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Joshua Mullane takes over New York Public Library for fashion show

By Kristopher Fraser

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Fashion

The library is where you go to check out a book or do some research for class. While there's bound to be resources to teach you about fashion, it's not the immediate place you associate with fashion. However, last Thursday afternoon, musician turned designer Joshua Mullane decided to turn the New York Public Library on its head as he treated guests to an impromptu fashion show to debut his new silk shirting collection.

Mullane is known for stirring the pot. Back in May 2017, he crashed the opening of Syndey Fashion Week and decided to forego doing a runway show or traditional presentation and showcase his collection on the steps of the Sydney Opera House. He was escorted by the police off the premises, certainly getting the attention of the entire Australian fashion industry.

Mullane not-so inconspicuously showed up to the NYPL with his crew of male models decked in his namesake silk shirting brand turning heads of attendees and pedestrians in one of New York's busiest parts of town.

“For me it’s all about performance. I want my collections to be showcased in organic and authentic environments. I want the audience to be ‘real.’ Fashion events tend to be exclusive in a way that I don’t like,” said Mullane. “On the other hand, a public library is the literal representation of the free and democratic exchange of ideas, and that’s how I want my brand to be consumed. Plus, the library isn’t exactly an eyesore."

There was a sense of irony in Mullane using the original home of New York Fashion Week (Bryant Park) as the venue for his event. Just like in Australia, the police became the impromptu guests of his show as local authorities stepped in to shut it down. For Mullane, it's all about the anti-establishment approach, even though he prides himself on his clothes wearability.

“At the end of the day, I want everyone to have access to my clothes,” said Mullane. “The runway events are so exclusive, both financially and socially. My library show was a way to point out those inequities in the system.”

photo: courtesy of the brand

Joshua Mullane