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Lot 1001
A HILARY KNIGHT COLLAGE PORTRAIT OF D.D. RYAN, "THE GODMOTHER OF ELOISE." Hand-tinted cut Richard Avedon photograph with cloth snood,
6 – 13 December 2018, 10:00 EST
New YorkSold for US$500 inc. premium
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A HILARY KNIGHT COLLAGE PORTRAIT OF D.D. RYAN, "THE GODMOTHER OF ELOISE."
Hand-tinted cut Richard Avedon photograph with cloth snood, gold-painted decorative wooden tondo, metal corners and rhinestones mounted on board, 440 x 410 mm, minor wear.
D. D. Dixon (later Ryan) knew both Kay Thompson and Hilary Knight when she suggested they collaborate on a book about the six-year-old named Eloise. Ms. Thompson had invented the voice of a child as an amusing diversion for her friends. The New York Times called Ms. Ryan the "fashionable godmother to 'Eloise'" in her obituary. "The book would never have existed without D. D.," Mr. Knight told the Times. "Never. [Kay] would have just dropped it and gone to something else." He did not finally meet the performer until Ms. Dixon suggested he see Ms. Thompson in action in the Persian Room of The Plaza Hotel. Afterward the two began in earnest on Eloise. Ms. Ryan also worked for Diana Vreeland of Vogue and fashion designer Halston, as well as designed the costumes for the original production of Steven Sondheim's musical, Company (1970). "D. D. was unique in that she was completely her own person," Mr. Knight recalls. "She designed all her own clothes and was a great networker. She loved putting people together. She did not rely on anyone else."
D. D. Dixon (later Ryan) knew both Kay Thompson and Hilary Knight when she suggested they collaborate on a book about the six-year-old named Eloise. Ms. Thompson had invented the voice of a child as an amusing diversion for her friends. The New York Times called Ms. Ryan the "fashionable godmother to 'Eloise'" in her obituary. "The book would never have existed without D. D.," Mr. Knight told the Times. "Never. [Kay] would have just dropped it and gone to something else." He did not finally meet the performer until Ms. Dixon suggested he see Ms. Thompson in action in the Persian Room of The Plaza Hotel. Afterward the two began in earnest on Eloise. Ms. Ryan also worked for Diana Vreeland of Vogue and fashion designer Halston, as well as designed the costumes for the original production of Steven Sondheim's musical, Company (1970). "D. D. was unique in that she was completely her own person," Mr. Knight recalls. "She designed all her own clothes and was a great networker. She loved putting people together. She did not rely on anyone else."