Four years ago, Cornell University alumni Brandon Wen and Laura Zwanziger had no idea of the impact they would have in bringing more awareness to fellow students when it comes to designing for plus size bodies.
At the time, they began what started as an idea to create a plus size clothing collection to present at the school’s fashion show. That idea turned into the two former students creating their own plus size mannequin.
Using the data gathered from thousands of 3D body imaging scans collected by Cornell’s Fiber Science & Apparel Design department, Wen and Zwanziger’s creation was made; a pear-shaped, size-24 figure.
Years later, their work has succeeded into that dress form now being on display at New York City’s Museum of Modern Art. Tolula, as she is now known as, is part of the museum’s “Items: Is Fashion Modern?” exhibit through January 28.
The exhibit is centered on the theme of “dress meets body and body meets dress,” focusing on “the relationship between body and clothing and whether it’s art and whether it’s fashion,” as Zwanziger told The Daily Orange recently.
Wen and Zwanziger are honored to have Tolula on display at MoMA and it has made them realize the impact they both have truly had in the world of fashion design. Wen told The Daily Orange:
“It was such an unbelievable outcome to something that was so personal and spontaneous. It wasn’t anything with the intention of being more than sophomore year term project.”
If you’re in the New York City area now through January 28th, make sure you visit Tolula and see a piece of plus size fashion history. Click here for more information on the “Items: Is Fashion Modern?” exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art.