PHOENIX (March 31, 2026) – On April 15, 2026, Phoenix Art Museum (PhxArt) will present its newest fashion exhibition Colorwear: A Kaleidoscope of Fashion. The exhibition commemorates the 60th anniversary of Phoenix Art Museum’s fashion collection by presenting a chromatic celebration of colorful ensembles and whimsical accessories. Arranged across a runway of vibrant hues, this exhibition reveals how North American and European designers including Hubert de Givenchy, Olivier Lapidus, Tina Leser, and Giorgio di Sant’Angelo have used color as a source of inspiration. In addition to luscious gowns and sparkling dresses, the exhibition features some of the smallest and most extraordinary objects in the Museum’s fashion holdings, such as Judith Leiber pillboxes encased in multihued crystals, psychedelic scarves, and shoes that evoke the golden tones of an Egyptian burial or the bold explosion of graffiti paint. From couture to ready-to-wear, Colorwear immerses you in the power of color as storytelling, mood, and creative expression. Colorwear: A Kaleidoscope of Fashion will be on view at PhxArt from April 15, 2026 through August 15, 2027 in the Kelly Ellman Fashion Galleries.

This riotous celebration of color continues throughout the year with rotating ensembles, the unveiling of a colorful new commission, and an upcoming catalogue that features contributions from fashion historians and Dressed: The History of Fashion podcast hosts April Calahan and Cassidy Zachary.

“Colorwear: A Kaleidoscope of Fashion offers a special glimpse into the extraordinary accessories and ensembles that have shaped Phoenix Art Museum’s fashion collection for six decades,” said Jeremy Mikolajczak, the Sybil Harrington Director and CEO of Phoenix Art Museum. “By bringing together objects that range from the smallest to the most extravagant, the exhibition immerses visitors in the expressive power of color as a form of storytelling. Colorwear not only celebrates the Museum’s history but also animates it through rotating installations, a new commission, dynamic public programs, and a forthcoming publication that explores fashion at PhxArt through the lens of color.”

The Museum began collecting fashion in 1966, when the Arizona Costume Institute was founded to support the acquisition and preservation of garments and accessories of historical and aesthetic significance. Today, the PhxArt fashion collection houses more than 9,000 objects spanning the 18th century through the present and is home to four special archives, including Paper Dress, the Geoffrey Beene Archive, the Emphatics Archive, and the Ann Bonfoey Taylor Archive. Alongside the kaleidoscopic array of Colorwear, visitors can also discover objects that tell the history of fashion at PhxArt, from historic accessories to rare and avant-garde examples from the archival collections, and new acquisitions by contemporary designers such as The Son of Picasso, a Native American artist of Kiowa, Taos Pueblo, Diné (Navajo), and Delaware descent.

Colorwear: A Kaleidoscope of Fashion will be accompanied by a compelling series of public programs and lectures by nationally celebrated fashion professionals, as well as the fall release of the Museum’s first fashion-focused collection book of the same name, Colorwear: A Kaleidoscope of Fashion, published by Scala Arts Publishers, Inc.

“Colorful clothing sparks emotion—both when we wear it and when we see it. It can uplift our mood and encourage boldness or inspire a more contemplative or nostalgic state. Some designers have even become known for their signature colors, such as Schiaparelli’s Shocking Pink, Dior’s Gray, and Chanel’s Black. In fact, color is one of the first elements we describe when discussing an ensemble,” said Helen Jean, the Jacquie Dorrance Curator of Fashion. “Colorwear: A Kaleidoscope of Fashion draws inspiration from this powerful aspect of design, bringing together works that show how master designers have explored color over time. Through garments and accessories, the exhibition highlights individuality, self-expression, and visual storytelling through the splendor of color.”

High-resolution photography for Colorwear: A Kaleidoscope of Fashion can be downloaded here. To request interviews, contact the Communications Office of Phoenix Art Museum at press@phxart.org  or kaylee.weyrauch@phxart.org.

About the Exhibition

Colorwear: A Kaleidoscope of Fashion is organized by Phoenix Art Museum and curated by Helen Jean, the Jacquie Dorrance Curator of Fashion and Summer Rye, Fashion Curatorial Assistant & ACI Liaison. The exhibition is made possible through the generosity of Jacquie and Bennett Dorrance and Arizona Costume Institute.

All fashion exhibitions at Phoenix Art Museum are underwritten by The Kelly Ellman Fashion Endowment Fund and The Thomas Carlton Rogers II Fashion Exhibition Fund.

All exhibitions at Phoenix Art Museum are underwritten by the Phoenix Art Museum Exhibition Excellence Fund, founded by The Opatrny Family Foundation with additional major support provided by Joan Cremin.

Admission is free for Museum Members and youth aged 5 and younger. Entrance into the exhibition is included in general admission for the public. Visitors may also enjoy reduced admission to the exhibition during voluntary-donation times on Wednesdays from 3 – 8 pm, made possible by SRP and City of Phoenix, with additional support by Arizona Community Foundation. For a full breakdown of general admission prices and hours, see phxart.org/visit/.

About Phoenix Art Museum

Since 1959, Phoenix Art Museum (PhxArt) has engaged millions of visitors with the art of our region and world. Located in Phoenix’s Central Corridor, PhxArt creates spaces of exchange and belonging for all audiences through dynamic exhibitions, collections, and experiences with art. Each year, 300,000 guests on average engage with critically acclaimed national and international exhibitions and the Museum’s collection of more than 21,000 works of American and Western American, Asian, European, Latin American, modern, and contemporary art and fashion design, along with vibrant photography exhibitions made possible through the Museum’s landmark partnership with the Center for Creative Photography at the University of Arizona in Tucson. PhxArt also presents live performances, outstanding examples of global cinema, arts-education programs and workshops, an art+music festival, and more for the community. To learn more about Phoenix Art Museum, visit phxart.org, or call 602.257.1880.

About the Phoenix Art Museum Fashion Collection

Phoenix Art Museum is one of few institutions in the United States that continually collects, preserves, and exhibits works of fashion, placing the southwestern institution in the company of other leading fashion museums. The Museum began collecting fashion in 1966, when Arizona Costume Institute was founded to support the acquisition and preservation of garments and accessories of historical and aesthetic significance. Today, the PhxArt fashion collection houses more than 9,000 objects of women’s, men’s, and children’s dress spanning the 18th century through the present. It is also home to three special archives, including the Geoffrey Beene Archive of more than 300 garments by the late designer gifted by Patsy Tarr; the Emphatics Archive, featuring avant-garde fashions by Alexander McQueen, Issey Miyake, Thierry Mugler, and others; and the Ann Bonfoey Taylor Archive, featuring the extraordinary custom-couture wardrobe of the American-socialite and tastemaker.

About Arizona Costume Institute

Arizona Costume Institute was founded in 1966 to support the fashion-design department of Phoenix Art Museum through the acquisition and preservation of garments and accessories of historical and aesthetic significance and through events and fundraising efforts that support and deepen awareness of the Museum’s fashion exhibitions and education programs. ACI’s support of this collection area depends on the enthusiasm of dedicated volunteers. The ACI Board of Managers 2025-2027 president is Donna Johnson. To learn more about Arizona Costume Institute, visit arizonacostumeinstitute.org.

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PHOENIX (January 29, 2026) –On Thursday, March 12, 2026, Phoenix Art Museum (PhxArt) presents the return of Women Powered. The beloved program, which offers guests the opportunity to network amongst peers and hear from dynamic women leaders, brings global fashion designer, entrepreneur, and women’s empowerment advocate Rebecca Minkoff, live to the Museum. To celebrate the 60^th anniversary of PhxArt’s fashion program, the Museum will host a special edition of Women Powered, featuring an inspiring conversation with the nationally renowned New York-based designer led by Valley entrepreneur and fashion icon Chrissy Sayare. Minkoff will share stories of her own success, building bold ideas, navigating business, and living at the intersection of entrepreneurship and creativity. This event is welcome to all ages and industries.

At 5 pm, the Museum will host a cocktail reception with a cash bar in the Dorrance Sculpture Garden. Then at 6:30 pm, attendees will enjoy a fireside chat with Minkoff and Sayare in Whiteman Hall.

Make the evening even more memorable by adding a signed copy of Minkoff’s newest book Fearless: The New Rules of Unlocking Creativity, Courage, and Success to your reservation. The personally autographed special edition is available in limited quantities and is a meaningful takeaway from an inspiring night.

Elevate your evening with an exclusive, intimate dinner honoring the nationally renowned designer directly following the program. Enjoy a luxury dining experience with a hosted bar and receive a signed copy of Minkoff’s recent book Fearless: The New Rules of Unlocking Creativity, Courage, and Success. This special experience offers a rare opportunity to engage more personally with our guest of honor and deepen your connection to the ideas shared on stage while making a meaningful impact. Dinner tickets are $500 each. Seating is limited. Advance purchase required for dinner by March 4.

Tickets to Women Powered are $45 for the general public, $25 for PhxArt Members, $15 for college students with an active ID. Optional ticket to include a singed copy of Fearless: The New Rules for Unlocking Creativity, Courage, and Success also available at $45 for Members, $65 for non-Members. Dinner tickets are $500 each. Seating is limited. Advance purchase required for dinner by March 4. Tickets are available here.

Rebecca Minkoff’s journey began with a fearless leap—moving to New York City at just 18 to chase a dream in fashion. With no roadmap and few resources, she turned a love for design into a global brand synonymous with accessible luxury. But what truly sets Rebecca apart isn’t just her success as a designer. It’s her unwavering commitment to lifting others as she climbs. In 2018, she launched the Female Founder Collective, a powerful network of women-led businesses committed to advancing financial equity and opportunity for women at every level. Through her Superwomen podcast and candid speaking engagements, she shares the unfiltered side of entrepreneurship and life like navigating setbacks, battling fear, and balancing life with ambition. Her talks leave audiences energized and inspired, reminding them that fear is not a weakness but a compass to guide them through the impossible.

For more information about this event, contact the Communications Office of Phoenix Art Museum at press@phxart.org.

About the Fashion Collection at Phoenix Art Museum

The Fashion Collection at Phoenix Art Museum strives to tell an accurate history of fashion and is actively pursuing works that represent a broader and more inclusive glossary of designers. Comprising nearly half of the Museum’s permanent holdings, the collection houses nearly 9,000 examples of fashionable dress and accessories from five centuries of style. With everything from a pair of 17th-century sueded-leather gloves to 21st-century couture runway looks, the collection explores the art of dressing and seeks out the rarest examples of these dress traditions. Celebrated for its quality and comprehensiveness, the collection boasts strengths in 19th-century womenswear as well as works by 20th-century designers, with significant examples from major representatives of European and North American fashion history. Special archives within the collection include the Ann Bonfoey Taylor wardrobe of more than 200 examples by mid-century couture designers, The Emphatics Archive of more than 400 works from avant-garde designers, and the Geoffrey Beene Archive, with more than 300 evening gowns and custom designs.

About Arizona Costume Institute

Arizona Costume Institute was founded in 1966 to support the fashion-design department of Phoenix Art Museum through the acquisition and preservation of garments and accessories of historical and aesthetic significance and through events and fundraising efforts that support and deepen awareness of the Museum’s fashion exhibitions and education programs. ACI’s support of this collection area depends on the enthusiasm of dedicated volunteers. The ACI Board of Managers 2023-2025 president is Joy Sprink. To learn more about Arizona Costume Institute, visit arizonacostumeinstitute.org.

About Phoenix Art Museum

Since 1959, Phoenix Art Museum (PhxArt) has engaged millions of visitors with the art of our region and world. Located in Phoenix’s Central Corridor, PhxArt creates spaces of exchange and belonging for all audiences through dynamic exhibitions, collections, and experiences with art. Each year, 300,000 guests on average engage with critically acclaimed national and international exhibitions and the Museum’s collection of more than 21,000 works of American and Western American, Asian, European, Latin American, modern, and contemporary art and fashion design, along with vibrant photography exhibitions made possible through the Museum’s landmark partnership with the Center for Creative Photography at the University of Arizona in Tucson. PhxArt also presents live performances, outstanding examples of global cinema, arts-education programs and workshops, a monthly live-music series, and more for the community. To learn more about Phoenix Art Museum, visit phxart.org, or call 602.257.1880.

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PHOENIX (September 12, 2024) – On October 9, 2024, Phoenix Art Museum (PhxArt) presents its newest major fashion exhibition and the largest collections-based endeavor in the history of the Museum with Greatest Fits (Vol. 1): The Art of Archiving Fashion. The momentous exhibition is the first in a series of exhibitions that, over the next five years, will uncover the depth of the Museum’s fashion holdings, which now comprise more than 9,000 objects of historical and contemporary dress. The Collection: Greatest Fits (Vol. 1) The Art of Archiving Fashion is a “living” exhibition that will feature 3 unique versions of the exhibition as the garments are pulled off view and replaced with others over 18 months to showcase over 100 of the collections finest works, including pieces by leading designers such as Balenciaga, Dior, McQueen, and St. Laurent, as they rotate through three galleries.

“For nearly 60 years, Phoenix Art Museum and Arizona Costume Institute have collaborated in bringing the world of fashion to Phoenix, and Greatest Fits reveals the fascinating story of how our community built this incredible legacy, now one of the most renowned fashion collections in the United States,” said Jeremy Mikolajczak, the Sybil Harrington Director and CEO of Phoenix Art Museum. “In addition to celebrating the collection’s history, this exhibition series and its accompanying public programs and forthcoming publication will highlight the many civic leaders, donors, members, and staff who have had a hand not only in building a collection that engages and educates audiences on the importance of fashion but also in expanding our holdings to reflect the wide breadth of genres and movements they represent.”

Spanning the Kelly Ellman Fashion Galleries across the entire mezzanine level of the Museum’s south wing, Greatest Fits (Vol. 1) traces the development of the PhxArt Fashion Collection from its founding by Arizona Costume Institute (ACI) in 1966 through today. The exhibition begins with an extensive display of ACI archival materials, spotlighting the civic leaders, community members, and more who spearheaded the effort to create and expand the Museum’s collection. Visitors then move into a dramatic monochromatic display of garments spanning the 18^th century to the present that explores the dynamism and importance of the silhouette. This graphic section celebrates numerous shapes and forms that have defined fashion history and informed perceptions of gender, beauty, and identity. In the third and most expansive of the Kelly Ellman Fashion Galleries, Greatest Fits (Vol. 1) presents several vignettes of significant fashion “happenings” and motifs represented throughout the collection. Themes include fashion as soft sculpture, the technologies and scientific advancements that have impacted techniques and materials, the influence of sporting activities on trends, and the enduring impact of Romanticism and Greco-Roman style on designers. In a visually arresting closing section to Greatest Fits (Vol. 1), visitors will examine the future of fashion collecting, with an impressive presentation of the Museum’s latest acquisition, a couture garment by the famed Dutch designers Vicktor & Rolf. 

Greatest Fits (Vol. 1) is accompanied by a robust series of public programs and lectures by world-renowned fashion professionals (to be announced at a later date), as well as the release of the Museum’s first fashion-focused collection book, published in collaboration with SCALA Arts Publishers. 

Other notable designers and houses represented throughout Greatest Fits include:

“In 1966, few museums across the United States housed fashion collections, which made building a couture fashion collection in what was then a small desert town a particularly inspired and forward-thinking venture,” said Helen Jean, the Museum’s Jacquie Dorrance Curator of Fashion who curated the exhibition. “Greatest Fits (Vol. 1) celebrates this achievement while highlighting the ability of the PhxArt Fashion Collection to showcase the ingenuity of designers across centuries who have worked at the intersection of art, design, and technology. This exhibition will be an exciting opportunity to not only experience many outstanding garments from the Museum’s fashion holdings, but also deepen our understanding of the practical, social, and creative underpinnings of historic and contemporary dress. This exhibition also pays homage to the people and treasured objects that helped form this gem in the Southwest.”

High-resolution photography for Greatest Fits (Vol. 1): The Art of Archiving Fashion can be downloaded here. To request interviews, contact the Communications Office of Phoenix Art Museum at 602.257.2117 or samantha.santos@phxart.org.

About the Exhibition
The Collection: Greatest Fits (Vol. 1): The Art of Archiving Fashion is organized by Phoenix Art Museum and curated by Helen Jean, the Jacquie Dorrance Curator of Fashion Design at Phoenix Art Museum, with Catherine Wise, the Hirabayashi Intern in Fashion Design, and Summer Rye, intern.

It is presented through the generous support of Thomas Carlton Rogers II, Bennett and Jacquie Dorrance, the Kelly and Steve Ellman Fashion Endowment Fund,  and Arizona Costume Institute.  

All exhibitions at Phoenix Art Museum are underwritten by the Phoenix Art Museum Exhibition Excellence Fund, founded by The Opatrny Family Foundation with additional major support provided by Joan Cremin.

Admission is free for Museum Members; youth aged 5 and younger; and Maricopa County Community Colleges students. Entrance into the exhibition is included in general admission for the public. Visitors may also enjoy reduced admission to the exhibition during voluntary-donation times on Wednesdays from 3 – 9 pm, made possible by SRP and City of Phoenix. For a full breakdown of general admission prices and hours, see phxart.org/visit/.

About Phoenix Art Museum
Since 1959, Phoenix Art Museum (PhxArt) has engaged millions of visitors with the art of our region and world. Located in Phoenix’s Central Corridor, PhxArt creates spaces of exchange and belonging for all audiences through dynamic exhibitions, collections, and experiences with art. Each year, 300,000 guests on average engage with critically acclaimed national and international exhibitions and the Museum’s collection of more than 21,000 works of American and Western American, Asian, European, Latin American, modern, and contemporary art and fashion design, along with vibrant photography exhibitions made possible through the Museum’s landmark partnership with the Center for Creative Photography at the University of Arizona in Tucson. PhxArt also presents live performances, outstanding examples of global cinema, arts-education programs and workshops, an art+music festival, and more for the community. To learn more about Phoenix Art Museum, visit phxart.org, or call 602.257.1880.

About the Phoenix Art Museum Fashion Collection
Phoenix Art Museum is one of few institutions in the United States that continually collects, preserves, and exhibits works of fashion, placing the southwestern institution in the company of other leading fashion museums. The Museum began collecting fashion in 1966, when Arizona Costume Institute was founded to support the acquisition and preservation of garments and accessories of historical and aesthetic significance. Today, the PhxArt fashion collection houses more than 9,000 objects of women’s, men’s, and children’s dress spanning the 18th century through the present. It is also home to three special archives, including the Geoffrey Beene Archive of more than 300 garments by the late designer gifted by Patsy Tarr; the Emphatics Archive, featuring avant-garde fashions by Alexander McQueen, Issey Miyake, Thierry Mugler, and others; and the Ann Bonfoey Taylor Archive, featuring the extraordinary custom-couture wardrobe of the American-socialite and tastemaker.

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PHOENIX (June 20, 2024) – Today, Phoenix Art Museum (PhxArt) announces a major gift from longtime Museum supporters and former Board Trustees Kelly and Steve Ellman that enables the Museum to expand fivefold the footprint of its fashion galleries, dedicated to exhibitions that showcase the history and art of fashion. The Kelly Ellman Fashion Galleries will open on October 9, 2024 with the first exhibition in a three-part series that explores the depths of the Museum’s fashion holdings. Drawn exclusively from the PhxArt fashion collection, The Collection: Greatest Fits (Vol. 1): The Art of Archiving Fashion features more than 80 garments and accessories. The display traces the formation of the Museum’s collection and the impact of Arizona Costume Institute on its expansion, while showcasing the collection’s impressive breadth and depth. Iconic silhouettes from the 18^th century through the present and vignettes illustrating significant themes and historical moments demonstrate the collection’s ability to explore and educate about the larger history of fashion. In addition to the expanded gallery space and inaugural exhibition, the Ellman gift also ensures fashion-related acquisitions, publications, and the early phases of a major collection digitization project.

“We are deeply grateful to the Ellman family for their ongoing support of Phoenix Art Museum’s beloved fashion collection over the past three decades,” said Jeremy Mikolajczak, the Museum’s Sybil Harrington Director and CEO. “Through major gifts, acquisition and programming support, and their continued invaluable patronage, the Ellmans have played a critical role in ensuring that PhxArt upholds excellence in this particular collecting area. Their impact has truly enabled the Museum to make the art of fashion accessible for our broadest audiences.”

Phoenix Art Museum is one of few institutions in the United States that continually collects, preserves, and exhibits works of fashion, placing the southwestern institution in the company of other leading fashion museums. The Museum began collecting fashion in 1966, when Arizona Costume Institute was founded to support the acquisition and preservation of garments and accessories of historical and aesthetic significance. Today, the PhxArt fashion collection houses more than 9,000 objects of women’s, men’s, and children’s dress spanning the 18^th century through the present. It is also home to three special archives, including the Geoffrey Beene Archive of more than 300 garments by the late designer gifted by Patsy Tarr; the Emphatics Archive, featuring avant-garde fashions by Alexander McQueen, Issey Miyake, Thierry Mugler, and others; and the Ann Bonfoey Taylor Archive, featuring the extraordinary custom-couture wardrobe of the American-socialite and tastemaker.

The Ellman family has supported the Museum’s fashion collection since 1986, including a major gift that endowed the first iteration of the Ellman Fashion Design Gallery. This newest gift reaffirms the Museum’s commitment to increasing dedicated gallery space to our fashion collection, which now includes the entire mid-level floor of the Museum’s south wing. This change brings the institution’s permanent exhibition space for fashion from 1,200+ sq. ft. to nearly 6,400 sq. ft. The Ellman’s gift will also support future fashion exhibitions through the Kelly Ellman Fashion Endowment Fund, the establishment of the Ellman Fashion Program Fellow position, the first phases of a multi-year digitization project that will make the fashion collection more accessible to the general public on phxart.org, a collection publication created by SCALA Arts & Heritage Publishers, and fashion-related acquisitions that further strengthen and grow the Museum’s expansive fashion holdings.

The space’s inaugural exhibition, Greatest Fits (Vol. 1): The Art of Archiving Fashion, opens on October 9, 2024. Exhibition highlights include:

• A history on the founding of the Museum’s fashion collection, with an emphasis on the efforts of Arizona Costume Institute and notable supporters, including the Ellman family.
• A graphic display of more than 20 all-black silhouettes that have defined fashion history from the 18th century to the present.
• Vignettes of significant fashion “happenings” and themes, such as the Battle at Versailles, a high-fashion showdown between American and French designers in 1973; outstanding examples of avant-garde fashions; garments that draw inspiration from Romanticism and Greco-Roman culture; and technology-driven designs.

Notable designers and houses represented throughout Greatest Fits include:

“As the inaugural fashion presentation in the newly endowed Kelly Ellman Fashion Galleries, Greatest Fits (Vol. 1): The Art of Archiving Fashion will uncover and detail the strengths of our collection, while also highlighting exciting areas for potential growth and refinement,” said Helen Jean, the Museum’s Jacquie Dorrance Curator of Fashion Design. “We are deeply grateful to the Ellmans for ensuring that this collection will continue to grow, educate, and inspire for generations to come.”

High-resolution photography for Greatest Fits (Vol. 1): The Art of Archiving Fashion can be downloaded here. To request interviews, contact the Communications Office of Phoenix Art Museum at 602.257.2117 or samantha.santos@phxart.org.

About the Exhibitions
The Collection: Greatest Fits (Vol. 1): The Art of Archiving Fashion is organized by Phoenix Art Museum and curated by Helen Jean, the Jacquie Dorrance Curator of Fashion Design at Phoenix Art Museum, with Catherine Wise, the Hirabayashi Intern in Fashion Design, and Summer Rye, intern.

It is presented through the generous support of Thomas Carlton Rogers II, Bennett and Jacquie Dorrance, the Kelly and Steve Ellman Fashion Endowment Fund,  and Arizona Costume Institute.  

All exhibitions at Phoenix Art Museum are underwritten by the Phoenix Art Museum Exhibition Excellence Fund, founded by The Opatrny Family Foundation with additional major support provided by Joan Cremin.

Admission is free for Museum Members; youth aged 5 and younger; and Maricopa County Community Colleges students. Entrance into the exhibition is included in general admission for the public. Visitors may also enjoy reduced admission to the exhibition during voluntary-donation times on Wednesdays from 3 – 9 pm, made possible by SRP and City of Phoenix. For a full breakdown of general admission prices and hours, see phxart.org/visit/.

About Phoenix Art Museum
Since 1959, Phoenix Art Museum has provided millions of guests with access to world-class art and experiences in an effort to ignite imaginations, create meaningful connections, and serve as a brave space for all people who wish to experience the transformative power of art. Located in Phoenix’s Central Corridor, the Museum is a vibrant destination for the visual arts and the largest art museum in the southwestern United States. Each year, more than 300,000 guests engage with critically acclaimed national and international exhibitions and the Museum’s collection of more than 20,000 works of American and Western American, Asian, European, Latin American, modern and contemporary art, and fashion design. The Museum also presents a comprehensive film program, live performances, and educational programs designed for visitors of all ages, along with vibrant photography exhibitions made possible through the Museum’s landmark partnership with the Center for Creative Photography, University of Arizona. To learn more about Phoenix Art Museum, visit phxart.org, or call 602.257.1880.

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PHOENIX (May 1, 2024) – To complement the Arizona presentation of Barbie®: A Cultural Icon, Phoenix Art Museum (PhxArt) curated original fashion exhibition The Power of Pink, which showcases over 200 years of powerfully pink fashions, a color which has become synonymous with the Barbie brand. Drawn largely from the Museum’s renowned fashion collection, the exhibition explores the color’s influence on fashion in all its complexities, tracing pink’s evolution from status symbol to gender marker to contemporary fashion statement. The Power of Pink is on view at Phoenix Art Museum through July 7, 2024.

The Power of Pink celebrates the complex history of the color pink, which is typically associated with feminine expression. The exhibition highlights examples of the color’s appeal to men and women across two centuries of style. From its origins in 17^th-century France, where it was worn by both men and women as a symbol of status, luxury, and power, to 1940s North America, where U.S. mass-marketing efforts began to gender the color, assigning pink to girls and blue to boys. Pink has been celebrated by generations of fashionistas. Through more than 20 garments and ensembles, The Power of Pink encourages thoughtful examination of the color and its influence on major designers such as Gianfranco Ferré, Christian Dior, Valentino, Chanel, and more.

One notable garment featured in the exhibition is a custom blush-toned suit worn by GRAMMY® Award-nominated, 8x RIAA diamond-certified global superstar Post Malone at the 2019 GRAMMY Awards. Created by Los Angeles-based costume designer and stylist Catherine Hahn, the dazzling garment decorated in glittering stars, was the latest in a long line of Western-inspired ensembles the musical artist wore that season, the same yearhe was dubbed “the cowboy king of the red carpet” by GQ and “a modern-day Elvis” by Vogue.

Images from The Power Pink can be downloaded here. To request interviews, contact the Communications Office of Phoenix Art Museum at 602.257.2117 or samantha.santos@phxart.org.

About the Exhibition
The Power of Pink is organized by Phoenix Art Museum and curated by Helen Jean, the Jacquie Dorrance Curator of Fashion Design at Phoenix Art Museum. It is made possible through the generosity of Arizona Costume Institute, My Sister’s Closet, and the Kelly Ellman Fashion Design Endowment Fund. All exhibitions at Phoenix Art Museum are underwritten by the Phoenix Art Museum Exhibition Excellence Fund, founded by The Opatrny Family Foundation with additional major support provided by Joan Cremin.

The Power of Pink is not licensed, sponsored by, or affiliated with Mattel, Inc or Barbie™ and associated trademarks.

Admission is free for Museum Members; youth aged five and younger; and Maricopa County Community Colleges students. Entrance into the exhibition is included in general admission for the public. During voluntary donation times on Wednesdays from 3 – 9 pm, made possible by SRP and the City of Phoenix, admission to special-engagement exhibitions is offered at a discounted price. For a full breakdown of general-admission prices and hours, see phxart.org/visit/.

About Phoenix Art Museum
Since 1959, Phoenix Art Museum has provided millions of guests with access to world-class art and experiences in an effort to ignite imaginations, create meaningful connections, and serve as a brave space for all people who wish to experience the transformative power of art. Located in Phoenix’s Central Corridor, the Museum is a vibrant destination for the visual arts and the largest art museum in the southwestern United States. Each year, more than 300,000 guests engage with critically acclaimed national and international exhibitions and the Museum’s collection of more than 20,000 works of American and Western American, Asian, European, Latin American, modern and contemporary art, and fashion design. The Museum also presents a comprehensive film program, live performances, and educational programs designed for visitors of all ages, along with vibrant photography exhibitions made possible through the Museum’s landmark partnership with the Center for Creative Photography, University of Arizona. To learn more about Phoenix Art Museum, visit phxart.org, or call 602.257.1880.

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PHOENIX (December 22, 2021) – On December 6, 2021, Arizona Costume Institute (ACI), an affiliate group of Phoenix Art Museum, celebrated the return of its annual Holiday Luncheon by presenting Emmy-award winning designer Michael Costello as the keynote speaker. The in-person luncheon was the first major event hosted at Phoenix Art Museum since the institution’s closure in March 2020 precipitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The sold-out event welcomed more than 350 guests and raised a record-breaking $300,000+ in vital support for the Museum and its fashion-design department.

“We are very grateful to the board of Arizona Costume Institute and its members for their ongoing generous support of Phoenix Art Museum, particularly over the past year and a half when the Museum faced incredible challenges due to the pandemic,” said Mark Koenig, the Interim Sybil Harrington Director and CEO of Phoenix Art Museum. “For more than 60 years, ACI has supported our fashion-design collection, and once again, the Holiday Luncheon has raised vital funds that will benefit fashion-design exhibitions and education programs for our community. We extend our deepest thanks and congratulations to the chairs of this event, Donna Johnson and Lisa Shapiro, and to the entire planning committee for creating a truly memorable luncheon.” 

Costello, the event’s keynote speaker, is a self-taught designer who first began drawing dresses on his bedroom walls at the age of 2, and by 15, he had opened his first boutique. While many may recognize him from television’s Project Runway franchise, Costello has since built a massive empire by helping women of all shapes and sizes feel beautiful. His exquisite dresses have dominated every prestigious red-carpet award show, from the GRAMMYs to the Oscars, and the designer has dressed Beyoncé, JLo, Lady Gaga, Kate Hudson, and many others. His designs have been featured in international fashion publications, including Vogue, Women’s Wear Daily, The New York Times’ style section, Harper’s Bazaar, and Apparel News, and several of his dresses are on display at the GRAMMY Museum.

In addition to the hosted interview between Costello and Helen Jean, the Jacquie Dorrance Curator of Fashion Design at Phoenix Art Museum, models wearing Costello’s most noteworthy designs walked among the luncheon’s guests, who enjoyed up-close-and-personal views of his stunning creations. The elegant event also featured a champagne reception, a plated two-course lunch, and a drawing featuring high-end, luxury items from both local and nationally recognized designers, boutiques, and businesses.

For media images (with IDs in the comments) from the ACI 2021 Holiday Luncheon, click here.

2021 ACI Holiday Luncheon Committee

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Donna Johnson
Lisa Shapiro

HONORARY CHAIR

Diane Halle

COMMITTEE

Perrine Adams
Ronna Beeson
Lisa Bell
Matthew Boland
Jennifer Carmer
Libby Cohen
Oscar De las salas
Emily Dietz
Shawnee Doherty
Katherine Emery
Wendy Ferrell
Kati Festy-Sandor
Ann Fuller
Amanda Garmany
Lisa Geyser
Janet Henrich-Glaser
Jan Herwick
Dawna Holtz
Jill Krigsten Riley
Lynne Love
Barbara Lytle
Laura Madden
Kathie May
Mary Ellen McKee
Beth McRae
Priscilla Nicholas
Patti Oleson
Donna Pettigrew Hicks
Shirley Prest
Helene Presutti
Sherri Quinn
Marc Reed
Chrissy Sayare
Tracy Serena
Carol Shriber
Khamsone Sirimanivong
Amy Slethaug
Joy Sprink
Kelley Sucher
Lauri Termansen
Vicki Vaughn
DeeDee Vecchione
Kelly Welty

CORPORATE SPONSOR

to be continued… a consignment boutique

UNDERWRITERS

Main Dish
Miriam Sukhman
FORD/Robert Black Agency
Brenda Howard
Lauri Termansen
Trends Magazine
House Home & More
Psyne Co

About Arizona Costume Institute

Arizona Costume Institute was founded in 1966 to support the fashion-design department of Phoenix Art Museum through the acquisition and preservation of garments and accessories of historical and aesthetic significance and through events and fundraising efforts that support and deepen awareness of the Museum’s fashion-design exhibitions and education programs. ACI’s support of this collection area depends on the enthusiasm of dedicated volunteers. The ACI Board of Managers 2021 president is Khamsone Sirimanivong.  To learn more about Arizona Costume Institute, visit arizonacostumeinstitute.org.

About the Fashion-Design Collection at Phoenix Art Museum

Founded in 1966, the fashion-design collection of Phoenix Art Museum is notable for its quality and comprehensiveness. More than 8,000 objects comprise the collection, including American and European men’s, women’s, and children’s dress and accessories dating from the late 17th century to the present. The Museum organizes two fashion exhibitions annually, which are curated by Helen Jean, the institution’s Jacquie Dorrance Curator of Fashion Design, and presented in the Kelly Ellman Fashion Design Gallery. Phoenix Art Museum is one of only seven art museums in the United States with a long and continuously active fashion-design program.

About Phoenix Art Museum

Since 1959, Phoenix Art Museum has provided millions of guests with access to world-class art and experiences in an effort to ignite imaginations, create meaningful connections, and serve as a brave space for all people who wish to experience the transformative power of art. Located in Phoenix’s Central Corridor, the Museum is a vibrant destination for the visual arts and the largest art museum in the southwestern United States. Each year, more than 300,000 guests engage with critically acclaimed national and international exhibitions and the Museum’s collection of more than 20,000 works of American and Western American, Asian, European, Latin American, modern and contemporary art, and fashion design. The Museum also presents a comprehensive film program, live performances, and educational programs designed for visitors of all ages, along with vibrant photography exhibitions made possible through the Museum’s landmark partnership with the Center for Creative Photography, University of Arizona. To learn more about Phoenix Art Museum, visit phxart.org, or call 602.257.1880.

The post Arizona Costume Institute 2021 Holiday Luncheon featured celebrity designer Michael Costello, raised record-breaking funds for Phoenix Art Museum appeared first on Phoenix Art Museum.

PHOENIX (September 16, 2021) – On December 6, 2021, Arizona Costume Institute marks the return of its annual Holiday Luncheon by presenting Emmy-award winning designer Michael Costello as the keynote speaker. Tickets to the in-person luncheon, the first major event hosted at Phoenix Art Museum since the institution’s closure in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, are on sale now to the general public.

A self-taught designer, Michael Costello began drawing dresses on his bedroom walls at the age of 2 and by 15, he had opened his first store. While many may recognize him from Lifetime’s Project Runway franchise, Costello has since built a massive empire by helping women of all shapes and sizes feel beautiful. His exquisite dresses have dominated every prestigious red-carpet award show, from the GRAMMYs to the Oscars, and have been worn by stars such as Beyoncé, JLo, Lady Gaga, Kate Hudson, and more. His designs have been featured in all major fashion publications, including Vogue, Women’s Wear Daily, The New York Times, Harper’s Bazaar, and Apparel News, and several of his dresses are on display at the GRAMMY Museum. Today, Costello continues to capture the world with his stunning creations.

In addition to a presentation from Costello, attendees of the 2021 ACI Holiday Luncheon will enjoy a champagne reception, a plated three-course lunch, and a raffle featuring high-end, luxury items from both local and nationally recognized designers, boutiques, and businesses.

Seating for the 2021 ACI Holiday Luncheon will be limited. Tickets are available here and range from $200 to $1,000, with table and sponsorship opportunities also available. All proceeds benefit fashion exhibitions, acquisitions, and education programming at Phoenix Art Museum. The Museum will provide updated information about COVID-19 precautions in the weeks leading up to the event.

2021 ACI Holiday Luncheon Committee

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Donna Johnson
Lisa Shapiro

HONORARY CHAIR

Diane Halle

COMMITTEE

Perrine Adams
Ronna Beeson
Lisa Bell
Matthew Boland
Jennifer Carmer
Libby Cohen
Oscar De las salas
Emily Dietz
Shawnee Doherty
Katherine Emery
Wendy Ferrell
Kati Festy-Sandor
Ann Fuller
Amanda Garmany
Lisa Geyser
Janet Henrich-Glaser
Jan Herwick
Dawna Holtz
Jill Krigsten Riley
Lynne Love
Barbara Lytle
Laura Madden
Kathie May
Mary Ellen McKee
Beth McRae
Priscilla Nicholas
Patti Oleson
Donna Pettigrew Hicks
Shirley Prest
Helene Presutti
Sherri Quinn
Marc Reed
Chrissy Sayare
Tracy Serena
Carol Shriber
Khamsone Sirimanivong
Amy Slethaug
Joy Sprink
Kelley Sucher
Lauri Termansen
Vicki Vaughn
DeeDee Vecchione
Kelly Welty

CORPORATE SPONSOR

to be continued… a consignment boutique

About Arizona Costume Institute

Arizona Costume Institute was founded in 1966 to support the fashion-design department of Phoenix Art Museum through the acquisition and preservation of garments and accessories of historical and aesthetic significance and through events and fundraising efforts that support and deepen awareness of the Museum’s fashion exhibitions and education programs. ACI’s support of this collection area depends on the enthusiasm of dedicated volunteers. The ACI Board of Managers 2021 president is Khamsone Sirimanivong.  To learn more about Arizona Costume Institute, visit arizonacostumeinstitute.org.

About the Fashion-Design Collection at Phoenix Art Museum

Founded in 1966, the fashion-design collection of Phoenix Art Museum is notable for its quality and comprehensiveness. More than 8,000 objects comprise the collection, including American and European men’s, women’s, and children’s dress and accessories dating from the late 17th century to the present. The Museum organizes two fashion exhibitions annually, which are curated by Helen Jean, the institution’s Jacquie Dorrance Curator of Fashion Design, and presented in the Kelly Ellman Fashion Design Gallery. Phoenix Art Museum is one of only seven art museums in the United States with a long and continuously active fashion program.

About Phoenix Art Museum

Since 1959, Phoenix Art Museum has provided millions of guests with access to world-class art and experiences in an effort to ignite imaginations, create meaningful connections, and serve as a brave space for all people who wish to experience the transformative power of art. Located in Phoenix’s Central Corridor, the Museum is a vibrant destination for the visual arts and the largest art museum in the southwestern United States. Each year, more than 300,000 guests engage with critically acclaimed national and international exhibitions and the Museum’s collection of more than 20,000 works of American and Western American, Asian, European, Latin American, modern and contemporary art, and fashion design. The Museum also presents a comprehensive film program, live performances, and educational programs designed for visitors of all ages, along with vibrant photography exhibitions made possible through the Museum’s landmark partnership with the Center for Creative Photography, University of Arizona. To learn more about Phoenix Art Museum, visit phxart.org, or call 602.257.1880.

The post Arizona Costume Institute 2021 Holiday Luncheon to feature award-winning celebrity designer Michael Costello appeared first on Phoenix Art Museum.

PHOENIX (March 11, 2021) – Phoenix Art Museum and Arizona Costume Institute (ACI), a Museum affiliate group that supports the institution’s fashion-design collection, presented Geoffrey Beene: A Duet of Fashion and Movement, the virtual unveiling of the new Geoffrey Beene Archive at Phoenix Art Museum, on Thursday, February 11, 2021. The virtual fundraiser engaged nearly 600 guests and raised more than $133,000 of vital support for the Museum’s fashion-design exhibitions, acquisitions, educational programs, and archival preservation.

“We are deeply grateful to the board of Arizona Costume Institute and its members for their ongoing generous support of Phoenix Art Museum,” said Tim Rodgers, PhD, the Museum’s Sybil Harrington Director and CEO. “ACI continues to play a pivotal role in building the Museum’s renowned fashion-design collection, which now includes the newly established Geoffrey Beene Archive. We extend our thanks to the planning committee of dedicated ACI members who organized this superb event and to our benefactors and community for supporting this landmark moment in our institution’s history. We also extend special gratitude to Patsy Tarr, whose donation of nearly 400 garments serves as the foundation of our expansive Beene Archive.” 

Attendees of the virtual event enjoyed the world premiere of a short film created by the Museum in collaboration with Phoenix-based Manley Films that closely examines 25 works from the Beene Archive and explores the sense of movement and artistry inherent in the late designer’s work. The evening also featured Patsy Tarr, founding contributor to the Beene Archive at Phoenix Art Museum, president of the 2wice Arts Foundation, and founder and publisher of 2wice magazine and books; a dance homage by former dancer for the New York City Ballet and longtime Beene model Deanna McBrearty; and a conversation between McBrearty and Doug Varone, choreographer for three runway presentations of Beene’s collections, which featured dancers from the School of American Ballet and the New York City Ballet.

In addition to the Beene film and featured speakers, the evening included messages from Tim Rodgers, PhD, the Museum’s Sybil Harrington Director and CEO; Helen Jean, the Museum’s Jacquie Dorrance Curator of Fashion Design; and Kathie May, president of Arizona Costume Institute. The event also engaged students from local high schools and colleges by inviting them to participate in a Geoffrey Beene-inspired style and design contest. Attendees of the event were encouraged to vote for their favorite designs, and all student participants received recognition for their outstanding work. A Duet of Fashion and Movement, which additionally featured a style-focused raffle and silent auction, replaced the annual ACI Holiday Luncheon, which has been postponed to December 6, 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and raises vital funds each year in support of the Museum’s fashion-design program.

Phoenix Art Museum is deeply grateful to the benefactors and underwriters who supported Arizona Costume Institute and the Museum’s fashion-design department through Geoffrey Beene: A Duet of Fashion and Movement.

BEENE BENEFACTORS ($5,000+)

Lee Cohn

Gloria Cowen

Jacquie Dorrance

Kelly Ellman

Judy Goldberg

Janet Henrich Glaser

Brenda Howard

Jane Jozoff

Ellen Katz

Margot Knight

Polly Levine

Janis Lyon

Ina Manaster

Mary Ellen McKee

Kolby Moffatt

Carole Moreno

Patricia Petznick

Lisa Portigal

Jana Sample

Sue Selig

Paula Smalley

PREMIER DONORS ($1,000+)

Amy Cohn

Catherine Dickey

Sally Lehmann

Janice Lewart

Kathie May

Doris Ong

EN VOGUE DONORS ($500+)

Linda Jones

Barbara Sturdivant

Sheila Zuieback

COUTURE DONORS ($250+)

Alice Bazlen

Sandy Becker

Ronna Beeson

Vanessa Boehm

Kay Butler

Dena Cameron

Stephanie Cargill

Iris Cashdan-Fishman

Eleanor Corridan

Shelly Dessen

Ruby Farias

Wendy Farrell

Amy Flood

Kate Groves

Donna Johnson

Barbara Kammerzell

Linda Langer

Agnes Lardizabal

Miranda Lumer

Andrea Mackie

John Otto

Linda Peshkin

Helene Presutti

Rebel Rice

Carrie Lynn Richardson

Sue Robisch

Lois Savage

Lisa Shapiro

Khamsone Sirimanivong

Ina Smeets Kort

Diana Smith

Sandy Solomon

Joy Sprink

Todd and Kelley Sucher

Ingrid Sutton

UNDERWRITERS

Fairmount Development, LLC

Karma Event Productions

JL Patisserie

Manley Films

The Red Book

RAFFLE & AUCTION DONORS

ARTenders

Dazzle Dry

Francine Restaurant

Gorgeous Things

Jewel Ya

Katalin Festy-Sandor

Kelley Sucher

Kiss Me Kate

Maple & Ash

MD Skin Lounge and Bar

Neiman Marcus

OBJECTS

Pax Philomena

Perrine Adams

Rosa Kilgore

Saint by Sarah Jane

Sandy Becker

Shapiro Aesthetic Plastic Surgery & Skin Klinic

Soul Carrier

SoulCare by CCC/ SoulCare in Surplus

The Collector’s House

The Garment League

The Museum Store

The Paper Place

Vibrant Skin Bar

Vim and Vigor Candle Co.

The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa

White Sun

Phoenix Art Museum extends its deepest thanks to the planning committee of Geoffrey Beene: A Duet of Fashion and Movement, including committee chairs Perrine Adams, Ruby Farias, Laura Madden, and Kelley Sucher; committee members Sandy Becker, Amy Gause, Janet Henrich Glaser, Jan Herwick, Kathie May, and Khamsone Sirimanivong; Helen Jean, the Jacquie Dorrance Curator of Fashion Design; and Christina Brown, Director of Membership Programs at Phoenix Art Museum. The Museum also expresses its gratitude to Ellen Katz, longtime Museum supporter and Honorary Trustee.

About Phoenix Art Museum

Since 1959, Phoenix Art Museum has provided millions of guests with access to world-class art and experiences in an effort to ignite imaginations, create meaningful connections, and serve as a brave space for all people who wish to experience the transformative power of art. Located in Phoenix’s Central Corridor, the Museum is a vibrant destination for the visual arts and the largest art museum in the southwestern United States. Each year, more than 300,000 guests engage with critically acclaimed national and international exhibitions and the Museum’s collection of more than 20,000 works of American and Western American, Asian, European, Latin American, modern and contemporary art, and fashion design. The Museum also presents a comprehensive film program, live performances, and educational programs designed for visitors of all ages, along with vibrant photography exhibitions made possible through the Museum’s landmark partnership with the Center for Creative Photography, University of Arizona. To learn more about Phoenix Art Museum, visit phxart.org, or call 602.257.1880.

About the Fashion-Design Collection of Phoenix Art Museum

Founded in 1966, the fashion-design collection of Phoenix Art Museum features more than 8,000 objects, including American and European men’s, women’s, and children’s dress and accessories dating from the late 17th century to the present. The Museum organizes two fashion exhibitions annually that draw from the renowned collection and are presented in the Kelly Ellman Fashion Design Gallery. Phoenix Art Museum is one of only seven art museums in the country with a long and continuously active fashion program.

About the Geoffrey Beene Archive at Phoenix Art Museum

The Geoffrey Beene Archive at Phoenix Art Museum features more than 400 garments by the late designer, more than 350 of which were donated in 2019 to the Museum by Patsy Tarr, president of the 2wice Arts Foundation and founder and publisher of 2wice magazines and books. Spanning the 1980s through the 1990s, Tarr’s gift of custom-made ensembles and accessories, including jumpsuits, trousers, vests, boleros, gowns, collars, and more, established the Museum as one of the nation’s leading institutions with holdings of Beene’s designs. The Geoffrey Beene Archive at Phoenix Art Museum is one of three archives in the Museum’s renowned fashion-design collection of more than 8,000 objects, joined by the Museum’s Ann Bonfoey Taylor Archive, featuring the extraordinary custom-couture wardrobe of American-socialite and tastemaker Ann Bonfoey Taylor, and the Emphatics Archive, featuring rare, avant-garde fashions and accessories by renowned designers such as Alexander McQueen, Issey Miyake, Thierry Mugler, John Galliano, and Jean Paul Gaultier.

About Arizona Costume Institute

Arizona Costume Institute (ACI) was founded in 1966 to support the fashion-design department of Phoenix Art Museum. ACI promotes the appreciation and understanding of fashion design through education programs and fundraising efforts that benefit the Museum’s fashion exhibitions and support the preservation and acquisition of historically and aesthetically significant works. Through the enthusiasm of dedicated volunteers, ACI helps maintain and expand the Museum’s fashion collection. To learn more about Arizona Costume Institute, visit arizonacostumeinstitute.org.

The post Virtual event hosted by Phoenix Art Museum, Arizona Costume Institute premiered institution’s new Geoffrey Beene Archive, raised funds for fashion exhibitions and education programs appeared first on Phoenix Art Museum.

PHOENIX (November 12, 2020) – Phoenix Art Museum and Arizona Costume Institute (ACI), a Museum affiliate group that supports the institution’s fashion design department, will present a virtual unveiling of the new Geoffrey Beene Archive at Phoenix Art Museum on February 11, 2021 at 6 pm. The virtual fundraiser, entitledGeoffrey Beene: A Duet of Fashion and Movement, celebrates a recent gift of more than 350 Beene garments to Phoenix Art Museum from Patsy Tarr, longtime Beene patron, president of the 2wice Arts Foundation, and founder and publisher of 2wice magazines and books, which sets the stage for a future exhibition of Beene’s work at the Museum during the 2022-2023 exhibition season. Among the evening’s highlights, the event will feature the premiere of an original short film that provides an in-depth look at 25 garments by the designer, renowned for his whimsical, comfortable, and exacting designs; a dance performance by Deanna McBrearty, former dancer in the New York City Ballet and Beene model; stories by founding archive contributor Tarr; and comments by Tim Rodgers, PhD, the Museum’s Sybil Harrington Director and CEO; Helen Jean, the Museum’s Jacquie Dorrance Curator of Fashion Design; and Kathie May, president of Arizona Costume Institute. Geoffrey Beene: A Duet of Fashion and Movement will be streamed live and is open free to the public, with suggested donations of $250 or greater in support of the fashion design program and collection at Phoenix Art Museum. Additional sponsorship and underwriting opportunities are also available to support the event, the preservation of the archive, and educational programming. The February event replaces the annual ACI Holiday Luncheon, which was postponed to December 6, 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and raises vital funds each year in support of the Museum’s fashion design program.

“We are incredibly excited to present this event at a time when our community’s ability to gather together is limited by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Tim Rodgers, PhD, the Museum’s Sybil Harrington Director and CEO. “Geoffrey Beene: A Duet of Fashion and Movement celebrates the generosity of donors like Patsy Tarr, who give so generously in support of Phoenix Art Museum; the artistry of Geoffrey Beene; and the support of Arizona Costume Institute. Although we are sad not to celebrate the Holiday Luncheon together in 2020, I am grateful to our ACI volunteers, led by ACI president Kathie May and event chairs Ruby Farias, Kelley Sucher, Perrine Adams, and Laura Madden, for creating something exceptional and engaging that increases access to our fashion design collection during these challenging times.”

In addition to celebrating the unveiling of the new Geoffrey Beene Archive at Phoenix Art Museum, Geoffrey Beene: A Duet of Fashion and Movement marks an important milestone, asACI has pledged $67,500 over five years to support the acquisition of additional work by the late designer to further grow the breadth and depth of the Beene Archive. Considered one of the most whimsical designers in American history and renowned for his superb technical skills, Geoffrey Beene (1927–2004) created forward-thinking, practical, and comfortable women’s fashions that showcased contrasting details and clean, geometric designs, while also highlighting his distinct humor, wit, and artistic vision. Throughout his career, Beene created versatile jumpsuits, intricately detailed boleros, elegant evening gowns, and more, earning wide acclaim for his designs that centered comfort and movement, both in how the wearer experienced his garments and how the onlooker viewed his technically precise patterns and forms that often created the illusion of motion. Also considered the father of American sportswear, Beene famously used challenging fabrics with significant pliability such as double-knit jersey, primarily used in t-shirts, to construct stylized designs that ensured maximum comfort, a feat that could be achieved only by someone with his mastery of tailoring. Beene was additionally known for regularly incorporating elements of menswear, including ties and starched-style collars, into his womenswear, evidence of his tailoring background. Throughout his career, he received various awards and accolades, including induction into the Fashion Hall of Fame, eight Coty Fashion Critics Awards, and a lifetime achievement award in 1998 from the Council of Fashion Designers of America. He also created the wedding dress for Lynda Bird Johnson Robb, daughter of former U.S. President Lyndon Baines Johnson and First Lady Claudia “Lady Bird” Johnson. Beene’s work can be found in the collections of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, de Young Museum, Fashion Institute of Technology, and Victoria and Albert Museum, among many other internationally renowned fashion collections.

“Geoffrey Beene prioritized movement in every single design, and the virtual event Geoffrey Beene: A Duet of Fashion and Movement explores and celebrates this boundless mobility inherent in his masterfully crafted work,” said Helen Jean, the Museum’s Jacquie Dorrance Curator of Fashion Design. “Through a video produced by Phoenix-based Manley Films and messages from Patsy Tarr, Beene Archive donor, and former ballerina and longtime Beene model Deanna McBrearty, event attendees will enjoy the unprecedented opportunity to closely examine his impeccable garments, now part of the Museum’s new Geoffrey Beene Archive, through the lenses of physical, aesthetic, and social movement to learn how he constructed comfortable yet stunning ensembles that ensured maximum mobility and gave the illusion of movement through various patterns and forms.”

Members of the public who attend the virtual event on February 11 will discover the sense of movement and artistry in Beene’s designs through the world premiere of a film created by the Museum in collaboration with Phoenix-based Manley Films. Featuring more than 25 ensembles from the collection, the video is narrated by Tarr and McBrearty, who will also share their experiences working with the designer. The evening will additionally feature a pre-recorded dance homage by McBrearty, who performs original choreography in a jumpsuit created by the late designer to demonstrate the range of mobility his garments allow, in addition to comments that celebrate Beene’s high-performance couture by Rodgers, Jean, and May.

“Arizona Costume Institute is honored to play a pivotal role in the success of the fashion design department at Phoenix Art Museum and present this once-in-a-lifetime experience that celebrates and shares these new works by Geoffrey Beene with our members and the Museum’s diverse audiences,” said Kathie May, who has served as ACI president since 2019. “We hope that by making this event accessible to all in our community, more people will have the opportunity to learn about the Museum’s exciting collection and find ways to get involved in support of our Phoenix Art Museum.”

Geoffrey Beene: A Duet of Fashion and Movement will be presented free to the public on February 11, 2021 at 6 pm. To make this increased access to the Museum’s fashion design collection possible for the community, Arizona Costume Institute and Phoenix Art Museum encourage all attendees who are able to do so to make a donation in support of the fashion design program at Phoenix Art Museum. Individuals who support the event through gifts of $250 or greater will receive a complimentary gift bag. Those who donate $1,000 or greater before December 31, 2020 will additionally enjoy exclusive, virtual, pre-event access to view and learn more about key garments from the new Geoffrey Beene Archive with Helen Jean, the Museum’s Jacquie Dorrance Curator of Fashion Design.

To RSVP to Geoffrey Beene: A Duet of Fashion and Movement or provide a donation, click here.

For more information about the event, visit arizonacostumeinstitute.org/geoffrey-beene-virtual-unveiling-fundraiser or contact the Communications Office of Phoenix Art Museum at 602.307.2003 or samantha.andreacchi@phxart.org.

For information on Arizona Costume Institute or to become an ACI member, visit arizonacostumeinstitute.org/.

About Phoenix Art Museum

Since 1959, Phoenix Art Museum has provided millions of guests with access to world-class art and experiences in an effort to ignite imaginations, create meaningful connections, and serve as a brave space for all people who wish to experience the transformative power of art. Located in Phoenix’s Central Corridor, the Museum is a vibrant destination for the visual arts and the largest art museum in the southwestern United States. Each year, more than 300,000 guests engage with critically acclaimed national and international exhibitions and the Museum’s collection of more than 20,000 works of American and Western American, Asian, European, Latin American, modern and contemporary art, and fashion design. The Museum also presents a comprehensive film program, live performances, and educational programs designed for visitors of all ages, along with vibrant photography exhibitions made possible through the Museum’s landmark partnership with the Center for Creative Photography, University of Arizona. To learn more about Phoenix Art Museum, visit phxart.org, or call 602.257.1880.

About the Fashion Design Collection at Phoenix Art Museum

Founded in 1966, the fashion design collection of Phoenix Art Museum features more than 8,000 objects, including American and European men’s, women’s, and children’s dress and accessories dating from the late 17th century to the present. The Museum organizes two fashion exhibitions annually that draw from the renowned collection and are presented in the Kelly Ellman Fashion Design Gallery. Phoenix Art Museum is one of only seven art museums in the country with a long and continuously active fashion program.

About the Geoffrey Beene Archive at Phoenix Art Museum

The Geoffrey Beene Archive at Phoenix Art Museum features more than 400 garments by the late designer, more than 350 of which were donated in 2019 to the Museum by Patsy Tarr, president of the 2wice Arts Foundation and founder and publisher of 2wice magazines and books. Spanning the 1980s through the 1990s, Tarr’s gift of custom-made ensembles and accessories, including jumpsuits, trousers, vests, boleros, gowns, collars, and more, established the Museum as one of the nation’s leading institutions with holdings of Beene’s designs. The Geoffrey Beene Archive at Phoenix Art Museum is now the third archive in the Museum’s renowned fashion design collection of more than 8,000 objects. The Museum’s Ann Bonfoey Taylor Archive, featuring the extraordinary custom-couture wardrobe of American-socialite and tastemaker Ann Bonfoey Taylor, was established in 2008 through a gift from Vernon Taylor, Jr. and his family, while its Emphatics Archive, featuring rare, avant-garde fashions and accessories by renowned designers such as Alexander McQueen, Issey Miyake, Thierry Mugler, John Galliano, and Jean Paul Gaultier, was created in 2015 through a gift from James and Karin Legato, who owned and operated Emphatics, an exclusive boutique in Pittsburgh.

About Arizona Costume Institute

Arizona Costume Institute (ACI) was founded in 1966 to support the fashion design department of Phoenix Art Museum. ACI promotes the appreciation and understanding of fashion design through education programs and fundraising efforts that benefit the Museum’s fashion exhibitions and support the preservation and acquisition of historically and aesthetically significant works. Through the enthusiasm of dedicated volunteers, ACI helps maintain and expand the Museum’s fashion collection. To learn more about Arizona Costume Institute, visit arizonacostumeinstitute.org.

The post Phoenix Art Museum, Arizona Costume Institute to unveil Geoffrey Beene Archive during live virtual event appeared first on Phoenix Art Museum.

PHOENIX (February 12, 2020) –Phoenix Art Museum has accepted a significant gift to its renowned fashion design collection from Patsy Tarr, president of the 2wice Arts Foundation and the founder and publisher of 2wice magazines and books. Spanning the 1980s through the 1990s, the gift of more than 350 custom-made Geoffrey Beene ensembles and accessories, including jumpsuits, trousers, vests, boleros, gowns, collars, and more, establishes the Museum as one of the nation’s leading institutions with holdings of Beene’s designs.

The post Phoenix Art Museum accepts significant gift of Geoffrey Beene fashion designs from New Yorker Patsy Tarr appeared first on Phoenix Art Museum.