Inspired By Victorian Wax Corpses For NYFW
Ashley Rose Couture’s collections have always been a mix of the bizarre and the Harper’s Bazaar, but on Tuesday the Massachusetts-based designer really outdid herself by debuting a new line based on the medical specimens at Alamo Drafthouse’s creepy House of Wax.
Backstage at the funereal Brooklyn bar, models consisting of artistically-minded medical students waited for the show to start. They couldn’t move much, since the fabric of Rose’s floor-length gowns would wrinkle with too much movement, and the strands of artificial hair tied to the bodices would tangle. At first glance, the bodices– made from cast, wire, cheesecloth, and wax— looked like elaborate corals or even desert roses. But they were actually meant to convey the appearance of flayed skin.
Source: Bedford + Bowery
Ashley Rose is a Boston-based avant-garde designer who is best known for blurring the line between visual arts and fashion design. Her newest collection, "This is Human" is heavily inspired by the worlds of dreams and nightmares Bosch created. “Behind physical loveliness and agreeable sensations often lurked death and damnation.”
Set Design and Museum
Curated by Ryan Matthew Cohn
Ryan Matthew Cohn is perhaps best known for his educated opinions and consultation on the Science Channel show "Oddities". However, it is Ryan's ability to prepare, create, craft, and provide unparalleled attention to detail in this subject matter that makes him a true artisan. It's his stunning preparations that have helped him to solidify a place in the fine art world.
Floral Set Design
Hair Team
Leader, Tina le Noble
Annie Bergstrom
Kylie Frayia
Makeup Team
Leader- Alicia Dane
Alyne Halvajian
Dina Baratta
Original Score by
Cave-In
Venue
Combining mixology with the macabre, House of Wax is Brooklyn’s newest, and most curious, full-service bar. Based on the panoptica touring attractions of the late 1800s, House of Wax exhibits a rare selection of waxwork sculptures featuring life-size, realistic displays of anatomy, pathology, anthropology, and even death masks of famous (and infamous) celebrities. A wholly unique spot to meet your friends, House of Wax features a full menu, cocktails, beers and so much to see.
All images by Katrin Albert, Mckenzie Leek, Van Khai Truong & Michelle Wacker