publishing
Published an anthology of the seminal fanzine Pansy Beat. The book was distributed by D.A.P. / Distributed Art Publishers 2018
Pansy Beat was a New York City fanzine published by Michael Economy from 1989–1990. Each issue's 50-some black-and-white pages documented the downtown gay and drag club scene and included one free condom. The zine offered a glimpse into an exhilarating alternative universe during the darkest years of the AIDS crisis.
archive
Collection of underground illustration work from the 80s to iconic images of the 90s
90s
90s projects include collaborations with fashion designers, department stores, publishing houses, and record and television companies, culminating in an exhibition at the Parco Gallery in Tokyo and the publishing of I Heart Me, a book of Michael Economy’s illustration work.
Select clients include Anna Sui, Bloomingdale’s, Electra Records, Fiorucci, Gap, MTV, Neiman Marcus, New Line Productions, Nick at Nite, Tezuka Productions and Warner Music Japan. Select editorial clients include Details, Mademoiselle, Sassy, Seventeen, Sports Illustrated and Vogue.
The Wee Wee World of Michael Economy starring Idil Vice, was created in 1992 for Hiccup: A Pop Culture Symposium. The sold out event held at Cooper Union was produced by Mike Mills.
80s
80s projects include creating window displays for boutiques, collaborating with photographers as a stylist and creative director, all the while cultivating Michael Economy’s illustration style.
Select clients include Paper Magazine, NYC streetwear boutiques Patricia Field’s and Screaming Mimi’s and Japanese fashion designer Hitomi Okawa (Milk, Milkboy and O.D.O.B. brands). Select editorial clients included Japanese magazines Cutie, Popeye and Takeo Kikuchi Quarterly.
illustration
Select clients include Anna Sui, Inter Parfums, Isetan, Jacqueline Lamont, Mondottica, Onward Kashiyama
photography
Select portfolio of photographic works for independent LGBTQ+ publications
The Party’s Over / Re-imagined out takes from The Black Party photoshoot for HX magazine.
creative direction
Select projects as founding Creative Director at Mighty Fine Inc. 1997-2002
Blue Ribbon
The Blue Ribbon clothing line referenced hot rod, roller derby and carnival cultures. The ad campaign featured NYC rock stars, go-go boys and a burlesque performer. Seen above, Theo Kogan of the Lunachicks tattooing go-go boy Matt Bell, Galadriel and Hopey Rock of Candy Ass, Miss Guy of the Toilet Boys with producer Lyle Derek and burlesque artist The World Famous Bob.
French Kitty
Michael Economy’s French Kitty became Mighty Fine’s first original licensing entity, which included a three book publishing deal with Abrams Books, written and illustrated by Michael Economy and a line of Madame Alexander dolls.
Sugar High
Clothing line based on Michael Economy’s original character series Sugar High.
Licensed characters
Clothing and accessory lines based on re-imagined licensed characters Hello Kitty, Peanuts, Popeye and Betty Boop.