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 will be featured along with artists such as Robert Wilson, Stephan Weiss and Arthur Becker in "The Art of Fashion in the Hamptons," an exhibition celebrating art and fashion and life on the East End of Long Island.

The show will open to the public on Aug. 15 and is co-curated by Pamela Fiori, editor in chief, Town & Country, and Stan Herman, designer and past president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA).

"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," said Ruth Appelhof, executive director, 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."

Art on loan from Guild Hall's permanent collection as well as local artists will be exhibited in vignettes created by each designer, all of whom have ties to the East End. This is the first collaboration of its kind and, as such, sparks with creativity.

A free reception will be held for Guild Hall members from 4 p.m to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15, with a free public viewing from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. There is a special preview on Friday, Aug. 14, for guests of Guild Hall's Summer Gala.

Vera Wang will also be featured.

In conjunction with the exhibition, on Saturday, Aug. 15 at 3 p.m., Guild Hall will be hosting a Gallery Talk and Book Signing by Guest Curator Pamela Fiori that will include many of the designers. In the fall, there will be a program designed for local high school students.

The Museum is open now thrugh 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. Closed on Tuesdays, $7 suggested admission/members free.

The exhibit runs through Oct. 12 and is made possible through the generosity of Tanger Outlets, Riverhead.

About Guild Hall
Founded more than 75 years ago, Guild Hall is the year-round visual and performing arts center wholly dedicated to serving the residents, members, families, and artists of the East End and offering them, as well as visitors and tourists, enriching experiences by presenting relevant and meaningful programs in the visual and performing arts, working in collaboration with artists, and providing a meeting place for the community. For more information and to become a member, visit www.guildhall.org.

Museum Programming is made possible in part through the generosity of Crozier Fine Arts, The de Kooning Foundation, IBM, Barbara and Richard Lane, Dorothy Lichtenstein, Lucio and Joan Noto, and Ruth Mueller.

Educational programs are made possible in large part through the generosity of Lewis B. Cullman in memory of his brother Joseph E. Cullman, III. Educational programming is also supported in part by Min-Myn and Val Schaffner, Milton and Sally Avery Arts Foundation, Bridgehampton National Bank, The Kate W. Cassidy Philanthropic Fund, Colgate-Palmolive, Suffolk County National Bank, and the New York State Education Department, Special Legislative Projects.

All programs, events, performers, ticket pricing subject to change.