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Staple’s Pigeon: Beyond 17-hour Flight from New York to Shanghai

Staple’s larger-than-life pigeon is housed within the brand’s first flagship store in Asia. Having journeyed far beyond the 17-hour flight from New York to Shanghai, the iconic bird now peeks from its pigeon-house façade as though it has pecked its way into the rhythm of the Huangpu district. Long a symbol of New York’s raw street sensibility, the ubiquitous avian now threads that spirit into Shanghai’s megacity urbanity. Supersized and hyperreal, the sculpture transforms the retail environment into an immersive encounter — and an unmistakable point of magnetism.

Staple’s Pigeon greeting patrons through its new home, No. 538 Huaihai Middle Road in Shanghai’s Huangpu District.

Inside, the pigeon towers over a custom bird droppings rug.

Bird poo cap by Staple Pigeon.

Creation Process

Rather than physically traversing the Pacific, Sir Staple Pigeon was conceived and realized by Design at Present (DAP) Studio in collaboration with the Acrostar team in Beijing, specialists in biologically accurate paleontological models — creatures rendered with lifelike anatomical precision. From initial concept to its landing in the City of Magic, the sculpture required eight months to complete.

The process began with a detailed 3D rendering, carefully mapping posture, musculature, and feather structure. Color was determined through close observation of real pigeon species, noting the natural gradation of tones — from iridescent teals and purples along the neck, to layered blue-grey hues and warm sunlit browns across the wings, to the almost cosmic tonal shifts within the eyes.

Framework construction with resin and fiberglass.

Constructed from resin and fiberglass to withstand UV exposure and external elements, the sculpture was spray-painted in successive layers, beginning with a foundational base before each feather and contour was meticulously articulated. The eyes, serving as the focal point of the piece, were crafted and painted separately to achieve their depth and realism. Once completed, the figure was carefully transported by truck and installed in Shanghai, where the pigeon now presides.