Beene There, Done That

(NEW YORK) Buzz is already building over the retrospective book examining the life of the late Geoffrey Beene being compiled by Paper co-founder and co-editor Kim Hastreiter. Now, there's a new reason to get nostalgic: an exhibition of the late designer's work is being planned to debut during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week here, most likely on September 8. It will consisit of a collection of Beene designs spanning several decades and shown on custom mannequins. Details are still being finalized, but it looks like the exhibit will take place at a theater space acquired by Council of Fashion Designers of America president Diane von Furstenberg and located directly adjacent to her West 14th Street headquarters in the Meatpacking District.

The exhibit will be curated by Hastreiter and Paper Magazine along with the CFDA and the Geoffrey Beene Foundation. The coffee table tome, to be published by Assouline, will be printed in the same format and size as Happy Times, the autobiographical picture book penned by Lee Radziwill. Hastreiter, who interviewed countless members of the fashion community--including Tom Ford--also conducted extensive research in Beene's studio. The finished product will be toasted with a planned book signing event.