Andrew Yang

Guy and Dolls. That’s certainly an oversimplified way of describing designer Andrew Yang and his magnificent 27” high fashion rag dolls. To celebrate Fashion’s Night Out on Sept. 10, Barney’s commissioned Andrew to make one-of-a-kind replicas of famed Vogue editors Anna Wintour and Grace Coddington. The hand painted and couture styled dolls are currently being auctioned on Charity Buzz to benefit the New York AIDS fund. In addition, Barney’s flagship Madison Avenue store will exhibit more than 50 of Andrew’s dolls dressed in designer runway looks ranging from Lanvin to Balenciaga. Multiple designers will be making appearances to sign their dolls, and Andrew will be there all night. Make sure to stop by Barney’s this Friday to meet him in person, and get a preview into Andrew’s world with his 10 ANSWERS below.

1. How would you describe your work in three words?
Strange, Luxurious, Charming.

2. Who is your creative role model?
Greer Lankton.

3. If you had an extra hour each day what would you do with it?
SLEEP.

4. What place in the world most inspires you and why?
Paris. It’s old, pretty, gothic, romantic and modern. But I’m not totally sure I’ve found that place yet. I think any artist should be able to take inspiration from wherever they are. Whether it be a windowless cellar, or Buenos Aires.

5. If you could do a different job for a day what would it be and why?
A witch in a tiny undiscovered town in South Wales that’s 200 years behind the rest of world.

6. What is your favorite homemade gift to give?
A paper fortune teller catered to all my friend’s deepest darkest desires and twisted fantasies.

7. What is your favorite object in your home?
My little white persian cat Byelka.

8. What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
My grandmother told me when I find the one thing that works for me creatively stick with it, focus on that one thing until you’re really really good at it, and then you’ll be able to do all the other crazy things you want to do.

9. What websites do you use for inspiration?
National Geographic

10. When do you consider a piece of your work complete?
When all the hand sewing is done, the hair is styled and the face is dry; if I have the urge to play with her, make her talk, dance around, move, then I know she’s really complete.