The Art of Fashion in the Hamptons

The dinner scene at the ARF beach ball.

Nine prominent fashion designers -- Tory Burch, Betsey Johnson, Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, Reed Krakoff, Ralph Lauren, Nicole Miller, Elie Tahari, and Vera Wang were 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 at Guild Hall.

Donna Karan.

The show opened to the public this weekend and was 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."

Betsey Johnson taking a bow ...

Art on loan from Guild Hall's permanent collection as well as local artists were 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.

Bill Cinningham and Donna Karan

Donna Karan and Calvin Klein

Sandra Warshawsky

Fern Mallis

Ann Washburn

Stewart Lane and Bonnie Comely

Elyse Slaine and Steven Tanger

Betsey Johnson and Sister Sally

Marla Sabo

Stan Herman and Jeffrey Banks

Elie and Rory Tahari

Reed and Delphine Krakoff

Nicole Miller

Beth Ostrosky Stern

Pamela Fiori

Photographs by Lisa Tamburini.

artCRUSH -- the Aspen Art Museum’s annual gala series including wineCRUSH, previewCRUSH, artCRUSH, and afterpartyCRUSH -- was held August 5-7. The events netted more than $1 million and turned out guests like Lance Armstrong, Kyle MacLachlen, New York collectors Jill and Jay Bernstein, Glenn Fuhrman and Amanda Steck, Eddie and Kinga Lampert, Melva Bucksbaum and Raymond Learsy, Theodor and Isabella Dalenson and many more.

The final artCRUSH gala took place on August 7, and featured the 2009 Aspen Award for Art presentation to internationally renowned American artist Fred Tomaselli. The festivities continued with a seated dinner, followed by a live auction of one-of-a-kind works hosted by Sotheby’s auctioneer Tobias Meyer, raising more than $375,000.

Following artCRUSH, guests traveled to Belly Up Aspen, the area’s premier live music venue to dance the night away with world famous Prince tribute band Purple Reign.