Warhol Factory x Levi’s x Damien Hirst Book Launch Review – A Fun Collaboration of Fashion and Wearable Art

In the posh and trendy store of Fred Segal Man in Santa Monica, PR Company Evolutionary Media Group, along with clothing designer Adrian Nyman, presented the launch of the Warhol Factory x Levi’s x Damien Hirst book in an intimate reception.  The book chronicles the concept and the collaboration of one of today’s highest paid living artists and one of today’s emerging fashion designers through vivid photography and imagery.  

Designer Nyman was seen being interviewed by the press about the inspiration behind the book as he discussed how honored he was to work with such a high-caliber innovative artist.  For those interested in the unabridged history of this much-touted collaboration,

Damien Hirst was impressed with Adrian Nyman’s designs on display in Barney’s New York, aptly called the Warhol Factory X Collection, that he purchased nearly everything on the sales room floor.  This, in turn, led to their collaboration.  Los Angeles fashion designer Adrian Nyman is the creative director and the lead designer behind the Warhol Factory x Levi’s x Damien Hirst line.  Nyman has worked closely with Hirst to create high-end, wearable art for Levi’s.  Most recently, Nyman’s line debuted at New York’s Fashion Week and the Gagosian Gallery in Chelsea and was met with critical acclaim.  In the beginning of the year, the Warhol Factory x Levi’s x Damien Hirst line can be found and bought in Fred Segal, Barney’s New York and American Rag.

Also coinciding with this book launch was the debut of two unseen pieces by Damien Hirst on display, that consisted of two pairs of 34 x 34 denim jeans splashed in a spectrum of eye-popping colors.  The jeans each had their own individual display case.  In addition to the two premiere pieces, there were other Damien Hirst inspired items on the display table.  There were t-shirts, jeans and little accessories such as a photo card of Andy Warhol and a silver-studded skull dangling from a small chain attached to the pants inspired from Hirst’s most famous and expensive work For The Love of God. 

For The Love of God, which is a sculpture in a platinum cast of an 18th century skull covered in 8,601 flawless diamonds and human teeth, can be found on signature pieces throughout the Warhol Factory x Levi’s x Damien Hirst section of the store.  On another wall was a flat screen playing Adrian Nyman’s fashion show, which showed models wearing what appeared to be outfits inspired by the evening’s event.  Throughout the night, The Dolce Group brought around trays of delicious sushi cut rolls, mojitos and Izze carbonated fruit juice drinks.  The evening wouldn’t be complete without an ecclectic mix of music being spun by DJ Pubes (Yes, you read right, DJ Pubes).

Overall, the Fred Segal store consisted of photojournalists, die hard Andy Warhol and Damien Hirst aficionados, friends of Adrian Nyman and

fan/celebrity supporters such as Beth Stolarczyk ( MTV'S THE REAL WORLD, LOS ANGELES), Paul Johannson ( ONE TREE HILL) and Whitney Port ( MTV'S THE HILLS) of this innovative line.  What made this event special was the fact that Nyman took the time to work the room and meet and greet with the public, telling people how truly passionate he was about his work with Hirst.  With the amount of people that showed up at the event, one could say that the venue warranted a much bigger space than just a section of the store; however, it did create and pique the curiosity of the crowd (much like an art gallery showing) as they made their way through the room with anticipation to get their turn at viewing the two debut pieces and the two display books.  One will find this book to be a must have and a conversation piece for any coffee table occasion with its black denim hard bound limited edition cover.  The book retails for $200.00 and for an additional $100.00, one can purchase the book along with a sleek plexi glass and metal display box to preserve this limited edition book.

To view sample pages, learn more about the Nyman/Hirst relationship and to purchase a copy of this one-of-a-kind collector’s book of fashion meets art, visit the online website devoted specifically for the book at DHW Books.

For more information about up-and-coming designer Adrian Nyman, his profile, his video runway show and why he’s the talk of the fashion industry, visit his IQONS Magazine web page at Adrian Nyman. 

All photos by Jerod Williams