Narciso Rodriguez Receives the National Arts Club Medal of Honor

Narciso Rodriguez has had a banner year. During the last few months the designer has received recognition for his iconic work from both FIT and the CFDA and last night, he celebrated yet another accolade: the National Arts Club Medal of Honor. The New York establishment, which was founded in 1898, has bestowed this honor upon creatives from every field, including Allen Ginsberg, Toni Morrison, Eleanor Roosevelt, Spike Lee and Whoopi Goldberg. Rodriquez joins in a long line of writers, artists, filmmakers, actors, and designers who have have utilized their talents and their platforms in unique and profound ways. Last night’s event included cocktails and an intimate dinner party housed inside the spectacular National Arts Club building on Gramercy Park.

The dark wood interiors of the club house were glowing with Christmas decorations and Rodriguez’s friends and clients, including actress Julianna Margulies and artist Rachel Feinstein, sipped champagne and glided through each well-appointed room in their black tie dress. “The National Arts Club is a historical and magical place,” Rodriguez said during cocktails. “I was so touched that they wanted to give me the Medal of Honor. I remember coming to New York to study at Parsons, which is not far from here, and I was always in awe of this incredible building and what it stood for.” Rodriguez’s career really took off in the late ’90s when, after officially debuting his first collection in 1997, women, including stars like Sarah Jessica Parker and Claire Danes, first took notice of his exceptionally tailored, minimalist and body-flattering designs. He has certainly come a long way and he was feeling “sentimental” about that fact and about his high honor last night. “I always hoped to get a glimpse inside this building one day,” he said with a smile. “And so many years later, it’s hard to believe I’m here tonight.”