RIP Pilar Limosner

Several longtime East Village residents, all integral members of the local arts scene, recently died. We will honor them in the days ahead. 

Pilar Limosner, a decades-long East Village resident and fashion designer who made her mark in the neighborhood's vibrant 1980s art scene, died on June 2. According to her obituary, she died of cardiac arrest. She was 67. 

Here's more about her life: 

She shared a boutique named Batislavia on Avenue A with fellow fashion designer Carmel Johnson. It was there that Pilar launched several collections under her own label and the storefront became a popular hangout for many East Village artists. Pilar's clothes were also sold at Patricia Field's original 8th Street retail store. 

In addition to fashion design and construction (including millinery,) Pilar choreographed and performed in various rock venues and New York clubs (such as Danceteria) and even worked the front door of the famous club AREA where she was always memorably decked out in her own creations. Pilar was an active member of the neo-Dada Club 57 and receives mention in the MOMA retrospective catalogue (Club 57: Film, Performance, and Art in the East Village, 1978-1983) for her performance work there with the band Los Microwaves. 

Pilar's adventurous spirit is best exemplified by her enthusiastic membership in an informal East Village "arty" motorcycle club that was active in the 1980s. She was often seen astride her English-made "metal beast" fearlessly negotiating the mean streets of New York while fashionably dressed to the nines. 

A memorial will be held in her memory at a later date. You can find updates on @pilarlimosnernyc. 

Photo by Robert Carrithers