Ringmaster Jared Gold Debuts His Traveling Circus
Jared Gold's latest runway show at Social Hollywood felt more like being at a rock concert or sporting event (hello, Lakers fan level energy) than a traditional runway show.
Gold's partner in crime, the pink-eyeshadowed Clint Catalyst, hollers at the mouth of the runway. “Yes! You!! GO!!!” he belts and gives each model a low five as she sprints in teetering heels to change into the next outfit. People stand up out of their seats and there is an eruption of cheers, claps and flashbulbs for every outfit.
And Gold's loyal fans dressed in their band T-shirts and home-team uniforms for the occasion. This may have been the “official runway show,” but the “fashion show” had already been going on for hours since guests trickled into the backstage area that Gold opened up like a petting zoo to the public. The designer’s inner-circle team of tattooed models, hair artists with petite objects askew on their noggins and makeup artists in asymmetrical haircuts streaked with Kool-Aid colors were almost indistinguishable from the circus of guests, also clad in curious headwear and cacophonically composed outfits.
Gold’s events feel like he cuts the velvet ropes, tears up the guest list and invites everyone to be residents of his magical world. The fund-raising event and fashion show last night was a preview to the fashion show act he is taking on the road across America.
The traveling carnival (host Clint Catalyst, “the face” Audrey Kitching, alpha model Larva, a tour manager, a lead hair stylist and makeup artist) will travel on Amtrak trains and set up fashion shows in train stations along the way. The shows will be free and open to all ages. Models and hair and makeup artists will be cast in each city. The virtual tour diary will be posted on Gold’s website. Gold said he wants to “get America back this sense of possibility and that things can be beautiful and magical. We’re kind of in a little bit of a hitch in the giddy up right now.”
Gold’s collection shown was made in collaboration with artist Joshua Petker. Gold introduced the “Gold versus Petker” spawn as “something between a cross of a fashion illustration and a snuff movie.” Denim jackets were adorned with a colorful embroidered pattern like a glass mosaic and dramatically oversized, such as the puffy sleeves of a bolero that nearly surpassed the size of the model’s head and a long cape that billowed with ominous drama. Petker’s artist hand was apparent in a spray-painted stencil print of bleeding butterflies and oversized faces stretched across dresses.
In the audience was a clash of the art, music and fashion worlds: artists Gary Baseman, Mark Ryden and Marion Peck; DJ Rodney Bingeheimer; Billy Corgan; Tarina Tarantino; Kit Pistol; Sweet P; and Nick Verreos.
runway photos by John Eckmier
Jared Gold opened up his backstage area for guests to watch the team paint faces and sculpt hair.
Clint Catalyst and Audrey Kitching
Jared Gold, right
