the mannequin district

one of my favorite things about new york is how specialized vendors gather together and certain areas become the "something district." florists gather and we get a flower district, designers flock and suddenly there's a fashion district, and somewhere south on broadway is what i have termed the lightbulb district (literally store after store of lightbulbs, strings of lights, and goofy lamps.)

we recently discovered a new, and creepy, one: the mannequin district.



(i know that looks like a cool storefront club, with hip kids lounging in awkward poses, but it is a store full of mannequins in repose, with more mannequins, including pieces, in the back.)

we were walking in the west twenties the other day (i think wandering after i met up with s after work), just peeking into shops, and suddenly every store on the street sold mannequins and their parts. windows full of heads, hands and feet, bodies standing at attention or lying in uncomfortable ways. it was amazing. and amazingly creepy. it was after closing time, so it was strange to see so many "people" in dark stores. only in new york, i think, is there a block devoted to the sale of mannequins.