WAG spotlighted the incredible career of Ralph Pucci in September 2015, our cover story sparked by “Ralph Pucci: The Art of the Mannequin.”
The career retrospective of the fashion-industry veteran was offered at the Museum of Arts and Design in Manhattan. It was a sweeping tribute to the man behind Ralph Pucci International – who just happened to grow up in Mount Vernon and New Rochelle.
We’ve followed his work ever since, delighting late last year in the chance to attend one of the famed Pucci “events,” a launch of a new collection at his Chelsea headquarters. That memorable evening was devoted to his collaboration with fashion illustrator Rebecca Moses, one that put diversity, individuality, art and fashion in the spotlight.
This month, Pucci unveils SIZES, his latest collection of mannequins.
Here’s the scoop from the Pucci team:
“For the latest collection of mannequins, 40-year industry veteran Ralph Pucci explores a wider range of sizes reflecting today’s female proportions, representing sizes 2, 8, 12 and 16. Today, 70 percent of women wear plus sizes and yet these sizes are relegated to lower levels, hidden away and hard to find in major retailers, let alone luxury shops.
“Ralph Pucci has collaborated over several decades with artists and designers to create unique, striking mannequins, always made proudly in Manhattan, that are art for the retail world. Collaborators include Maira Kalman, Ruben Toledo, Anna Sui, Kenny Scharf, Andrée Putman and, most recently, Rebecca Moses. Ralph Pucci is increasingly interested in a diversity of shapes and creating mannequins that celebrate different proportions. The premise for SIZES is also about inclusivity, presenting all of the sizes together, rather than delineating ‘larger’ ones from ‘smaller’ and with an elegant aesthetic that is synonymous with Ralph Pucci designs.
“For years I’ve been making mannequins in size 0 and 2,” says Ralph Pucci. “When you think about it, that’s absurd! I’m proud to say SIZES is the first modern and truly artistic mannequin collection to include larger sizes, a market which has previously been shamefully neglected.”
SIZES will be celebrated Dec. 7 in Ralph Pucci Gallery Nine, dressed in Universal Standard fashions, known for their chic, minimal and architectural lines. Twenty-five mannequins will be intermingled in the assorted four sizes, on display through Dec. 12.
“Ralph’s taste and uncanny ability to be at the forefront is well documented,” says Alex Waldman, co-founder of Universal Standard. “SIZES makes him among the first tastemakers to recognize the importance – and inevitability – of beauty diversity. We are delighted to partner together as the fashion label to dress this exciting collection.”
For more, visit ralphpucci.net.
– Mary Shustack
