Dear Shaded Vewers,
Back in the early 80's in NYC, Marc Happel worked for me making my patterns and samples. What was quite funny was he worked for me part time and the rest of the time he was designing for the Muppets. It always made me laugh to think he was working for me and the Muppets. I remember the fun of taking one of my nephews to the Muppet's workroom while the Muppets on Ice costumes were being constructed.
Over the past few years Marc has introduced many fashion designers to the New York City Ballet. A favorite of mine, of course, is Iris Van Herpen. Currently Marc is collaborating with Sarah Burton at McQueen, in the past he has worked with Mary Katrantzou, Valentino, Caroline Herrera, Thom Browne and Iris Van Herpen. It is funny, the other day I was listening to Monocle on nternet radio and they interviewed Marc about the McQueen exhibition at the V & A and turns out that both Marc and I were at the V & A at the same time, well, maybe an hour apart…would have been another happy chance encounter.
After decades of not seeing each other, we met by chance at the Iris Van Herpen fashion show a few seasons ago. Among other topics in the FIT video Marc discusses how he works with various fashion designers, sometimes via skype like with Iris or in the atelier with Valentino.
Dr. Valerie Steele organized ths ntervew for the Museum FIT.
Later,
Diane
