Darling Mushrooms makes business out of being in the background
By Orange County on July 8, 2020
Need a confetti filled tub for you next social media posting? How about a zen meditation room or one with leaves and giant mushrooms?
All those and about 20 other installations can be found at the Darling Mushrooms Interactive Photo Museum in Brea Downtown.
Taylor Cole, owner of Darling Mushrooms Interactive Photo Museum in Brea, CA, poses at one of 28 art installations at her shop on Saturday, June 20, 2020. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Model Victoria Kusuda poses for photographers at Darling Mushrooms in Brea, CA on Saturday, June 20, 2020. The business is an interactive art museum. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Darling Mushrooms Interactive Photo Museum pop-up has over 20 art installations for photos and videos in Brea, CA on Saturday, June 20, 2020. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Alison Jensen watches and reacts as a fellow model poses for a photographer at Darling Mushrooms during a photographers and models night in Brea, CA on Saturday, June 20, 2020. The business is an interactive art museum. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Taylor Cole, owner of Darling Mushrooms, applies makeup to model Marissa Jensen during a photographers and models night in Brea, CA on Saturday, June 20, 2020. The business is an interactive art museum. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Model Bellamme Lopez poses for a photographer at Darling Mushrooms, an interactive art museum, during a photographers and models night in Brea, CA on Saturday, June 20, 2020. Lopez said she is building her modeling portfolio. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Model Gwyneth Stolo poses for a photographer at Darling Mushrooms in Brea, CA on Saturday, June 20, 2020. The business is an interactive art museum. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Model Alison Jensen poses for a photographer at Darling Mushrooms during a photographers and models night in Brea, CA on Saturday, June 20, 2020. The business is an interactive art museum. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Taylor Cole, owner of Darling Mushrooms Interactive Photo Museum in Brea, CA, poses at one of 28 art installations at her shop on Saturday, June 20, 2020. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Model Gwyneth Stolo poses for a photographer at Darling Mushrooms in Brea, CA on Saturday, June 20, 2020. The business is an interactive art museum. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
After graduating from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, Taylor Cole knew she wanted to stay creative.
Back at home she started making art installations in her garage to build a portfolio for showing prospective clients her design skills.
In December, she opened Darling Mushrooms and now anyone can use her installations as a setting for a TikTok video, social media post, fundraiser or just to get some friends together to create memories.
Recently the space hosted a night for models and photographers to build their portfolios.
“It’s a great experience,” said Victoria Kusuda, who was starting her modeling portfolio. “You get to experiment out of your comfort zone.”
The pop-up, selfie installation craze has been around for a few years. There have been themes around donuts, fruit, make-up and fast food, with sponsors brought in to host events.
Cole said most businesses like hers stay for a few months or a year and then pack up shop. She hopes to stretch out Darling Mushrooms’ run by bringing in new installations and changing up themes to keep it fresh.
In Cole’s business half of the customers are trying to build a modeling portfolio or a social media following, she said. Others just want to create personal memories in a unique environment.
Upcoming events at Darling Mushrooms include morning yoga, doggie day and photo shoots with live butterflies.
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