As one of the sponsors for the just opened Halston and Warhol: “Silver and Suede” exhibit at the Mint Museum of Art in Charlotte, NC, Electrolux has created what are undoubtedly the coolest looking appliances – Warhol Washers and Dryers.
Skinned with Warhol-inspired artwork, two washer dryer pairs become more than just well-made appliances, they become functional pop art. Unveiled at the exhibit’s opening weekend event, the Warhol-Inspired Electrolux appliances will be on display in the Museum.
Electrolux designers Justin Michal and Lee Fain had fun with this unusual assignment. “Pulling inspiration from the legendary fashion designer and pop artist was something you don’t get to do every day,” said Fain. “We were thrilled to wrap our innovative appliances in a creative way,” adds Michal.
About The “Halston and Warhol: Silver and Suede” Exhibit:
A captivating exhibition that, for the first time, unites the work of Roy Halston Frowick and Andy Warhol, offering a unique perspective on the intersections between their lives and creative practice. Through more than 40 Halston creations and numerous prints, paintings and videos by Warhol, the Silver and Suede show will examine the interconnected lives and creative practices of these two American icons who had a profound impact on 20th century art and fashion.
Organized by The Andy Warhol Museum in collaboration with Lesley Frowick (the niece of Halston), Halston and Warhol integrates approximately 40 of Halston’s creations, including the iconic pillbox hat designed for Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and his signature Ultrasuede shirtdress, with a broad selection of paintings, photographs, and videos by Warhol. It also features a variety of archival material and ephemera that further link the two men both creatively and socially and explore their shared influences and interests.
above: Halston, Dress, 1972, Ultrasuede
Over the course of the 1970s, Halston, who was completely self-trained, established himself as a leading figure in international fashion after launching his career as a milliner at Bergdorf Goodman. Among his professional achievements are his participation in the 1973 French-American fashion show at the Palace of Versailles; the sale of his company to Norton Simon Inc. in 1973 and subsequent creation of the vastly expanded Halston Enterprises; his induction into the Coty Award Hall of Fame; his launch of menswear and fragrance lines in 1975; and his design of uniforms for the 1976 American Winter Olympics team. Halston pioneered the use of synthetic fabrics in high fashion and developed numerous influential designs including the shirtdress (Fall 1972), single-seam dress (Spring 1974), and the bodystocking (Fall 1977). He was recognized not only for his innovative designs and embrace of new materials, but, like Warhol, possessed a sophisticated understanding of publicity and the importance of a well-crafted brand.
above: Andy Warhol, Life magazine, April 1968
Andy Warhol began his career in as a commercial illustrator but quickly rose to fame in the 1960s as one of leaders of the movement known as “Pop Art.” He drew upon celebrities and products from the world of popular culture as his primary subject matter and often utilized techniques from outside of the realm of traditional fine art, such as silk screening, to make his work. Warhol called his studio “The Factory;” it served as a gathering place for artists, models, musicians, and other creative minds.
above: Halston, Evening dress with print based on Warhol’s Flowers painting, 1964-1972, Silk knit
Warhol met Halston through fashion illustrator Joe Eula, with whom he collaborated in 1972 on the production of Halston’s fashion show for the Coty Awards at Lincoln Center. The two subsequently became close friends and colleagues who famously socialized with each other while also exerting a strong influence on each other’s creative practice.
above: Andy Warhol’s drawing of Halston, n.d., Graphite on HMP paper, 31 1/8 x 23 7/8 in. (79.1 x 60.6 cm.), The Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh; Founding Collection, Contribution The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc., © The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc., 1998.1.2254
Halston collected Warhol’s work which he displayed both in his 63rd Street townhouse and his seaside retreat in Montauk that he rented from Warhol, a subject portrayed by Warhol in video, painting, and photography. He often used patterns inspired by artists including Warhol’s flower painting in his designs. In 1979 Warhol dedicated a chapter of his book, Andy Warhol’s Exposures, to Halston, describing him as the “first All-American fashion designer.” The two remained close friends and colleagues until Warhol’s death in 1987.
The exhibition draws upon the collections of The Andy Warhol Museum, The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology, Lesley Frowick, Karen Bjornson (Halston supermodel), the Des Moines Art Center, and other important institutions.
The Exhibition Catalogue
An illustrated catalogue will accompany the exhibition with contributions from Diane Von Furstenberg, Pat Cleveland, Valerie Steele (Director, MFIT), Eric Shiner (Director, The Andy Warhol Museum), Lesley Frowick, Corinne LaBalme (fashion journalist and former Halston employee) and Geralyn Huxley (Curator of Film and Video, The Andy Warhol Museum). Purchase the catalog here
Purchase Tickets for Halston and Warhol: Silver and Suede at the Mint Museum here
About The Electrolux Washers and Dryers
The new Front Load Compact Washer and Dryer, at 24”, boast a ventless design with reversible doors for a completely customizable space – perfect for consumers who live in city apartments or have installation restrictions. The Front Load Washer and Dryer with Wave-Touch Controls® feature the fastest wash (15 minutes) and dry time (14 minutes), unveiling the art behind a perfect clean.
Learn more about these products and others from Electrolux.
Halston and Warhol: Silver and Suede is organized by The Andy Warhol Museum, one of the four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, and presented with the cooperation of Halston Heritage, the major lender to the exhibition. The exhibition is presented locally through the generous support of PNC Financial Services, Electrolux, Moore & Van Allen, the Mint Museum Auxiliary, and the Young Affiliates of the Mint.
images courtesy of Electrolux, The Mint Museum and The Warhol Foundation
