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.

Miller has stated "Weekends in The Hamptons recharge and invigorate me." She chose the largest artwork on display in a vignette, "Ocean Field II" (2009), oil on linen, by Clifford Smith,
(Courtesy of Spanierman Modern).
Photo of Nicole Miller by Andrea Aurichio

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.

“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."

See the entire article on Hamptons.com website.

View Clifford Smith's works in inventory at Spanierman

As well as,

Clifford Smith Biography/CV

Past Clifford Smith exhibitions at Spanierman Modern

Clifford Smith catalogue