Inside Their Minds: Re-Imagining 'The Phantom of the Opera' Mask 30 Times Over

The current principal cast — Peter Jöback (The Phantom),  Ali Ewoldt (Christine) and Rodney Ingram (Raoul) — and the original mask. Photo by Jeremy Daniel

BY TAMARA BECK

IS this the ultimate re-masking: Zang Toi conjures up ostrich feathers and a white rose. The Toledos (Isabel and Ruben) stick with the number - 30 - albeit, in a colorful way?

This re-masking is "Phantom Fashion 30," the continuing celebration of the 30th anniversary of "The Phantom of the Opera." That milestone was reached on 26 Jan. for Broadway's longest running musical. 

Isabel and Ruben Toledo.

With Phantom Fashion 30," fashion designers (30) have reinterpreted the iconic mask originally designed by Maria Björnson and executed by milliner Rodney Gordon.

The "Phantom Fashion 30" masks, including Chloe Gosselin's somber floral motif, will be revealed on 30 Oct. during an invite-only cocktail sponsored by Bank of America. An online auction of the masks also opens on 30 Oct. They will then be on display to the general public as of Halloween (31 Oct.) at the Museum of the City of 
New York for one month. 

Chloe Gosselin.

The auction ends on 30 Nov. and proceeds benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. "Phantom Fashion 30" is a collaboration of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), Bank of America and "The Phantom of the Opera."

The  complete list of "Phantom Fashion 30" designers: 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, Zang Toi.

Dennis Basso.

Visit the following web addresses to learn more about "Phantom Fashion 30," "The Phantom of the Opera" and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS:
http://cfda.com/news/celebrating-phantomfashion30-with-30-custom-designer-masks

http://us.thephantomoftheopera.com/phantom-fashion-30/

http://www.phantombroadway.com/

http://broadwaycares.org/