The great thing about the Phoenix Art Museum is that it is always expanding its programming. One of the ways it has done that over the years is by adding a fashion collection and the Arizona Costume Institute, which debuted 60 years ago.
So, to celebrate 60 years of showcasing the unique stamp that fashion and fashion designers have left on the art world, Phoenix Art Museum is bringing in Christian Siriano, a CFDA fashion designer and winner of Season 4 of the hit show "Project Runway," for a special, one-night-only event.
On Oct. 20, from 6 to 9 p.m., guests can enjoy a curated runway show of 15 looks from Siriano's Spring/Summer 2027 collection that premiered at New York Fashion Week in September. Siriano will also unveil a special custom piece
made especially for the PhxArt fashion collection. Plus, guests will be able to participate in a Q&A with Siriano during the reception portion of the evening.
Christian Siriano comes back to celebrate Phoenix Art Museum's fashion
Christian Siriano is a CFDA award-winning designer who is also a member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. Siriano was the Season 4 winner of "Project Runway," where he now serves as a mentor to the designers on the current seasons of the show. He launched his collection in 2008 after studying under Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen.
“We are thrilled to welcome Christian Siriano back to Phoenix for what will be a truly historic moment for Phoenix Art Museum and Arizona Costume Institute,” said Jeremy Mikolajczak, the Sybil Harrington Director and CEO of Phoenix Art Museum in a press release.
“As ACI celebrates its 60th anniversary, we are also marking the official release of 'Colorwear: A Kaleidoscope of Fashion' and the unveiling of the extraordinary gown commissioned from Christian for the Museum’s collection, which fittingly graces the cover of the publication. Bringing these milestones together with a runway show featuring Christian’s Spring/Summer collection, fresh from New York Fashion Week, creates an extraordinary opportunity to celebrate both ACI’s remarkable legacy and the vitality of fashion today.
"Since 1966, generations of ACI members and leaders have championed fashion as an art form and helped build a collection of national significance. We are deeply grateful for their vision, dedication, and enduring support, and to Christian for helping us commemorate this milestone with an unforgettable celebration of fashion, creativity, and the next chapter of ACI at Phoenix Art Museum.”
In addition to the fashion show and Q&A, the Phoenix Art Museum will also be celebrating the launch of the museum's new fashion publication "Colorwear," which explores the history of the institution's renowned fashion holdings, and this first issue will feature Siriano's commissioned design on the cover. A copy of this issue pre-signed by Siriano can be purchased with either ticket option for an additional $50.
“Over the past 60 years, ACI has grown into a community united by a love of fashion and a belief in its enduring place in the arts,” Donna Johnson, president of Arizona Costume Institute, said in a news release. “What makes this anniversary especially meaningful is knowing that the passion and support of ACI members have helped build a collection and a legacy that will continue to inspire future generations. Celebrating that legacy alongside a designer as imaginative and influential as Christian Siriano, and welcoming him back to Phoenix, feels like a wonderful bridge between where we have been and where fashion will take us next.”
How to attend the one-night-only celebration at Phoenix Art Museum
If you're looking to attend Phoenix Art Museum's one-night-only celebration with Siriano, you have two ticket options available to you.
There's the first option, which includes Siriano's runway show and the reception, which will include a Q&A with Siriano. The second option is to attend the reception only. The runway show and reception option is $250 for the public and $175 for Arizona Costume Institute members. The reception-only option is $100 for the public. All tickets can be purchased at phxart.org/events.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Famed fashion designer returns to Phoenix Art Museum for special event
