Anna Wintour’s 60 Minutes interview – I guess the most revealing moment of this one-on-one with the 59-year-old editor of American Vogue is that she removed her signature shades to talk with Morley Safer. I see Wintour’s “decisiveness” as her strength in the fashion industry; others may hate her for it. But there it is. I found Wintour’s “60 Minutes” interview funny. Can’t wait for the full-length documentary. Cuddle up with the Valentino doc.
Update: Embedded video of CBS 60 Minutes interview was replaced because it played every time you visited eclectique|916 – very distracting especially for future posts. Try this link instead: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5021207n

FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA TAKES MANHATTAN – CUTS THE RIBBON FOR THE NEW AMERICAN WING AT THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART (NYC)

The arts are not just a nice thing to have or to do if there is free time or if one can afford it. Rather, paintings and poetry, music and fashion, design and dialogue, they all define who we are as a people and provide an account of our history for the next generation.

Mrs. Obama’s remarks also included a nod to Rocco Landesman who was nominated to the chairmanship for the National Endowment for the Arts:

The President recently nominated renowned theater producer Rocco Landesman to chair the National Endowment for the Arts. Rocco’s entrepreneurial spirit and his commitment to being a bridge between the philanthropic, non-profit and commercial arts community will ensure that all types of art and creative expression are provided fertile ground to live and to grow.

Mrs. Obama wore a purple wool and silk coat and sheath designed by Isaac Mizrahi (pre-fall collection) for the ribbon cutting.
Full transcript available at WhiteHouse.gov.

The First Lady also attended American Ballet Theatre’s Opening Spring Gala (May 18) and introduced the students of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School. [Note: Anna Wintour was in attendance.] Some interesting pics and catty chatter available on the Daily Mail – UK.

Associated Press
Associated Press
For the evening event, the First Lady wore a signature sleeveless black gown designed by Azzedine Alaia with an accompanying Thakoon jacket. Michelle wore Alaia to the NATO dinner in April. It is said Alaia, a favorite with models, made a sober request of the muses attending the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute’s “Model as Muse” exhibit gala earlier this month. He asked that they not wear his designs to the party because his work was not included in the exhibit. Naturally, Naomi Campbell (the designer’s muse) obliged and refused to attend the May 4th event altogether; other models followed. “The Model as Muse” exhibit is curated by Harold Koda; the gala is organized by Anna Wintour.

Arts Grants from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities
Deadline is June 19, 2009. Grants available for individuals and organizations. Visit www.dcarts.dc.gov for guidelines and applications.

WHY STARVING ARTISTS AND OTHER POOR SOULS PAY MORE
You have to be rich to be poor in this town. DeNeen L. Brown of The Washington Post lays out the high cost of being poor. An article definitely work checking out on Washington Post.com.


STEP AFRIKA’s 15th Anniversary Home Performance Series (May 27 – 31)
When Step Afrika founder C. Brian Williams tells you he’s going to Vegas, you can be sure not everything’s going to stay in Vegas. Brian told me he was going to check out Cirque de Soleil while in Vegas. Not only did he check it out, he’s bringing one of its performers, Jason Nious from “Ka”, as a guest artist to the Atlas Performing Arts Center here in DC. Step Afrika invites you to walk the orange carpet May 27 – 31, 2009. Tickets on sale now.

AND I’M TELLIN’ YOU….
Edward “Ted” Kennedy is not going anywhere. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced today that the Massachusett Senator’s cancer is in remission. He is expected to return to work fulltime in June. That’s great news. Over the past week PBS has been airing the new trailer — a 20 second apocalyptic requiem — for the re-broadcast of the “The Kennedys” on the “American Experience” series. See for yourself and the rest of the documentary mini-series. It’s very good.
Link to The American Experience – The Kennedys

Update: [Unfortunately] According to this CBS News link, Senator Kennedy is still battling cancer, but in true Kennedy form, will return to work. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s office says Senator Reid “misspoke” about Kennedy’s condition. I guess it’s back to the “American Experience” trailer.