Founded in 1995 by Tarina Tarantino and her husband, Alfonso Campos, Tarina Tarantino grown into an international brand with stores in New York, Los Angeles, Milan, Tokyo and Osaka. Known for her uniquely nostalgic yet modern designs, Tarina Tarantino has sparked a cult following that has spread globally. Her Sparkling Swarovski crystal, Lucite, metal and Op-Art color combinations have become signature characteristics of her collections. All Tarina Tarantino collections are 100% handmade in the U.S.A at her headquarters “The Sparkle Factory” in downtown Los Angeles.
Having brought into the marketplace, an accessories collection that was exceptionally unique and made with the highest quality materials infused with colour and sparkle, it is no surprise that the Tarina Tarantino is hugely successful.
In 2002 she was invited by Japanese toy giant Sanrio to makeover their 30 year old pop culture icon Hello Kitty, which resulted in the Hello Kitty Pink Head collections. This collaboration with Sanrio gained tremendous popularity worldwide and showcases adorable images of the iconic Hello Kitty on necklaces, bracelets, earrings, phone charms and many others.
A few years later she was tapped by Mattel to create a collection of Barbie inspired couture jewelry. From the Mattel archives, Tarantino restored old artwork to its original version. The pieces are designed around images of Barbie from the last five decades such as the 1950s Princess Barbie with flowing long locks. Tarantino also designed a few pieces that Barbie herself might have worn, such a choker of gumball sized pink pearls. This collection features 7 Barbie looks in all.
Unlike most costume jewellery, which is now made in Asia, Tarina Tarantino is assembled in downtown Los Angeles, using Swarovski crystals from Austria and Lucite beads that are poured, molded and tumbled in German factories. The cameo Barbie and Hello Kitty stones are silk screened and lacquered, instead of cheaper alternatives such as using a photocopied image sealed under a plastic dome.
Tarina Tarantino has numerous celebrity fans, which include Cameron Diaz, Hilary Duff, Paris Hilton, Avril Lavigne, and Miley Cyrus. Her designs also appear in every major fashion magazines and on many TV shows such as Oprah, CNN and Access Hollywood.
