Phillipe Blond Is The Inspiration For New Genderfluid Mannequins
Iconic mannequin company Rootstein has partnered with Phillipe Blond (one half of the fashion design team known as The Blonds) to release a new collection of male and female mannequins, both of which were sculpted based on Phillipe.
This marks the first time both gender mannequins have been sculpted from a single individual.
Phillipe joins a roster of muses who have been immortalized by Rootstein including Twiggy, Agyness Deyn, Pat Cleveland and Joan Collins.
It's a busy time for The Blonds, who, in addition to outfitting Nicki Minaj for her Pinkprint Tour, are getting ready to debut their SS16 collection during NYFW as well as hosting a launch event which will feature an exhibition of the mannequins wearing an archive of The Blonds most memorable runway pieces.
Below, we chat with Phillipe about his experience.
NewNowNext: Can you describe the initial conversations that were had to ignite this from idea to conception?
Phillipe Blond: This came up the first time I walked into an event at Rootstein. I had very long pin straight platinum hair, was wearing a black silk long sleeved wrap dress with a neckline that plunged to the waist (made specially for that night) and 5-inch leopard pony hair Louboutins. Kevin Arpino, the Creative Director, simply said 'DARLING, now that's how it's done!' Then over the years we kicked around ideas. In the end, this one seemed the obvious choice since two Blonds are better than one!
Do you see any parallels between this happening now and the banner year we've had for LGBT rights and acceptance?
It's definitely perfect timing like a collective conscience, but we've been planning this for so long it's more like fate. Hopefully this will contribute in some small way to the momentum of the movement. The message of this project is visibility and acceptance of people for who they are. We don't necessarily view this project as statement on gender or gender specific garments. This is about individuals having the freedom to express themselves however and whenever they choose.
Can you walk me through the actual process of how the mannequin was constructed?
We we're flown out to the London Flagship showroom and spent three weeks there with the sculptors. Since we were doing two mannequins it was double time with 12-14 hour days–a thrill but very challenging as half that time I was in 6-inch heels so you can imagine.
Using an ancient technique with clay the artist sculpted me starting with a base of wood, wire and rods. Then applying very small pinches of clay, built the form out from there. They utilized tools such as antique hand forged iron Calipers and various sculpting tools. The form immediately took shape and I instantly recognized my body language as the he worked.
Once the clay is dry, a mold is made and so on until the prototype Mannequin is complete. It has taken a little over a year to refine. Many versions of make up and hair; hands are some of the most challenging parts. Now they are complete and the result is amazing.
What would your younger self have thought had he known that you'd one day have not one, but two Rootstein-designed mannequins?
I know that little Puerto Rican kid in chancletas on the beach would be so excited right now! I'm an only child and was left to my imagination and this life is really what I dreamed about. Also when we collaborated with Mattel on our Barbies it was a sort of foreshadowing.
And lastly, do you own a pair of the mannequins? If so, do will they live?
For now they will live in the Rootstein Showroom for the event. We will also be dressing them for an event in some of our favorite looks from past shows and celebrity performances. Douglas Yeun and Joseph Tate have totally transformed the Rootstein Showroom into "World of The Blonds" and it's fabulous! This experience has been magical and I'm so excited to kick off New York Fashion Week. A sort of PHILLIPE BLOND INVASION!!
Main image courtesy of Marco Ovando.
