*Park Avenue Armory Gala, Bette Midler's Hulaween Party*

As the crisp Autumn air rolled in, it quickly became evident that I'd be on at least 2 large jobs simultaneously for the duration of the season. In September, while working on a window project for Tiffany & Co at the Burke and Pryde studio; I was commissioned by AHZ Concepts to design the decor for 'Boudoir Boheme,' a sensual soiree at Malmaison in Washington, D.C. Before putting in a full day at the studio; I spent my early mornings sourcing online, and after work hit the pavement shopping. The day before the event, I piled into a van with a gaggle of showgirls and a mountain of sumptuous decor. We arrived at the swank French restaurant in D.C, and transformed the space with decadent pillows, ropes, lanterns, and fabrics. The party was an exuberant fete; with a warm and inviting crowd, and a bevy of contortionists, burlesque vixens, and belly dancers shimmying about. The Bedouin tent was a hit! It quickly became the hot spot for lounging and turned into the event's makeshift photo-booth. Thanks for a fab night D.C!

  

     Decor Design by Sarah Sparkles 

            for AHZ Concepts and Balaibalon at Boudoir Boheme

 at Malmaison, Washington D.C.

Next up in the land of art adventures; one of my absolute favorite jobs of the season was assisting Costume designer Darrell Thorne with preparations for the Park Avenue Armory Gala. His assignment was to design costumes for 18 dancers inspired by the ornate chandeliers, architecture, and armor inside of the magnificent historical landmark. To top it off, they provided him with a studio inside the Armory, for a powerful daily dose of inspiration. Most EPIC studio EVER!!! After spending my days in holiday window production at the Bergdorf Men's store, I would come and Swarovski crystal encrust the mask Darrell would be wearing for the Gala. On the night of the big event, it turned into to an outright glamor endurance sport. I dressed and draped the dancers with fabric and chains at record speed, and help them put on Darrell's towering, sculptural headdresses. It was such a pleasure to watch Darrell's unique vision and essence of the Armory coalesce and come to life for one out-of-this -world night. 

 

photo by @dapigluo

            

                            Costume design, fabrication, and Performance by Darrell Thorne
                                    Jewel embellishing and wardrobe assistance by Sparkles
                                                        for Park Avenue Armory Gala.

My absolute DREAM JOB of the season came in October, when I was commissioned by AHZ Concepts to make a Swarovski Encrusted Crystal Motorcycle for a private art collector's Prince vs Richard Prince themed Halloween party. This project was so glorious, its getting its own post. :)

                                  Swarovski Motorcycle by Sarah Sparkles for AHZ Concepts
                                           Prince x Richard Prince Halloween Party 2016

After pulling the home stretch all nighter to get the crystal motorcycle out the door for the Prince x Richard Prince party; next up was the decor install for Bette Midler's Hulaween party at the Waldorf Astoria with set designer Douglas Little. Hulaween is the annual fundraiser for Bette's non-profit New York Restoration Project. NYRP plants trees, revitalizes parks and gardens, and funds free arts culture in NYC's green public spaces. This year's theme was 'Witches Ball.' I coordinated the fabulous crew, and we all rocked the 60+ table install. Most of us would be back in the trenches together just two days later for the home stretch of production for the Van Cleef and Arpels holiday windows.

                                              'Hulaween' Decor Install at the Waldorf Astoria,
                     Art Direction by Douglas Little, Install by Sarah Sparkles and DL Crew

The night after Hulaween, when I thought I couldn't possibly do any more art or parties; I hopped in an SUV with Abby Hertz and headed to do an installation for the U Are So Lucky party at the stunning Alder Mansion in Yonkers. Abby was commissioned by the event collective Caravan Gitane to do her 'Blood, Fire, Sex, Magic Ritual' in a mysterious, subterranean room in the bowels of the estate. Abby invited me to create an alter space for her to perform in, with roses, furs, chains, and candles. Her powerful, soul baring ritual was the divine culmination of a truly bewitching Halloween weekend.

                                                             photo by Erica Camille
                                          Ritual by Abby Hertz, Alter by Sarah Sparkles
                                      for Caravan Gitane at U Are So Lucky, Aldor Manor
                                                                  October, 2016

*Bonnet Bash @ National Arts Club, Accessory Design and More*

This spring kicked off with an exciting invitation from the Fashion Committee at the National Arts Club to design the décor for the annual Milliner’s Guild ‘Bonnet Bash.’ Who doesn’t love a fancy hat party?! This years theme ‘Into the Woods’ inspired me to design jeweled elven sprites to wear the hats, woodland nests, a stage draped in rich olive green cloth with matching foliage, tables set with burch candles, moss, birds and butterflies, and fashion adorned muses draped in earthy mesh and flowing green and brown fabric. I'm so happy, the event was such a hit!! People were lined up down the block, awaiting to join the festively adorned crowd in this historic Gramercy park location. 

                                'Into the Woods' event decor designed by Sarah Sparkles 2015

Hats by members of the Milliner's Guild

'Into the Woods' decor installation by Sarah Sparkles and Dicie Carlson

                                                           What a fabulous crowd!!!

For more pix from this enchanting evening, check out the Photo spread by Tod Seelie in the Gothamist . Special thanks to David Zyla and Nina Urban from the Fashion Committee, the Milliners Guild, and the National Arts Club.

While on the subject of fabulous hats, headdresses, and hair accessories, my passion for design in that realm has been growing exponentially. One of my favorite recent commissions was for the illustrious Katherine Crockett, star of Queen of the Night. She asked for a headdress with many jeweled cascades and dangles, alluding to glamorous, glittering icicles. J'adore! 

                                    Katherine Crockett- Photo by Steven Trumon Grey

Another recent favorite was a custom design headpiece for Kostume Kult's Horned Ball, made with Swarovski crystal rhinestones, acrylic gems, and a titanium treated druzy geode pendant.There are more exciting headdress commissions underway, and new designs from the Vintage Glamor Accessories line for upcoming trunk shows, so stay tuned.

In other exciting news, my book Parades, Parties, and Protests is being featured in an exhibit at the Museum at Bethel Woods, home of the 1969 Woodstock festival. The book as well as 30 of my photos will be included in the slideshow of the exhibit 'Peace, Love, Unity, Respect: The Rise of Electronic Music Culture in America' featured in the Museum's Special Exhibit Gallery.

The show is up from April 4th- May31st. If you can take a day to drive into the woods, check it out. Happy Spring!!!