50 | NOVEMBER 24 • 2022 

The “Night of Wonders” bash 
was all-things Allee and all-things 
pink with numerous nods to Detroit 
including many of her favorite foods 
— BBQ ribs and Vernors floats. 
Guests autographed a giant high-top 
gym shoe, which was one of Willis’ 
signature looks.
“Allee’s wardrobe was a statement 
in itself, and people wore it in the 
fashion show at the event,” said 
Tomlin, a co-chair. 
And then there was Willis’ iconic, 
statement asymmetrical hairstyle.
“Allee’s hair was just ideal, and I 
had always wanted to commemorate 
Allee in some kind of way. So I took 
a photograph of her hairdo — which 
was cut very short and high up on 
the ear on one side and long on the 
shoulder on the other side — and 
I just glued that hairdo on to my 
character Kate’s image in a collage 

of photographs for the book [The 
Search for Signs of Intelligent Life 
in the Universe],” said Tomlin, who 
won the 1986 Tony Award for Best 
Actress in her one-woman play. 
“Allee liked that I did that.”
At the “Night of Wonders,” 15 
of Willis’ friends modelled her 
clothing and accessories, which were 
auctioned off for the Foundation 
along with memorabilia from Willis’ 
extensive collection. Every guest 
took home a kitschy Allee Willis 
paper doll cutout book designed 
by Jewish author and artist Hillary 

Carlip.
“That’s the kind of excitement 
she generated. Allee had a team of 
operators at every party, and they’d 
be videoing the party. She had a 
soap-carving party one night, and we 
all had to make a political statement 
with the carving. It was during the 
lettuce boycott here in California. 
I did a romaine salad without the 
romaine. I don’t remember. I think 
I had some balled up something 
or another with no lettuce. I think 
I may have won a prize,” laughs 
Tomlin. 

PHOTO BY SERENA BEGGS
PHOTO BY SERENA BEGGS

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Allee’s friends 
wore her own clothing and accessories 
for the Fashion Parade and auction at 
“Night of Wonders” to benefit the Willis 
Wonderland Foundation. Former Detroiter 
Jim Budman attended “Night of Wonders.” 
At “Night of Wonders,” guests enjoyed 
Allee’s favorite Detroit foods: Vernors 
floats and BBQ ribs.

continued from page 48

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