Salman Rushdie’s Secret

[allenlondon]

From The Guardian.

“I was about 22 and had been invited to a fashionable party in Chelsea. I was introduced to a well-known designer, who turned and walked away. Ten minutes later, he scurried back and said: “I’m sorry I was so rude to you. You see, they told me you were Jewish.” I still remember his name but let me pretend that I’ve forgotten it.”

Salman Rushdie’s recollection from about 1969.

Any ideas who the well-known designer was?

Tks.

Allen

[dannyk13]

I doubt that it ever reached the media, so it would be difficult to discover who it was.

[Rosie29]

Sorry Allen - no. But what a story - there's always someone at the bottom of the pile isn't there.

[Mamyalynne]

Discretion is the better part of valour.

[royfromaus]

I don't know but I won't rest until I find out.

[pastafreak]

Notable American fashion designers of the time included Geoffrey Beene, Halston, Donald Brooks, who are associated with NYC.

[royfromaus]

I'm going to go with Christopher Cockerell?

[LadyCG]

Mr Rushdie should name and shame.

[dannyk13]

Pasta, would it not have been an English designer in Chelsea?

[dannyk13]

Roy, what has a hovercraft to do with fashion?

[pastafreak]

Lol!
There's a Chelsea in NYC...
I was studying at the Fashion Institute of Technology in 1969.

[dannyk13]

Pasta, could be either location then.

[royfromaus]

There's no mention of a fashion designer (and I'm still celebrating Leeds being Championship Champions)

[pastafreak]

That's true Roy, but since fashion was trendsetting and big business at the time it immediately comes to mind,

[dannyk13]

Come on the Loiners.

[MWG14]

It was all a long time ago. Leave it.

[allenlondon]

Sorry MWG (“It was all a long time ago. Leave it.”)

What, like the 2nd War?

[ladybirder]

Roy //I don't know but I won't rest until I find out.\\

I feel your pain.

[Mozz71]

Why does it matter to you who it was Allen? If Mr Rushdie wants to keep schtum about the identity of the antisemitic designer, that's his perogative. Chances are, the person is dead now, 50 years on.

[Mozz71]

Then again, the designer sounds like they have all the makings of a Labour peer. Maybe Allen should check there ;-)

[naomi24]

//I was introduced to a well-known designer, who turned and walked away. Ten minutes later, he scurried back and said: “I’m sorry I was so rude to you. You see, they told me you were Jewish.” //

I trust Mr Rushdie told him to go away and design something.

I'd be interested to know his identity.