Stella McCartney was given a Women’s Leadership Award in 2014, and to laud her on her special evening, the Lincoln Center chose that famous advocate of women, Jerry Seinfeld. He brought fashion designer McCartney on stage for a Q&A and asked the most important question first: “Have you seen Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, and what do you like about it?”
After soliciting some fake praise, Seinfeld moved on. “Let’s get to fashion, which is really a subject that… interests me,” he continued, winking at the audience in case they couldn’t tell that he couldn’t give a rip. “My first question about fashion is, what’s the difference what anybody wears anyway?”
“Am I supposed to answer?” wondered McCartney.
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“You’re supposed to answer,” replied Seinfeld. “I’ll be funny, you answer the question. It’s a legitimate question.”
McCartney was a good sport, managing a response about clothes reflecting one’s identity and their feelings. But Seinfeld wasn’t done ridiculing McCartney’s chosen profession. “You told me last night that you want women to feel empowered by the clothes,” he said. “What is the power that you want them to have? What power don’t they have? I would like to know what’s missing, for Christ’s sake. As far as I can see, women are crushing us with their power.”
A reminder: This was a night honoring female leadership.
Seinfeld continued his onslaught with questions like, “Why do most people look disgusting?” and “How did you land a man as elegant as your husband?” and “Why are fashion models so angry?”
McCartney did her best in the face of such ridiculousness, although at points she threw up her hands with a “What am I supposed to say to that?”
After 20 minutes of Seinfeld telling McCartney that she was in a ridiculous business that he thought was bullshit, he announced its was time to bestow the Women’s Leadership Award. To do the honors, he introduced the honoree’s father, Sir Paul McCartney.
McCartney emerged from the audience, but before he handed Stella the trophy, he had a few words for the evening’s master of ceremonies.
“We used to be friends with the Seinfelds,” McCartney told the audience, “but after tonight, I’m not so sure. You grilled my daughter.”
“We were trying to have a little fun,” Seinfeld squirmed. “That’s why you hire a comedian.”
“But Jerry, it wasn’t all fun,” McCartney said.
“No,” Seinfeld replied. “Nothing ever is.”
A visibly irritated Sir Paul nearly continued his rebuke. “Now, listen,” he said. “You…” But then he appeared to think better of it, realizing he and Jerry were becoming the focus of Stella’s big night. “Back to Stella,” he said, launching into a tribute to his daughter’s talent.
Stella accepted the award while acknowledging the awkward elephant in the room. “My God, this is so weird,” she told the crowd. “This is the weirdest thing ever.”
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