Rootstein Mannequins 50th Anniversary Celebration June 20, 2006 Rootstein Gallery 219 West 19 th Street Written by Janet Perisa Photographed by Krisztina Fazekas

Fashion models know that they have reached the summit of the cut-throat, bitch-slapping fashion biz when their sleek and slender frames are replicated in 3-D form and displayed in the windows of luxury department stores. Unlike having a photo spread inside a fashion glossy, being immortalized in fiberglass clearly states, “You Can’t Touch This!”

Model Pat Cleveland (on the right) with the mannequin
of her daughter, Anna Von Ravenstein

“It’s a gut feeling that makes a good mannequin; an inner quality that makes you want to choose that particular person,” said Kevin Arpino, creative director of Adel Rootstein Mannequins. In celebration of Rootstein’s 50 th anniversary, the “mannequin marvels” at Rootstein created a revival mannequin of supermodel Pat Cleveland. They also “mannequinized” her children, Anna and Noel Von Ravenstein.

And when the work was finished, they celebrated their new creations with an A-list gala on June 20 th. Celebrity guests included: designers Stephen Burrows, Jason Wu, Yeholee, and Zaldy; super model Ulla Van Zeller; style guru, Robert Verdi; and Academy Award nominee Silvia Miles.

Sixteen-year-old Anna Von Ravenstein, a towering beauty who is following in her mom’s Fendi-clad footsteps as a runway model, was all smiles as guests crowded around to catch a glimpse of the eerie resemblances between the mannequins and their muses.

Noel Van Ravenstein standing beween his mannequin
and the mannequin of his sister, Ann Von Ravenstein

“It’s just so surreal and exciting to finally see them on display tonight. We were flown into London and worked on the project [with Kevin] for three weeks. This has been such a wonderful experience,” said Anna.

Designer Stephen Burrows and Rootstein Creative Director Kevin Arpino

After Adel Rootstein’s death in the early 1990s, the mannequin mogul torch passed to Kevin Arpino. “Adel was like a god-mother to me and she did the right thing by passing it all on to Kevin. I love him: he has been a great friend to my family and me for so many years and he has done such a fabulous job. What he’s done tonight is incredible,” said Cleveland.

Anna Von Ravenstein	Anna Von Ravenstein

Cleveland’s husband Paul Von Ravenstein looked on with both pride and relief as photographers surrounded his family, gladly standing inconspicuously on the sidelines. “I am so proud of my family,” said Paul. “Kevin did a great job, and since Pat and the kids travel so much, all I have to do now is prop their mannequins on the sofa and it will be as if they never left!”

Mannequin Marvel	Philippe Blond of The Blonds

Mannequin Marvel	Supermodel Ulla Van Zeller