The ’70s was a golden era for the candy industry: Laffy Taffy, Pop Rocks and Reese’s Pieces hit the shelves, and Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory debuted. It’s also the same decade that celebrity candy artist Jackie Sorkin was born. The Orange County-based talent is known for creating over-the-top masterpieces made—you guessed it—entirely out of sweets, many of which were seen on her TLC show Candy Queen. “The medium gives you thousands of colors, textures and flavors,” says Sorkin. “It’s incredible.” Through Jan. 5, Sorkin and her crew are unpacking their stash of sweets at Fashion District Philadelphia for Candytopia, an imaginative 14-room confectionery filled with bonbon-coated sea creatures, a marshmallow pit and confetti explosions, all made from goodies like licorice laces, gummy bears, Chiclets, Jelly Beans and peach rings. Created with business partners Zac Hartog and John Goodman, the modern-day world of Willy Wonka has attracted more than a million guests at pop-ups across the country since debuting in Santa Monica in 2018, including A-listers like Drew Barrymore, Bruce Willis and Gwyneth Paltrow. For the Philadelphia edition, visitors can expect popular pieces from past Candytopia exhibits, unlimited candy to crunch on and city-themed installations (think “Rocky” and “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”). Sorkin says, “It’s literally been a joy, a happiness explosion overload.” Tickets $28, 901 Market St., Ste. 1150, candytopia.com
Photography by: Adam Bettcher/Getty Images For Candytopia
