ATLANTA, GEORGIA — The Savannah College of Art and Design presents the Atlanta premiere of People Are People, honoring famed American fashion designer Christian Siriano, at SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film. On view through Oct. 9, 2022, the exhibition showcases more than 60 sensational creations from the designer’s decade-plus career that embrace glamour and self-expression for every body at every age. SCAD FASH is proud to present Siriano’s impressive body of work to an Atlanta audience following the exhibition’s debut at the SCAD Museum of Art in 2021.
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 asell 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
The SCAD FASH exhibition features extraordinary gowns and red-carpet looks from the Siriano archives, including many of the designer’s greatest runway moments and garments worn by the world’s biggest stars and luminaries such as Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey; legendary divas Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez; LGBTQ+ heroes Billy Porter, Laverne Cox, Michael Urie, and Jonathan Van Ness; leading ladies Alicia Silverstone, Regina King, and Danielle Brooks; pop icons Taylor Swift, Janelle Monáe, Lizzo, Sia, Lil’ Kim, and Cardi B; and international top models Heidi Klum, Naomi Campbell, Coco Rocha, and Ashley Graham. This expanded iteration of People Are People will also feature dramatic, never-before-displayed gowns worn during the 2022 red-carpet season.
"To have my work featured in a solo exhibition at SCAD not once by twice is such an unbelievable honor. I'm so grateful to SCAD for recognizing the dedication that my team and I have put toward my brand for the last 14 years. I hope that with this exhibition, I can encourage others to persevere and continue to creative. Without art, this world would be incredibly ordinary, and I hope that this exhibition inspires young artists to push the boundaries and make the world extraordinary with their work."
Christian Siriano
SCAD students and alumni from an array of the university’s top-ranked degree programs will have the opportunity to explore these iconic pieces and interact with Siriano during exclusive programming and engagements. SCAD fashion and accessory design graduates will also have the opportunity to engage with the designer through the SCAD Alumni x Siriano Design Challenge. Envisioned by SCAD President and Founder Paula Wallace, the SCAD Alumni x Siriano Design Challenge invites 14 alumni to present concepts for a collaboration with Siriano. The winner will be awarded a $5,000 honorarium.
On Friday, May 6, Siriano will be fêted at a members-only reception at SCAD FASH, in attendance with celebrity supporters and loyal friends who have worn some of his most signature designs featured in the exhibition.
"We are thrilled to present Christian Siriano's incredible work at SCAD FASH 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 positivity. We are proud to recognize Christian and bring this exhibition to Atlanta's dynamic culture and fashion scene."
Rafael Gomes | Director of fashion exhibitions and curator of People Are People
Media contact
Scottie Walden Albertson
Director of Public Relations
[email protected]
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 2 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 FASH Museum of Fashion + Film
SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film celebrates fashion as a universal language, garments as important conduits of identity, and film as an immersive and memorable medium of popular culture. Situated within SCAD Atlanta, the museum presents dynamic exhibitions, captivating films, and enticing events that mine the rich and storied legacies of fashion history to inspire contemporary designers and future innovations. Supported by the university’s strong global presence and connections to renowned contemporary fashion designers, filmmakers, and creative professionals around the world, SCAD FASH is an integral part of the SCAD educational experience.
Like the award-winning SCAD Museum of Art, SCAD FASH serves as a creative resource for students of all ages and a wellspring of inspiration for visitors. Through programming that engages the university’s broad array of academic disciplines, SCAD FASH offers diverse exhibitions, films, installations, performances, and events to enliven and inspire the greater community year-round. Each program is designed to engage and appeal to visitors with varied backgrounds and interests, from textiles and jewelry to photography and film.
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. Visit scad.edu.