True to his gregarious ways, next week’s memorial for Arnold Scaasi will be an all-are-welcome affair with several speakers.
Billed as “A Celebration of the Life,” the gathering will be held Oct. 1 at St. Bartholomew’s Church at 4 p.m. The Montreal-born designer, who died in August at the age of 85, called New York City home for decades. Known to be a confidante and quipster to socialites and other prized clients, Scaasi staked his claim in American history by dressing five First Ladies — six, if one added Lady Bird Johnson, whom he classified in a separate category. His White House days traced back to Mamie Eisenhower, whom he first dressed in 1960.
Friends and admirers will hear from Liz Smith, Bob Morris, Barbara Taylor Bradford, Stan Herman, Joyce Brown and Marjorie Reed Gordon at the event. Simon & Schuster’s Michael Selleck, who helped Scaasi with his two books — “A Cut Above,” (Rizzoli, 1996) and “Women I Have Dressed (and Undressed!)” (Scribner, 2004) — will speak on behalf of Scaasi’s husband Parker Ladd and the designer’s longtime assistant Glendina Weste. Two other prospective speakers, the actresses Diahann Carroll and Mitzi Gaynor, “professed great love but have work schedules that prevent them from coming,” Smith said. Gordon plans to read a letter penned by Fred Sharf, who worked with Scaasi. And Smith’s salute will include words written by former First Lady Barbara Bush.
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Weste noted Thursday that the setting, St. Bartholomew’s, will be for all denominations. “Whoever wants to be there is welcome. You know how he liked a crowd,” she said.