The Phantom of the Opera, The Council of Fashion Designers of America, and Bank of America have joined forces for a new project to support Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
When the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical celebrated its 30th anniversary on Broadway in January, 30 designers were tasked to transform the look of the iconic Phantom mask—originally designed by Maria Björnson and realized by milliner Rodney Gordon—in their own aesthetic vision.
The designs will be revealed during an invitation-only event October 30. Beginning October 31, the 30 masks will then go on display at the Museum of the City of New York for 30 days. The one-of-a-kind creations will be up for bids during an online auction from October 30 to November 30; proceeds will benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
Participating #PhantomFashion30 designers and brands are Badgley Mischka, Chloe Gosselin, Christian Roth, Dennis Basso, Edie Parker, Eugenia Kim, Gigi Burris, Ilesteva, Isabel and Ruben Toledo, Judith Leiber, Kendra Scott, Kenneth Cole, Lizzie Fortunato, Marchesa, Naeem Khan, Nick Graham, Nicole Miller, Pamella Roland, Paul Marlow, Rebecca Minkoff, Sachin & Babi, Sally LaPointe, Stephen Dweck, Swarovski, Tadashi Shoji, Tanya Taylor, Title of Work, Vivienne Tam, Wolk Morais, and Zang Toi.
“Fashion is as much a part of New York’s cultural landscape as Broadway is,” said Steven Kolb, president and CEO of the CFDA. “By teaming up with The Phantom of the Opera for its three-decade milestone, we are excited to bring a creative touch to the musical’s famed mask while at the same time helping a cause that is important to the CFDA through Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. None of this would be possible without Bank of America’s generous support.”
“I am absolutely thrilled for Phantom to team up with the Council of Fashion Designers of America and Bank of America to create this unique event, which continues our 30th Anniversary celebrations,” added Cameron Mackintosh, producer of The Phantom of the Opera. “I’m also delighted that it will benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, whose vital work Phantom has proudly supported for three decades. We are especially grateful to Bank of America for their generous support and ongoing commitment to the Arts. I know that our beloved designer, the late genius Maria Björnson, would be honored to have her iconic design interpreted by these amazing designers and celebrated by the Fashion world.”
"Since its magnificent opening on Broadway 30 years ago, The Phantom of the Opera has played an integral role in making a difference for those living HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening illnesses," stated Tom Viola, executive director of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. "This continued partnership with Broadway Cares, which now extends to CFDA through the generosity of Bank of America, underscores the Phantom company's commitment to helping those who've been marginalized and stigmatized. This extraordinary collaborative initiative will provide healthy meals and medication to those who would otherwise do without, and emergency assistance to even more facing life's challenges and crises."
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The Phantom of the Opera enters its fourth decade having played 12,500 performances to 18 million people at The Majestic Theatre (247 West 44th Street) and having grossed more than $1.1 billion.
Based on the classic novel Le Fantôme de L’Opéra by Gaston Leroux, The Phantom of the Opera is produced by Mackintosh and The Really Useful Group, features music by Lloyd Webber, direction by Harold Prince, lyrics by Charles Hart (with additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe), and a book by Stilgoe and Lloyd Webber. The musical also features design by the late Björnson, lighting by Andrew Bridge, and sound design by Mick Potter with original sound by Martin Levan. Musical staging and choreography are by Gillian Lynne. Orchestrations are by David Cullen and Lloyd Webber.
