Pratt Institute and Ralph Pucci International presented “Pratt + Paper & Ralph Pucci,” an exhibition of paper designs by fashion design, fine arts, industrial design, and interior design students from Pratt’s School of Art and Design at Ralph Pucci International/Gallery Nine Showroom at 44 West 18th Street, 9th Floor, from Tuesday, December 7 through Friday, December 10.
An interdisciplinary group of 50 Pratt students were challenged to a semester-long study in texture and form to dress Pucci’s Spring 2011 “GIRL 2” mannequins entirely in paper. The project was led by Rebeccah Pailes-Friedman, Chair of the Department of Fashion Design at Pratt. The exhibition highlights the best work from the project as selected by Ralph Pucci and features 20 dressed mannequins and 4 sculptural pieces. A panel of distinguished judges selected the top three garment designs and top sculpture design, which were announced at a December 7 event. Those on the judging panel represent some of the best and creative minds from the worlds of fashion and design and included Linda Fargo, Vice President of Fashion, Bergdorf Goodman; Nicole Fischelis, Vice President of Fashion, Macy’s; Grey Mills, Founder of Greg Mills Showroom; Jens Risom, furniture designer; Anna Sui, fashion designer; Deborah Turbeville, photographer; and Vicente Wolf, interior designer.
The students who created the top three garment designs and top sculpture design received awards in the form of 12-inch mannequins hand sculpted by Pucci designer Michael Evert.
Ralph Pucci is the major force behind Ralph Pucci International, and an innovator in the mannequin industry. He is president of the company founded by his parents in the 1950s, which is operated in a spacious loft on West 18th Street. Mannequins are designed, manufactured, and unveiled twice yearly. His Gallery Nine Showroom showcases art, sculptures, photography, lighting, and furnishings by a variety of new, spirited artists and designers.