My favorite types of influencers are the ones without social media. I am excited to be creating a blog series with Gary Kayye’s “Branding of Me” class where I will be writing about my favorite icons that were “influencers” before their time.
Deeda Blair
In continuation of my blog series on my favorite “influencers before social media,” I would like to highlight Deeda Blair. She is renowned for her sophisticated style, her worldly connections, and her numerous contributions to the art and fashion worlds, as well as her dedication to researching mental health and AIDS.
She was married to William McCormick “Bill” Blair Jr., an American diplomat who served as the United States Ambassador to Denmark. Their Manhattan home became a hub for numerous campaigns and fundraising events. She was known for her talent in entertaining guests. Together, they organized JFK’s final presidential campaign and raised funds for AIDS research during the early days of the pandemic.
Blair was particularly interested in fundraising for AIDS research due to her personal connections and commitment to public service. During the early years of the AIDS epidemic, many prominent figures in her social circle were affected by the disease, which motivated her to take action. Additionally, her background in philanthropy and her ability to organize high-profile events made her an influential advocate in raising awareness and funds for AIDS research. Her efforts helped to shine a light on the crisis at a time when it was often stigmatized and misunderstood.
Similarly, Blair’s curiosity for mental health research was struck when her son passed away by suicide in 2004. This motivated her to focus on advancing research related to the brain, leading her to serve on the boards of the Scripps Research Institute, the American Cancer Society’s Research Committee, and the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH). She then created the Deeda Blair Research Initiative for Disorders of the Brain at the FNIH in 2016. Blair now has a book, Deeda Blair: Food, Flowers & Fantasy, where she is donating all of the proceeds to her research initiative.
When she wasn’t in New York entertaining and fundraising, she was spending time abroad with other influential figures like Andy Warhol, Hubert de Givenchy, Cristóbal Balenciaga, further enriching her fashion perspective and reinforcing her status as a style icon. As a prominent figure in high society, her fashion choices often set trends among socialites, showcasing personal style as a form of self-expression. Her keen eye for color and texture encourages experimentation, while her event dressing highlights the importance of tailored pieces.
Through her philanthropic efforts, Blair has demonstrated the powerful intersection of fashion and charity. She has spent a lifetime of scientific pursuits and aesthetic taste, often reflecting on how the two intertwine.
“Well, they require the same qualities. I think I should have also said reading and learning, paying attention. In science, a key factor is intense curiosity. And in a sense, when you are choosing clothes, it has to do a little bit with curiosity—or typically, I’d say, quite a lot,” said Deeda Blair.
Anna Church 
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