Gordon Stevenson, known as Baron Von Fancy for certain artistic and commercial purposes, is a multimedia artist who lives and works in New York City. [1] [2]
Baron Von Fancy was born in New York City and attended Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School. He earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts from Bard College in 2006. [3] Gordon Stevenson identifies himself by his birth name for his artwork displayed in galleries, and he uses the pseudonym "Baron Von Fancy" to sign his work used for commercial products. [1] [2] For example, his lighters are signed Baron Von Fancy, whereas his paintings are signed with his birth name. [4]
Baron Von Fancy works in various media in addition to canvas. He has created items such as sponges, [3] doormats, [3] socks, [3] backpacks, lighters, [2] bow ties, [2] matchboxes, handbags, [5] cell phone cases and shirts. [5]
Von Fancy has collaborated with fashion, cosmetics and sportswear brands. [6] [7] [8] [9]
The mobile phone accessory company Incipio launched a line of iPhone cases featuring Baron's art in December 2017. [10]
On January 1, 2016, Vans launched a collections of sneakers featuring Baron Von Fancy's designs. [11]
For the past five years, Baron Von Fancy has created billboards in the SoHo neighborhood and elsewhere in New York City.[ citation needed ]
Murals with some of Baron Von Fancy's phrases were shown in Paris at Colette, in "A Thing Called Love," a show that opened in February 2013. [2]
His work has been displayed in France and in the United States. [12] [ better source needed ]
Colette invited Baron Von Fancy to create "A Thing Called Love," a show held at their flagship location in Paris and featured a range of his artwork. [2]
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Baron Von Fancy has said that his artistic name evolved from his college nickname "Fancy-pants," which itself had originated from his collection of vintage Versace jeans. [1] [13]
A hallmark of Baron Von Fancy's style is the use of common, English language phrases. [3] Critics have described these phrases as "poignant," [14] "playful," [5] "clever," [5] "bold," [15] "poetic," [2] and "reminiscent of the classic, hand-painted billboards that populated New York in the 1950s and 1960s." [16]