$5 admission at the door (FREE members)

Live music / Cash Bar

Halston and Warhol: Silver and Suede examines the dynamic friendship between legendary American fashion designer, Halston (b. 1932, Des Moines), and artist Andy Warhol (b. 1928, Pittsburgh), through art, fashion, photography, video, and personal memorabilia. Born within four years of each other, they had similar beginnings to their careers, both starting out as window dressers for department stores before relocating to New York City where they each found early success in their chosen fields.

Halston became the defining American fashion designer of the 1970s through his effortlessly chic Ultrasuede shirtdresses and other sophisticated minimalist designs; while Andy Warhol challenged the canon of high art by embracing popular culture and celebrity worship. Silver and Suede chronicles the decades-long friendship between the two men, the similarities and intersections in their lives and careers, and the influences they had on each other.

The exhibition will begin with Halston’s hat designs for Bergdorf Goodman, including Jackie Kennedy’s pillbox hat (1961), alongside works by Warhol of Jackie during the same time. A selection of Halston garments, loaned by major institutional and private collections, will illustrate the decades-long connections between Warhol and Halston, who famously socialized with each other while also exerting an influence on each other’s creative practice.

Silver and Suede is co-curated by Lesley Frowick (Halston’s niece), in collaboration with Nicholas Chambers of The Andy Warhol Museum. The Des Moines presentation is organized by Senior Curator Gilbert Vicario.