LA Window Designer Weighs In on Barneys Controversy

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Our sister site, Racked NY, has been tracking the controversy surrounding a macabre window display at Barneys New York—one that depicted mannequins in Helmut Lang and A.L.C. dresses splayed out behind blood-spattered windows. Once Creative Director Simon Doonan got wind of the window (and the outrage surrounding it), it was promptly removed, but it turns out the display has something of a precedent right here in LA.

Local window designer ChadMichael Christian Morrisette wrote in to Racked NY to point out a similarity between the Barneys window and a Halloween display he set up for West Hollywood men's boutique The Los Angeles Sporting Club. He's not crying foul, just noting that no one complained—possibly because it's LA, or possibly because both mannequins are male and the domestic violence reference doesn't apply here.

Morrisette goes on: "West Hollywood does have the largest Halloween celebration in the world so it was very appropriate, given it was October. Kind of shocked that Mr. Doonan thinks this was stepping over a line given his coyote window at Maxfield in the 80's. My, how the golden handcuffs change someone." You be the judge—did the New Yorkers overreact to this unusual merchandising tactic, or was it just realistic enough to warrant their outrage?

· In the Window: Barneys Dresses In Which To Be Caught Dead [Racked]
· Windows: LASC [SquareDesigns]S