"From hairstyles to mannerisms to clothing, the style and fashions of rock and roll artists have often been the cutting edge off which popular fashion and culture have grown," said Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director Terry Stewart. "We believe that this unique exhibition will provide tangible contexts in which to explore that relationship. We are thrilled to work with the Metropolitan Museum to bring this profound contribution to twentieth-century culture to our respective venues."

"Rock Style" was originally conceived by Richard Martin with James D. Henke, vice president of exhibitions and curatorial affairs, and Ileen Gallagher, consultant, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. It was realized in New York by Myra Walker, associate curator, The Costume Institute, with additional help from Craig Inciardi, associate curator, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. At the time the exhibition was announced, Richard Martin commented: "It would be difficult to overestimate the influence of rock on late-twentieth-century style. More than movies and/or the fashion industry, rock has been a dynamic force in visual style. Every generation of rock history has commanded visual image as much as sound." He continued, "Twenty-five years ago, in 1974, The Costume Institute presented the exhibition 'Hollywood Design.' That memorable exhibition, often described as the most popular in The Costume Institute's history, testified to the great influence of popular film on fashion and fashion's role in film. We would be remiss to end the century with that witness alone, for today rock has supplanted film to become the great interlocutor with fashion in the vivid visual contest of contemporary living."

The "Rock Style" exhibition and benefit for The Costume Institute were dedicated to the memory of Richard Martin, curator in charge of The Costume Institute from 1993 until his death on November 8, 1999.

Tommy Hilfiger, honorary chairman and principal designer, Tommy Hilfiger Corporation; Anna Wintour, editor in chief of Vogue; and Aerin Lauder, executive director, creative marketing, U.S.A. and Canada, at Estée Lauder, were the co-chairs of the benefit.

The exhibition and the benefit for The Costume Institute were made possible by Tommy Hilfiger U.S.A., Inc. Additional support was provided by Condé Nast and The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.

The exhibition was organized by The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Cleveland, where it was on view from May 12 through September 10, 2000. A third venue for the exhibition—the Barbican Centre in London—followed, from October 4 through December 10, 2000.