Punk: Met Gala Bergdorf Windows, Moda Operandi Midnight Supper at St. Regis, the Black Party, and More!

This spring, the art and fashion world conspired to unleash a Punk-inspired extravaganza upon the fair denizens of New York City. In theme, Bergdorf Goodman's visual team created window installations in conjunction with the The Metroplolitan Museum of Art's spring 2013 Costume Institute exhibition  Punk: Chaos to Couture. Both the windows and museum show are a gorgeous homage to punk’s influence on high fashion. The BG windows featured fashion by Gareth Pugh, Alexander McQueen, Givenchy and Gaultier, combined with archival designs from the punk era.  My contribution to the punk windows, required spending days painting and installing spikes in a window inspired by Joan Jett. I do love rock and roll... :)

 
Window design by David Hoey. Production and Installation by Sarah Sparkles and BG Crew.
“I want our windows to be perceived as hallucinations” states window director David Hoey in  the forthcoming documentary Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf’s. For more photos from the punk installations check out the Bergdorf windows blog.

During the punk installation, I was working on a mountain of spikes in the BG studio when I got a call from one of my favorite designers, Douglas Little to go on a walk-through for an upcoming punk-themed dinner party at the St. Regis. "Is it ok if I go covered in paint?" I asked. He agreed, and so I went. Moda Operandi, one of the primary sponsors for the Punk exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art was hosting a midnight supper at the illustrious St. Regis to celebrate the opening of the exhibition and the launch of a new punk-inspired fashion line. The decor for the dinner was a collaboration between creative director Douglas Little and premiere event planner Bronson Van Wyke. For this job I served as liason for Douglas, corresponding with the St Regis, Van Wyke, and over seeing/executing the production and installation of the decor for this event.

 

Punk rock mannequins and pill art flanked the entrance to the party.

The main dining area was styled with a chic combo of punk meets high society aesthetic with neon lights, pill art, paper sculpture, broken glass panels, and generous floral displays.

                              For more images from Moda Operandi's Midnight Supper Click here.

In a season marked by deviant subculture-inspired art jobs, one of my favorite recent projects was installing decor designed by Arch Productions for the Black Party at Roseland Ballroom. The theme was corrupt carnival. We installed shanty town chill areas on the entry level and dark carnival booths on the v.i.p. floor. The highlight for me was getting to deface the carnival midway with a can of spray paint. While giving the clown a pentagram and a gold tooth I had a deep moment of satisfaction, honoring that this is my life and I get paid to do wild things. Much Gratitude.

This past month was intensely busy on the creative work front. Besides the punk extravaganza's I also did BG windows for Saint Laurent, the ICFF furniture fair, assisted Douglas on production and installation for the upcoming Nancy Gonzales print campaign, and multiple installations at the Bronx Botanical gardens. I designed new jewelry collections that are now available at Namaste Books and Enchantments, performed with my dance studio at Roulette theater, and vended my jewelry and hair accessories at the tattoo convention at Roseland Ballroom. More info and pix for all that fun stuff coming soon.

                                  One of a Kind Creations Jewelry Collections Spring 2013

Last but not least my book Parades, Parties, and Protests is available on Amazon in softcover!!!!! This past month took the notion of working around the clock to unprecedented new levels. Between Bergdorf windows, jobs with Douglas, meetings with my editor, graphic, and layout designers until the wee hours of the morning, I was sleeping for just a few hours and waking up to do it again... and this went on for weeks (longer). Now the final push is to create the hardcover version of my book. A dear friend recently messaged me: hardcore needs hardcover.." and when i got the soft cover proof I immediately knew he was right. Almost there... After I manifest the hardcover book, the new adventure begins... Stay Tuned! :)

                         Parades, Parties, and Protests cover design at D.J. Steve Pagan's studio

Bergdorf Fashion Week Windows, Christian Dior, Vintage Glamour Accessories @ Liloveve Gallery, and More!

Oh my goodness... So much has happened since my last post. The big news is, that my book layout is 90% finalized in InDesign. I am doing some last fine-tuning of the text while I still can, and have some big decisions to make about the cover design. These days, the majority of books sell over the internet. You have 5 seconds and a 1 inch thumbnail to attract people, so it is of dire importance that it be sharp, exuberant, and iconic... My brain is bending. I am deeply looking forward to taking a (partial) vacation from the computer after my book is done, and to focus more on my beloved tactile pursuits of crystal embellishing, set work, accessories and jewelry design. I recently went to a large bead show and bought a bevy of gorgeous stones and crystals for my upcoming jewelry collections. Spoiler: Agate Druzy. These are reallllly sparkly stones that look like the glistening craters inside of a geode... yeah :)

In the last 2 months it has been really busy in my other realms of creative work. At Bergdorf Goodman we did Fashion Week windows- "Great Moments in Literature" I love the synchronicity in my life. Doing crazy book windows, while completely immersed in my own book obsession.

  

                  

                                                          Fashion Week Windows designed by David Hoey. 
                                                   Installation by Sarah Sparkles and BG team. February 2013


After the fashion week windows came down, the next big round of action at Bergdorf was a Christian Dior extravaganza for the relaunch of the brand. I spent most of my time in the mannequin studio giving the Dior girls the Swarovski crystal cat eye treatment :)

                                Sparkles + Bergdorf+ Dior+ Swarovski = <3 <3 <3 March 2013 

This past month I also worked on windows for the Bergdorf children's boutique Little BG, Chinese New Year, and the Men's Store.

 

Amidst the bevy of Bergdorf windows and the final processes of producing a photography book, my Vintage Glamour Accessory collection was accepted in the Engage show at Liloveve Gallery in Williamsburg from 2/7- 3/5. My new collection was in a gallery show before I could even get it up on my website. Right now I can barely keep up, but am so grateful for this deep well of inspiration :) A smaller collection of Vintage Glamour accessories is currently on sale at Solstice dance studio. 

                                          The designs below represent my dreams for the future.
                                  *  Sparkles, beads, crystals, artistry, transformation and flight*

                                Necklace and crystal butterfly hair clip by Sarah Sparkles 2013

*Happy New Year! Vintage Glamour Accessories, Bergdorf Goodman Windows and More!*

Greetings ladies and gents. Happy new year! So far I am loving 2013. As the clock struck midnight I found myself onstage at the Shanghai Mermaid party alongside a smokin' jazz band and a few beautiful friends throwing glitter on the crowd. Yes! Good omen!!! Cheers to another fabulous year of sparkling the world... :)

One of the creative projects I am most excited about launching this year is my Vintage Glamour Accessories line. Vintage Glamour is a limited edition collection of hair accessories made with elegant feathers, unique appliques, rhinestone costume jewelry, and embellished with scintilating Swarovski crystals. The first five designs have already gotten such a great response that I unexpectedly started taking pre-orders. I am very much looking forward to developing this collection in 2013.

After the glitz and glam of new years, I was able to get one good night sleep and then January 2nd was back to work taking down the Bergdorf Goodman holiday windows. We had the 58th street windows stripped and patched by lunchtime. This was followed by an installation of antiques from Newel Art Gallery featuring fashion by Oscar de la Renta and Prada. This past week we also took down the big 5th ave holiday windows and put in the new installations. I also spent a few days out at the warehouse organizing a few decades of the most beautiful mannequins on the planet. Next week we will finish the 57th street windows. Current installations will be up through the end of January.

                        Installation by Sarah Sparkles and BG crew, Window Director David Hoey
                         
While all this is going on, I am still working diligently on finalizing my book Parades, Parties, and Protests. The majority of the content is laid out in In Design, print and distribution is set, and now I am doing final tweaking on the photos and text. So close!!!! For the past few weeks, most days I have been coming home after working at Bergdorf, taking a nap, and then working on the book until the wee hours of the morning. I am very much looking forward to the completion of this 12 year body of work. In this new year, I am ready to move forward with my life and have more space to fulfill many creative passions ;)

*Introduction to Sarah Sparkles Art Adventures and Inspiration Diary*

At the turn of the new millennium, I found myself frequenting art-based warehouse parties for an encompassing, transformative experience. In 2001, I got involved with creating art installations for large Brooklyn warehouse parties. In 2003, I attended my first Burning Man. These experiences primed me-- someone who has a generally deep belief that things should be built to last-- for a life that revolves around creating ephemeral art; something beautiful that lasts for one month, one week, one night, or a one of a kind piece of jewelry that will last for years to come- but I will never see it again. I became dedicated to documenting the finished art pieces as well as the production process that transpired. For myself, the production that happens behind the scenes is the true magic- the alchemy, the circus tricks. I love it! Aside from some small cuts, burns, and the trail of glitter I leave behind, in the end the photograph is usually all I have left. This notion of ephemeral art is apart of what inspires me to create this blog, to give an extended life to the work that I do and pay tribute to the artists that I love. With the exception of my jewelry and costumes, all of the art showcased here is created as a result of dedicated collaborative efforts. It brings me great pleasure to share a glimpse into this unique world that is my chosen life path. It is a way for me to share what happens during those times when I am literally or emotionally sequestered finishing a large project, and my friends and family do not see me for months on end. It is also something I can share with my friends around the world who can’t just hop on the subway to go see what I’m working on. Hopefully this medium will also help me to inspire people to do what they love, and to connect with more people who want to help make the world a sparklier place ;)

Back in 2005 while managing a fashion and accessories boutique in Williamsburg, I was looking for extra work to help pay the bills. My friend David said “Sparkles, do you know that you can get paid to put sparkles on things?” “REALLY?!!!...” He put me in touch with the holiday windows production manager at Bergdorf Goodman… and the rest is history. For the past 7 years I have been working on the freelance visual team that executes a large portion of the year-round production and installation for the illustrious Bergdorf Goodman windows. While working at Bergdorf I met designer Douglas Little and immediately felt kindred with his glamorous, macabre aesthetic. I am always very excited to work on his projects. As a production artist I am committed to working with designers and event producers who’s aesthetic I love- and take great pride and passion into seeing the vision into fruition. Otherwise I prefer to spend my time working on my own jewelry line and accessory designs. I am also in the final stages of producing a photography book on 21^st century art-based protests and creative alternative subcultures. The more awesome art jobs that come in, the longer it has taken me to finish the book. But it is worth it to me to fund and produce this book myself; to have total creative and business freedom, to actively work within a DYI paradigm that the book so heavily promotes. (My book is going to be affordably printed in the USA, not China!!) So the ongoing story of my creative work life is one that spans the underground, grassroots, avant-garde, to the world of high-end production arts. For me there is really nothing else in between. And that’s how I like it- the best of both worlds. Full on.

So without further ado I bring you the Sarah Sparkles Art Adventures and Inspiration Diary. It will be a place where I showcase my most current creative projects, share some of my favorite blinged-out jobs of sparkle past, introduce amazing artists and designers that I have the pleasure of working with, and at times give a sneak peak into my world of unique cultural explorations. To get the party started, I have posted my last 3 months of art jobs and creative projects including: Bergdorf Goodman holidays windows, Van Cleef and Arpels holiday decor, events at the Waldorf and the Plaza, underground NYC nightlife and much more! Feel free to share this with others who will enjoy it. Wishing you all the best!!

XO Sarah Sparkles

*Behind the Scenes Pix from Bergdorf Goodman Holiday Windows* November 2012

Ron Salva is the creative genius that styles all of the mannequins in the Bergdorf windows. All of them. Pulls the fashion. Does all of the hair, make up, and accessorizing. I love Ron's style immensely and am grateful to be exposed to all of the high fashion combined with his aesthetic. One day I will do an entire article as a mini retrospective of his work. It will be called "Ron's Girls."

It's hard to not be tempted when surrounded by the hottest mannequins on earth.
Daniel was Ron's trusted assistant this season, he rocked it!

                                     Window director David Hoey: the ultimate magician.

*Bergdorf Goodman Holiday Window Installation* November 2012

For the past 7 years the season finale of my fall production season is always inevitably the installation of the Bergdorf Goodman holiday windows. This years theme was The BG Follies of 2012, with windows inspired by Ziegfeld Follies, Vaudeville revues, old Hollywood, Art Deco style and vintage show girls. (YAY!!!) This year my assignment was to install a window on 5th avenue entirely covered in meticulously patterned feathers. Thousands of feathers. Ostrich, peacock, rooster, I was in heaven! The window was designed by window director David Hoey in collaboration with Johanna Burke of Burke and Pryde design studio.  My co-worker Rory and I spent an entire week installing and doing last minute production for the feather window. This window is a true masterpiece, I'm grateful to have been apart of it.

"Called Naughty and Nice, Act II Window is a tribute to burlesque performer Sally Rand, inventor of the risque fan dance... Our visual team’s obsessive artistry: it’s covered in thousands (if not millions) of white feathers. The feathers are used as a mosaic and was constructed feather by feather.”- Window director David Hoey quoted on BG's window blog.

                 Rory put forth an impeccable attention to detail while installing the feather window.

Johanna is schooling Rory on her stellar rigging techniques.
Its perfect that we cant see what she is doing. You are not supposed to. That's what makes it so good!!

Sparkles werrrking in an Alexander McQueen hat.

Inside one of the greatest shows on earth

                                        BG Follies 2012 "Naughty and Nice" Holiday Window
                                      Fashion by Marchesa, Accessories by New York Vintage

          Bergdorf Windows are on display at 58th Street and 5th Ave until January 3rd, 2013


 

*Van Cleef and Arpels Holiday Décor* November 2012

For the past three years creative director Douglas Little has designed the Van Cleaf and Arpels holiday windows and interior décor. This year he booked me and one of my favorite co-workers on the planet Jessie Flynn to encrust a phoenix statue in mother of pearl for the main floor of the iconic luxury jewelry store. This was one of my favorite projects of the season, because meticulous detail work with tiny sparkly things is one of my life's callings. The phoenix sculpture was fabricated by the ultra talented artist George Sellers and one of his assistants started the shell work in Dallas. Jessie and I brought it home :)

Jessie Flynn is an amazing inter-disciplinary artist hailing from Scotland/ Northern England. Her specialties include painting, mosaicing, mask making, and is currently producing props for the highly acclaimed theatre show Sleep No More.

Jessie Flynn painting Van Cleef and Arpels Holiday windows 2011

The first day Jessie and I ever worked together we ended up dressed as stiletto-clad maids covered in hot wax assisting Douglas in a Bergdorf Goodman Fashion Week window. The fates smiled upon us.Since then we have worked together as production artists on television, glamorous special events and unique high-end fashion windows. We are like old war buddies, with a high threshold for pain and extremely long hours. We love what we do. This holiday production season we were both working around the clock, running back and forth between Bergdorf Goodman holiday production and Van Cleef and Arpels.

                                                                         TADA!!!

 

 

The completion of the Van Cleef holiday windows and decor was celebrated with a fabulous launch party. I was too busy drinking champagne and having a ball with my cohorts to take many photos, but luckily the paparazzi was there.­ Photos available on Patrick Mcmullan.com