The Branch Museum of Design is marking a period of transition with Undeniable, a new exhibition pairing fashion designer Christian Siriano and contemporary artist Ashley Longshore.
The exhibition this week arrives as the museum undergoes a formal rebrand and leadership change. Formerly known as The Branch Museum of Architecture and Design, the institution has shortened its name to The Branch Museum of Design, reflecting an expanded focus that includes fashion, art, interiors, and other forms of contemporary design alongside architecture.
The rebrand coincides with the appointment of Kristen Cavallo as executive director. Cavallo retired from the advertising industry in 2024 after three decades in leadership roles, including serving as CEO of The Martin Agency and global head of MullenLowe Group. Museum officials have said the change is intended to position The Branch more directly within current design and cultural conversations.
Undeniable brings together two artists working in different mediums but with overlapping audiences and visibility. Siriano rose to national prominence in the late 2000s and has since become a regular presence in American fashion. His work is known for structured silhouettes, detailed construction, and an emphasis on inclusive sizing and representation.
Siriano has dressed a wide range of public figures, including Michelle Obama, Vice President Kamala Harris, Billy Porter, Lady Gaga, Zendaya, Ariana Grande, Whoopi Goldberg, and Leslie Jones. His designs regularly appear at major award ceremonies, red carpet events, and public appearances, and he continues to present collections at New York Fashion Week.
Longshore is known for large-scale paintings that draw on pop culture, luxury branding, text, and consumer imagery. Her work often uses bold color and recognizable references and has been exhibited in galleries and private collections across the country.
The exhibition places fashion and visual art in direct dialogue, focusing on visibility, authorship, and design as a form of cultural expression. Museum representatives describe the show as aligned with the institution’s broader shift toward contemporary design disciplines.
A VIP cocktail reception connected to the exhibition will offer early access for supporters, but Undeniable is part of a larger repositioning for the museum. As The Branch moves forward under its new name and leadership, the exhibition signals an expanded approach to programming within the historic Branch House on Monument Avenue.
Get your tickets to the VIP event HERE.
Undeniable: The Designs of Christian Siriano and Ashley Longshore
January 17 – March 22, 2026
More information HERE
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