but from a small town in Indiana. I always appreciate the ability of someone who comes from something so small, to redirect and become something so incredible. I think it was due to the fact that her father owned a circus; being able to attract crowds and stage a show was the origin story she never could have imagined. When she went to art school, she quickly realized that she had more of an eye for art than anything else. She worked in marketing for art galleries, and at the time the artists where never known much for their art. It was the galleries that attracted all the attention. People didn't necessarily want to see the artists, they wanted to see the ambiance. When she was scrutinized by her higher-ups for representing the artists rather than the gallery itself, she left to become the first artist publicist. One thing I noticed about Lambert was that if she couldn’t do something the way she saw fit under someone, she would do it herself.

“She didn't care a hoot about what was over, triumphs as well as defeats. And she not only wouldn't take no for an answer, she didn't hear it. Throw her out through the front door, and she'd fly back through the transom.'' Said long-time friend John Loring, senior Vice-President of Tiffany and Co.

To many, that move she made seemed naïve. It had never been done before, and on top of that, she was a woman. People didn’t take her seriously, and it was that lack of faith from others that pushed her. She had a vision, and she would not rest until she saw it through.

American Fashion is In

One of the biggest things I admire the most about Eleanor Lambert was not her ability to make America fashion forward, but by the way she did it. People only focused on Paris fashion and seldom listened to her when she saw the potential in American fashion. I love that how her plans were never to pit America against Europe, rather integrate them and appreciate the art as a whole. When Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar editors weren’t convinced with her vision, she personally called numerous magazines asking for their journalists to cover her event and sent out press releases anywhere she could. She paid out of pocket for up to 53 journalists to travel to New York, where she pampered them and gave them exclusive interviews with the designers. Those journalists were so impressed, they wrote about her event for months. That event being the highly coveted, New York Fashion Week.

“ She was determined to be the best at whatever she did, even if that meant she had to invent a new profession.” Says Lamberts only child, Bill Berkson.

I have always heard that if you do not have a passion in what you do, it will not succeed. The willingness to pave her own way to me is the utmost genuine form of passion in what you do. She was the reason why multiple publications started employing fashion journalists, a job that did not exist before her. She knew how much potential her vision had, and she took full responsibility for it.

Her Mission’s Accomplished

Eleanor Lambert left her small town in Indiana to turn New York into the fashion capitol of the world. Eleanor Lambert changed a whole perspective in her time. She never caved into the pressures of disbelief. It took her whole career for her work to be widely known and respected, and she loved every second of it. I am truly impressed that even during her final days, she still had 4 clients she was representing; she was 100 years old. Not only did she make a name for fashion in America, she supported fashion in all it’s sectors. She organized the Black Fashion support, where she had African American models, designers, and publications showcase their work. It brought recognition to a lot of young black creatives. She also raised millions of dollars with her celebrity packed fashion shows for the March of Dimes Non-profit organization that strives to prevent maternal health risks.

Lambert always wanted to help others and see them succeed. She never wanted to be the face, she was happy being behind the scenes and allowing the art to shine.

“…She was also very focused, extremely businesslike, completely dedicated. Our mission was to change the image of American fashion and we were very successful.” Said Bernice Gottlieb.

Think of any major brand name. The first one to come to mind I am sure Eleanor Lambert had a hand in its success. When looking at all the work she has done, it motivates me to do what I want to do and how I want to do it. It makes me feel like I can make the impossible possible and always find a way through a window if someone shuts the door in my face. With the beginning of my career nearing, I know that with passion, I can make magic with the work of my own hands.

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