Macy's commissioned a group of FIDM students to create mannequin installations inspired by the works of famous artists for their Art in Fashion Gallery at their "Art in Bloom" Flower Show. My partner and I were assigned to design and fabricate pieces based on Andy Warhol's works. The finished group of mannequins were displayed on the 3rd floor of Macy's overlooking Union Square.
The banana man refers to “The Velvet Underground & Nico” album cover that was designed by Warhol in 1967. The banana is paired with red and blue polka dots, a pattern that was used widely in Pop Art. The fabrication of this piece consisted of applying sequin paillettes onto a unitard and stylizing a plain banana costume using paint and padding to accomplish a ripened banana look.
The soup can lady was inspired by the origins of Pop Art and refers to several of Warhol’s works. The mannequin is dressed in a 1950’s silhouette, which embodies the true fashion of the time period, accompanied by a variety of iconic Warhol imagery. Warhol’s works were reproduced, applied onto foam core, and cut into unique shapes to make the “paper doll” dress and small banana appear as unrealistic, cartoon-like figures.
This couple's combination of Pop Art and cartoon elements creates a sense of humor that captures the light-hearted spirit of this art movement.
