Everyone's talking about the Pink Plastic Party of the Year, held at the TARINA TARANTINO Melrose Boutique! The back of the store was transformed into Tarina Barbie's Dream House, complete with crystallized walls, a comfy bed for guests, a sparkling bar in the kitchen, and pictures from Barbie's travels around the world. Celebrity guests like Lisa Edelstein, Margaret Cho, and Madeline Zima sipped pink drinks and nibbled on doll-sized burgers and teeny pizzas. With everybody dressed to the nines, it truly was a sparkling pink evening.

Read more in Tarina's Butterfly Journal and check out all the pictures in the Gallery and the Sparkling Stars sections! Plus, see coverage from the Pink Carpet on the WireImage Entertainment Report and Hollywood Live!

Please join us at our TT boutiques this Saturday, July 26th, for the debut of the TARINA TARANTINO Collector Series Barbie® Doll and the new Barbie by TARINA TARANTINO Jewelry Collection! Enjoy music and refreshments and preview all the latest collections, including the new Kid Robot line.

2-5 pm
TARINA TARANTINO Los Angeles
7957 Melrose Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323) 651-5155

3-6 pm
TARINA TARANTINO New York
117 Greene Street
Soho, NY 10012
(212) 226-6953

For more information about the event, please contact the TT Boutique nearest you!

The Clothes Off Our Back Foundation is hosting a special charity auction featuring one of a kind Tarina Tarantino Collector Series Barbie® Dolls and Barbie® cars specially customized by Tarina herself and signed celebrity-worn TARINA TARANTINO jewelry. All proceeds benefit various children's charities around the world, so be sure to check out the auction starting Friday, July 18th.

...Why, it's the new TARINA TARANTINO Barbie® Doll, available this July!

Capturing the nostalgic charm and colorful sparkle of the TARINA TARANTINO world comes Tarina's first Barbie® Doll. Inspired by “a day in the life” of the designer, this doll seems to step right out of the famous Sparkle Factory where Tarina creates her collections. From her glam tiara and sparkling necklaces to her pink ring, bracelets and Barbie® accented belt, this doll is all about the accessories. The TT Barbie® Doll features the designer’s signature fuchsia hair, which was painstakingly color-matched. The doll also features a beautiful, sweet summery light green dress dusted with tiny glittering crystals. Tarina worked closely with the Barbie® Doll design team at Mattel on every detail including the packaging, which was designed to resemble her flagship Los Angeles boutique.

This limited edition doll is part of Mattel’s “Gold Label” collection and was designed especially for Barbie® by Tarina Tarantino. It will only be available at TT Boutiques, exclusive stores, and tarinatarantino.com, and they're sure to sell out fast! But if you send us an email at tarinabarbie@tarinatarantino.com with your full name and contact information, we'll put you on the preorder list and you will be the first to be notified when the doll goes on sale on the website.

And as a special "Thank You" to all our website customers, any TARINA TARANTINO Barbie® doll ordered through www.tarinatarantino.com will come with an exclusive one-of-a-kind free Gift worth $55.00!

Everything we create is handmade at The Sparkle Factory in downtown Los Angeles, U.S.A. We feel that it is important to share with you what it is you are buying when you choose to purchase something from TARINA TARANTINO.

Here at the Sparkle Factory we hand craft all of our jewelry, handbags and accessory collections, utilizing the finest materials. In a world that is increasingly giving less value to the origin of a product, we feel it is important to make something that we can feel good about offering and you can feel good about buying. This shouldn’t be, but is becoming a rare luxury in todays throw away fashion culture.

The costume jewelry and handbag industry are some of the worst offenders when it comes to sweatshops, unfair labor practices and counterfeiting. Buying counterfeit goods also contributes to human trafficking and global terrorism.

We are doing our small part to combat all of these things and so are you when you invest in something special made at the Sparkle Factory in downtown Los Angeles, U.S.A.

Now available on TARINATARANTINO.com, the Bibarucci Collection was inspired by two of fashion's favorite icons - Elio Fiorucci and Barbara Hulanicki, creator of the Biba label in the 1960's. Elio Fiorucci was known for his sexy, playful designs that were a fashion "must" during the era of Studio 54 and Disco. Barbara Hulanicki created a world of black and gold lamé and leopard print with Egyptian accents - a world of pure rock 'n' roll decadence. Tarina had the opportunity to meet and spend time with both of them while developing this collection, which features motifs such as scarabs, angels, skulls, and black horn mixed with shining gold and jet black sparkling crystal.

When Tarina Tarantino fan Betsy Boyle spotted the HELLO KITTY PINK HEAD By TARINA TARANTINO Bridal Collection upon its launch she knew she wanted to be a sparkling bride. Her love of TARINA TARANTINO accessories had to extend to her wedding look and she knew it wouldn't be complete without the PINK HEAD earrings, bracelet and GARTER! Even the bridal party gifts were TARINA TARANTINO. Each one of her bridesmaids was given their own set of Pink Head earrings...except for the Maid of Honor - it took right up until the actual ceremony for Betsy to realize that she didn't have pierced ears! Luckily the sparking star that Betsy is, she had an extra "I LOVE YOU" necklace on hand to gift her. Every member of the bridal party had a gorgeous piece of TARINA TARANTINO to wear for the special night and even the groom sported a necklace as a pocket watch chain. She was kind enough to send these gorgeous pictures of herself, her husband Larry, and her bridesmaids, all wearing TT - click on the picture at the left to view. Congratulations Betsy and Larry on a sparkling wedding and a sparkling life together!

NYLON Magazine features the Limited Edition Gothic Lolita Pink Head Crown Headband in their March 2008 issue. This couture piece with its hand-beaded wire crown perched atop a ribbon-wrapped headband is so exclusive, it can only be purchased at TARINA TARANTINO Boutiques or by special order. To inquire about the Gothic Lolita Crowns, please email us at service@tarinatarantino.com

As a special "thank you" to all our website customers, www.TARINATARANTINO.com is offering a copy of our TOKYO HARDCORE Collection Book with any web purchase over $100! Any order that totals $100 before taxes and shipping qualifies for the free gift. A $15 value, this beautiful coffee table-worthy book features 44 glossy pages in a 9"x12" soft perfect-bound book format. This offer is only available while supplies last, so place your order today!

Inspired by the Gothic Lolita girls she met in Tokyo, Tarina has created a very exclusive line of "petit chapeau" hats. Each one is a work of art in itself, designed to perch on the top of the head for a sweet Victorian look.

However, since these pieces are exclusive limited editions, they can only be purchased at the Melrose and Soho boutiques. Stop by or call one of our stores to get yours before your New Year's Eve parties begin!

TARINA TARANTINO L.A.
7957 Melrose Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90046
323.651.5155

TARINA TARANTINO N.Y.C.
117 Greene Street
Soho, NY 1001
212.226.6953

Pantone has been interviewing designers and other creative types to find out their signature colors, and has gathered them all together in their myColor myIdea site. Check out Tarina's interview !

During Milan Fashion Week 2007 Tarina Tarantino opened a store in one of the hottest shopping districts in the world...and it was all caught on film! This mini series documents the preparation for the TARINA TARANTINO Milan Grand Opening Party and the launch of the latest collection, Tokyo Hardcore. Follow Tarina as she goes backstage to meet famous Italian designers after their runway shows; dine with one of her idols, Elio Fiorucci, and visit his design studio; and attend many other fun events during Milan's famous Fashion Week. Now catch the second and third installments on CurrentTV and YouTube and stay tuned for Episode 4!

TARINA TARANTINO presents a special in-store event with Tarina and model Jeffree Star at the Melrose Boutique on Saturday, December 15th! Tarina and Jeffree will be on hand to sign copies of the TOKYO HARDCORE Collection Book. Only 20 books sold exclusively at this event will contain a winning PINK TICKET for a one of a kind, Limited Edition piece of TARINA TARANTINO Jewelry!

Saturday, December 15th
4:00 to 7:00 pm
TARINA TARANTINO Melrose Boutique
7957 Melrose Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90046
for more information, call the store at 323.651.5155

During Milan Fashion Week 2007 Tarina Tarantino opened a store in one of the hottest shopping districts in the world...and it was all caught on film! This mini series, featured on CurrentTV and YouTube, documents the preparation for the TARINA TARANTINO Milan Grand Opening Party and the launch of the latest collection, Tokyo Hardcore. Follow Tarina as she goes backstage to meet famous Italian designers after their runway shows; dine with one of her idols, Elio Fiorucci, and visit his design studio; and attend many other fun events during Milan's famous Fashion Week. Watch the first episode here or here and stay tuned for the following episodes coming soon!

From time to time we like to feature stores around the country that carry TARINA TARANTINO. Our latest profile: Rosie True in Jacksonville, Florida!

A little bit about the stores: "We’re a one-of-a-kind retailer of fine clothing and accessories in northeast Florida, known by our loyal customers for a great shopping experience and a blend of relaxed yet sophisticated style. Since opening the first Rosie True in Jacksonville’s historic San Marco Square in 1999, we’ve added two more boutiques in Jacksonville Beach and Julington Creek with plans for an online Rosie True by November of this year."

Why they love TARINA TARANTINO accessories: "How can we not love it? The first time we saw a piece of TT jewelry we were hooked and knew that our customers would be too! Our amazing customers embraced not only the jewelry, but the brand whole-heartedly. Ask any of our long time patrons about the Tarina Tarantino line and they can recite the full history of the brand, sometimes better than we can! Those that are new to the line are just as eager to find out all they can about the creative genius behind this sparkling jewelry we can’t live without!"

Rosie True stores are located at:
1960 San Marco Blvd. Jacksonville, Fl 32207 904.396.7463
2400-104 S. 3rd Street. Jacksonville Beach, Fl 32250 904.247.8464
108 Bartram Oaks Walk Suite 107. Jacksonville Fl 32259 904.230.7750
or visit them online at www.rosietrue.com

And This Friday and Saturday, Rosie True will feature a very special TARINA TARANTINO trunk show at the following locations:
Rosie True San Marco - Friday, October 5 from 10am-6pm
1960 San Marco Blvd
Jacksonville, FL

Rosie True Beach - Saturday, October 6 from 10am-6pm
2400-104 Third Street South
Jacksonville Beach, FL

Be sure to stop by if you're in the area!

You've seen the first teaser, now check out the all new installment of TOKYO HARDCORE: Behind The Scenes!

The first installment in this series that takes you behind the scenes of the brand new TOKYO HARDCORE Catalogue starring Davey Havok (of AFI and Blaqk Audio) and Jeffree Star can be seen exclusively on Buzznet.com. And be sure to check out Tarina's Journal section for lots of insider information and a special commentary by Davey himself!

To receive special bulletins and see the videos before anybody else, be sure to sign up for the Sparkling Style Report!

*WARNING* The videos on this page are intended for mature viewers only!

The Four Row Gold and Silver Bead Necklace was featured on the cover of Women's Wear Daily:

"All that glitters may be gold, silver, or jeweled these days; as long as it shimmers, anything goes. Here, some pieces that fit the bill: Miu Miu's jeweled metallic leather shoe, Tarina Tarantino's necklace in silver and gold-plated metal with a Swarovski crystal and Anya Hindmarch's leather clutch."

The 2007 issue of Los Angeles Magazine's Best of L.A. features Tarina, Fred Hayman, and Peggy Moffitt as fashion icons who defy trends:

"In Los Angeles, an original look can be more eye-catching than pure beauty. A handful of fashion veterans have become icons by defying trends rather than following them. A decade ago, jewelry designer Tarina Tarantino dipped into fuchsia hair dye, inspired not by punk rock but by the cartoon character Strawberry Shortcake. 'There's really no other color for me," says Tarantino, who is often asked what her next hair color will be. She walked down the aisle with pink hair, and her two daughters don't know her any other way. Now a doll will be mimicking Tarantino: Mattel is launching a Barbie next year with hair matched to a lock of 'Tarina Pink.'

To read more of the article, click on the picture at left!

TARINA TARANTINO is proud to announce the opening of their sparkling Italian flagship boutique in Milan! It opened for business in the center of the city this Monday the 23rd, and will have its Grand Opening party this September during Milan Fashion Week.

Whether you're a resident or just visiting, if you're in Italy the store is definitely a must-see, featuring a two-level shopping experience with all the latest collections and a one of a kind glittering butterfly chandelier designed especially for Milan by Tarina!

For a closer look, check out the photos in the Gallery section, or better yet, visit the store:
TARINA TARANTINO Boutique
Via Borgogna, 1
20122 Milano - Italia
tel. +39 02 76398048

Hilary Duff wore the Tokyo Hardcore Swarovski Crystal Cuff during a recent concert at Popstarz in Los Angeles!

An indie favorite, British girl-group the Pipettes wore TARINA TARANTINO for their latest photo campaign, shot by Pamela Littky. Get their retro-inspired look on the front page with the Small Lucite Mod Bracelets in Jet, White, and Cherry, the Grosgrain Ribbon Bow Headband in Black, the Queen Alice Mod Ring in Black, and the Three Row Lucite Choker in Jet.

Or try their look at left with the Grosgrain Ribbon Anywhere Clip in White, the Barbie™ Double Pearl Earrings in Gold, and the Large Carved Rose Bracelet in Turquoise.

Two of Tarina's fans from Japan made her this adorable hand-painted Pink Head birthday card...click on the image at left to read it!

Online city guide LA.COM interviewed Tarina about her favorite places in Los Angeles...read all about it here or click on the picture to the left!

The sparkling Soho store is open in New York, and everybody's talking about it!

ElleGirl.com says, "And the award for our favorite new store goes to...TARINA TARANTINO. With a flagship store in L.A., Tarina has now opened a Soho boutique in New York. Made to look like a giant jewelry box, the storefront is the perfect way to display her signature designs, which are equal parts punk (featuring lots of skulls and black) and girlie-girl (she is most famous for her Barbie jewelry and diamante tiaras). With sparkly jewelry, crystal-framed buckle belts, cute mini handbags, and Pink Head and Barbie accessories, there's something for every jewelry lover."

Canadian magazine FQ says, "Glittering from afar, the new TARINA TARANTINO boutique is like a giant jewel box. The inside of the shop, pretty in pink and green, is adorned with the designer's signature crystallized hardware, candy-coloured displays, and huge jars of luminous beads. Tarantino, known for her colourful, sparkling jewellery designs - not to mention her vast celeb clientele - also has stores in L.A., Milan, and Osaka. For her New York outpost, she chose the coolest block in Soho: her retail neighbours include Anna Sui, A Bathing Ape, Kirna Zabete, and Taschen. For optimum fun, there is a custom vanity where shoppers are invited to sit down and play dress-up with the dazzling mix of exclusive couture and costume jewellery."

Click on the photo at right to see more images of the store!

Barbie™ only makes public appearances every so often, and when she does, she goes in style. So it's only natural that when she apppered in person in front of a crowd in Germany at the Nuremburg Toy Fair for Mattel's Perfectly Pink Party, she wore the Barbie™ by TARINA TARANTINO Pearl Choker, the Double Pearl Earrings, and the matching Pearl Bracelet.

As a special "thank you" to all our website customers, www.TARINATARANTINO.com is offering a limited edition TARINA TARANTINO Hello Kitty key ring with any web purchase over $100! These charming mascots come in Yellow, Orange, Red, and Fuchsia - but please note that a color will be chosen at random due to availabilty. Any order that totals $100 before taxes and shipping qualifies for the free gift. These key rings are exclusive to the website and only available for a limited time, so place your order today!

As part of Oscar Week, Tarina Tarantino and 20 other world renowned designers were commissioned by Swarovski to create a unique catwalk look for their "Runway Rocks" fashion show. From the crystal-embellished vinyl jacket and minidress to the sparkling tights and Lucite shoes, Tarina's total look was completely one of a kind, and showcased her custom-designed couture jewelry - a cascading waterfall necklace made of crystal and lucite butterflies, a sparkling butterfly headband, and stacks and stacks of glittering crystal bracelets. For more information on this event, click on www.swarovskisparkles.com.

Avril Lavigne is a girl who knows what she wants. When it came time to promote her new album, Lavigne had top L.A. stylist, Jessica Paster, call TARINA TARANTINO for some powerful and sophisticated pieces including the Enameled Metal Skull Pendant Necklace as seen here on her new album cover.

Avril also wears the Victorian Punk Cameo Bow Anywhere Clip and Cast Metal Cameo Necklace.

Our favorite "brainy actress" and star of the TT film The Making of HOLLYWOODWONDERLAND appeared out and about at New York Fashion Week accessorized with the Elephant Charm Necklace and was featured in the NY Daily News Front Page section of their website:

"Illeana Douglas, looking adorable in her cream ruched Nanette Lepore dress at the designer's show Sunday, accessorized with chains of Tarina Tarantino's elephants. The brainy actress' step-grandma was Congresswoman Helen Gahagan Douglas, who lost her Senate race against Richard Nixon when he called her 'pink down to her underwear' and she called him "Tricky Dick." Douglas told us, 'I love elephants,' adding that she doesn't mind that the GOP got the pachyderm as a symbol when Dems have a donkey. 'All animals are beautiful,' she said."

L.A. Weekly reporter Linda Immediato features Tarina and the Barbie™ by TARINA TARANTINO Collection in the latest La Vida section of the L.A. Weekly. Click on the picture at left to see more, or click here to read the full article on the Weekly's online site!

As part of her Style File feature on Jeffery Sebelia, Jillian Barberie Reynolds of Good Day L.A. features clips from the TT short film The Making of HOLLYWOODWONDERLAND and showcases the catalogue itself. To watch the GDLA segment, click here.

The long-awaited New York outpost of TARINA TARANTINO is now open! Stop by our sparkling boutique in the heart of Soho and try on all the new collections...

The TT Soho store is located at:
117 Greene Street
New York, NY 10012

The new store is also hiring full-time Retail Associates! Call the store at 212-226-6953 or click here for more information...

Tarina has teamed up with famed fashion designer Louis Verdad for L.A. Fashion Week, sending his models down the runway wearing original TT pieces with his Spring Collection. There were giant-sized baubles made especially for the event, but lots of items from the Hippie Princess, Pearl, and Mod Collections were showcased together with Verdad's designs. These special limited-edition pieces are available upon request through the website. Click on the picture at left to see more images from the fashion show!

Tarina was recently invited to participate in the "FitzuGrandPrix," a collection of Fitzu PLAYSAM cars created by designers from around the world. The finished cars will be auctioned off to benefit the World Childhood Foundation at the FitzuGrandPrix Event on October 19. Click here to read more!

"When it comes to creating accessories," says the article in WWD Accessories, "Tarina Tarantino can't resist whimsy. So it's not suprise that when Tarantino made her first visit this spring to Tokyo, where many of the women embrace the same sense of play, the designer found a home away from home.

'It's the culture of cuteness,' the L.A.-based Tarantino explains. 'And the women have such a great sense of style. They accessorize everything.'

Tarantino created a photographic diary of her trip to Tokyo, including the people and places that inspired her, even though she will be getting to know the city and other foreign locales better. After over a decade in business, she is growing the retail side of her label that she cofounded with her husband, Alfonso Campos. Tarantino was in Tokyo to launch her first shop there in the Takashimaya department store in the Shinjuku district.

In addition, Tarantino will take on the New York retail market, anticipating the opening of a 500-square-foot flagship in lower Manhattan at 117 Greene Street this September during New York Fashion Week.

Tarantino says now that she has spent time in Tokyo, she realizes the street style there is completely different than that in New York. She, however, doesn't worry that her stores will have trouble bridging the gap.

'For example, in Japan, you may see even conservative older women carrying a cell phone that has all these adorable charms hanging off of it, and I'm not sure you would see that in New York,' says Tarantino. 'But I think there's a very funky customer in New York as well, one who is definitely willing to mix it up.'"

The TARINA TARANTINO in-store boutique in department store Takashimaya has opened in Osaka, Japan! Be sure to visit it:

Takashimaya Osaka, First Floor
5-1-5 Namba, Chuo-ku
Osaka City, Osaka, Japan

Artist and photographer Adam Wallacavage, known for his quirky and beautiful "octopus" chandeliers, has collaborated with Tarina Tarantino for his latest piece, a glistening pink chandelier with octopus arms, starfish, and ninety glass pearl strands with Swarovski crystals. A special project room installation of this and five other new chandeliers called Il Lume Della Piovra showed at Jonathan LeVine Gallery in New York last week. You can see photos of the installation on the gallery's website, www.jonathanlevinegallery.com.

TARINA TARANTINO announces plans to open their flagship store in New York in WWD's Findings column:

"Tarina Tarantino will paint the town pink this fall. The Los Angeles-based designer, known for her fuchsia tresses and crystal-embellished whimsical accessories, plans to open a 500-square-foot New York flagship in September. The store will be at 117 Greene Street in lower Manhattan and will launch a kickoff party during New York Fashion Week.

The boutique will carry the TARINA TARANTINO Collection, including jewelry, hair accessories, bridal goods, pet offerings, baby goods, belts, and handmade semiprecious items, as well as the firm's co-branding project with Mattel Inc's Barbie Luxe and with Sanrio called Pink Head. There will also be offerings exclusive to the New York location.

Tarantino has stores in Los Angeles and Milan. She is set to open more than a dozen boutiques in Japan during the next three years through a recently inked distribution deal with Itochu Corp."

Click on the picture to the left to read the whole article!

The Los Angeles Times interviews Tarina on her store, her style, and her inspiriation:

"With a pink lemonade-colored resin floor, apothecary jars filled with beads, porcelain cameos of the designer for drawer pulls, and crystal flower jewelry blooming from every shelf, the L.A. store feels like a shopper's Candy Land.

'You'd think it would look like Liberace,' says Tarantino. 'But it's actually an homage to my great-grandmother Matilda Anderson, who collected curiosities. She had little shelves filled with Mason jars of sea glass, buttons, beads and vintage jewelry that I used to play with.'

In the next few weeks, Tarantino will roll out a second collaborative collection with Mattel's Barbie. 'Barbie has been every designer's inspiration,' says Tarantino, who searched for a fresh spin by scouring the Mattel archives, looking at artwork and packaging. Pieces are designed around images of Barbie from the last five decades such as the 1950s Princess Barbie with her long lashes and high ponytail and 1980s Rainbow Barbie with flowing blond locks. Tarantino also designed a few pieces that Barbie herself might have worn, such as a choker of gumball-sized pink pearls. 'When you wear them, you become a giant Barbie doll.'

Tarantino's business is still privately owned and self-financed. Though most costume jewelry is now made in Asia, hers is assembled in downtown Los Angeles, using Swarovski crystals from Austria and Lucite beads that are poured, molded and tumbled for a few hours or a few weeks in German factories. The cameo-like Barbie and Hello Kitty stones are silk-screened and lacquered, instead of the cheaper alternative — sealing a photocopied image under a plastic dome.

Although Tarantino claims to ignore trends, her owl-shaped bead bracelets and crystal-studded daisy pendants are spot on for this summer's 1970s revival. She produces more than 15 collections a year, between the collaborative lines and her own, which add up to hundreds of pieces."

To read the entire article, go to www.latimes.com or click on the image at left.

The news is out! WWD reports on the upcoming BARBIE™ by TARINA TARANTINO Collection:

"Tarina Tarantino is expanding her 10-year-old accessories empire with help from the iconic doll. She is preparing to launch her cobranding partnership with Mattel Inc.'s Barbie Luxe brand in May. Tarantino mined Mattel's vast archive dating to Barbie's birth in 1959 and printed images of the doll on Lucite stones tinted with colorful backgrounds for her pieces. 'With this collection, we're doing not only jewelry and belts, but also a handbag line that will launch in August,' Tarantino said of the new label, BARBIE by TARINA TARANTINO."

Click on the image at left to read the entire article!

Singer Lisa Loeb has a new show on the E! network called #1 SINGLE, and the premiere epsode catches Lisa enjoying herself at the grand opening of the TARINA TARANTINO store on Melrose Avenue! You can see the episode, which premiered on Sunday, January 22nd, all week on E! For more information and airtimes, be sure to check out EOnline.com and Lisa's own site at www.lisaloeb.com.

With model Angela Lindvall and husband Alfonso in tow, Tarina paid a visit to the TT Melrose store's new neighbor - designer Paul Smith. The opening of his West Coast flagship boutique drew celebrities like actress Joy Bryant and the Sex Pistols' Steve Jones. Read the article in WWD by clicking on the picture of Paul and Tarina at right, and be sure to check out the Gallery for more pictures of the sparkling night!

Paris Hilton stepped out in style at L.A.'s Fashion Week, showing her taste for TARINA TARANTINO accessories! Walking the runway at the 2BFree fashion show, she wore exclusively TT - including a Pink Head-themed ensemble featuring the Mascot Drop Earrings, the Russian Nouveau Extra Large Cameo Ring, the Oval Crystal Cocktail Ring, and the stunning Russian Nouveau Crystal Tiara. Out on the town, she wore the Spring Silk Flower Anywhere Clip and the Large Poppy Anywhere Clip. Click on the picture of Paris to the left to see her sparkling looks!

From WWD, October 11th: "Bijou Phillips, Marley Shelton, Alexandra von Furstenberg, Lisa Loeb and Illeana Douglas - and her little pooch Godfrey - were among the pals of Tarina Tarantino who walked the hot-pink carpet Wednesday for the grand opening of the designer's pink-washed boutique on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles...Tarantino welcomed what had to be the most sparkling hundreds of guests at a recent party - thanks to all the Swarovski-speckled Tarantino jewelry and hair accessories they were drenched in. Inside a tent at the back, the powder-pink poufs and crystal lamps furthered the notion of a jewel box - all the way to the live ballerina who posed and gently turned on a centerpiece platform."

To read the full article, click on the picture of Tarina and Jennifer Tilly on the left. To see more pictures of the party, be sure to check out the Gallery, the Sparkling Stars page, and of course Tarina's Butterfly Journal, which describes her party experience in sparkling detail!

Hello Kitty Pink Head has been on a magical journey to the palaces, cathedrals, and landscapes of Russia. She has brought back stories, charms and souvenirs, and all are included in this new fairytale collection. Click on the picture at left to read more about it!

Women's Wear Daily covers the new store opening on Melrose Avenue...

"Tarina Tarantino is known for never skimping on her whimsical jewlery, beltbuckles or hair accessories, be it in the generous use of Swarovski crystals, German Lucite beads, or hand-painted Japanese pearls threading through her collections. So when it came to creating a sign for her first stand-alone boutique, the hot pink-tressed designer wasn't about to settle by seeing her name in lights. Instead, she spelled it out above the front door in 10,000 jet black Swarovski crystals.

The new door comes as the Los Angeles-based company marks its 10th anniversary. The sparkle just begins with the sign. The pink, poured-resin floor glitters, and lines of crystals twinkle from the edges of everything from the drawer knobs to the speakers embedded in the walls. Indeed, what doesn't sparkle 'floats.' Bracelets and earrings dangle from clear Plexiglas bars. The clear and walnut cash-and-wrap table is suspended on a bulbous, tear-shaped resin leg. Two vanity areas allow customers to take a seat at a pink suede, curved-back chair, place findings on a tray that pulls out from the wall, and play dress-up in front of one of the back-lit oval mirrors that punctuate the space.

'We wanted this sense of discovery and play for the place,' Tarantino said. 'It's like a candy store.'"

To read the entire article, click on the picture at left.

Congratulations to the winner of our sparkling "Be Tarina" contest CAROLYN BRADEN!! The decision was not easy as we received hundreds of submissions - thank you to everyone who sent in their story and pictures! Tarina was thrilled and overwhelmed to read what everyone had written. Here's an excerpt from Carolyn's story, "The Inspiration I Needed:"

"I am incredibly inspired by Tarina Tarantino.  I’ve loved her jewelry since first seeing Cameron Diaz wearing one of Tarina's necklaces.  I went to the Tarina Tarantino website and spent hours admiring all the sparkling jewelry.  I read Tarina’s story about how her husband was so supportive and helped her make what she loved into her career.  I’ve always thought I would start a business as well.  After reading how Tarina did it, I got the inspiration to do it. I am an art teacher in Louisville, Kentucky and have always known I have creative talents.  I love making jewelry, painting, making clothes, taking art classes, teaching children, gardening, home making, and baking.  I knew I wanted to start a business, but the question was, “what kind of business do I start?” My husband Tommy, a very loving and supportive person, helped me do research on how I would start a small business.  We researched what things my town lacked and could benefit from.  My best friend Nikki Fiely and I had always talked about our love for baking.  She took classes on cake decorating and had made a couple of wedding cakes in the past.  We put our ideas together and created a cake business, Blooming Creations. We bake and decorate cakes.  We want to make our business unique by offering many varieties of cake flavors, fillings, and styles.  We are even beginning to invent some new cake recipes.  We started the business in February and just by word of mouth, the orders started coming in.  I usually wear a piece of Tarina’s jewelry to meet a bride.  They always comment on the pieces and I tell them about Tarina’s website or refer them to the stores Girltalk or the Luna Boutique in Louisville that carry Tarina Tarantino. 

Being an artist, I love being able to sketch out cake ideas for clients and then make them a reality.  Because of the amount of orders, Nikki and I are turning my garage into a small kitchen.  Currently, Nikki and I are still teaching.  (My students adore the Hello Kitty jewelry I wear.)  We love teaching children, but also look forward to the day Blooming Creations becomes our career.  I can’t say enough about the inspiration I’ve received from first discovering Tarina Tarantino.  I love her story, her jewelry, and her ideas.  She made me realize that by surrounding yourself with inspirational, supportive people, you can do anything!!"

Check out Carolyn's delicious cakes and more at www.bloomingcreationscakes.com!

Tarina is back from Italy with lots to tell; check out the Butterfly Journal to read more...

We have been receiving lots of email asking about when our new Melrose Avenue boutique will be opening! It is currently in construction and scheduled to be finished sometime in late June... Unlike traditional accessories and jewelry shops this store promises to be a truly unique shopping experience. The location of this sparkling boutique is in the Melrose Heights area of Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles. As soon as we have an official opening date it will be posted here... For more on the Melrose store see this WWD article. I hope you will all be able to visit us when we open!

A few years ago at a pre-Oscar party in Hollywood, Cameron Diaz spotted another party goer wearing a TARINA TARANTINO carved rose bracelet in turquoise.  She immediately approached the woman, asking where she bought her bracelet.  The woman replied it was a TARINA TARANTINO bracelet she had purchased at Fred Segal.  Cameron told her how well it would match the dress she was planning to wear to the Oscars the next night.  The woman, being so generous, offered the bracelet to Cameron as a gift, but Cameron insisted on paying for it.  The next night at the Oscars, Cameron Diaz was seen wearing the TARINA TARANTINO Carved Rose Bracelet in Turquoise.  While Cameron dazzled in the limelight at the Oscars, Tarina’s telephone lit up just as bright. 

TARINA TARANTINO has created a one-of-a-kind chandelier to celebrate Hello Kitty’s 30th anniversary, featuring her iconic PINK HEAD. All proceeds generated benefits UNICEF and partners with Target for Children’s Charity

The jeweled and sparkling chandelier is encrusted with Swarovski crystal. PINKHEAD pendants hang gracefully from chains and ornaments, which are further embellished by dangling jewels and charms.

TARINA TARANTINO, along with many other notable fashion stars, has donated 100 pieces of jewelry for sale exclusively on the Target website during the month of November to benefit their charity, Target House, which also helps children in need. All if this is part of Sanrio’s 30th Anniversary Party for HELLO KITTY!

TARINA TARANTINO Boutique in Milan, Italy celebrates its two year anniversary.  Located in the center of Milan, near the beautiful Duomo Cathedral,  TARINA TARANTINO has Italian girls and customers from all over the world sparkling. The TARINA TARANTINO Boutique is the only store in the world that carries the entire collection, including one of a kind editorial pieces.  Her sparkling creations have become a favorite of Italian fashionistas and style icons and grace the pages of Italian Elle, Vogue and many other publications, including many of the hottest TV shows. The store is located at Galleria Passarella, 2. 20122 Milan, Italy.

TARINA TARANTINO  also celebrates the opening of their European headquarters and Showroom in Milan, Italy.  The TARINA TARANTINO showroom is an extension of our colorful, candy like showroom in Los Angeles.  Located at: Via Donatello 36 20131 Milan, Italy. www.tarinatarantino.it

With the success of the TARINA TARANTINO boutique in Italy, TARINA TARANTINO has opened two in-store corners in Korea, one in Galleria Department Store in Kangnam-Ku, Seoul and the 2nd one in Daegu Department Store in Daegu.  Two additional in-store corners are schedule to open late in October at Shinsegae Department stores at Seocho-Ku,  Seoul & another one in Kwangju City.  TARINA TARANTINO’s rapid growth in Korea is due to the amazing reception that the first two in-store corners have received.