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ZFX FLYING EFFECTS, INC. CREATES DYNAMIC · PDF fileThe Uniqlo projects have allowed ZFX...
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LOUISVILLE, KY – Flying well-dressed mannequins in a 6 story atrium and spinning stylish mannequins on a 32 foot (10 meter) carousel is what shoppers experience when they enter the Uniqlo flagship store in Shanghai. Similarly, twirling mannequins are the ‘show’ that shoppers are treated to when climbing 3 stories of stairs in the recently opened Uniqlo flagship store in New York City. “It’s bringing life and movement to the otherwise static world of retail clothes modeling,” says Robert Dean, Founder of ZFX Flying Effects, Inc., with offices in the U.S. and Europe. “In this day of over- the-top entertainment, it seems that shopping has also become more about the multi-dimensional experience than about just buying new clothes. The store becomes the stage where we are seeing more and more theatrical techniques being used to engage the customer. It is a concept that has been embraced by European retail designers, and is just now entering the United States as more megastores are being built. ZFX worked with global architecture firm, Bohlin Cywinski Jackson to concept the Shanghai store’s displays. Not only do the mannequins fly through the 6 story atrium, but they spin so that shoppers can see a 360-degree view of the clothing being displayed. The project was a unique engineering challenge as the mannequins had to fly in each other’s flight space to create the visual spectacle. A flight plan had to be crafted that allowed the mannequins to fly at angles around each other. “With so many wires and mechanicals and lights, accuracy was essential,” says Dean. ZFX was able to pull off the engineering feat and since May, 2010, Shanghai shoppers have been marveling at the flying mannequins 12 hours a day, 7 days a week. A second component of the project in Shanghai is an overhead 32 foot (10 meter) diameter turntable with 18 mannequin pods suspended and rotating above the shelving. A curved i-beam track was designed and constructed and the carousel was installed on the track. The result is a dynamic display that captures the eye with its constant motion. ZFX FLYING EFFECTS, INC. CREATES DYNAMIC RETAIL DISPLAYS WITH FLYING MANNEQUINS AT UNIQLO FLAGSHIP LOCATIONS IN NEW YORK CITY AND SHANGHAI FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE : February 9, 2012 For More Information: Sarah Provancher mindsalt advertising design pr Tel: (502) 439-7138 DEVELOPMENT FACILITY 611 Industry Road | Louisville, KY 40208 | tel: 502.637.2500 | fax: 502.637.7878 FINANCIAL OFFICES 6232 Moonfield Drive | Huntington Beach, CA 92648 | tel: 714.775.4321 | fax: 714.775.0711 EUROPEAN OPERATIONS Veldzigt 3 3454 PW De Meern The Netherlands | tel: +31(0)30-2428280
Transcript of ZFX FLYING EFFECTS, INC. CREATES DYNAMIC · PDF fileThe Uniqlo projects have allowed ZFX...
LOUISVILLE, KY – Flying well-dressed mannequins in a 6 story atrium and spinning stylish mannequins
on a 32 foot (10 meter) carousel is what shoppers experience when they enter the Uniqlo flagship
store in Shanghai. Similarly, twirling mannequins are the ‘show’ that shoppers are treated to when
climbing 3 stories of stairs in the recently opened Uniqlo flagship store in New York City.
“It’s bringing life and movement to the otherwise static world of retail clothes modeling,” says Robert
Dean, Founder of ZFX Flying Effects, Inc., with offices in the U.S. and Europe. “In this day of over-
the-top entertainment, it seems that shopping has also become more about the multi-dimensional
experience than about just buying new clothes. The store becomes the stage where we are seeing
more and more theatrical techniques being used to engage the customer. It is a concept that has
been embraced by European retail designers, and is just now entering the United States as more
megastores are being built.
ZFX worked with global architecture firm, Bohlin Cywinski Jackson to concept the Shanghai store’s
displays. Not only do the mannequins fly through the 6 story atrium, but they spin so that shoppers
can see a 360-degree view of the clothing being displayed. The project was a unique engineering
challenge as the mannequins had to fly in each other’s flight space to create the visual spectacle. A
flight plan had to be crafted that allowed the mannequins to fly at angles around each other. “With so
many wires and mechanicals and lights, accuracy was essential,” says Dean.
ZFX was able to pull off the engineering feat and since May, 2010, Shanghai shoppers have been
marveling at the flying mannequins 12 hours a day, 7 days a week.
A second component of the project in Shanghai is an overhead 32 foot (10 meter) diameter turntable
with 18 mannequin pods suspended and rotating above the shelving. A curved i-beam track was
designed and constructed and the carousel was installed on the track. The result is a dynamic display
that captures the eye with its constant motion.
ZFX FLYING EFFECTS, INC. CREATES DYNAMIC RETAIL DISPLAYS WITH FLYING MANNEQUINS AT UNIQLO FLAGSHIP LOCATIONS IN NEW YORK CITY AND SHANGHAI
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE :February 9, 2012
For More Information:Sarah Provancher
mindsalt advertising design prTel: (502) 439-7138
DEVELOPMENT FACILITY611 Industry Road | Louisville, KY 40208 | tel: 502.637.2500 | fax: 502.637.7878
FINANCIAL OFFICES6232 Moonfield Drive | Huntington Beach, CA 92648 | tel: 714.775.4321 | fax: 714.775.0711
EUROPEAN OPERATIONSVeldzigt 3 3454 PW De Meern The Netherlands | tel: +31(0)30-2428280
Starting in Las Vegas as a theatrical flying effects company in 1994, ZFX has seen the growth of the
flying industry expand far beyond the theater world into all aspects of the entertainment industry
globally. Not only does ZFX fly monkeys worldwide for the Broadway phenomenon Wicked, it is most
recently seeing the expansion of its services into non-traditional venues, such as the Uniqlo projects.
“Also unique for us was a project where we recently installed an outdoor performance art exhibit in
Toronto that gave people a chance to literally fly from building to building at 30 to 50 feet (9 to 15
meters) in the air,” says Terri Kirsch, President of ZFX Flying Effects, Inc. “When we started ZFX years
ago, we could have never dreamed of the possibilities that flying people or mannequins or monkeys –
you name it - is presenting to us now.”
The Uniqlo projects have allowed ZFX Flying Effects, Inc. to enter into an entirely new arena, the shop-
ping and retail industry. “We are already getting calls from other retailers who are looking for unique
and eye-catching ideas for more theatrical retail displays,” says Kirsch. “It’s thrilling for us to be able
to brainstorm with retail clients and conceptualize, craft and create dynamic displays that bring the
total brand experience to life.”
More photos and information about ZFX Flying Effects, Inc. can be seen at www.zfxflying.com.
About ZFX Flying Effects, Inc.
Founded in 1994, ZFX has delivered a fresh perspective to the ancient craft of flying effects by using a dynamic
style. ZFX quickly became an industry leader and the top flying effects company in the world, with offices on two
continents. ZFX has proudly grown to nearly 50 full-time employees around the globe who are experts in their
craft including flying directors, flying producers, choreographers, designers, and even performers. ZFX is also a
fabricator of original flying equipment including the eZ Hoists, harnesses, ZFX O-Gauges, Handy Blocks and even
fairy dust. To make contact, please call (502) 637-2500.
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DEVELOPMENT FACILITY611 Industry Road | Louisville, KY 40208 | tel: 502.637.2500 | fax: 502.637.7878
FINANCIAL OFFICES6232 Moonfield Drive | Huntington Beach, CA 92648 | tel: 714.775.4321 | fax: 714.775.0711
EUROPEAN OPERATIONSVeldzigt 3 3454 PW De Meern The Netherlands | tel: +31(0)30-2428280
