On November 28, 1973, the history of American fashion was forever altered when a plucky crop of Yankee designers showed up Paris greatest couturiers at the legendary Grand Divertissement à Versailles --  the "Battle of Versailles."

In addition to putting American design on par with the reigning French fashion elite, the event also proved a watershed moment for black models, who were largely credited for the American success. What made our show different was that in Paris no one had ever seen a black model on a runway, said Oscar de la Renta.

The new documentary film, Versailles 73: American Runway Revolution, will bring that battle of the titans back to life when it premieres during New York Fashion Week.