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February 6, 2008 8:16 pm
Part of Kenneth Paul Block’s charm lies in his exasperation with the times he lives in. At Bergdorf Goodman’s party for the bespectacled, ascot-wearing illustrator last night in honor of his upcoming book, “Drawing Fashion: The Art of Kenneth Paul Block” (Pointed Leaf Press), he told us, “My great regret is not working in the 1930’s, an era I find far more amusing. There were people of enormous style then, like the Duchess of Windsor.” Though the Duchess was impossibly elegant, we asked if there is anyone comparable today. “Not that I know of; that world is finished. God knows!” For over 50 years, Block was the premiere fashion illustrator for Women’s Wear Daily and W, living the high life and sketching luminaries such as Gloria Vanderbilt (who was in attendance last night), Pat Buckley, Nan Kempner, et al. At the end of the night, he presented us with one last pearl of wisdom: “Mrs. Vreeland said there were three fittings for a nightgown. I don’t think that happens now.” Not so much, no.
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