Met's 'Costume Art' Mannequins Modeled After Real People
The 2025 Costume Institute exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, titled 'Costume Art,' will showcase mannequins inspired by nine real individuals with varying body types and abilities, as curated by Andrew Bolton. These 25 mannequins are divided into two of the exhibition's 12 thematic categories: 'Disabled Body' and 'Corpulent Body.' The 'Disabled Body' section highlights figures modeled after Sinéad Burke, Aimee Mullins, Aariana Rose Philip, Antwan Tolliver, Sonia Vera, and the late Goddess Bunny. In contrast, the 'Corpulent Body' section features Jade O'Belle, Charlie Reynolds, Michaela Stark, and Yseult. The living subjects were scanned using 3D photogrammetry, while artist Samar Hejazi designed reflective surfaces to promote empathy for nonideal bodies. This exhibition follows past shows like 'Superfine: Tailoring Black Style' and 'Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion.'
Key facts
- The exhibition is titled 'Costume Art' at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute.
- Curator Andrew Bolton aligned the exhibition's display with its theme of how art and fashion interpret the human body.
- 25 mannequins are distributed across two sections: 'Disabled Body' and 'Corpulent Body'.
- Nine living individuals were 3D-scanned using photogrammetry for their likenesses.
- Sinéad Burke, Aimee Mullins, Aariana Rose Philip, Antwan Tolliver, and Sonia Vera are featured in the 'Disabled Body' section.
- The 'Disabled Body' section also includes imagery of the late drag performer Goddess Bunny.
- Jade O'Belle, Charlie Reynolds, Michaela Stark, and Yseult are featured in the 'Corpulent Body' section.
- Artist Samar Hejazi created mirrored surfaces for the mannequin faces.
- Previous Costume Institute exhibitions include 'Superfine: Tailoring Black Style' (2025) and 'Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion'.
Entities
Artists
- Tanda Francis
- André Grenard Matswa
- Andrew Bolton
- Sinéad Burke
- Aimee Mullins
- Aariana Rose Philip
- Antwan Tolliver
- Sonia Vera
- Goddess Bunny
- Jade O'Belle
- Charlie Reynolds
- Michaela Stark
- Yseult
- Samar Hejazi
Institutions
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Costume Institute
- Tilting the Lens
- Freedom Is Fly
- Condé M. Nast Galleries
Locations
- New York City
- United States