On Jan. 24, The Phantom of the Opera rang in its 30th anniversary with a gala performance at Broadway’s Majestic Theatre: Theatergoers sipped free Champagne; the cast, crew, and audience members sang “Happy Birthday” to director Harold Prince, who was just days away from turning 90; and, during a post–curtain call celebration, the original Angel of Music, Sarah Brightman, sang the title song while wearing a tiara and an Ariana Grande–inspired ponytail. It. Was. Epic.
But the 30th-anniversary festivities didn’t stop there. (Phantom knows how to party, my friends.) The Council of Fashion Designers of America, Bank of America, and Phantom have teamed up for #PhantomFashion30, a collection of 30 one-of-a-kind designer masks inspired by the famous facial facade worn by the disfigured character in the hit musical. The best part: They’re all up for auction online, with the proceeds benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
The #PhantomFashion30 masks—which are named for themes, moments, and/or characters in the show (Phantom Phans will love deciphering those tiny details!)—were created by fashion designers including Kenneth Cole (done in black leather, naturally), Naeem Khan (a ripped-from-the-red-carpet crush of silk taffeta and metallic lace), and Isabel Toledo (a colorful, hand-painted homage to the number 30). And a few of the most ornate designs—you won’t be surprised to learn—were created by jewelry artists. We couldn’t resist asking Stephen Dweck, Lizzie Fortunato, and Kendra Scott about the inspirations behind their Phan-tastic masks.
Stephen Dweck
“Consumed”
Sterling silver on a clear plastic base
“The Phantom was a beautiful person in complicated trappings. He loved things of beauty! In nature the unfamiliar seems scary and uninviting. Adam, my iconic bug, celebrates the shape of what Phantom is forced to hide behind! My Adam crawls on all of my one-of-a-kind jewels.”
—Stephen Dweck
Lizzie Fortunato
“The Phantom Blossom Mask”
Swarovski crystals, lambskin, velvet and metallic leather flowers, and gold-plated brass ornaments on a clear plastic base
“We wanted to create something as dramatic and multifaceted as the show itself, and it was important to us that the mask reflect the mixed-medium aesthetic of the brand. We hand-set hundreds of tiny vintage crystals and metal studs alongside hand-cut and pressed leather flowers, and I think the result is really striking but also romantic!”
—Lizzie Fortunato
Kendra Scott
“Fractured Brilliance”
Transparent celluloid acetate, brass leaf, 80+ custom-cut faceted stones, epoxy, decoupage glue on a clear plastic base
“Music and design are two forms of art that I hold very dear to my heart. The opportunity to create a mask in honor of The Phantom of the Opera’s 30th anniversary was a beautiful combination of the two. I chose a design that represents human character through layers of color, brass leaf, and faceted stones. The result is a stunning modern interpretation of the Phantom’s mask that nods to our brand’s iconic love of color and gemstones.”
—Kendra Scott
You can bid on the masks online through Nov. 30. And for those of you in New York City, you can see them on display at the Museum of the City of New York (also through Nov. 30).
Top: Ben Crawford in the title role of Broadway’s The Phantom of the Opera
(Phantom: Matthew Murphy; mask photos: Madison McGaw/BFA)
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