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Feb 27: FashionSpeak Fridays: Storyteller: Tales from a Fashion Insider

A half-century of American style, narrated by the legend who shaped it.


Date & Time

  • Date: Friday, February 27, 2026

  • Time: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM EST


Location

  • The National Arts Club (15 Gramercy Park South, New York, NY 10003 map)


Admission: Free to the public (RSVP required via National Arts Club)



Details:

Join us for an exclusive evening with Jeffrey Banks, the visionary designer and author of the new memoir, Storyteller: Tales from a Fashion Insider. With a career spanning over five decades, Banks has been a pivotal force in defining the American aesthetic—from his early days at Parsons to earning prestigious Coty and "Earnie" Awards.

This isn't just a fashion talk; it’s a journey through the archives of a man who designed for giants, launched the first Johnnie Walker lifestyle collection, and continues to influence the industry through his leadership at the CFDA and FIT. Banks will be joined in conversation by the legendary Teri Agins, former Wall Street Journal fashion columnist and the sharpest voice in fashion journalism.



Key Takeaways

  • The Architect of Preppy: Discover the origins of the "Ivy Style" and "Plaid" movements that Banks helped globalize through his seminal books and collections.

  • A Cross-Continental Legacy: Insight into Banks’ long-standing influence in the Japanese menswear market and his unique ability to bridge classic tailoring with modern retail (HSN).

  • Industry Grit: Rare behind-the-scenes anecdotes from the "Golden Age" of American sportswear, shared between two of the industry’s most respected veterans.

An Insider’s Tip: 

Some of the most influential moments during fashion season don’t happen on the runway—they unfold quietly in rooms like this.


Who You May Spot:

Expect to see CFDA Board members, FIT and Parsons senior faculty, and seasoned fashion critics who have followed Banks’ career since the 1970s. The room typically hosts a blend of Gramercy Park’s established residents and the industry's most respected archivists.


A Note for Our Inner Circle:

This gathering serves as the intellectual coda to the New York Fashion Week season. It attracts a demographic that values the historical architecture of fashion over transient trends.


 


 
 
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