The SCAD Museum of Art presents Christian Siriano "People Are People"
Celebrated fashion designer to showcase more than 35 electrifying looks in first solo retrospective
The Savannah College of Art and Design debuts People Are People, honoring famed American fashion designer Christian Siriano, at the SCAD Museum of Art. On view through Jan. 30, 2022, the exhibition showcases more than 35 sensational creations from the designer’s decade-plus career that embrace glamour and self-expression for every body at every age. People Are People is Siriano’s first solo museum exhibition and a highlight of SCAD MOA’s 10th anniversary programming in celebration of the museum’s cultural impact over its first decade.
Since launching his fashion house in New York in 2008, Siriano has become beloved for statement-making looks, combining beautiful craftsmanship with a unique point of view that has endeared him to the fashion industry, celebrities, and the public alike. From glamorous gowns to gender-defying showstoppers, Siriano’s designs have been the focus of unforgettable Fashion Weeks and red-carpet moments, and worn by the world’s biggest stars, top models, pop icons, legendary divas, LGBTQ heroes, first ladies, and more.
Recognized by Time magazine in 2018 as one of the 100 Most Influential People of the year, Siriano has been a champion of diversity, inclusion, and body positivity long before they were trending, integrating social responsibility into the ethos of his brand from the very beginning. Drawn from his extensive archive, People Are People honors Siriano’s extraordinary contributions to fashion and culture.
“No designer understands people as well as Christian Siriano, Celebs love his designs — Billy Porter, Amy Adams, Zendaya, and Lizzo sing his praises. But what sets Christian apart is his belief that fashion is for everyone — and when we zip up a Siriano design, we are all stars.”
PAULA WALLACE | SCAD President and Founder
In this exhibition, SCAD MOA will present extraordinary gowns and electrifying red carpet looks from the Christian Siriano archives featuring garments worn by the world’s biggest stars and luminaries such as Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey; legendary divas Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, and Celine Dion; LGBTQ+ heroes Billy Porter, Laverne Cox, Michael Urie, and Jonathan Van Ness; leading ladies Sarah Jessica Parker, Amy Adams, Lucy Liu, Alicia Silverstone, Christina Hendricks, and Danielle Brooks; pop icons Janelle Monáe, Lizzo, Ariana Grande, Sia, and Cardi B; and international top models Heidi Klum, Naomi Campbell, Coco Rocha, and Ashley Graham.
“It is such an unbelievable honor to follow in the footsteps of so many great designers who have exhibited their work at SCAD. It has always been my dream to create and inspire others, especially a young generation, and I truly hope this exhibition does that. This is a celebration of people in all of their beauty.”
CHIRSTIAN SIRIANO
SCAD students and alumni from an array of the university’s top-ranked degree programs including fashion, fibers, accessory design, jewelry design, film and television, and luxury and brand management will have the opportunity to explore these iconic pieces and interact with Siriano during exclusive programming throughout the academic year.
“I am thrilled to dedicate an exhibition at SCAD MOA to Christian Siriano’s incredible body of work and highlight the undeniable impact he has had on the fashion industry. His stunning creations are vibrant, whimsical, and combine beautiful craftsmanship with a unique point of view and upbeat positivity. We are proud to recognize Christian during this momentous year for the museum.”
RAFAEL GOMES
Director of fashion exhibitions at SCAD and curator of People Are People
On Oct. 22, Siriano will be fêted at a reception at the museum, in attendance with celebrity supporters and loyal friends who have worn some of his most signature designs over the past decade. On Saturday, Oct. 23, SCAD MOA will host and stream virtually “In Conversation with Christian Siriano,” where Siriano will discuss his illustrious career. The People Are People opening weekend also coincides with the 24th annual SCAD Savannah Film Festival, the largest university-run film festival in the world and a distinguished stop on the awards circuit, showcasing cinematic creativity from both award-winning professionals and emerging student filmmakers. For more information, visit scadmoa.org.
About Christian Siriano
Award-winning CFDA designer Christian Siriano launched his eponymous collection in 2008 following his studies in London under Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen. Known for whimsical and show-stopping design, the collection is shown each season at New York Fashion Week and sold in retailers across the globe. In 2012, the first flagship Christian Siriano store opened in the Noho neighborhood of New York City with his latest retail venture, “The Curated NYC,” located in the heart of Midtown. Siriano’s designs have been worn by current FLOTUS Dr. Jill Biden, former FLOTUS Michelle Obama, Angelina Jolie, Oprah, Zendaya, Ariana Grande, Julianne Moore, Lady Gaga, Tiffany Haddish, Billy Porter, Cardi B, Amy Adams, Scarlett Johansson, Whoopi Goldberg, and Julia Roberts to name but a few. Siriano was named among Time’s 100 Most Influential People for his leading contributions to body diversity on the runway and red carpet.
Most recently, Siriano has been heralded for leading the PPE charge during the COVID-19 pandemic. His atelier shifted entirely from clothes to masks and to date he and his team have shipped nearly two million masks to frontline workers in the New York area. 2020 also saw Siriano launch his own digital BRAVO talk show called SO SIRIANO, which saw him break down all things fashion and pop culture with guests ranging from Drew Barrymore, Leslie Jones, Billy Porter, Ashley Graham, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Sia. And Siriano fulfilled a longtime passion when he added interior designer to his impressive list of credits with the debut of his newest venture, Siriano Interiors and a full custom furniture collection. With over a decade of fashion experience, the Siriano design studio continues to celebrate beauty and diversity in this ever-changing fashion industry.
SCAD Museum of Art
The SCAD Museum of Art features more than 10 dynamic gallery spaces presenting exhibitions and commissioned works by international emerging and established artists. The museum serves visitors and students alike, enriching both the high caliber of education at SCAD and the cultural life of the Savannah community and beyond. Exhibitions range from painting, sculpture, and photography to digital media, fashion, and jewelry, complementing the artistic disciplines offered at the university. The museum also hosts public programming year-round, including lectures, gallery talks, workshops, and film screenings.
SCAD MOA has presented exhibitions by artists including AES+F, Jane Alexander, Radcliffe Bailey, Janet Cardiff and George Bures Miller, Carlos Cruz-Diez, Subodh Gupta, Alfredo Jaar, Sigalit Landau, Liza Lou, Elaine Mayes, Lorraine O’ Grady, Ebony G. Patterson, Robin Rhode, Bill Viola, Carrie Mae Weems, Kehinde Wiley, and Fred Wilson, as well as site-specific installations by Daniel Arsham, Kendall Buster, Jose Dávila, Michael Joo, Odili Donald Odita, and others.
An award-winning architectural icon, the museum attracts visitors from around the world to the heart of Savannah’s vibrant downtown historic district and incorporates the oldest surviving pre-Civil War railroad depot into its striking contemporary design. Recognized with awards from the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, the Congress for the New Urbanism, the International Interior Design Association, and the Historic Savannah Foundation, the museum received the American Institute of Architects Honor Award for Architecture, a pinnacle achievement. Visit scadmoa.org.
SCAD: The University for Creative Careers
The Savannah College of Art and Design is a private, nonprofit, accredited university, offering more than 100 academic degree programs across its locations in Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia; Lacoste, France; and online via SCADnow.
SCAD enrolls 15,000 undergraduate and graduate students from more than 100 countries. The innovative SCAD curriculum engages professional-level technology and other advanced learning resources, and affords students opportunities for internships, professional certifications, and real-world assignments with corporate partners through SCADpro, the university’s renowned research lab and prototype generator. In 2020, the prestigious Red Dot Design Rankings placed SCAD as the No. 1 university in the U.S. and in the top two universities in the Americas and Europe for the fourth consecutive year. Career preparation is woven into every fiber of the university, resulting in a superior alumni employment rate. In a recent study, 99% of SCAD graduates were employed, pursuing further education, or both within 10 months of graduation. SCAD provides students and alumni with ongoing career support through personal coaching, alumni programs, a professional presentation studio, and more.