Wed 7/16 @ 5PM
Fri 7/18-8/23/26
Few under the age of about 60 remember when newspapers had “society pages,” a significant chunk of print space given over to the doings of the wealthy — debutante balls, engagements and weddings, glitzy benefits, symphony opening nights and the like. Back in the ’50s, papers used to routinely report when a prominent “society” couple was sailing for Europe for the summer. And all the major dailies had columnists on this beat who often became social stars themselves — Cleveland had its Mary Strassmeyer who passed away in 2008, long after society columns ceased to matter. It was one of a handful of areas where women dominated newspaper staffs.
One of the most famous of these 20th century journalism stars was Aileen Mehle, better know by her pen name, Suzy Knickerbocker. Her syndicated column ran all the way into the 201st century when she was in her 90s.
Now the Kent State University Museum is opening an exhibit called Sparkle: The Style and Jewelry of Aileen Mehle. It includes evening dresses and jewelry she wore to events to fit in with the wealthy people she covered. She wore clothes by such noted 20th-century designers as Pauline Trigère, Oscar de la Renta, Geoffrey Beene, Yves Saint Laurent and Givenchy, with purses by Judith Leiber and Bulgari, and jewelry by Cartier, Paloma Picasso, Tiffany & Co., and David Webb (whose work she collected; almost two dozen pieces will be included in the show). Among the 20 dresses in the show is the beaded Nilo de Paul gown she wore to Truman Capote’s legendary 1966 Black and White Ball.
“Her career as a journalist attests to her brilliant wit and driving work ethic, yet she took extraordinary care in presenting herself appropriately for the variety of social occasions she reported on,” says KSU Museum curator Sara Hume. “She is an underappreciated style icon who is finally getting her due.”
The exhibition also marks the 40th anniversary season for the KSU Museum. It opens officially on Friday July 18 and will be on view through August 23, 2026. There is a public opening reception, however, on Wednesday July 16 @ 5pm if you want an advance peek at the show.