Iron costumer

The
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FEbruary/March 2015
February/March 2015
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PRESIDENT’S LETTER
NCA National Headquarters
Dorothy Shadrick
Executive Director
6000 E. Evans Ave. 3-205
Denver, CO 80222
800-NCA-1321
Fax 303-758-9616
office@costumers.org
The Costumer
Publications Office
Ed Avis Associates
P.O. Box 2249
Oak Park, IL 60303
708-218-7755
pub@costumers.org
Ad Sales
Ed Avis
708-218-7755
pub@costumers.org
Editorial Inquiries
Kathleen Furore
708-267-0023
kfurore@yahoo.com
Art Director
Michelle Crisanti
info@mc2chicago.com
©2015, National Costumers Association.
The Costumer is published by the National
Costumers Association, Inc., with headquarters located at the above address, a
nonprofit and incorporated association of
costumers located in the United States,
Australia, Bahamas, Canada, India,
Ireland, Mexico, and Great Britain.
No responsibility is assumed for the
opinions expressed or claims made by
the authors of articles or by advertisers.
Appearance in the magazine does not
constitute endorsement by the National
Costumers Association, nor its officers or
representatives.
www.costumers.org
The new year is the best time to review our businesses and see what we can do to improve
our customer service, bottom line and personal lives. If you are satisfied with your receipts
and your life, I applaud you. Many of us want more. If you do, now is the time to reevaluate
your daily processes. Do you need a fresh coat of paint or a full renovation? Every store can
benefit from a little sprucing up.
This past Halloween I hired a temporary employee who had been a manager at a
Victoria’s Secret. She told me they rearrange inventory three times a week so customers
think there is new stock every day! In reality, the store only gets new stock about every 10
days. That may be a bit overboard for our industry, but simply rearranging inventory can
call attention to items customers currently overlook and give the
impression you have new stock.
Now is also an excellent time to look at your store with
fresh eyes. Walk in as if it is your first time, or have someone
else do it for you. Are the windows, floor, layout, walls, counters,
restrooms and dressing rooms clean and tidy? Does the store
smell pleasant? Does the carpet need cleaning or the floors a
good wash? It is amazing how little things become part of the
permanent landscape. A good cleaning or a fresh paint job will
freshen up the store. Make sure the glass on your front door is
clean and the frame free from winter’s grime. Make sure entry rugs get a good cleaning
and smell fresh. That first impression is priceless.
Are the corners cluttered? I have a stack of shipping boxes piled in a corner, and there
are usually remnants of the last show rental hanging on a rack waiting to be re-stocked. I
still have not put all the Santa boots into storage, and my repair rack seems to get bigger.
Figure out what needs to be restocked, repaired or recycled and get it done. You will have a
little more space, and be amazed at the difference it will make in your store’s appearance.
Last year I spent a couple of days and painted my store’s dressing rooms and the public
restroom. What a difference it made! After I was finished, I realized how tired the area had
become. I took inspiration from Judy Smith, Rose Costumes, Denton, Texas, and redecorated the restroom with a Parisian theme. I painted the walls soft pink, the woodwork and
moldings black. I added a black and white skirt to the sink and a thrift store mirror with a
freshly painted black frame to the wall. Everyone comments on it, even the men.
Maybe a full remodel is needed. If you have the time and budget, it may be time to
take on this task. Consider replacing flooring, rearranging your layout or revamping your
showroom floor. Maybe new, higher efficiency windows and an HVAC system or more
insulation will help your bottom line long term. If you rent, ask what improvements you
can make without an increase in rent.
Don’t limit remodeling to your physical space. Look at your website, facebook and
other social media pages. Are they current and fresh? Will customers find information they
need to make them want to come to your store? Is your answering machine message current? Do your business stationary and invoices have a fresh, modern look? All these things
communicate that you have an exciting store and are abreast of current trends.
Some of you are already doing most of these things. Great! Share your ideas and expertise with other NCA members. Write a brief description of your latest project and share
it in e-contact. Send pictures. What a great way to inspire others. After all, sharing and
inspiring is what this association is about!
Linda Adams-Foat, President
National Costumers Association
Camelot Costumes
Freeport, Illinois
in the ind u stry
Convention is Coming—
check out the exciting details!
Show-stopping Branson, Missouri is the site for the National Costumers Association’s 2015 national convention, scheduled for July 10-13 at the Radisson Hotel Branson.
The following roundup provides a peek at what’s in store for convention attendees
this year.
Get an Education
Convention planners remain hard
at work finalizing details of educational
seminar topics. Possible sessions include:
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Facing the Giants—thriving in today’s tough market
How to Recruit Top Talent
Introduction to Social Media
Turning the Page—how to close when life’s next chapter beckons
To Catch a Thief—how to recognize and prevent shoplifting
Which Suit Goes Where?—
understanding period costuming
Dress Up Your Shop for Halloween
The Very Best Sourcing Contacts
Ghouls, Goblins and Makeup Sales
Arias and High “C’s”—working with
Grand Opera
My All-Time Very Best Costume
Taking a Second Look and Reacting to It
How To Give Back to the
Community
Inspiration with New Marketing Ideas
Zombies: Walkin’, Talkin’ and Spending Money!
Fast Patterns from Demetrius—
Demetrius Vonglis was a lifetime NCA member and created a set of simple, easy-to-create costumes. Now that he is gone, his patterns will meet a new generation!
The full agenda will be finalized and
posted online soon, and in the June issue
of The Costumer.
February/March 2015
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Creative Style Show—
Sign Up Now!
The winter wind is blowing, but July
and the 2015 NCA Convention will be
here soon! The Creative Style Show—
which pushes the limits of creativity and
is always a favorite with attendees—will
again be featured this year. In March,
shops that register for the event will
receive identical boxes of “goodies” with
which to create a costume: fabric, trim,
and usually an item or two that will
stretch your creative muscles! Materials
may be donated by NCA members or
purchased by the chairpersons.
Here are some basic rules and
guidelines for this event:
• Everything in the box must be used by the participating shop to create the costume(s).
• Participating shops may spend up to $15.00 for notions and additional supplies.
• One or two costumes may be created for this challenge.
• Each participating shop must
provide their own model at
convention.
• After the show, costumes will become the property of the shops that created them.
• Costumes may not be worn prior to the event—the surprise is half the fun!
• If your shop signs up to participate, and is unable to complete the cos tumes, it will be your responsibility to
find another shop to complete the
challenge and send the box to them.
costumers.org
Full rules and regulations will be in the
boxes. Sign up now to discover what’s in
this year’s box. If you have something to
donate, please let us know that, too. Call
Meredith Smith-Lane or Dae Elmore,
event co-chairs, at 515-576-5544; or
email creativestyleshow@costumers.org.
The “Iron Costumer”
Returns!
It’s like Project Runway for
costumers! The Iron Costumer workshop, back by popular demand this year,
is open to anyone—new sewing enthusiasts and seasoned seamstresses alike.
According to Janine Caufield and Terri
Greenberg, event co-chairs, participants
will be divided into teams headed by
a predesignated team leader. They will
then be given a “secret ingredient,”
embellishments, a sewing machine,
glue guns and glue, scissors and
needles, and asked to create a garment in approximately one hour. The
audience will choose the winning entry,
and all garments will be auctioned off
as an NCA fundraiser.
The Iron Costumer “encourages
designing, creativity and collaboration
with a lot of fun,” Caufield and Greenberg said. “We are looking forward to
seeing what ideas you come up with.”
in the ind u stry
Let the Nominations For NCA
Board Members Begin!
The Nominating Committee is
seeking new directors to serve on the
Board of Directors of the National
Costumers Association. Up to three
vacant director seats plus the position of
vice president must be filled. If you have
the desire to serve, please speak up! (You
probably just have to whisper the words
and a handful of committee members
will come running with information and
well wishes!) It’s not easy to fill seats,
but you can help. Give your information, or the name of someone you think
would be a good board member, to Janie
Westendorf, committee chair. Call 641622-3991 or email IPP@costumers.org.
$$ FREE $$—NCA Scholarship
Applications Now Open
Applications are being accepted
for two scholarships from the National
Costumers Association. Applicants must
have a grade point average of 2.75 or
greater to be considered.
The Memorial Fund Scholarship is
open to any student who is entering college or is enrolled in an accredited college or university. Students must submit
a short biography, an essay, and a school
transcript. Applicants can be from any
field of study, but those studying costuming will receive preference. Contact
Janie Westendorf at IPP@costumers.org
for more information.
The Envelope Please…A Call for
Award Nominees
The National Costumers Association regularly recognizes members for
attributes such as creativity, longevity,
and service to the organization. The
following awards are given through a
nomination and committee review
process:
The Major Harrelson Service Award.
Any member may nominate another
member for this award, which is the
highest award given by the National
Costumers Association. It is presented
to an NCA member for service to the
Association.
The Honorary Life Membership
Award. The Board of Directors may
present this award to any individual
member of the association whose contribution to NCA has been outstanding.
An Honorary Life Member will enjoy
all the rights and privileges of membership and will be exempt from any
membership dues.
To nominate someone, send a
note explaining why you are nominating them to Janie Westendorf, awards
committee chair. Call 641-622-3991 or
email IPP@costumers.org.
February/March 2015
8
The Student Creative Event
Scholarship is open to any student
entering college through graduate
school who is concentrating in costume
or fashion design. Participants must
present an actual costume with supporting documents at the annual convention
in a runway presentation. Students do
not have to be present but must be able
to use Skype or Facetime to communicate with the judges. Contact Linda
Adams Foat at president@costumers.org
for more information.
The application deadline is April 1,
2015. For complete information, to view
videos, or to download an application,
visit www.costumers.org/Students.aspx.
costumers.org
The Plot Service—a Bonus
Membership Perk
By Marion Bradley, NCA Director
As Membership Chair, my goal
is to make sure everyone takes full
advantage of all the National Costumers
Association has to offer. This led me
to the Plot Service (which you can
find in the Members Only section at
www.costumers.org). I have to admit
the Plot Service is something I had not
even considered; but after checking into
it, I realized what a valuable resource
it can be for anyone, even if you know
nothing about theater.
The Plot Service offers more than
300 theatrical costume plots. Just click
on the name of a play to learn what
style of clothing, hair, and accessories
all characters wear starting from
Act 1/Scene 1. If you offer theatrical
rental costumes, the Plot Service should
be your go-to source for how each
costume should look. If you have only
packaged costumes, it can still work
for you. Locate Plot Service, search for
the play in question, then look for the
character your customer is portraying.
Peruse your packaged costumes for
one that fits the description of the
character’s clothing, then add a wig
and accessories. Now you have a sale!
The next time customers visit your
store and say they are in a play, go
straight to the Plot Service. You’ll be
able to tell your customers what they
need, and they will think you are a pro!
Save the
Date!
88th Annual
NCA Convention
July 10-13, 2015
Radisson Hotel Branson
120 South Wildwood Drive
Branson, MO
in the ind u stry
Reporting From Branson: NCA Board of Directors Meeting Highlights
who attend. In off years, we will hold
the NCA and The Wounded
the annual meeting in conjunction with
Warrior Project.
the HPE trade show, and schedule an
Treasurer Jane Powell
evening meeting with refreshments.
reported that the 2014 convention made a profit and that We also discussed an addition to
the by-laws that will require discusthe Association as a whole is
sion and a vote of the membership at
up a bit overall. Committee
the convention. This will be identified
reports showed we lost seven
as Article XVIII; Dissolution of the
members but gained twelve,
Association. This is a clause needed to
and that we will need to fill
The NCA Board: (Back Row, from left) Dwayne Ibsen,
satisfy the Internal Revenue Service.
the positions of president,
Karen Grizzard, Janie Westendorf, Dorothy Shadrick,
We are not anticipating dissolving the
vice
president
and
three
board
Marion Bradley, Ron Ferraro.
National Costumers Association; we are
chairs at the annual business
(Front, seated) Linda Adams-Foat, Terri Greenberg
just fulfilling a requirement. A second
meeting. And the board
The weekend of Feb. 20-22, 2015
proposed change is a housekeeping
decided to hire a social media coordinawas a busy one for the NCA Board of
change. Article XIV, sections A and B
tor, Hollie Cleare, to increase NCA’s
Directors, who met at the Radisson
must have their language changed to be
exposure on Facebook, Twitter, InstaHotel in Branson, Missouri. All
consistent. See the proposals for these
gram and Pinterest.
members were present except Janine
changes below.
We also made the difficult decision
Caufield. We toured the facility and
We closed our meeting reviewing
to hold convention in even numbered
found it appropriate for our convention.
our Strategic Plan.
years due to the fact that no members
We spoke with members of VisionCon
have volunteered to host a convention,
—Linda Adams-Foat, President
(a group of gamers, Sci-Fi and
coupled with the number of members
Cosplay enthusiasts at the hotel) about
the National Costumers Association.
Proposed Changes to Policies and Procedures:
We also spoke to some of their vendors
Add: Article XVIII Dissolution of the
annual membership meeting (or convenabout participating in our market. We
Association
tion) of this association each year unless
decided to have a Guest Day at conven If at any time the members of the
otherwise determined by a vote of the
tion. For $50, VisionCon members and
National Costumers Association shall
membership.
others will be able to attend.
decide to cease to carrying out the pur B. The time and place of each annual
We chose “Celebrate America in
pose as stated in the bylaws, all assets and
meeting shall be recommended by the
Costume—Past, Present, Future” as the
property held by it, whether in trust or
Board of Directors to the entire memtheme, discussed budget, and assigned
otherwise, shall, after the payment of its
bership, but the final decision regarding
tasks. Events will include Iron Costumers,
liabilities, be given over to an organization time and place shall be determined by a
Creative Style Show, Student Creative
selected by the final Board of Directors.
majority of the votes cast by eligible
Event, Education, Auction, and a possible
Organization should have similar purvoters at the annual meeting. The Board
marketplace. We set aside one night for
poses,
and
have
established
its
tax
exempt
of Directors shall retain the final decian optional dinner and show in the area.
status
under
501(c)
(3)
or
(6)
of
the
sion on the time of the meeting.
We set registration prices; the Early Bird
Internal
Revenue
Code.
Such
assets
and
Proposed change: B The time and
price will be $259.00, and will include all
property
shall
be
applied
exclusively
for
place of each annual membership meeting
education sessions, President’s breakfast,
Charitable
and
Educational
programs.
(or convention) shall be recommended
two lunches, opening night party, Presiby the Board of Directors to the entire
dent’s banquet (renamed Grand Finale)
Proposed Housekeeping Changes to
membership, but the final decision regardand hors d’oeuvres for Auction. We will
P&P: Article XIV Meetings
ing time and place shall be determined
be re-instituting a door prize available to
Reads: A. There shall be one general
by a majority of the votes cast by eligible
all NCA members. Tickets will be sold
meeting (or convention) of this associavoters at the annual membership meeting.
throughout convention; the winner will
tion each year unless otherwise deterThe Board of Directors shall retain the
be announced at the Grand Finale; and
mined by a vote of the membership.
final decision on the time of the meeting.
proceeds will be divided evenly between
Proposed change: A. There shall be one
February/March 2015
10
costumers.org
ING
W
E
S
R
I
B
A
R
E
W
E
AN
HALLOWEEN INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION (HIA) AND
URBAN EXPOSITIONS PARTNER TO ACQUIRE THE
HALLOWEEN & PARTY EXPO FROM H&P EXPO, LLC
HIA and Urban Expositions will take over the management and production of
the event following the 2015 show in New Orleans
SAVE-THE-DATES
H A L LOWEEN & PARTY EXP O
January 22-25, 2016
January 14-17, 2017
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
New Orleans, LA
www.hiaonline.org
www.urban-expo.com
www.halloweenpartyexpo.com
The stars of “Shrek the Musical”—Lucia Rodriguez-Nelson, Aidan Lenahan and Josh Czuba
op
Bravo!
Costumes Shine in Award-Winning
Middle School Program
By Kathleen Furore
Photos By Ron Orzel
M
“
ary Poppins” will be hitting the stage at Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School in Oak Park, Ill.
in late April. When I get Lisa Morrow, lead costume and hair
designer for the school’s award-winning Bravo Performing Arts
Academy on the phone, outfitting 24 sixth-, seventh- and
eighth-graders is on her mind.
“There are 24 kids in the dance corps and we need three
looks—chimney sweeps for Chim Chim Cher-ee, circus
clowns for Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, and beautiful,
Edwardian-style costumes for Jolly Holiday,” Morrow says.
“That’s 72 costumes!”
And that doesn’t include the other 50+ student performers
participated in “Shrek the Musical” (complete with a 16-foot
dragon), and last July, students in the program’s popular
Summer Academy performed the world premiere of “James
and the Giant Peach, Jr.” In January 2015, they showcased
excerpts from both musicals at the renowned Junior Theater
Festival ( JTF) in Atlanta, attended by 4,500 people representing 104 schools from the United States, Canada, South Korea
and Australia. Bravo was recognized as the country’s most
outstanding production company for the sixth consecutive year.
Costuming, of course, played a big role in the success of
those performances, as it does in all of the eight or nine shows
Bravo produces each year. JTF honored Morrow with its Fred-
cast in the play. “There will be approximately 220 looks in this
die G award, which recognizes individuals from grade schools
and demonstrate remarkable teaching traits.
production,” Morrow adds.
“Mary Poppins” is the most recent undertaking for Bravo,
the nationally recognized performing arts program at this mid-
dle school of approximately 900 students just west of Chicago.
The show has a lot to live up to.
Last April, a cast and crew of some 100 Bravo students
in the United States who attend the festival on an annual basis
“We strive for real ‘head to toe’ completion in our looks:
the right hat to go with the right dress or suit and the right
shoe, boot or sandal, all depending on the period and style of
the show,” Morrow says.
costumers.org
13
FEbruary/March 2015
The Costuming Process
shine. “It is more work for us but great
for the kids!” Morrow says. “Sometimes
Creating that ‘head to toe’ look for
we cross our fingers, and the kids can
which Morrow strives is a time-consum-
share costumes. But that doesn’t happen
ing, collaborative process–one that starts
every time.”
almost the minute Bravo Director Tina
Reynolds chooses the show to be staged.
Case in point: One of the girls play-
ing Mary Poppins wears a size 9 shoe,
“Once the show is selected, we make
we want a Broadway look? Or do we want
the character to look like the cartoon? For
example, when we did ‘Aladdin’ we had to
decide if we wanted a blue genie that re-
ally looked like the animated character or
a classic genie. We did the cartoon look,
with a blue unitard.”
the other a size 6. Since Mary Poppins’
signature white boots are a key part of the
costume, two pair are needed.
Armed with an initial budget based
on the number of costumes needed for a
particular production, the Bravo team gets
down to the real work: putting together
all of the pieces for each costume.
“Once the show is selected, we make
design choices. If it’s a Disney show,
do we want a Broadway look? Or do
we want the character to look like the
cartoon?”—Lisa Morrow
design choices. If it’s a Disney show, do
Budgeting and Buying
Because “We can’t do a thing until we
know sizes,” Morrow says measuring must
occur quickly. “We measure the kids in
“We pull what we can from our stock.
We have a good stock that we started
building years ago, and we will alter things
and make them work—we’re very ‘green,’”
Morrow says, referring to the practice of
recycling items from past shows as well as
teams—one person measures, one records
the measurements,” she explains. “We
have a sheet with their measurements,
and alphabetize them [by cast member’s
name].”
That alphabetized list of sizes, how-
ever, lives for just one show. “We have to
re-measure all our kids for every show—
Lucia Rodriguez-Nelson as Fiona, in the stunning green dress sewn by a Bravo parent
When that process is complete and
the show is cast, Reynolds, Morrow and
other members of the Bravo team break
down the looks by scene—the dance corps
in “Mary Poppins,” for example—to de-
termine the number and kind of costumes
they’ll need.
One costuming challenge, perhaps
unique to Bravo, is that Reynolds doublecasts each show to give as many deserv-
they grow and change so fast between
sixth and eighth grade,” Morrow adds.
Notes, ideas and sketches that help
describe a particular look Morrow might
be going for, as well as ideas to help guide
the color story the costumes will tell, join
the measurement list in what Morrow
calls “the treasured notebook.”
“When I was fabric shopping for
‘James and the Giant Peach,’ I left it at
the store!” she says, laughingly recalling
the terror she felt before recovering that
prized possession.
ing students as possible an opportunity to
February/March 2015
14
costumers.org
Head costumer Lisa Morrow measures Maria
Donlin for an upcoming production.
items that have been donated by parents
and other Bravo supporters. “What we
can’t make work, we
“They do laundry, label, sew—we’ve even
had a dad helping us sew!”
tuming Bravo kids. Accessories including hats, headbands, gloves, stockings
and wigs like Fiona’s
build—we get pat-
signature red wig (one
terns and fabric, and
for Fiona as a child and
then a great crew of
one for her as a teen,
volunteers works on
for example) are the
the costumes.”
main items bought at
For the award-
retail.
winning production
And what about
of “Shrek,” for ex-
rental? “We don’t rent
mom made the
did this year when we
ample, one student’s
costumes often, but we
character Fiona’s
did ‘Into the Woods’
striking green dress,
and needed a cow cos-
and her grandmother crafted
the elaborate gold
wedding dress Fiona
tume for the character
Milky White,” Mor-
row says. “That’s where
James & the Giant Peach, Jr. cast members Aidan Lenahan, Cait Egan, Armando Carlo,
Will Skubbish, Olivia Marmar, Liam Loughran
money gets spent—on
donned at the play’s end.
parent volunteers!” Morrow stresses.
even the Goodwill play a role in cos-
“We couldn’t do this without the
As budget-conscious as the program
may be, party stores, costume shops and
specialty items, things we need to create
a signature look for the character. But the
bottom line is we want the best kids for
costumers.org
15
FEbruary/March 2015
each role, so if one of them is 5 feet tall
and the other is 5’ 7” we make it work.
“My motto is ‘the devil is in the
details,” she continues. “A complete look
advances the illusion and helps the kids
feel as completely authentic on stage as
Maeve Doody and Claire Cooke backstage in
costuming for James & the Giant Peach, Jr.
they can. We aim for as much correct
detail as possible. It really elevates the
production value for everyone, kids and
audience!” —Kathleen Furore is editor of
The Costumer.
February/March 2015
16
oAbout Bravop
The Bravo Performing Arts Academy
at Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School in
Oak Park, Ill. provides students an opportunity to participate in the arts through
drama, voice, dance, stage craft, improv
and other forms of artistic expression. It includes the mounting of full-scale theatrical
productions throughout the year that are
enhanced by the hundreds of costumes
head designer Lisa Morrow and a team of
volunteers creates.
“Lisa is one of our lead designers
and directors. She is gifted and creative. I find it amazing what she can do
with a sewing machine, piece of fabric
and glue gun,” Tina Reynolds, Bravo’s
director, says, adding that “…many other
hands join in for the eight or nine shows
we perform each year. We are lucky and
grateful to have so many talented, creative and dedicated artists who contribute
to and support Bravo!”
costumers.org
Morrow—who earned an undergraduate degree in theater and communications
and a graduate degree in social work—is
now in her eighth year with Bravo. She
started as a parent volunteer when her son
Eli Weinberg, now in the acting program
at The University of Texas at Austin, was a
Brooks student. Reynolds eventually hired
her to teach costume construction during
Bravo’s Summer Academy. That class lasted
just one season (“It was too tough to teach
a large number of kids to use a sewing machine and to execute costumes well enough
to use them in the summer production,”
Morrow explains). That class transitioned
into a props building class, and Morrow
transitioned into her current role as lead
costume and hair designer.
The Bravo staff also includes Connor
Cornelius, choreographer; Cameron Burgess, musical director; and Randi Orlin,
business manager.
b u siness beat
Not Too Cool For School!
M
11 Tips for School Costuming Success
By Ed Avis
any costume shop owners first tasted the excitement of the costuming business during high school
theater productions, so it makes sense that many
now profit from that market. The Costumer Publisher Ed Avis
asked high school theater
“veterans” Dwayne Ibsen
of Ibsen Costume Gallery
in Omaha, Neb., and Janie
Westendorf of Curtains Up
Costumes in Sigourney, Iowa,
for tips on how to succeed
in the school theater market.
They share their advice below.
1
Be passionate about
theater. If you would
rather watch a movie than a
live play, the theater costuming
business probably isn’t right
for you.
“It takes a passion for
not only costumes, but for the
theater, because you need to
enjoy theater as an observer
to be able to do it well as a
costumer,” Westendorf says. “If
you don’t enjoy going to plays,
it makes it trickier to know
what you should be doing.”
Ibsen agrees: “I don’t
think you could go into this
business without a background
in theater. One of the challenges is to know the shows.
I was a theater teacher for
18 years before I started this
business, so most shows I
know pretty intimately.”
3
Get the budget set up front. Westendorf says her
daughter Lori, who works with her in the shop, handles
that part of the process.
“Lori first visits with the school and asks about the budget,
the total number of costumes,
the time period and the concept,” Westendorf says. “Then
once she gets the number
of costumes and the other
information, she gives a price
quote. Then they have more
conversations about whether
their budget allows for what
their dream is, and if not, what
changes need to be made.”
4
Set the expectations.
“I always tell the schools
exactly what they’re getting
so everything is very clear
from the beginning,” Ibsen
says. “And we get to know the
teachers in a school pretty well.
They trust us to do the show
right without them coming and
looking at everything.”
5
Be prepared to work
closely with the
director. Some will need your
guidance in every step,
and others will understand the
costuming process and just
want you to meet their requests.
“I talk to the director to get
the exact designs they want,
whether there are special needs
for any characters, any special
Janie Westendorf at work on a school theater costume
things like that, the color palette,
Understand how to create costumes for the stage.
and general design elements,” Westendorf says. “Some schools
The process differs from creating costumes for parties or
focus on the arts more than other schools, so they might have
other events.
more specifics. For example, they may want to do a show in
“When you’re building a costume for the stage, you need
steam punk or all in black, white, and red.”
to keep in mind things such as contrast,” Westendorf explains.
Ibsen concurs: “Depending on the school and the play,
“And you need to add enough details so the audience underthere’s a lot of back and forth that happens,” he says. “Right now
stands the period, but you don’t want to get hung up on the tiny,
we’re doing a concept show for which the director decided to do
teeny, inconsequential details that the audience doesn’t see.”
c o s t u m e r s . o r g 17 FEbruary/March 2015
2
b u siness beat
10
Network when you need more costumes. Some-
times a school will ask for costumes that are costly to
build and/or which you are afraid will never be used again. One
option in those cases is to see if another NCA member has that
costume in stock and will sub-rent it to you.
“We were asked to do Shrek, and it was not worth it for us
to build Fiona and Pinocchio, so we asked others if we could
rent some pieces,” Westendorf says. “We found someone [who
could supply] those parts, so we did the majority of the costumes
and sub-rented those parts. That’s one of the advantages of being
involved in NCA—you get to know others well enough to know
you can work with them.”
The wig bar at Ibsen Costume Gallery
it all in a different style—that means a lot of communication.
The show is set in 1906, and it’s usually done in very workmanlike dresses, but this particular director wants to do it in white so
they look like ghosts.”
6
Get the most accurate measurements possible. If
you are working with a local school and have time, you may
visit with the cast and measure them yourself, which will provide
the highest quality measurements. But Westendorf and Ibsen
work with distant schools, and have limited time, so they usually
count on the schools to measure the actors. Ibsen has a sizing
guide on his website that the school can download.
7
Use the NCA Plot Service. This is an online, membersonly service that provides a scene-by-scene breakdown of
costumes for each character in more than 300 plays—many of
them plays popular with the school theater crowd. (See page 8
for more information on the Plot Service.)
8
Re-use costumes or parts of costumes as often as
you can. Creating a new costume from scratch is expensive
9
Build your own costumes. There are several advan-
11
Brace yourself for damaged returns. All of the
costumes Westendorf and Ibsen provide for school plays
are rented, which means they all come back after the show—
sometimes in good shape, sometimes not.
“Some schools are excellent taking care of things—the costumes come back exactly as they went out,” Ibsen says. “Other
schools we need to teach how to do that. Along with the inventory list we send out a little three-page sheet that tells them
what they can do and what they can’t do, such as, ‘You can’t cut
the fabric, you can only do temporary alternations, you can’t pull
the costume apart, etc.’”
and time-consuming, so reusing inventory is wise. “Our aim is to
re-use what we can,” Westendorf says. “But we hardly ever have
a show for which something doesn’t need to be built.”
tages to building costumes over buying them, including the
ability to create the specific look desired by the director and the
cohesiveness that comes when all of the costumes in a show are
carefully designed by one person.
“For the most part all of the costumes are designed and
created here,” Westendorf says. “The exception is tailcoats or
tuxedos for men. We find sources for those.”
Ibsen’s shop has a staff of five who create the costumes.
“We build 90 percent of what we rent,” he says.
February/March 2015
18
costumers.org
Ibsen’s costumes—ready for school delivery
Westendorf says one thing she frequently preaches against
is the use of safety pins. She much prefers temporary alterations
that use a basting stitch. And she tells the schools not to launder
the costumes before returning them.
“We do all of the cleaning here,” she says. “That takes away
some of the chance that they will throw it into the dryer. As a
general rule, the costumes come back in pretty good condition.”
All photos © & ™ 2014 Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved. Used under authorization.
By Kathleen Furore
There likely isn’t a costume professional
around who hasn’t pored over the costumes
in the popular Star Wars trilogies at some
point over the past four decades.
How did designers bring iconic
characters including Luke Skywalker,
Princess Leia, R2D, C-3PO, Darth Vadar
and Jabba the Hutt to life? How did they
create the masks, the fur, the light sabers
that helped transport movie-goers to that
galaxy far, far away?
Answers to many of those questions
come to light in “Rebel, Jedi, Princess,
Queen: Star Wars and the Power of
Costume,” a new traveling exhibit that
began a 12-city national tour Jan. 31 at
EMP Museum in Seattle, Wash., where
it will be on view through Oct. 4, 2015.
Culled from the collection of the Lucas
Museum of Narrative Art, the exhibit
is a partnership of the museum, the
Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) and Lucasfilm.
“George Lucas imagined and
created a fantastical world filled with
dynamic characters who told the timeless story of the hero’s journey,”
a news release announcing the exhibit’s debut said. “The costumes shaped the
identities of these now famous characters,
from the menacing black mask of Darth
Vader and the gilded suit of C-3PO, to the
lavish royal gowns of Queen Amidala and a
bikini worn by Princess Leia when enslaved
by Jabba the Hutt.”
As any costumer knows, outfitting customers for any event can be challenging.
Imagine what the Star Wars designers were
up against when tasked with designing
costumes for the myriad characters Lucas
costumers.org
19
FEbruary/March 2015
All photos © & ™ 2014 Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved. Used under authorization.
had conceived—
especially in the
very first film!
The exhibition explores the challenges those costumers
faced in dressing
inhabitants of the
Star Wars universe
(everyone from the
Galactic Senate and
royalty to the Jedi,
Sith and Droids),
shares information
about the creative
process, and uncovers the connection
between character
and costume.
“Craftsmanship
and artistry in costume design are valued creative components in the Star Wars
Saga,” Lucas said in the Smithsonian’s announcement about
the project. “The detailed precision of a design can be as bold a
measure of storytelling as words on a page, leading to truths at
the core of a character, situation or shared history. From initial
concept drawings to complex physical constructions, the costumes featured in this exhibition serve to
further define crucial aspects of worlds
created to move, educate and entertain
us—to inspire the imagination.”
“Rebel, Jedi, Princess, Queen:
Star Wars and the Power of
Costume” showcases 60 of the
most recognized costumes
from the first six blockbuster Star Wars films in a
way that explores the creative process. It takes visitors
on a journey that starts with
George Lucas’ vision and moves
through the artists’ concept
drawings to the final costumes.
Smithsonian curators delve
into cultural references, use of
materials, dressing archetypes
and changing conventions to
explain what gives these costumes such power and influence. Videos featuring George
Lucas, costume designers and
star Natalie Portman, along
with the descriptions under
the costumes, reveal insider
information about costume
February/March 2015
20
costumers.org
construction and idea development.
“Many of the costumes are displayed on open-air platforms in the exhibit, so fans can clearly see details on each
piece that may have gone unnoticed on screen,” Saul Sopoci
Drake, project director at SITES, told the Seattle Times.
Those details include the hand-sewn pearls on Padme
Amidala’s wedding dress and individual yak hairs on
Chewbacca’s coat.
The Seattle Times also described actor Anthony
Daniels’ memories about his robotic C-3PO costume.
According to Daniels, the C-3PO mask was sculpted by hand,
and the costume (assembled piece by piece every day through
an intricate system of pins) was so rigid, he couldn’t sit down
between takes.
Other “secrets” revealed in the exhibit: a car battery worn
underneath the costume powered the lights in Queen
Amidala’s red throne room gown in “The Phantom Menace”;
Chewbacca’s fur is a combination of Yak hair and
mohair; and Padme Amidala’s wedding dress
in Episode II: Attack of the Clones was made
from an early 20th century Italian antique lace
bedspread.
“Since there was not enough of the vintage
fabric to construct the full costume, embroiderers
made over 300 yards of French-knit braid which
they combined with the antique lace panels. What
is also unique is that there is literally hundreds of
hand-sewn pearls covering the dress and headpiece,”
says Saul Sopoci Drake, project director from SITES.
“This is truly an awe-inspiring and unique garment
for any costumer.”
And, as any costumer understands, costumes
provide”hugely important visual clues to how we want
to define ourselves and how we want the world to
interpret us.
“These are important and powerful non-verbal
indicators of how we interact with our social world. This
is what is so cool about the iconic costumes in Star Wars.
For example, before Darth Vader says one word you knew
by the way he looked that he was the ultimate villain that
no one, except the rebels of course, would want to mess with,”
Drake concludes.
— Kathleen Furore is the editor of The Costumer.
“Rebel, Jedi, Princess, Queen: Star Wars and the Power of
Costume” is a traveling exhibit, meaning interested venues
can book once it ends its run at EMP Museum in Seattle,
Wash. on Oct. 4. The exhibit requires a minimum of 7,000
square feet, plus an additional 900 to 1,000 square feet for
an exhibition store. The cost to book it is $400,000 per
20-week/5 month period. Parties interested in bringing the
exhibit to their town can contact Michelle Torres-Carmona
at 202-633-3143.
“Rebel, Jedi, Princess, Queen: Star
Wars and the Power of Costume” tells
the Star Wars costuming story in what
the Smithsonian describes as nine
“chapters”:
Introduction: Dressing a Galaxy
Jedi versus Sith: Form, Function and
Design
Concept and Design for Royalty
and Beyond
Symbolism and Military Power
Outlaws and Outsiders
All Corners of the Galaxy: The
Galactic Senate
After the Throne: Padmé’s Journey
Darth Vader: Iconic Villain
Droid™ Design: C-3PO and
R2-D2
Visitors can explore this epic galaxy in
several ways:
Digital flipbooks give visitors the
opportunity to explore a specific
theme more in-depth through image galleries and video, audio and
interactive features.
Two short films provide an introduction to the art of Star Wars
costume creation, and to the process
of designing and dressing Padmé
Amidala, a character whose role
varies from queen and senator to
romantic heroine and pregnant wife.
Animated slideshows highlight the
process of designing costumes for
the Star Wars galaxy from the everevolving concept art to the final
costume.
Costumes in the exhibit
include:
Robes of Obi-Wan Kenobi and
Luke Skywalker
Suit and complex breathing
apparatus of Darth Vader
Military-influenced uniforms of
the Imperial Stormtrooper, Senate
Guard and TIE Fighter Pilot
Yak hair and mohair costume of
the Wookiee Chewbacca
Intergalactic outfits of Senators
Bail Organa, Mon Mothma and
Mas Amedda
Fierce armor of Jango Fett, Boba
Fett and Zam Wesell
Elaborately detailed gowns of
Queen Amidala, Queen Jamillia
and their handmaidens
For information about the exhibit, or to buy tickets, visit www.empmuseum.org.
costumers.org
21
FEbruary/March 2015
Member Profile
More than a Costume Shop:
Dreams Come to Life at Pasadena’s StarMakers Costumes & Parties
Owner Leisel “Q” Quamie with a Starmakers’ customer
‘Let’s go to the shop down the street
and see what they have.’”
After filming ended, the two stayed
in touch, and Bishop mentioned wanting to sell the business.
“I wasn’t interested—I just wasn’t
ready then,” Quamie says.
But fate intervened again when
Bishop fell terminally ill the following
summer. At Bishop’s urging, her family
called on Quamie to continue her legacy.
“It was an amazing shop—you
name the decade, they had everything!”
Quamie says, noting that Bishop had
collected enough costumes to fill over
4,000 square feet of space. “Beverly hadcsuch a passion about costuming, and
February/March 2015
22
“We recently did a woman’s
45th birthday party that had
a Dress through the Decades
theme. We set up a costume
parlor as guests entered the party,
and they could pick a costume
and rent it for the night. Some
rented full costumes, others just
hats and accessories. We also did
a Ladies Night In game night
party with 1920s costumes.”
Period costumes are among
StarMakers specialties thanks to
employees who are educated in
costume history and experienced
in film work. “They are good at
knowing costumes from specific
periods,” Quamie says, noting
that her staff “can fit and style cus-
Photos courtesy of Starmakers
W
hen Leisel “Q” Quamie
met Beverly Bishop
while filming an
independent film in the summer of
2007, she couldn’t have imagined
the chance encounter would become
a career-changing event.
Looking for a costume for
a character in “Off the Ledge,”
Quamie—then a freelance stylist—stumbled into StarMakers
Costumes & Vintage, a “diamond in
the rough,” to rent a costume.
“The shop was about two miles
up the road from where we were
filming, so we would pass it every
night,” Quamie recalls. “That day,
we needed a costume for a lastminute costume change and I said,
her family was going to sell it off into
pieces. She said, ‘You can do it, don’t
let my light go out.’ I bought the shop
within two weeks!”
StarMakers Costume & Vintage became StarMakers Costumes & Parties,
and has been in Quamie’s able hands
since Sept. 26, 2008.
Costuming and More
Costuming remains the biggest part
of StarMakers’ business—about 90 percent, Quamie estimates. This winter, for
example, she is working on outfitting students at nearby St. Francis High School
for its production of Les Miserables. And
she ties costumes into almost everything
the shop does.
costumers.org
tomers to perfection!”
Those costumes of the past have
converged with a marketing approach
of the present: customers can now share
their special StarMakers’-created looks
via social media as soon as they don a
costume in the store. In October 2014,
Quamie bought a social media booth,
which is set up in-store but is available
for rental, as well. It was a move that
has been good for her customers and
her business.
“Once customers are dressed, they
can take a picture in the social media
booth, then email it to themselves and
post it on social media,” she explains. “We
get their email addresses and when they
post it our name and merchandise are on there. I had been
looking to get a photo booth,
but it made more sense to do
this.”
Seek Support to
Succeed
As in any business, there
have been good times and
difficult ones at StarMakers.
“People always say, ‘Don’t
give up,’ but it’s hard to just say
that [to yourself ]…but then
I look at how far we’ve come,
how far we’ve taken the busiStarMakers’
ness,” Quamie says.
customers
Having support from outside
pose in the
the sometimes confining four walls store’s new
of her shop has helped her weather social media
the tough stretches. It is something booth.
she advises all small business owners
to do. “Get a confidant outside of
your business. It doesn’t matter if it
February/March 2015
24
costumers.org
is one person, a group of four
or of ten people. Surround
yourself with smart people—
people who are smarter than
you!” she stresses.
Quamie, for example, has
joined a marketing group of 15
to 20 freelancers and entrepreneurs who meet monthly.
“They are people who ‘get it,’”
she says. “They’ll tell you what
has worked for them, what
hasn’t and why.”
It also staves off the loneliness that can come from being
a small business owner. “You
need to be with other people,”
she says, “to share ideas about
how to grow and take your business to the next level.”
StarMarkers Costumes &
Parties
605 N Lake Ave, Pasadena,
Calif.
www.starmakerscostumes.com
P rod u ct parade
Aeromax Real-Life Heroes. The
most official looking bunker gear anywhere
The GameFace Company.
Cats are all the rage. This year,
is sure to make little kids and adults
GameFace features a line of Cat
cotton fabric with lots of details, includ-
trim to fit, then press on with a
alike into firefighting heroes! Durable
TattooFaces customers can just
ing gauntlet cuffs and reinforced elbow
damp cloth to enjoy instant cat
authentic look. Available in
tomers are ready to remove them.
and knee patches, give it that
black or tan. Helmet sold separately. Available
appeal. Designs peel off when cus903-526-8880; tattoofaces.com
in size 18 Month to Adult. The official look-
ing one-piece Police Officer Suit with adjustable cap and durable belt will get the smallest
law enforcers ready to keep the peace. Available
in Youth sizes 2-3, 4-6, 6-8 and 8-10.
847-756-4085; www.aeromaxtoys.com
Funny Fashion. Gypsies are among
the most popular styles for masquerade
and dress-up costumes. Funny Fashion
offers a taste of that legendary lifestyle
with two new Gypsy Costumes. The
festive Gypsy Queen (item 501156)
includes a stretchy middriff blouse
Forum Novelties. Forum’s
new expansive Day of the Dead
line offers customers costumes,
masks and accessories ideal for
celebrating this increasingly
popular Hispanic holiday
that falls just after Halloween!
This beautiful, full-length
señorita Day of the Dead
costume, shown with a
new veiled mask, is just
one example from the line.
1-800-44-FORUM;
forumnovelties.com
with lace trim, a detailed corset vest
with adjustable gold lacing and eyelets
in front and back for a custom fit, a
shimmery waist scarf with coin trim
detail, a woven full skirt with lace
detail at the waist and shimmering gold and multi-
colored trim at the hem, a glittering striped
headscarf, and a fully functioning gold
cross-body purse with zipper.
The Gypsy King (item 601156)
includes a gold trimmed open
vest, flamboyant gold adjustable
waistband belt, and shimmery multi-colored striped head scarf. The
1001 Nights shirt (item 601180)
with lace up front, open wide collar, long billowing sleeves and tie
detail at the wrist, and the poly-
woven black pants (item 608262)
with elastic back waist and zipper fly front with button
are sold separately. 719-260-7744; funnyfashion.com
February/March 2015
26
costumers.org
Halco Holidays. A great new
Mystery House. Good witch
Sassy wig (item 52) looks great with
can decide the kind of witch they
choice for Mrs. Claus! This Short N
or bad witch? Your customers
or without a hat. And for Santa, this
want to be with this Emerald
hand-made, embossed leather belt
Witch costume. The tiered,
(item 9969) is decorated with red and
emerald and black dress is
green holly, and a cast buckle
accompanied by a cob web-
brings it all together. Sized to
draped hat for a complete
fit Santas with waists from 50 to
fashion statement.
62 inches! 724-929-7300 or 866-357-2682;
949-760-6688;
halcoholidays.com
mysteryhousecostumes.net
Trick or Treat Studios.
Rubies. Costumes from the world
of the movies! This larger than life,
This “Twisty” mask from
officially licensed Deluxe Godzilla
the American Horror Story
costume from Rubie’s includes an
Collection is an amazing
inflatable jumpsuit with shoe covers
work of art! The full head
and battery-operated fan, headpiece
mask includes a removable
and gloves. Available in Adult Stand-
sculpted mouth attach-
ard Size. And from Avengers 2: The
ment; a Vacuform mouth piece can be purchased
Age of Ultron, this Deluxe Iron Man
separately. The full “Twisty” costume, made of
costume by Rubie’s includes a muscle
quality satin material, is also available. Excellent
chest jumpsuit with foam accents, boot
craftsmanship throughout. 831-713-9665;
tops, gauntlets and mask. Available in
www.trickortreatstudios.com
adult sizes Standard and Extra-Large.
516-326-1500; www.rubies.com
Editor’s Note: All vendors cans submit
products to be considered for inclusion in our
Product Parade section. However, preference
Zagone Studios. This Super Soft series of
is given to products from National Costumers
fit extremely well and have very lifelike movement—
information and high-resolution photos to
Halloween masks—a line of lightweight masks that
Association vendor members. Email product
continues to expand! New for 2015 is The Wicked
Kathleen Furore, kfurore@yahoo.com.
One, an extremely lifelike devil mask sure to scare
up sales. See a video of all Zagone Studios’ new
models at zagones.com/2015/2015_vid.html.
costumers.org
27
FEbruary/March 2015
b u yers gro u p
The Buyers Group: An Important NCA Membership Perk
My duty is to make sure everyone knows the value of
membership in the National Costumers Association. The
Buyers Group is what first attracted me to the NCA. My
frugal side demands that I attempt to get the best possible
deal when purchasing products to maximize profits. When I
discovered the NCA and its fabulous Buyers Group program,
I achieved that goal.
Our business—The Costume Shop in Warner Robins,
Ga.—joined the NCA in 2006, when we only offered
rental costumes, inflatables and balloon decorating in our
2,500-sq.-ft. building. Within five years, we opened a second,
3,600-sq.-ft. location stocked wall-to-wall with costumes
and accessories in the same city. We are now looking for an
even larger facility. Without the NCA, especially The Buyers
Group’s superb discounts for NCA members, this would not
have happened.
As membership chairperson, I speak with business
owners who have expressed three common concerns about The
Buyer’s Group:
“I am a Rental Only store, so I do not need it.”
Rental was all my business did at first. Don’t be afraid to test
the waters; you will be pleasantly surprised. The Buyers Group
February/March 2015
28
costumers.org
includes companies that offer costumes you can rent or sell. I
find that decade-themed costumes are a year-round commodity. This is a great way to start, then you can go up from there.
“I am a a very small shop and can’t afford even the minimums.”
Some vendors offer initial orders as low as $100 to NCA
members. Some companies might make you order more to
get discounts, but I find that just lowering the minimums has
been helpful to me.
“I can’t afford to go to the Halloween & Party Expo (HPE) to get
the discounts.”
That’s the beauty of it—NCA members receive a booklet
that lists participants and their discounts. Additional savings
are available by going to the HPE Show; however, as long
as you have a computer, you will get monthly email blasts
from companies touting special offers above and beyond their
regular Buyers Group discounts. Some include free shipping
plus discounts as high as 90 percent off. So join the National
Costumers Association now—you’ll get your membership
dues back in no time!
Marion Bradley
NCA Director
NCA Vendors offer discounts to NCA Members
NCA vendors once again will offer specific Buyers Group
Programs to NCA members for the 2015 buying year. These
programs are offered as a way to help support you and your
bottom line.
Our vendors strive to help us all succeed. In return we
should strive to make these fellow NCA vendor members
successful by continuing to buy products from them.
When putting your 2015 orders together, ask yourself:
“Is this an NCA vendor member? If not, do I want to order
my product from this vendor, or do I want to look for similar
product that a fellow member carries so we can support each
other?” If you order from a non-member company, encourage
them to become a member and offer an NCA Buyers Group
Program. It is important to take advantage of these programs so
our vendors know we support them the way that they support us.
The companies listed below and on the following pages have
pledged special discounts to NCA members. Remember to list
your NCA member number on ALL orders, even for firms not
listed here, to show industry vendors the strength of our organization. If you notice an additional discount is provided, please
contact the NCA office at 800-NCA-1321 so we can assist the
supplier in publishing the great discounts.
The National Costumers Association, its officers, or its
representatives, are not responsible for errors in this printing.
Always verify all discounts and terms with the company before
finalizing purchases.
Buyers Group 2015 Chairs
Gary Broadrick & Glenn Alexander
800-366-6701 president@performinc.com
Be sure to stop by the NCA booth at the NCA National Convention in Branson, Mo., for an up-to-date Buyers Group booklet!
buyers group
Alexanders Costumes
www.alexanderscostumes.com
(951) 276-2500, Fax (951) 276-9727
info@alexanderscostumes.com
12125 Day St #W, Moreno Valley,
CA 92557
Contact: Leslie Fournier
Specialty: Manufacturer of affordable quality
costumes and accessories. Full line of all
costume accessories.
Discount: Under $2,500: 2%; $7,000: 7%;
$10,000: 10%. Although NCA customers may
start the year with a 2% discount, as soon as
purchases exceed $2,500, customer is entitled
to a 5% discount on all future purchases. When
the customer reaches the next level, the same
procedure will be applied and all future orders
will receive a 7% discount.
Terms: Customer must notify Alexanders
Costumes when a discount level is reached.
Discounts will be applied to all orders after
notification. Late payments will void all
discounts.
Appliques With Glitz
www.appliqueswithglitz.com
(888) 344-5480; Fax (337) 478-4772
annegmonlezun@yahoo.com
801 W. Bayou Pines Dr.,
Lake Charles, LA 70601
Contact: Anne Monlezun
Specialty: Rhinestone, sequin, and bead
appliques and trims. Loose rhinestones,
rhinestone yardage, and pasties.
Discount: 10%
Terms: Discount is offered when NCA member
mentions NCA membership.
Bauer Pacific Imports
www.bauerpacificimports.com
(925) 294-4002; Fax (925) 294-4063
bauerpacific@aol.com
174 Lawrence Dr Ste A, Livermore, CA 94551
Contact: David Bauer
Specialty: Venetian and festive masks, costume
accessories, Halloween décor, Mardi Gras, luau,
lanterns, hats, wigs, boas, disco balls, umbrellas.
Discount: NCA members in good standing
receive: Orders over $1000, 5%; orders over
$2,500, 7%; orders over $5,000, 10%.
Terms: New accounts must prepay their orders
by Visa/Mastercard or money order. Established
accounts receive 30-day payment terms from
date of shipment. A 2.5% monthly finance
charge will be applied to delinquent accounts.
To apply for an open account a minimum order
of $250 and a completed credit application must
be completed and approved. Please note: All
discounts and special prices are void if not paid
within terms.
Caufield’s
www.caufields.com
(502) 583-0636; Fax 502-583-2002
janine@caufields.com
1006 W. Main St., Louisville, KY 40202
Contact: Janine Caufield
Specialties: Caufield’s is a family-owned wholesale distributor since 1920. Fast, friendly service
with low minimums. Caufield’s offers wholesale
pricing that is the same or just slightly higher
than the manufacturers. We distribute for the
following companies: Paper Magic, Forum Novelties, Disguise, Beistle, Rubie’s, RG Costumes,
Mehron, Rasta Imposta, Franco.
Discount: As an incentive to NCA members
only, we are offering a low minimum opening
order with Net 11/1/15 dating of only $400 with
approved credit. This will enable you to combine
products from several major manufacturers to
reach the $400 minimum. Dating orders will
ship after June 1. All subsequent orders of $50 or
more will also receive the benefit of November
1 dating. Place your order by April 1 and you
can special order any item from the manufacturers listed above, even items we do not regularly
stock. Simply fax or email us your order on the
specific manufacturer’s order form and we will
get the items in for you. This will eliminate the
need for you to reach high minimums with each
company and still get the merchandise needed
with Halloween dating terms.
Charades, LLC
www.charadescostumes.com
(626) 435-0077; Fax (626) 369-5096
charlie@charadescostumes.com
14438 Don Julian Rd, City of Industry, CA 91746
Contact: Charlie Santilena
Specialties: Adult children & plus size costumes,
weapons, wigs & accessories. Charades specializes in Quality Costumes at fair market prices.
Discount: One step above, standard volume
discount levels see below.
Charades Discount
NCA Discount
$3,000.00 2% 3%
$5,000.00 3% 4%
$7,500.00 4% 5%
$10,000.00 5% 7%
$15,000.00 7% 9%
$20,000.00 9% 10%
$30,000.00 10% 10%
Terms: Invoices must be paid by 11/10 to receive
Volume Discount
costumers.org
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FEbruary/March 2015
buyers group
Cinema Secrets Inc
www.cinemasecrets.com
(818) 846-0579; Fax (818) 846-0431
michael@cinemasecrets.com
4400 Riverside Drive, Burbank, CA 91505
Contact: Michael Stein
Specialties: High quality latex appliances, the
best blood & accessories needed for Halloween.
Discount: All NCA members receive 20%
discount.
Terms: Orders are given 30 day or Halloween
dating terms with approval.
Costume Agent
www.costumeagent.com
(248) 888-0996; Fax (866) 898-3369
Mark@CostumeAgent.com
3160 Ridgeway Ct, Commerce Twp, MI 48390
Contact: Mark Hajjar
Specialties: We specialize in unique licensed
costumes such as Progressive Flo, AAGPBL
Rockford Peaches, FX Wilfred, and more.
Discount: NCA members are approved for 5%
off year round. Discount structures are available.
Costume Culture By Franco
www.costumeculture.com
(800) 222-5653; Fax (718) 821-7101
jay@costumeculture.com
70-30 80th Street, Glendale, NY 11385
Contact: Jay Dinhofer
Specialties: Chucky license mask and costumes
for children & adults. A full line of fashion &
character wigs & fashion forward costumes.
Discount: $1,500 – 5% discount; $5,000 – 8%
discount; $10,000 – 10% discount; $15,000 –
15% discount
Terms: Halloween dating is offered to those
members that send references.
Delicious of NY
www.deliciousofny.com
(516) 281-2800; Fax (516) 281-2801
pgatto@deliciousexywear.com
1770 Walt Whitman Rd, Melville, NY 11747
Contact: Patty Gatto
Specialties: Higher end costumes and accessories
for women.
Discount: Part of Rubies discount program.
Terms: Same as Rubies.
DILLON INC.
www.dillonimporting.com
(800) 654-3696; Fax (405) 942-4705
jeff@dillonimporting.com
PO Box 75939, Oklahoma City, OK 73147
Contact: Jeff Goodner
Specialties: Toys, Novelties, Costume Accessories, Party & Wedding Supplies, “Farm Faces”
Discount: Members receive our lowest case price
for any quantity purchased.
February/March 2015
30
Terms: Members may deduct freight on orders of
$250 or more.
Disguise, Inc./ Division of Jakks
Pacific
www.disguise.com
(858) 391-3600; Fax (858) 391-3601
jnafman@disguise.com
12120 Kear Place, Poway, CA 92064
Contact: Jay Nafman
Specialties: Disney/Pixar-Princesses, Big Hero
6, Descendants, Frozen/Nintendo-Super Mario,
Zelda, Hasbro-My Little Pony, Transformers/ Sanrio-Hello Kitty/ Dreamworks-Shrek/
Microsoft-Halo/ Saban-Power Rangers, and
many more!
Discount: Generic Costumes: 16% from list price;
Generic Accessories: 16% from list price; Licensed
Costumes: 12% from list price; Licensed Accessories: 12% from list price. Discounts do not apply
to closeouts or special buys. Minimum opening
order is $1000. Minimum order to qualify for the
Premium NCA Discount is $2500. Opening orders must be received by Disguise by 3/16/2015 to
receive full benefits. No extensions will be granted.
Members placing opening orders by 3/16/2015
will continue to receive full program discounts on
all reorder activity for the 2015 season. Members
who do not place orders by 3/16/2015 will realize
only the benefits of the Disguise Standard Discount schedule and return policy.
Terms: Orders placed by 3/16/2015 exceeding
$2500 net will receive Net 11/10/2015 dating
terms. Orders b/w $1000 - $2500 will receive
Net 30 day terms. All payment terms subject
to approval by Disguise/Jakks Credit Dept.
NOTE: Delinquent accounts risk forfeiture
of discounts and extended dating terms.
Credit Card Transactions are available through
Disguise/Jakks Credit Dept.
Dreamgirl International
www.dreamgirldirect.com
(800) 622-5686; Fax (800) 625-7363
eric@dgbrands.com
5548 Lindbergh Lane, Bell, CA 91403
Contact: Eric Ehrens
Specialties: Women’s, men’s, and couple’s costumes and costume accessories; kids, tween and
teen (junior) costumes and costume accessories.
Discount: 8% discount for NCA members for
the entire year.
Terms: Net 30 approval qualifies for Halloween
dating on any costumes, only payable by
November 10th.
Dress Up America
www.dressupamerica.com
(718) 436-0031; Fax (718) 775-3200
sales@dressupamerica.com
234 Lee Ave. 8th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11206
costumers.org
Contact: Barry Grossman
Specialties: Dress Up America is proud to be
an independent wholesale company featuring a
beautiful collection of superb quality Halloween
and year-round costumes. We feature fancy dress
costumes, wigs, and exciting accessories in all
sizes ranging from infants, boys, girls, teens, men
and women.
Discount: 10% all year round discount (no
minimum purchase). Additional 5% discount for
placing orders at the Halloween & Party Expo in
New Orleans. Free freight for orders above $1500
if your order is paid in full by the due date.
Terms: Payment Terms: January – March N30,
staring April 1st Halloween Dating (11/10)
Based on Credit Approval.
Eddie’s Trick Shop
www.eddiestrickshop.com
(800) 544-8278; Fax (404) 377-2210
eddiesfhm@yahoo.com
262 Rio Circle, Decatur, GA 30030
Contact: Frank McKinnon
Specialties: Make-up, costumes, accessories, hats,
wigs, noseltres, magic masks.
Discount: As a way of rewarding our customers
for adhering to our terms, we offer a bonus for
all qualified early orders and prompt payment.
On November 15 we will compute earned bonus
rewards and issue a formal credit memo that may
be used against subsequent purchases only. In no
case is it intended to be a cash reward. The bonus
will be computed as follows:
Initial order or orders July 6th: $1000.00 to
$2499.00 = 3% bonus; $2500.00 to $4999.00 =
5% bonus; $5000.00 to $7999.00 = 7% bonus;
$8000.00 to $9999.00 = 8% bonus; $10,000.00
– up = 10% bonus. All subsequent purchases between July 7 and Oct 31, 2015 will be computed
at the same rate as long as they are paid on time.
No order will be included that is paid after Nov
9, 2015.
Terms: Halloween order or orders must be placed
by July 6th totaling $1000.00 or more. Payment
must be received on time. Halloween accounts,
including those orders shipped in October,
are due November 8th. Any payment received
after November 9th invalidates the bonus. No
discounts will be given on Mehron or Ben NYE
Professional or Mini-pro Make-up Kits. We
will not duplicate any Mehron or Ben NYE
discounts. California costumes are not included.
You can stipulate shipping dates. When ordered
before July 6th 2015, the items will be reserved
for you for shipment when you desire. This does
not change your regular method of payment, if
you are currently purchasing from us on a Net
30 account, C.O.D., or credit card, your method
of payment will remain the same unless some
other terms are worked out with our credit
department. Orders must arrive on or before
buyers group
July 6, 2015 and payment must be received on
or before November 9, 2015. Delays in mail,
Fed Ex, weather, strikes or any other reason for
failing the exact terms are not acceptable for late
arrivals. Please note that no post-dated checks
will qualify after the required date stated. Any
returned checks will nullify the bonus.
Ellie Shoes Inc.
www.ellieshoes.com
(714) 771-0015; Fax (714) 771-0053
info@ellieshoes.com
1050 N. Batavia Street #B, Orange, CA 92867
Contact: Ellen Renger
Specialties: Costume footwear for men, women,
and kids.
Discount: 5% year round, 10% from Jan – March
31, 2015.
Terms: NCA membership number must be
included on the purchase order, e-mail, or fax in
order to receive appropriate discounts. If calling
in, please have you NCA number available.
elope, Inc.
www.elope.com
(719) 328-1312; Fax (719) 328-1261
kelli@elope.com
3755 Mark Dabling Blvd, Colorado Springs,
CO 80907
Contact: Kelli Borel
Specialties: Funnovative wearables for all
costume, cosplay and celebrations, popular and
unique licenses.
Discount: 10% discount on first time elope order
– new costumer. 5% discount on all reorders for
brick & mortar stores only.
Terms: Opening order $200, reorders $100. First
3 orders credit card, after which you may request
Net 30.
Flashback & Freedom, Inc.
www.flashbackandfreedom.com
(631) 471-2548; Fax (631) 471-3183
flashyfreedom@yahoo.com
1 Comac Loop, Unit 10, Ronkonkoma, NY
11779
Contact: Howard Gruick
Specialties: Suspenders, Bow Ties, Sunglasses,
Peace Sign and $ Sign Jewelry, Hippie Stuff,
Corset Belts, 60s-70s-80s Fashion.
Discount: 5%
Forum Novelties Inc.
www.forumnovelties.com
(516) 536-4600; Fax (516) 536-9741
fred@forumnovelties.com
1770 Walt Whitman Rd., Melville, NY 11747
Contact: Fred Pittella
Specialites: Costumes, masks, makeup, wigs,
décor, props, Halloween accessories, jokes, tricks,
novelties, Mardi Gras, St. Pats, luau, Christmas.
Discount: 5% discount on all orders on all
categories; 7% on orders over $5,000; 10% on orders over $10,000; 15% for orders over $15,000.
Discounts will be given retroactively at the end
of the season.
Terms: Halloween dating Nov. 10th.
FROGGY’S FOG LLC
www.froggysfog.com
(615) 469-4906; Fax (615) 346-9430
sales@froggysfog.com
302 Rutherford Lane, Columbia, TN 38401
Contact: Chris Markgraf
Specialites: Fog Machines, Fog Fluids, Snow
Machines & Fluids, Bubbles, Scents, Special FX
Lighting, etc.
Discount: NCA Members receive a wide variety
of points off various products.
Terms: Machine orders must be placed by March
1 in order to guarantee Halloween Supply. Net
60 Year-around. Halloween Terms on items
delivered between Aug 1 and Sept. 1. Free
Shipping in the lower 48 states on orders of
$5000.00 or more.
Fun World
www.fun-world.net
(516) 873-9000; Fax (516) 873-9005
alexl@fun-world.net
80 Voice Road, Carle Place, NY 11514
Contact: Alex Losito
Specialties: Costumes, wigs, accessories, decor,
make up, mascots, Santa suits, beards, Easter, St.
Patrick’s Day, Valentines.
Discount: NCA Members automatically receive
10% off our “List Price” on “ALL” items in our
line. Group “SELECTED“ or “RECOMMENDED” items receive an “ADDITIONAL”
discount of 10-30%. Additional discount varies,
see official FunWorld/NCA order forms for
exact price/discount.
Terms: Seasonal dating (net Nov. 10th) available
upon credit review for USA-based customers.
We offer free freight on orders over $2,500 (or
400 lbs) per warehouse. This is only available
to a USA-based ship-to address. International
members please call or email for details.
Funny Fashion, Inc.
www.funnyfashion.com
(719) 260-7744; Fax (719) 260-7743
order@funnyfashion.com
10035 Federal Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80908
Contact: Hans Hisgen
Specialties: Costumes: 20’s to 80’s, Historical,
Ethnic, Western and Indian, and Clowns. Extensive line of accessories – many matching.
Discount: $500 = 5%; $5,000 = 7%; $10,000 = 10%;
$20,000 = 15%. Minimum Order: $500.00. Trade
Show Specials: 10% Trade Show Discount on Costumes and Accessories, Deluxe Mascots: $500.00
Terms: Halloween Dating November 10, 2015
WAC, FOB Funny Fashion Distribution point.
Garland Beauty Products
garlandbty.com
(310) 220-2080; Fax (310) 933-4280
sara.schaap@garlandbty.com
13041 Cerise Ave., Hawthorne, CA 90250
Contact: Sara Schaap
Specialty: Specializing in false eyelashes and
glamorous party eyelashes, as well as wigs,
beards, and moustaches
Discount: Halloween dating — 5%
Terms: Halloween dating for existing net
customers in good standing with Garland, and
preapproved net terms with 3 credit references
for new customers.
Ghoulish Productions/Caretas
REV S.A. de C.V.
www.GhoulishProductions.com
(866) 336-1227; Fax (527)-77-314-319-9102
rosalba.dorado@gruporev.com
Alfonso Junco #4, Col Lazaro Cardenas,
Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico 62080
Contact: Rosalba Dorado
Specialties: Masks, props, hands, accessories, and
costumes for Halloween and costume parties.
Discount: 10% discount.
Terms: Minimum order $500 USD. Discount and
special prices ONLY if order is received before
April 30th/payment via credit card. Credit card
information needs to be given at time of order.
Goddessey LLC
www.goddessey.com
(727) 592-1947; Fax (727) 499-7412
joann@goddessey.com
200 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Contact: Joann Marolda
Specialty: Goddessey designs beautiful, attention-grabbing costumes, wigs, and accessories
that transform women into their dreams.
Discount: For all NCA members in good standing: Orders of $500+ = 10% discount; Orders of
$1,000+ = 15% discount; Orders of $3,000+ =
20% discount. These discounts cannot be combined with any other promotions.
Terms: Visit www.goddessey.com for complete
terms and conditions including international
shipping, orders and returns, delivery information and FAQs.
Graftobian Make-up Company, LLC
www.graftobian.com
(608) 222-7849; Fax (608) 222-7893
janinewardale@graftobian.com
510 Tasman Street, Madison, WI 53714
Contact: Janine Wardale
Specialty: Professional makeup for stage, screen,
Halloween, HD beauty, fantasy, clowning, gore,
costumers.org
31
FEbruary/March 2015
buyers group
etc. Made in USA.
Discount: NCA members will receive a one tier
level increase in their earned discount per the
schedule on the back of our 2014-15 wholesale
catalog.
Terms: Orders for the year need to have exceeded
$1,000 before discount level increase kicks in.
On-time payment is required. Halloween orders
must be in by April 15.
KALAN LP
www.kalanlp.com
(610) 623-1900; Fax (610) 623-0366
Dan@Kalanlp.com
97 S. Union Ave., Lansdowne, PA 17050
Contact: Daniel Shoemaker
Specialties: Seasonal Accessories, Impulse Gifts
and Novelties, and Licensed Items
Discount: 10% off list price
HALCO
www.halcoholidays.com
(724) 929-7300; Fax (724) 929-7301
terri@halcoholidays.com
723 East Railroad Ave, Verona, PA 15147
Contact: Terri Greenberg
Specialties: High quality Santa Claus suits:
Mrs. Claus, elves, Santa’s helpers, mascots, and
Christmas accessories.
Discount: NCA members receive a 4% discount
on orders placed by 5/31/15 plus 5% discount on
orders of $1,500 or more.
Terms: Credit card or terms given to qualified
accounts.
Leg Avenue
www.legavenue.com
(626) 581-1272; Fax (626) 581-1881
letty@legavenue.com
19601 E. Walnut Dr. South, City of Industry,
CA 91748
Contact: Letty Cazares
Specialties: Adult costumes, kids, hosiery &
lingerie.
Discount: 8% discount.
Terms: FOB City of Industry
Jacobson Hat Company, Inc.
www.jhats.com
(570) 342-7887; Fax (570) 342-7454
sales@jhats.com
1301 Ridge Row, Scranton, PA 18510
Contact: Jeff Jacobson
Specialties: Hats and accessories for Halloween +
Theatrical purposes, every style imaginable.
Discount: Case pack price for new items for
2015. Orders must be placed no later than
2/9/15 (last day of Halloween + Party Expo in
New Orleans).
Terms: Aug 1 ship or sooner with a 11/10 payable. Customers must be in good standing +
approved for open account.
J Templeton
www.Jtempleton.com
(425) 372-7302
jtempleton2008@gmail.com
5900 119th Ave. SE, #64, Bellevue, WA 98006
Contact: Lily Li
Specialties: Tutu Skirt, Poodle Skirt, Printed
Lace and Plaid Skirt, Flocking with Skulls Tulle
skirt, Pop Art Printing, Silver Spider Web on
Tulle and many more. The skirts and tutus are
fun and easy to wear with a length of 12 inches
and available in S/M, M/L, XL and Plus sizes
are available!
Discount: 10% on all catalog items.
Terms: 30 days.
February/March 2015
32
LOFTUS INTERNATIONAL
www.loftus.com
(801) 355-5335; Fax (888) 871-7375
sales@loftus.com
865 South 200 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Contact: Gene Rose
Specialties: Costumes, Costume Accessories,
Jokes, Novelties, Magic and Balloons
Discount: Case pricing, Jobber pricing, and prepay freight on orders over $250 with a 10% cap.
Terms: We aren’t guaranteed a sale but are happy
to take orders of all sizes big or small!
Mehron, Inc.
mehron.com
(888) 552-1331; Fax (816) 836-2856
gflaharty@mehron.com
527 S. Crysler Ave, Independence, MO 64052
Contact: Gene Flaharty
Specialty: Professional makeup for stage, TV,
film, fashion, facepainting, Halloween, clowning.
Discount: Automatic 5% discount off wholesale
list prices for any/all orders over $100 plus 50%
off standard UPS shipping rates. 10% discount
off wholesale list prices once YTD purchases
reach $1,500, plus 50% off standard UPS shipping rates and for all additional orders over $100
for the rest of the calendar year. 15% discount off
wholesale list prices once YTD purchases reach
$3,750 plus 50% off standard UPS shipping rates
and for all additional orders over $100 for the
rest of the calendar year. Free product info guides
and free promotional materials.
Terms: No retroactive discounts. Member firms
must present membership documentation with
P.O. Net 30 day payment terms must be honored. Halloween dating payment terms must be
honored; payment due 11/10/15.
costumers.org
Music Legs
www.musiclegs.com
(626) 588-2633; Fax (626) 588-2643
sales@musiclegs.com
1088 Westminster Ave., Alhambra, CA 91803
Contact: David Briones
Specialties: Costumes, Hosiery, Lingerie, Corsets,
Clubwear, Accessories
Discount: 8% discount rate provided to all NCA
members.
Terms: Net 30, 60, 90 day terms available on
pre-approved basis. Halloween dating available
on pre-approved basis.
Mystery House (Pacific Group)
mysteryhousecostumes.net
(949) 760-6688; Fax (949) 760-6689
michelle@pacificgroup.us
567 San Nicolas Dr, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Contact: Michelle Patierno
Specialties: High quality costumes, costume
accessories and corsets. Licensed products. Offering innovative unique design.
Discount: 10% discount.
Terms: Pay with credit card or extended terms
contact Mystery House/Pacific Group for Factor
Company information.
Party King
pkhalloween.com
(818) 357-1199; Fax (866) 594-7886
info@pkhalloween.com
1861 Reynolds Ave., Irvine, CA 92614
Contact: Sean Monahan
Specialties: Innovative Halloween costumes,
wigs, masks, eyelashes, and accessories.
Discount: $1,000 = 5% discount; $2,500 = 10%
discount; $4,000 = 20% discount; $2,500 net
orders = Seasonal dating due 11/10/2015.
Terms: Orders must be received by Friday, March
13, 2015. Make certain that all orders indicate
that you are a NCA Member and include NCA
member account number. If possible, email
orders to info@pkhalloween.com to the attention of Wan Hidajat. Orders may also be faxed
or mailed to Attn: Wan Hidajat. Credit cards
accepted. Net 30 on approval of credit.
The Pirate Dressing
www.thepiratedressing.com
(323) 284-7201; Fax (888) 229-1577
info@thepiratedressing.com
K-239, Sector -5, Bawana Industrial Area, Delhi,
India, 110 039
Contact: Aditya Aggarwal
Specialty: Premium quality pirate, medieval, and
renaissance clothing.
Discount: 5% discount to all NCA members.
Members receive discount on orders above $500.
Only one discount is applicable at a time on an
order.
Terms: Minimum order of $300.
buyers group
Rasta Imposta
rastaimposta.com
(856) 939-9599; Fax (856) 939-5990
sue@rastaimposta.com
PO Box 7, 600 E. Clements Bridge Rd., Runnemede, NJ 08078
Contact: Sue Wellington
Specialties: Rasta Imposta offers the most
creative original and licensed designs to the Halloween buyer.
Discount: $1,500 Initial order minimum, submitted by March 15 = 5% on non-licensed goods
and 2% on licensed goods; $3,500 Initial order
minimum, submitted by March 15 = 10% on
non-licensed goods and 3% on licensed goods;
$25,000 initial order minimum, submitted by
March 15 = 15% on non-licensed goods and 5%
on licensed goods.
Terms: Initial order received by March 15, 2015
will determine the discount for the year.
RG Costumes & Accessories, Inc.
www.rgcostume.com
(626) 858-9559; Fax (626) 858-9798
halloweenbyrg@aol.com
726 Arrow Grand Circle, Covina, CA 91722
Contact: Roger Lee
Specialties: Costumes: Halloween, Biblical,
Periodic Sexy, Christmas; Animal Funsies
(jumpsuits), Hoodies & Gorilla suit; Accessories: Wigs, Hats, Wings, Panties; So So Happy
Onesies, Skelanimal Onesies.
Discount: 15% discount for order amount net
of $1,500 & above for whole calendar year. No
discount for order less than $1,500 annually, no
discount for Drop shipments.
Terms: Net 30 days for shipments from Jan 1
thru Jan 15, 2015. Halloween Dating for annual
order over $1,500, shipments after June 15 &
approved credit.
Rubie’s Costume Company
www.rubies.com
(516) 326-1500; Fax (516) 326-1713
asavarese@rubies.com
One Rubie Plaza, Richmond Hill, NY 11418
Contact: Art Savarese
Specialties: Rubie’s is the world’s largest manufacturer and distributor of Halloween licensed
and non-licensed costumes and accessories.
Discount: Rubie’s Costume Company, Inc
will give all members of the buyer’s group one
upgrade from the normal discount level that
they would qualify for providing that they
reach at least the first discount level on their
own. Merchandise included in program: All
merchandise purchased from Rubie’s catalogs
are included, whether it be children’s costumes,
adult costumes, rental costumes, hats, accessories,
Christmas items, St. Patrick’s Day items, Easter,
etc. ONLY EXCEPTIONS: any items marked
close-out, overstock on special quotations on
customer’s orders, Tillie Beige Packages (TBC
1-4), “Rubie’s Red Line” pricing, or merchandise
purchased on letter of credit. Purchases from
the “Rubie’s Red Line” pricing will be invoiced
separately and not counted as part of your “Dollar Volume Discount Program” with Rubie’s. This
is for the sole purpose of eliminating further discounts on the items purchased from this “Rubie’s
Red Line” pricing. Your discountable sales to the
year total will determine your discount level.
Volume Incentive Program: With the purchase
of $500.00 or more from Rubie’s Makeup/Mask
Illusions Divisions (FOB-Phoenix, AZ) NCA
members can deduct 50% of their freight charges
from their Makeup/Mask Illusions invoices
ONLY. Rubie’s will also offer special pricing on
select Christmas items.
Dollar Volume Discount Program
Annual purchase above:
$3,000.00 = 2% disc. NCA = 3% disc.
$5,000.00 = 3% disc. NCA =5% disc.
$7,500.00 = 5% disc. NCA = 7% disc.
$15,000.00 = 7% disc. NCA = 10% disc.
$25,000.00 = 10% disc. NCA = 12% disc.
$37,000.00 = 12% disc. NCA = 15% disc.
$50,000.00 – Plus NCA = Additional 1% Discount*
*(not applicable on the Early Buy)
NOTE: Maximum discount level is 16%, and
can be achieved by purchasing $50,000.00 in
merchandise during the 2015 year. The final
adjustments for all accounts will take place at the
end of the year as a rebate, thereby giving each
account the maximum amount of time to reach
the highest discount level. This offer is valid only
to members o the NCA buyer’s group in good
standing which have paid at least 97% of their
Halloween invoices with Rubie’s Costume Co.,
Inc. by November 10th as required. This program
cannot be combined with any other offers.
Terms: To qualify for Rubie’s NCA 2015
discounts, the account must be a current 2015
paid member of the NCA buying group by May
1, 2015. The initial Halloween order has to be
placed before May 1, 2015 to receive all the
NCA discounts. As long as the initial Halloween
order was placed before May 1, all subsequent
reorders throughout the year will also be subject
to the NCA program. All Halloween orders
placed after May 1 will not be included in the
NCA program and will be subject to the regular
Rubie’s discount policy. Shipping charges are
not discountable, and are not included in your
year-to-date sales total. The computer calculates
discounts on merchandise actually shipped by
December 31 (no on unfilled orders or backorders). Discounts are based on payments within
terms. Delinquent accounts forfeit all discounts.
Seasons USA, Inc.
www.seasonsusainc.com
(866) 511-0161; Fax (905) 864-8297
info@seasonsusainc.com
2863 King Rd, Sauquoit, NY 13456
Contact: Trevor Blatherwick
Specialties: Carving kits, crazy bonez skeletons,
gory props, decor, costumes, Disney and Star
Wars licensed products
Discount: 20% discount before ship cost.
Terms: Discount is forfeited if not paid within
terms.
Smiffy’s (RH Smith and Sons)
www.smiffys.com
(888) 776-4339; Fax (888) 776-4339
maxineandrews@smiffys.com
Heapham Rd South, Gainsborough
Lincolnshire, DN21 1FH, UK
Contact: Maxine Andrews
Specialties: Costumes, wigs, accessories, seasonal,
sexy costumes, lingerie, hosiery, clubwear
Discount: All NCA Members in good standing
shall receive a 15% discount off listed wholesale
price the entire year. This excludes licensed products and offer items. All NCA Members in good
standing shall also receive FREE FREIGHT on
orders of $1500 or more throughout the year.
Terms: Halloween Dating is also available to all
NCA Members upon approved credit check.
Starline LLC
www.starline.LA
(949) 209-8804; Fax (949) 315-3153
info@starline.la
1861 Reynolds, Irvine, CA 92614
Contact: David Davutoglu
Specialties: Halloween costumes.
Discount: 8 percent discount off wholesale price.
Terms: Credit terms based on approval.
Sunnywood, Inc.
www.sunnywood.net
(815) 675-9777; Fax (815) 675-9788
tsemiletow@sunnywood.net
2503 Spring Ridge Dr., Spring Grove, IL 60081
Contact: Tammy
Specialties: Exquisite Rhinestone Tiaras, Men’s
Crowns, Period Pieces, Halloween Costumes,
Santa Suits and Accessories.
Discount: All year long you would receive the
dozen price for single piece items.
Terms: Net 60-Day Terms on all orders under
$500.00 (With approved credit). Net 90-Day
Terms on all orders over $500.00 (With approved credit). Member Privileges cannot be
used in combination with any other special
discounts or promotions.
costumers.org
33
FEbruary/March 2015
buyers group
Tabi’s Characters
www.tabischaracters.com
(323) 232-8011; Fax (323) 232-8016
tabis@sbcglobal.net
808 E. Jefferson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90011
Contact: Jasmine Tabrizi
Specialties: High quality rental costumes at
affordable prices.
Discount: All NCA members in good standing
will receive 2% off wholesale prices on all orders
throughout 2015.
Terms: All payment due upon shipping. We
accept all major credit cards and checks upon
approval.
Traxedo
www.traxedo.com
+353.868.302.515
ian@traxedo.com
Unit 3A, 27 Granville Park, Blackrock, Co.
Dublin
Contact: Ian Murphy
Specialties: The Traxedo – A tuxedo tracksuit
available in a range of styles and colors.
Discount: 5%.
Terms: Invoice to be paid net 30 days to avail of
the 5% discount.
Trick or Treat Studios
www.trickortreatstudios.com
(831) 713-9665; Fax (831) 621-4763
chris@trickortreatstudios.com
3085 Carriker Lane, Suite E, Soquel, CA 95073
Contact: Chris Zephro
Specialties: Halloween masks, costumes, props,
weapons, appliances and make up from comics
and film.
Discount: Orders over $500 = 5% off; Orders
over $1,000 = 10% off.
Underwraps Costumes
www.underwraps.net
(888) 349-5300; Fax (818) 349-7200
ishaffa@yahoo.com
9600 Irondale Avenue, Chatsworth, CA 91311
Contact: Irene Shaffa
Specialties: Infant, toddlers, children’s costumes.
Costumes for adults (men/women), plus sizes,
capes, tutu’s.
Discount: An additional 5% for all NCA
members above and beyond our discount
program.
Terms: Terms are determined on an individual
basis.
February/March 2015
34
Union Importers Inc.
www.unionimporters.com
(908) 378-5340; Fax (908) 378-5428
kubillus@unionimporters.com
1767 Morris Ave, Union, NJ 07083
Contact: Kenneth Ubillus
Specialties: Halloween costumes, wigs and accessories/pet costumes, wigs and apparel.
Discount: 30% discount and free freight on initial
orders of $500.00 / 30% discount on reorders of
$200.00 for Halloween and Christmas orders /
30% discount on everyday orders.
Terms: Halloween dating net 11/30 upon approval from Credit Department & References
/Volume Discount based on yearly total sales
(after discounts).
VISION SCIENCE STUDIOS
www.visionsciencestudios.com
(770) 514-7272; Fax (770) 514-9958
vss367@aol.com
393 Sessions St., Marietta, GA 30060
Contact: Michele Singh
Specialties: FDA-approved contact lenses. Sell
lenses legally with verifymylenses.com.
Discount: Every 10 pairs of lenses ordered you
receive 10 pairs free.
Terms: 10 pairs minimum order.
West Bay Inc.
www.westbayinc.com
(800) 421-1940; Fax (323) 720-5799
pjang@westbayinc.com
7245 E. Oxford Way, Los Angeles, CA 90040
Contact: Paul Jang
Specialties: Everyday Fashion & Costume
Wigs, Santa wig & bear sets, BLUSH wigs,
CHARACTER wigs, Glamour Eyez
eyelashes, beards & mustaches.
Discount: $1,000 to $1,500 = 5%; $1,501 to $2,500
= 10%; $2,501 to $3,500 = 12%; $3,500+ = 15%.
Terms: Minimum order per order = $300.
Discounts apply on a per-order basis. If payment
terms apply, late payments cancel all discounts.
All freight paid by customer. All new accounts
opened on credit card terms.
costumers.org
Wolfe Face Art & FX
www.WolfeFX.com
(407) 730-9820; Fax (407) 730-9826
shelli@wolfefx.com
6325 All American Blvd, Orlando, FL 32810
Contact: Shelli Farber
Specialties: Professional grade make up for the
industry. Same quality FDA approved makeup
packaged with detailed instructions for the
novice end user.
Discount: 5% membership discount, assorted
show specials, and priority treatment to members. All NCA members are shipped first.
Terms: For all NCA members, orders over
$1,000.00 qualify for net 30 terms.
Zagone Studios LLC
zagonestudios.com
(773) 509-0610; Fax (773) 509-0613
tonyz@zagonestudios.com
4533 W North Ave, Melrose Park, IL 60160
Contact: Tony Zagone
Specialties: Halloween masks and costumes.
Excellent quality; moving mouth; made in USA.
Discount: 5% for orders $500.00 or over; 10% for
orders greater than $1000.00.
Save the Date!
88th Annual NCA
Convention
July 10-13, 2015
Radisson Hotel Branson
120 South Wildwood Drive
Branson, MO
please support our vendor sponsors
The National Costumers Association vendor members are vital to continued success of all our membership. Support our vendor
members as they continue to support you. At the time this publication went to press, the vendor member list for 2015 is as follows:
Platinum
Disguise Inc./Division of JAKKS Pacific
Forum Novelties, Inc.
Rubie’s Costume Company
Smiffy’s/RH Smith and Sons
Vision Science Studios
Alexanders Costumes
Appliques with Glitz
Bauer Pacific Imports
Caufield’s
Charades, LLC
Cinema Secrets, Inc.
Costume Agent
Costume Culture by Franco
Delicious of NY
Dillion Inc.
Gold
Arne Distributors, Inc. HALCO
Dreamgirl
International
Dress Up America
Eddie’s Trick Shop
Ellie Shoes Inc.
elope, Inc.
Flashback and
Freedom, Inc.
Froggy’s Fog
Fun World
Funny Fashion, Inc.
Sunnywood, Inc.
silver
Garland Beauty
Products
Ghoulish Productions/
Caretas REV S.A. de C.V.
Goddessey LLC
Graftobian Make-up Company, LLC
Jacobson Hat
Company, Inc.
J Templeton, Inc.
NCA house ad - help wanted_Layout 1 2/19/15 12:28 PM Page 1
West Bay Inc. Zagone Studios LLC
Kalan LP
Kryolan Corporation
Leg Avenue
Loftus International
Mehron, Inc.
Music Legs
(Sky Hosiery, Inc.)
Pacific Group Mystery House
Party King
Pirate Dressing
Rasta Imposta
RG Costumes &
Accessories, Inc.
Seasons USA, Inc.
Starline LLC
Tabi’s Characters
Traxedo
Trick or Treat Studios
Underwraps Costumes
Union Importers Inc.
Wolfe Face Art & FX
NCA Marketplace
Advertising in the NCA Marketplace is $35 per issue (10% discount for NCA members). You can submit a ready-made ad, or send
text and our staff will place it in a box. You will be billed upon publication; payment is due upon receipt. For full details, see the
advertising contract available at www.costumers.org. Contact Ed Avis at 708-218-7755 or pub@costumers.org for information about
deadlines for our February, May, September and December 2015 issues.
Searching for an Employee?
The NCA Can Help!
Are you searching for an EMPLOYEE on a temporary
or permanent basis? Or maybe you know of someone
who is searching for an EMPLOYER? We would like
to be part of the search process and help guide the
right people to the right places!
Please contact the NCA Headquarters with information to help make this happen; they can be reached by
email at office@costumers.org or by phone at
800.622.1321.
costumers.org
35
FEbruary/March 2015
My Favorite Costume
Yon Zweibon
Beyond Costumes, Inc.
Yonkers, New York
www.beyondcostumes.com
into the costume business and how has
your shop grown and changed over the
past several years?
Beyond Costumes serves New York
City, and Westchester, Fairfield and
Rockland Counties. This all-inclusive
costuming warehouse is brimming
with more than 20,000 quality costumes for all ages in all sizes for rent or
to purchase. The ever-growing rental
collection includes vintage designer
clothing and Broadway costumes, as
well as quality manufactured costumes
from all ethnicities and historical eras.
With such a rich array of costumes in stock, it would seem hard to
pick a favorite. But when The Costumer
asked Beyond Costumes Owner Yon
Zweibon which of the thousands of
costumes she has worked with over the
past decade stood out, she had little trouble choosing her favorite.
Yon Zweibon: My most memorable costume is the Siamese King’s costume worn
by Lou Diamond Phillips on Broadway.*
It was acquired through disposition of
a large New York rental company. I love
the craftsmanship and the detail beading
and gold thread embroidery work on this
costume!
The Costumer: What features of the
costume make it so special to you? Was
it in how it was designed, in where it was
worn, or in who rented the costume?
The Costumer: You have so many fantastic costumes with a variety of themes.
What is the most memorable costume
that you’ve designed, worn or rented to a
customer since you’ve been in business?
February/March 2015
36
Yon Zweibon: I bought Westchester Costumes, a mom and pop costume rental
store, at a whim through my children’s
involvement in the performing arts in
the year 2000. My original career was
in finance. The shop and costuming
became my passion and I have been
working on collecting a comprehensive
stock through many acquisition adventures from estate sales to large professional costume shops for 15 years.
In 2013, Beyond Costumes acquired
the full inventory of Creative Costume
Company, one of the last professional
costume rental shops in New York City.
Beyond Costumes currently holds 15,000
square feet of costumes and props located
in Yonkers, New York, servicing individuals to theatrical groups, the television and
the film industries, the entertainment
industry and more.
There have been many struggles in
learning to run an arts-based costuming company and to managing a small
business. On the other hand, it has also
been an elating experience learning what
impact costuming can have on customers
and audience. I am looking forward to
keeping increasing our repeat customer
base and seeking more challenging jobs
and additional customers in the future.
*Editor’s Note: In 1996, Phillips made his
Yon Zweibon: It was a first costume I
bought that had an association with a celebrity and it was very exciting. Currently
we help celebrity stylists regularly.
Broadway debut as the King in Richard
The Costumer: Tell me about Beyond
Costumes. When and how did you get
Award and a Drama Desk Award for his
costumers.org
Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II’s “The
King and I.” Phillips won a Theatre World
Award and was nominated for both a Tony
performance.