Tarina Tarantino Celebrates 70th Anniversary of OZ with FIDM
(Never mind the clichés of “better late…” nor excuses placing blame on technology. Here’s a different take–first-person and personal–and it’s happening NOW. // Said another way? It’s as current as that waft of air just inhaled, as immediate as a favorite fable. There are news feeds, and then there is that which feeds itself. And so this story goes, its entrance grand and by way of royal proclamation):
To any nay-sayers, or
perhaps those simply unaware of
That-Which-Is-Modish?
throws a party,
it’s the real deal.
So much so, in fact,
that her recent collaborative effort with
WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT and
the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising
was a straight-up, full-on
molar-splitting, mind-bending
sensory overload…
Upon exiting the car at valet:
A diverse smattering of “Dorothy”s rockin’ blue-and-white gingham,
Camera flashes going POP!
~pop!~
POW!
(Massive thanks again, L.A. Times!)
A seven-story tall hot air balloon, flames lapping at the mouth of the nylon envelope
buoyant and bursting with color: its print
that of the classic Oz line-up
(Scarecrow, Tin-Man, Dorothy, Lion–and of course, little Toto!)
An outpouring of music, lyrics weaving their way through
the well-dressed crowd’s heightened conversations
“Did you see Kristen Cavallari?”” // actually, nope: I didn’t…but thanks all the same //
Syncopation and scents of appetizers in-the-making
A supreme delight: olfactory artistry
And in lieu of a red carpet?
True to the advice given by Glenda, the Good Witch–
yellow
was the hue to be followed…
It wasn’t until the soirée was winding down a bit
that the thought entered my thick skull
I had a camera of my own in my trusty black rubber “murse.”
And what better interrobang to provide that impetus than the devastating beauty
Debi Mazar
Actress and current model in the Double T’s “My Pretty” catalog
(She plays the Wicked Witch to Kelly Osborne’s take on That Girl From Kansas)
Ms. Mazar, I discovered, has another endeavor among her list of accolades:
Turns out Miss Thing “gets a little Bloggy” on her own…
Even better? The site is by no means what came to mind when she shared the news with me…
How nice it is to genuinely be ‘taken aback’ by anything!
(Yes, SERIOUSLY—being jaded is as played-out as ‘Millennial Entitlement,’
amateur scenotypes [Mickey Mouse ears or down-market "I'm-So-Sweet" photo shoots involving cupcakes? DNW]
or–in my case–the mini-top hat. 2007 was 2007 for a reason, “kthanx.”)
A COOKING SITE?
Considering her main profession doesn’t often associate women with food,
To find out she [GASP!] not only eats, but also enjoys preparing the dishes?
Quite a serendipity:
Truly…Truly.
While admiring the creative outpourings in the FIDM gallery,
I find it only apropos to have crossed paths with none other than a multi-talented being himself:
Nick Verreos.
Apart from his long list of accolades, it would be nothing short of a criminal act
If I didn’t at least “give nod”/respectfully acknowledge his thorough reportage
Of this resplendent evening:
Nick Verreos: The 70th Anniversary Wizard of Oz Celebration!
(Moreover, the accompanying images are far superior to my janky little “Point-And-Click” amateur action herein–
It’s worth a “clickity click” to view the picture of Nicky V with The Almighty Double T alone…
FANTASTIC one, that.)
And speaking of fantastic—in the gallery, I took quite a fondness to a particular shimmering imbroglio
I lost myself in for a hot little moment, just as one does, neck craned
staring into an open space, contained within a star-mazed night
Phillip Graffham’s “Father Oz”
then, staying true to the sentiment on her dress,
one Kitsch, species: Audrey
snapped me out of it with a stern “Clinton!”
and a visual accompaniment of
B-A-M!
Personally, I’ve always been a fan of the “understated”…as should be duly noted
in this image a lá the “Pix or It Didn’t Happen!” code:
holding my cravat in place?
Custom finery from the most genius
also
SPOT-CHECK the bespoke designer known as Jared Gold,
responsible for the 19 hours of hand-embroidery required for the JG logo/OZ mash-up
proudly displayed on a 14″ tall canvas: that of my top hat…
on his left/image right hand side: Rick, sporting the accessory for Fall ‘09:
a spiffy award/reward ribbon
(FOR THOSE WHOM ‘PARTICIPANT’ IS NOT AN OPTION)—
THE STATEMENT HERE? “GO BIG, OR GO HOME!”
~ or ~ FTW,* or Not At All
* (“For The Win…” — but you already knew that, right? RIIIIIIGHT. )
And, while I have no fear to admit my love of the ‘posed,’
The exposed has its place: and not always in a tacky
Slanderous tabloid context, BTW…
Specimen Number One?
Alfonso Campos,
Scene-Stealer, Film-Maker,
Legendary Figurehead among TT’s Team Sparkle, and
arguably one of the best-dressed men in ‘Greater L.A.’
Seen next?
John Stapleton, Larva X and Judd Minter
“Posed”?
Check!
Though what else should one expect
when collecting the visages of TT’s secret agents?
Mssr.s Stapleton (L) and Rinter (R) were among the crew of Illusionists under employ by
The Sparkle Factory
Miss X, on the other rhinestoned glove, is one of the “pretties” they made prett(ier)
For her appearance among the catalog roster.
And the shutterbug behind-the-scenes, he who (in conjunction with art director Pedro Zalba)
truly makes the magic happen?
Do yourself a favor and click on Mr. Sanchez’s name to be taken
to an on-line gallery of his exquisite images…
Whereas I?
I’ll do EVERYONE a favor and end this bombastic blog post
HERE & NOW!
And if you feel a sense of relief? Trust: I’m right there with ya…
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