Last Thursday night, pop artist Ashley Longshore debuted an exclusive partnership with Bergdorf Goodman, thanks to a little help from her friends Blake Lively, Linda Fargo and Christian Siriano. The iconic department store has been open since 1901, but this is their first art exhibit dedicated to a solo female artist. The Instagram-famous creative is based in New Orleans but thinks New York is “the best city in the world,” making this art collaboration even more triumphant.
Alabama-born Longshore was raised to be in the Junior League but instead creates subversive pop art that has garnered a celebrity following. “I think there’s a fantasy about money and the American dream and that’s what I’m exploring,” she told Observer about her Audrey Hepburn portraits and Anna Wintour imaginings, back in 2015. She models her art sales after the Birkin bag and waitlists everyone for her exclusive pieces, which only serves to increase her celebrity.
While she might not be a former Gossip Girl actress, Longshore’s appearance was met with the same excitement as Serena van der Woodsen’s triumphant return to New York City. Squealing fans with beauty queen blowouts trailed her around the space while clutching glasses of champagne, hoping for an Instagram moment with the artist and her elaborate glasses. Plenty of fashion stylists were on-hand, including June Ambrose and Ty Hunter.
If you didn’t make it to the seventh floor, scroll through to look inside the installation, which is open through February.