East Hampton - Nine of America's most prominent fashion designers, including Tory Burch, Betsey Johnson, Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, Reed Krakoff, Ralph Lauren, Nicole Miller, Elie Tahari, and Vera Wang, took their hand at crafting vignettes incorporating the art of equally celebrated prominent artists for the fashion-forward Guild Hall exhibition 'The Art of Fashion in The Hamptons.' Highly associated as spearheading the trends of both fashion and art in the Hamptons, the pairings of the designers and artists made for a who's who of high style and creativity at Friday night's opening reception.


Co-curated by Pamela Fiori, Editor-in-Chief of Town & Country, and Stan Herman, designer and past president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), the opening night program featured the opportunity for each designer to discuss their concept and the significance and influence the artist of choice played in their fanciful and provocative vignettes. The artwork featured is on loan from Guild Hall's permanent collection, as well as local artists work chosen by the designers.


This is the first collaboration of its kind and, hopefully, will become an annual event, as all the vignettes were infused with the sophistication of fashion and its relationship to the more abstract elements offered in the chosen artwork. Together, they created a charged visual communication that transcended fabric and paint.

Photo of Donna Karan by Andrea Aurichio

"The exhibition uses both art and fashion to depict how for decades the Hamptons have attracted and nurtured artists, designers, society mavens, as well as ordinary folks, from the locals to weekend renters," stated Ruth Appelhof, executive director of Guild Hall. "While some come seeking inspiration from the light, and others are rejuvenated by the social life, the magical lure of the East End endures. This exhibition pays homage to the diversity of art and fashion that co-exists here."


In addition to the vignettes by the designers, Town & Country displayed a number of covers relative to the area spanning from 1907 to the present. As stated by Fiori "The Hamptons have played a large and continuing role in the history of the magazine, ever since the area became known as a resort in the 1870s."

Photo of Nicole Miller by Andrea Aurichio

On Saturday, Aug. 15 Guild Hall also hosted a Gallery Talk and Book Signing by Fiori that included many of the designers. Additionally, in the fall, there will be a program designed for local high school students.

The show opened to the public on Aug. 15 and runs through Oct. 12, and has been made possible through the generosity of Tanger Outlets, Riverhead. The exhibition designer is Peter Tolin Baker.

The vignettes truly reflect the individual styles each designer is known and admired for, and without exception, each seemed to chose not only an interesting and thematic work of art, but also maintained the individuality in their choices that each is known for with their designs.

Photo of Tory Burch courtesy of Google Images

Following Friday's preview there was a cocktail reception and dinner held at the estate of Tony Ingrao and Randy Kemper, where a silent auction included portrait sessions by Ryan McGinley, Mickalene Thomas, David Armstrong, Todd Eberle, and Patrick McMullan; a luncheon with one of the designers; a pair of Yankee tickets; a limited edition garden tote from Coach; and fashion tickets to the shows of Burch, Karan, Lauren, Miller, Tahari, Diane Von Furstenberg and the IMG fashion show at Bryant Park.


A live auction was held during the dinner conducted by Simon de Pury, as well as dancing and live music by Peter Duchin and his orchestra.

Pamela Fiori, Co-Curator, Editor-in-Chief Town & Country.

The evening's honoree was Marjorie F. Chester, well-known philanthropist and collector, who generously contributed to the construction of the Boots
Lamb Education Center at Guild Hall. Some of those in attendance included one of the evening's sponsors Steven Tanger with Elyse Slaine (wearing Donna Karan), Beth Ostrosky-Stern (wearing Michael Kors), Janna Bullock, Stuart Lane and Bonnie Comley, Liam McMullan and Aesha Waks, Anne Washburn, Jeffrey Banks, and seen snapping away all evening was legendary New York Times style photographer Bill Cunningham.

Both Fiori and Herman are to be commended for an absolutely delightful, beautiful and clever concept brought to fruition at Guild Hall. According to Herman "This could never have happened in New York City. It would just be too diffcult, so it's been a pleasure to be able to have this event here on the East End."

Co-Curator Stan Herman, Former President of (CFDA).

Special thanks from the East End community should also be extended to Guild Hall and all those who made this event possible. With a large crowd (over 250) at Friday's preivew, the entire evening was a treat for the eyes, or as the always charming Barbara Jo Howard, Director of Marketing for Guild Hall, quipped "When putting this together the first question absolutely everyone asked was 'What should I wear?'"

So if you have any interest in fashion, design, art, or the particular works of any of these talented designers and artists represented in this exhibition, The Art of Fashion in The Hamptons was the place to see and be seen, no matter what you were wearing.

The Museum is open now through Labor Day (Sept. 7). Open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, from 12 noon to 5 p.m., and closed on Tuesdays, $7 suggested admission/members free.