Daryl Kerrigan is setting up her new exhibition, “Daryl K I Am My Muse,” at Verse Work in Red Hook, located in Dutchess County rather than Brooklyn. The show brings the smoky, club-like atmosphere of late ’90s downtown New York to a more rural setting. Curated by Nina Stritzler-Levine along with Kerrigan and her partner Paul Leonard, it features pieces from the designer’s extensive archives spanning nearly 35 years.
Originally from Dublin, Kerrigan studied at the National College of Art and Design and began using her mother’s sewing machine to design clothes that broke away from her Catholic school uniform. Her first business involved selling dresses to women on the streets and in the nightclub where she worked. After moving to New York in 1986, she built her reputation through retail rather than runway shows and won the CFDA’s Perry Ellis Award in 1996. She opened her first store in the East Village in 1991, relocated to Bond Street in 1997, and remained there until 2012, when she downsized to concentrate on her Evergreen Collection.
Daryl K became famous for its well-fitting pants, from low-rise boot-cut jeans to loose styles and form-fitting leather leggings. Kerrigan once joked that her brand could be called “Pants-R-Us,” noting that her quest for the perfect pants and jacket inspired her to start the business. Reviewing her archives for the exhibition has reinforced the lasting impact and relevance of her designs.
Known for her edgy downtown aesthetic, with early supporters like Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth, Kerrigan believes that what was once niche has now become mainstream. She observes that the idea of “downtown cool” has spread worldwide, partly due to technology like iPhones making coolness a commodity. Many of her creations, such as stretch leather leggings, have become staples in fashion.
The exhibition is divided into four themes: New York, Rebel, Woman, and I Am My Muse. The last theme ties into ongoing conversations about the underrepresentation of female designers in a female-dominated industry. Kerrigan, who has always been her own fit model, emphasizes that clothing should be practical and move with a woman’s body, designed for life, not just for display.
In a discussion about her exhibition and why the ’90s resonate today, Kerrigan reflects on being an independent designer. She sees the core of independence as expressing one’s own ideas without outside influence or judgment. While big brands dominate the market, she feels her work remains relevant and true to what women want to wear, regardless of age. She criticizes fashion for often ignoring real women’s needs and notes the lack of female designers creating for women.Ultimately, fashion to me is when people actually wear the clothes. There are different interpretations, of course. Sometimes designs are presented on the runway and labeled as fashion, but if no one wears them, perhaps they’re more of a concept. I believe fashion originally meant something women desired to wear, and that’s what made it fashionable.
Now, about my exhibition—what does it include? I’ve never stopped creating. Even after closing my store in 2012, I’ve maintained a small, timeless collection on my website, crafting clothes for the women who still seek me out to purchase my designs. About a year ago, Nina Stritzler-Levine, an independent curator and writer who previously organized shows for Bard College, visited me while researching female designers in New York. She was completely captivated and proposed creating an exhibition.
It’s been an incredibly exciting yet daunting project. I’ve been sorting through my entire archive—35 years’ worth—selecting the standout pieces. Looking back, I realize my style hasn’t changed much; the looks I wear today are very similar to what I’ve always done.
I developed a unique presentation method that I’m thrilled with. I dislike traditional mannequins—I never used them in my store—so I started creating busts from my dress forms using papier-mâché and plaster casts. These busts and butt forms hang from wires on the ceiling, rotating and moving, almost like a lively party. The clothes come alive in motion, fitting in a way mannequins can’t replicate. Seeing the garments circle around has a magical quality. This is especially meaningful since my designs don’t have strong hanger appeal—they need to be worn to appreciate the fit, which is crucial to me. We even cast my own butt to properly showcase how my pants fit, as no existing forms could do them justice.
The exhibition also features small drawings and paintings I’ve been creating. While I love clothing, I also enjoy graphic art and words. Additionally, we’re including a film I made in the ’90s with a friend, shot around New York featuring Miranda Brooks and three other women, along with edited runway shows from 1996 onward. It’s a deep dive into the past that feels surprisingly relevant today, especially with current fashion trends. The ’90s styles are back because they worked—like the skinny tank tops and baggy pants I pioneered, which you see everywhere now.
What did I want to bring into the world that was missing when I started my brand? Initially, I wanted a great pair of sexy pants and a fantastic jacket. In the ’90s, nothing captured the feeling I was after, influenced by music like rock ‘n’ roll and hip-hop. New York was essential to my existence; the saying “If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere” feels reversed to me—I’m not sure I could have succeeded anywhere else. New York shaped me.
What do I hope people take from this show? I’m not striving to rebuild my label into a global brand again. But I genuinely enjoy making clothes and I like…I love making women feel good and offering them something that can enhance their lives. That’s what drives me, and I’m excited to introduce my brand to more people through this exhibition. It’s a wonderful opportunity to showcase my work, which remains so relevant that I can display these archives alongside the pop-up shop.
What gives my older designs their lasting appeal? It’s all about the feeling. When I design, I focus on the body, the woman wearing the clothes, the movement she needs, and how she’ll feel in them. Combining these elements creates something timeless, like a pair of Levi’s jeans on a woman—it never goes out of style.
I deeply consider how a woman will feel and what her experience will be in the garment. That’s why I test everything I design myself. I wear it all to ensure it feels and looks right. Since I have a regular, proportionate body—not a model’s—I can make decisions that suit many different women. Fit is crucial. For most of my career, I’ve been my own fit model. I’ll put on a jacket and check that I can raise my arms, stretch them forward, and squat without anything tearing or pulling. That’s how important it is to me.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of helpful and clear FAQs about Daryl Kerrigans new exhibition bringing downtown cool to Upstate New York
General Information
Q Who is Daryl Kerrigan
A Daryl Kerrigan is a contemporary artist and curator known for an edgy urbaninspired style that captures the energy of downtown city scenes
Q What is this new exhibition about
A The exhibition showcases Kerrigans latest work which translates the downtown cool aestheticthink graffiti street art and modern urban lifeinto a fresh context for Upstate New Yorks art scene
Q Where and when is the exhibition happening
A Please check the hosting gallery or museums official website for the exact location dates and opening hours as these details are specific to the event
Q Is there an admission fee
A This varies by venue Some openings or special events might be ticketed while general admission could be free Its best to confirm on the events official page
The Art Concept
Q What does bringing downtown cool to Upstate New York mean
A It means Kerrigan is taking the raw vibrant and often gritty artistic energy associated with city centers and presenting it in a more rural or suburban setting creating a unique cultural dialogue
Q What kind of art will be on display
A You can expect a mix of mediums likely including largescale paintings mixedmedia collages spray paint art and possibly installations that reflect an urban vibe
Q Is this exhibition suitable for people who arent art experts
A Absolutely The themes are often accessible and relatable focusing on urban energy pop culture and modern life making it engaging for everyone
Q How does Kerrigans work connect with the Upstate NY landscape
A This is an advanced and interesting aspect of the show Kerrigan may be juxtaposing urban aesthetics with pastoral or industrial Upstate themes creating a conversation between two different American environments
Visiting the Exhibition
Q Are there guided tours or talks with the artist
A Many exhibitions offer these Look for information on artist talks curator walkthroughs or scheduled tours on the events website or social media