Ruth Finley, a pocket-sized woman of immense determination, has been the queen of the fashion industry since the 1930s. As a young mother, Ruth created the iconic pink Fashion Calendar, a publication that continues to organize and marshal American fashion today. Featuring Bill Cunningham, Carolina Herrera, Nicole Miller, Diane von Furstenberg, and more, this joyous profile is a love letter to fashion and the extraordinary life of one remarkable woman.
This film brings me back to some of the best memories of working in fashion. I remember Fashion Week being something you didn’t want to miss, especially the runways shows, parties, and celebrity events where designers would finally reveal their newest collection they’ve spent the previous season perfecting. None of this would have been possible without a tiny powerhouse of a woman pulling all the strings behind the scenes.
When Ruth Finley created the Fashion Calendar in 1945, it became the bible of all fashion-related events in New York City. Her years of passion and devotion created a space for designers to become recognizable, eventually rising to the top of their careers. As Ruth tries to preserve the calendar and everything she’s built, she struggles to keep up with the ever-changing world, eventually stepping down from her duties.
This documentary is so beautiful and inspiring, featuring some of the most influential people in fashion such as Carolina Herrera, Ralph Lauren, Betsey Johnson, Nanette Lapore, Bill Cunningham, and more.
“Calendar Girl” will have its World Premiere at the NYC DOC Film Festival Nov. 11 – 19
