Andy Warhol

Decorated Denim: The Aids Benefit Auction, Barney's New York, 1986, lot 1
Acquired by the present owner from the above sale

This work is in very good condition overall.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

DECORATED DENIM: THE AIDS BENEFIT  -  1986

Bringing together the worlds of  fashion, music, art and celebrity, Decorated Denim was the first major AIDS benefit held in New York City at a time when the city was reeling from the onset of the epidemic. Barney's Department Store, in collaboration with Levi-Strauss & Co, hosted what would long be remembered as an evening of fantasy and glamour in their newly expanded women's store.  Artists and designers were each asked to decorate or transform a denim jacket; these were  modeled and then auctioned off to raise money for the cause.  Celebrities and models including Nell Campbell, Peter Allen, Andie MacDowell, Susan Sarandon, and Iman were invited to descend Peter Marino's spectacular spiral staircase, wearing jackets by such artists and designers as  Basquiat, Warhol, Paloma Picasso and Jean-Paul Gaultier. Fashion designers outdid themselves to come up with the most outrageous creations. Charity patrons paid up to $5000 to take a turn at modeling. Madonna, a young rising star and early advocate for AIDS action and awareness, modeled a jacket and waved coyly to the audience. Andy Warhol, whose relationship with Barney's was already well established, attended with a camera. Many years later, Simon Doonan, Barney's creative director, would recall: "Warhol was a customer at Barneys' former Seventh Avenue and 17th Street location, and  the artist contributed a camouflage painting for the store's Statue of Liberty-themed windows in 1986, as well as a denim jacket to an auction for AIDS research that same year".  In the parade of jackets, the Warhol jacket was modeled as lot 1; the Basquiat as lot 9.