Taika Waititi has a habit of stealing the show. Even by his own standards, the acclaimed director and Oscar winner outdid himself at this year’s Cairns Crocodiles, presented by Pinterest.
Not only did he leave the convention centre with a standing ovation from one of Australian media’s most discerning crowds, but with some fresh ink and a one-of-a-kind pair of Doc Martens.
Following a keynote that had the crowd buzzing, Waititi made his way to the Pinterest Tattoo parlour. He was joined by Australian actor Daniel Macpherson and B&T’s very own Dan Uglow, in what quickly become the most talked-about moment of the day.
Waititi’s tattoo of choice was personal, the first three digits of his very first phone number. A nod to his roots and hometown.
The impromptu inking wasn’t even the most remarkable part of the afternoon. Misfits Media Co creative director, Joren Catalino Aranas had been quietly working on something very special behind the scenes. Ever since Waititi had revealed in a Vogue forces of Fashion panel, alongside his singer-songwriter wife, that as child he had always wanted a real pair of Doc Martens and a genuine Adidas tracksuit. So much so that he would paint his own clothes and shoes to mimic the ones he so desperately wanted.
Determined to make that dream a reality, Catalino Aranas designed and handcrafted a custom pair of Doc Martens. In a detail that made the gesture all the more extraordinary, he actually taught himself to sew just to make it happen.
When Catalino Aranas presented the boots on stage, the moment landed exactly as it deserved to.
Catalino Aranas said: “I love to make gifts for my friends and family, and to be able to make something for someone I admire is even better. I’m really grateful for the opportunity to do it.”
