Curated Texan Hosts: A Luncheon About The Making Of An American Style Icon, As Jeffrey Banks Reveals His Untold Stories

At A Special Curated Texan Gathering, The Designer Reflects On Five Decades In Fashion, The Mentors Who Shaped Him & The Intimate Memories That Fill His New Book, Storyteller

Photography by Emma Horn

Jeffrey Banks has spent over five decades shaping the landscape of American design, leaving his impact as a designer, author, and style icon. Just released, Banks’ new novel, Storyteller: Tales from a Fashion Insider, invites readers deeper into his world, weaving together personal history and intimate stories about designing for celebrities and working alongside fashion prodigies.

At a recent book launch and signing luncheon celebrating his upcoming novel Storyteller (from Pointed Leaf Press), Banks sat down with Curated Texan’s own Lance Avery Morgan for a candid conversation to discuss everything from early days working alongside legends such as Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein to the sources of inspiration that continue to shape his work. Hosted by Peter Martino, Forrest Preece, Linda Ball, Rob Giardinelli, and Nina Means, the luncheon at The Headliners Club, with almost 50 attendees, with floral decor generously provided by David Kurio Designs, featured a chat, book signing, and a delicious meal. It was a tremendous success, as our fashion follower Callie Gormley shares some highlights from the chic gathering. 

Raised in Washington, D.C., Banks credits his mother, a “stylish woman who loved clothes,” as his first fashion influence. Her sharp eye and insistence that her children dress well for every occasion sparked his early fascination with presentation, attention to detail, and personal style. Banks’ deep admiration for her endures, as Storyteller is dedicated to his mother, who is turning 105 this year and still insists on making sure her nails are done. He fondly recalls his mother wearing gloves to work daily, even purchasing identical pairs so she could change them throughout the day, believing that the most cardinal sin a woman could commit was wearing soiled gloves. She held herself to a higher standard, as does Banks.

From his mother’s influence, Banks’ own creative journey took shape early. By the age of 13, he had curated a list of the top 10 people he wanted to meet by age 23, an ambition he joked was hardly normal behavior for a typical teenager. He went on to meet seven of them, a testament to his determination and early immersion into the world of fashion. He reflects that much of his inspiration, however, came from Britches, a menswear store in Georgetown known as a hallmark of classic American style. By 15, Banks was not only Britches’ youngest customer but their youngest employee, hired after impressing the manager during a brief interaction. He recalls it as the most fun he ever had, saying it was “such a thrill to help a guy who didn’t know how to put a shirt and tie together look great”.

Authenticity is what sets Jeffrey Banks apart. The relationships that he discusses in his book are real, not mere name-drops. One of the most meaningful is his relationship with Ralph Lauren, who would become both a mentor and a lifelong friend. Banks first met Lauren, then a designer at a small but quickly growing company, when he visited Washington, D.C., for a charity fashion show. Through his job at Britches, Banks was allowed to pick up Ralph Lauren and his VP of sales from the airport. He charmed Lauren with his enthusiasm and ambition for his future in fashion, prompting the designer to say, “When you come to New York for college, give me a call. I might have a job for you.” Banks admitted that this sentence kept him motivated for an entire year.

A year later, when Banks was in New York with his mother, touring schools, he seized the opportunity to interview with Ralph Lauren. He vividly remembers arriving for the interview and, by coincidence, running into Bobby Short in the lobby while he was picking up a suit for an upcoming performance. Banks went on to work for Ralph Lauren for several years while attending fashion school, gaining invaluable experience that shaped not only his understanding of style but also the discipline and craftsmanship that would define his career.

After switching from Pratt School of Design to Parsons, Banks’ school hours were increasingly demanding, making it impossible to balance both coursework and his job. Determined to obtain a college degree, Banks made the difficult decision to step back from working and focus on his education. Not long after, however, Banks received an offer from Calvin Klein for a position that allowed him to work around his class schedule. As a gift for Klein on his first day, Banks made him a shirt with Klein’s name silk-pressed onto the sleeve.

Though Klein appreciated the gesture, he dismissed the idea of wearing his own name on a shirt. His business partner, however, immediately recognized its potential. The night before a fashion show, Banks printed Calvin Klein across the front of shirts in every color and gave them to the sales staff to wear during the event. After the show, demand for the shirts inspired by Banks’ idea exploded, and the rest was history.

Banks’ formative years working alongside Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein, stories he shares in Storyteller, proved foundational to the designer he has ultimately become. Those experiences taught him the value of mentorship, curiosity, and the absorption of wisdom and inspiration wherever they appear. The insights he gained during those years helped propel a remarkable career that has led Banks to earn CFDA honors, author numerous books, and become the youngest designer to win the prestigious Coty Award. As Banks himself reflects, “the greatest gift I ever got was getting to work for Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein and getting to learn what I learned”.

Throughout his career, Banks has seen fashion evolve from authentic and designer-driven to the present, which is influenced by social media and influencers. He reveals, “fashion has become much more democratic,” which he believes is a good thing. Banks does, however, advocate for a renewed appreciation for dressing with polish and panache.

Storyteller offers a vivid, intimate look at the experiences that shaped Jeffrey Banks. Through personal anecdotes and reflections on his most pivotal relationships, Banks reveals how curiosity, resilience, and genuine connections have fueled his success. For readers eager to understand the depth of his journey and the extraordinary people who helped define it, Storyteller is an exciting invitation into the world of a designer whose life is as thoughtfully crafted as his work.

To acquire the must-have Jeffrey Banks’ Storyteller book, visit here.