STYLE : FASHION DIARY : Vampire’s mark : ‘Twilight’ fans can’t get enough of the romantic saga. It’s a good thing stores can satisfy their hunger.
Sashaying through Lakewood Mall one day last week, Diana Garcia was a walking testament to the power of the “Twilight” saga.
A Volturi pendant hung around the 16-year-old’s neck, and her T-shirt was emblazoned with the words, “It never made sense for you to love me. I always knew that” -- the same sigh-inducing phrase Bella says to Edward in “New Moon,” the second part of the book/movie series, which opens in theaters Friday.
“I have a lot of ‘Twilight’ clothing. Probably 10 ‘Twilight’ shirts and two or three ‘New Moon’ T-shirts, also some accessories like a heart necklace that breaks in two and this ‘New Moon’ ring,” Diana says, showing off a ring engraved with a saying from the movie, worn on the fourth finger of her left hand.
Her friend Isaac Bravo, also 16, wasn’t wearing any “Twilight”-branded clothing on this outing, but he said he too has amassed several T-shirts, a ring and the same Volturi necklace as Diana.
They are both huge fans of the books and movie, drawn by the story of forbidden love. “Not being able to be with someone because of your parents or other circumstances is something all teenagers go through,” Diana says. “It’s nice to read these books and watch these movies so you don’t feel like you’re the only one.”
With that they headed toward Hot Topic, a mecca for fans seeking merchandise related to the saga of vampire Edward Cullen and mortal Bella Swan.
For fans like Garcia and Bravo who want to express their exuberance for the film through clothing and beauty products, there’s plenty available to soothe even the most insatiable soul.
Dedicated Twi-hards may think they already know just how much “New Moon” merchandise is out there, but Wolf Pack packing tape? It exists. So do Bella bobby pins, Cullen Crest charm necklaces and every style of “Twilight” graphic T-shirt you could imagine. The online jewelry boutique www.MyJewelryBox.com is one of many enterprises that have capitalized on the phenomenon by debuting a “Twilight” collection, including black diamonds and gems the color of blood.
But for authentic, licensed “Twilight” merchandise, the places to go are Nordstrom and Hot Topic.
The “New Moon” fashion line for BP at Nordstrom is a “lifestyle” collection inspired by scenes and symbols in the film. Everything from bag charms to Bella-esque plaid jackets and shirts that say “Forks High School Phys. Ed. Dept.” or “Bet You Can’t Read My Mind,” are on sale in the junior’s section. If you want the world to know you’re on R-Patz’s posse, there are “Team Edward” T-shirts. And of course, for those who run with the wolf pack, there are “Team Jacob” tees too.
The Luna Twilight makeup line, also sold at Nordstrom, includes Mortal Glow blushing creme and First Light face glow -- both in shades much more flattering than a pale vampire complexion.
At Hot Topic, the shopper/fan can buy the aforementioned Wolf Pack tape as well as a few more fashionable items, such as a camel-colored Cullen Crest scarf, perfect for swaddling yourself in while watching the movie. There’s also a swingy green Bella birthday dress inspired by scenes from “New Moon.”
A Nordstrom rep says customers are already responding well to the T-shirts, charms and necklaces, even before the film opens. But how big a success the products will be in the long run remains to be seen. Awake, the licensee that manufactures the line for Nordstrom, won’t discuss sales figures. But overall movie and TV character-related merchandise earned $2.6 billion last year, down nearly 4% from a year earlier according to official figures released by the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Assn.
For some fans, a better option might be to combine “Twilight” mania with a trip to the beauty salon. Stars Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart had their hair colored by Stuart Gavert of Gavert Atelier salon in Beverly Hills. The salon still offers “Twilights,” a process that gives clients the same highlights as their idols, framing the face in a way that casts that other-worldly glow.
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