Event: Molly Crabapple x Dirtee Hollywood Launch

Molly Crabapple is a New York City art phenomenon, known for her DIY empire of Rococo glamour, Victorian smut, and a naughty, subversive undercurrent.  An illustrator whose work has appeared in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and adorning the walls of The Box, she's perhaps best known as the founder of Dr Sketchy's Anti-Art School, a cabaret life-drawing class that started out in 2005 with humble Brooklyn beginnings--it's now in over 100 cites across the globe. This year, she takes her first foray into fashion, designing a line of T-shirts with Dirtee Hollywood which debuted at Soho's Atrium last Thursday.

Guests could tell by Crabapple's impressive, ornate window displays that this wasn't your typical launch party. There were the requisite libations (provided by Boyd & Blair Potato Vodka, Alma de Agave Tequila, and Amp Energy), and delicious treats from Brooklyn's Kumquat Cupcakery, but Crabapple upped the ante with ten glamorous burlesque and pinup superstars. Amber Ray, Akynos, Dante Posh, Ariel, Amber Baldet, Jo "Boobs" Weldon, Kiki Valentine, Katelan Foisy, Deity, and Dame Cuchifrita--whew!--modeled the t-shirts with cotton-candy Louis XIV hair and striped-stockinged aplomb, posing as mannequins for the gaggle of artists weaving through the store. Crabapple herself was installed smack dab in the middle of the store, drawing one of her classic, bubble-blowing vixens. 

The shirts are selling for $56 at Atrium, Fred Segal, various boutiques around the country, and online. Trust us, these t-shirts are the perfect way to wear true fine art.

Photos courtesy of Steve Prue/Team RockStar Images.