Metropolitan Museum of Art - April 24, 2025
In April 2025, Michèle Gerber Klein spoke with writer Michael Hainey about her new book, SURREAL: The Extraordinary Life of Gala Dalí (Harper Collins) in Petrie Hall at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The lively talk, cocktail reception, and book signing was hosted by the Friends of the Costume Institute. The New York launch of this new biography by Michèle attracted a diverse and creative crowd, reflecting the vibrant art and fashion scene of New York City.
David Patrick Columbia's New York Social Diary provided full coverage of the event.
Space 428, Hudson, NY - APRIL 19, 2025
Celebrating Surreal: The Extraordinary Life Of Gala Dalí With Author Michèle Gerber Klein
Space 428 hosted cultural historian Michèle Gerber Klein for a special reception, toast, and conversation about her new book Surreal: The Extraordinary Life of Gala Dalí followed by a book signing and cocktail reception.
Quest
January 2019
New York Social Diary
“It is impossible to talk about Charles James without discussing his clothing, but one also cannot talk about the clothing without mentioning art, music, architecture, and, above all, sex.”
Black Tie International
Museum at FIT: Charles James: Portrait of an Unreasonable Man: Fame, Fashion, Art
“more than 300 people […] listened as Gerber Klein and [Dr. Valerie] Steele explored the life of America’s first grand master of fashion, Charles James – the man Christian Dior named as the inspiration for the “New Look” and Cristóbal Balenciaga called “the greatest couturier in the world”.
SCAD Virtual Lecture Hall - October 18, 2018
The Savannah College of Art and Design
October 18, 2018
"Interviewed by SCAD’s Special Projects Coordinator Carmela Spinelli, Klein is the first author to ever write about designer Charles James. The biography is certainly one-of-a-kind, as she had personal encounters with James. In the book, she highlights the man himself, who he was and the women who influenced his pieces.
"The room was captivated as she put herself in James’s shoes and recounted the troubled relationships and emotions that may have influenced his unique take on evening wear. Klein added cheeky remarks about James’s character, specifically noting his affinity for income tax evasion."
View the video at SCAD's virtual lecture hall.
Halston’s Townhouse Fetes Charles James - May 10, 2018
Resident
"Charles James was grand and under his mentor’s influence, Halston became even grander." “… Many remembered their own experiences in the house years before. All marveled at the Paul Rudolph’s famous staircases and the fireplace into which Elas Peretti famously, (in a fit of pique) flung the fur coat Halston gave her. The house was decorated with white orchids that were a Halston trademark—, another of the habits he assumed from Charles James.”
New York Rag
“A new definitive Charles James biography by Michèle Gerber Klein was celebrated on May 10th at The Halston House. Fashionistas and socialites alike gathered to purchase the first signed copies of Charles James: Portrait of an Unreasonable Man: Fame, Fashion, Art.”
New York Gossip Gal
“Gerber Klein signed copies of her book which discusses the the relationship between James and Halston, a long and complicated one, and in the words of one attendee a “rivalry”. James was grand and under his mentor’s influence Halston became even grander.”
Avenue
Black Tie International
Charles James: Portrait of an Unreasonable Man; Fame, Fashion, Art
Medium
Patch
Plush Pink Allure
Rizzoli celebration at Bouley Test Kitchen - April 11, 2018
New York Post Page Six
Publisher Rizzoli celebrated the book's publishing at a party at Bouley Test Kitchen on April 11, 2018. Guests included photographer Tina Barney, Adam Weinberg, Adelaide de Menil, R. Coury Hay, Jonah Bokaer, Amy Fine Collins, Fernanda Eberstadt, Frederick Eberstadt, Richard Johnson, Harold Koda, William Ivey Long, Valerie Steele, Karen Von Godtsenhoven and Lynn Yaeger.
New York City Opera Season Opens - March 8, 2006
The New York Sun
New York City Opera opened its Spring 2006 season with a gala dinner and performance of Frank Loesser's "The Most Happy Fella" starring Paul Sorvino in the role of Tony. The evening was a Napa Valley celebration honoring Ann Colgin of Colgin Cellars. The dinner chairwoman was Michèle Gerber Klein.