Recent Lawrence grad exhibits with fashion icons

Lawrence High School alum Ariel Penzer was chosen to represent the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City's Sidewalk Catwalk public art event this summer.

The 400-pound sculpture designed by Penzer and fellow FIT designer Christopher Ciaccia is standing alongside similar creations by fashion luminaries, including Donna Karan, Betsey Johnson, Michael Kors, Badgley Mischka, Tommy Hilfiger, Isaac Mizrahi, Norma Kamali and Diane von Furstenberg. 

Organized by the Fashion Center Business Improvement District, the Sidewalk Catwalk is a large scale installation featuring interpretive mannequins by 30 professional designers, and two student design teams.

Custom-built mannequins—each modeling a one-of-a-kind-design—are on display until Sept. 3 on Broadway from Times Square to Herald Square.

The exhibit will showcase mannequins custom built by Ralph Pucci, who is famous for his mannequin and furniture design. Each mannequin is dressed by its designer in entirely weather sustainable materials.

Penzer who is majoring in window design, said she is passionate about mannequins. She approaches them as thought provoking pieces of art in their own right.

The shape of Penzer's dress was crafted from chicken wire, which was cemented over. Penzer and Ciaccia spent about 140 hours using silver-colored tiles to create the pattern of a dress. The pair created the dress to have an architectural element resembling the Chrysler Building. They also attached a street sign to the garment.

"It really fits the environment that it's in," said Penzer. Her mannequin is located on Broadway, between 35th and 36th streets.

Penzer gets a special kick knowing that her sculpture is so close to Pennsylvania Station, and that people will be walking by to do everyday things such as commute and eat lunch.

"It's a really fun installation, because it brings fashion to the people," she said.

Having graduated high school in 2008, Penzer said her creativity was both accommodated and encouraged by the Lawrence High School teachers, and the upbeat vibe of the students at the school.

Ciaccia, who she called her "creative partner," and said she'd be working with forever, last year designed with Penzer a mannequin inspired by a fragrance for a cosmetics conference.

“We do a lot of very 'Project Runway'-esque kind of challenges," Penzer said, adding, "but we like to use weird materials. Her focus, she said, is more avant garde than functional. For more information on Sidewalk Catwalk, visit www.arielpenzer.com.

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