The
The Official Publication of the National Costumers Association, Inc.
VINTAGE VIBES: OLD CLOTHES, NEW SALES! A POST-HALLOWEEN REPORT FROM THE FIELD 2022 BUYER’S GROUP
December 2021
COSTUMERS.ORG
CONTENTS
10
FEATURES
7
7
Lifetime Member Spotlight Linda Adams Foat
10 Vintage Vibes Old becomes new again with apparel and accessories from eras gone by. By Kathleen Furore
17 2022 Buyer’s Group DEPARTMENTS 6
14
In the Industry — A Halloween Wrap-Up
14 Product Parade 20 My Favorite Costume
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N C A A D M I N I S T R AT I O N BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT
Pam Markel Illusive Skull Costume Castle 1314 Morgantown Ave. Fairmont, WV 26554 info@illusiveskull.com 304-476-7927
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Marion Bradley Discount Costumes 1736 Watson Blvd Warner Robins, GA 31093 balloonsnpartiesinfo@ gmail.com 478-396-1204
VICE PRESIDENT
DIRECTOR
Courtland Hickey Chicago Costume 1120 W. Fullerton Ave. Chicago, IL 60614 courtland@chicagocostume. com 773-528-1264
DIRECTOR
Dwayne Ibsen Ibsen Costume Gallery 4981 Hamilton St. Omaha, NE 68132 402-556-1400 Fax 402-556-5727 ibsencostumes@ gmail.com
Buyer Member Benefits: Courtland Hickey, Chicago Costume Vendor Benefits: Terry Sinopoli, Arlene’s Costumes Membership Recruitment: Brandon Lilly, The Life of the Party Revenue: Louella Torrence, retired Publications and Publicity: Janine Caufield, Caufield’s Nominations and Awards: Marion Bradley, Discount Costume Bereavement, Disaster and Grievance: Janine Caufield, Caufield’s Policy & Procedures: Gene Flaherty, Mehron History: Dwayne Ibsen, Ibsen Costume Gallery and Louella Torrence, retired
DIRECTOR
Janine Caufield Caufield’s 1006 West Main St. Louisville, KY 40202 Janine@caufields.com 502-727-5682
Brandon Lilly The Life of the Party 4025 S. Mason St., Ste B. Fort Collins, CO 80525 brandon.lilly@goodsforgeeks. com 970-414-0857
TREASURER
Louella Torrence Drop Me a Line Costume Shop 3600 Catherine Ave. Allentown, PA 18103 dropmealine@rcn.com 610-360-5498
DIRECTOR
Terry Sinopoli Arlene’s Costumes 1156 Culver Rd. Rochester, NY 14609 terry@arlenescostumes.com 585-662-9942
DIRECTOR
Gene Flaharty Mehron 100 Red Schoolhouse Road Chestnut Ridge, NY 10977 845-426-1700 Fax 845-426-1515 gflaharty@mehron.com
Like the NCA on Facebook! Go to www.costumers.org and look for the Facebook link at the bottom of the page! DECEMBER 2021
2021 STANDING COMMITTEE CHAIRS
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InvoIces senT ouT The invoices for your 2022 membership dues have been emailed to all current members. Please pay promptly to ensure that your membership remains current! If you didn’t get an invoice, please contact Ed Avis at executivedirector@costumers.org or 708-218-7755.
Thank you!
PRESIDENT ’S LETTER Presidential greetings from West Virginia, The Halloween season is now behind us and hopefully
everyone survived. For most, it was a profitable, busy season with increased revenues. Receiving new stock to fill the
shelves and finding employees to work proved challenging for most. As store owners you dug deep and found those creative juices to help push through those obstacles and come out on top. Congratulations to all of you.
As Christmas fast approaches, hopefully your shelves
are stocked with items that every Santa and his helpers
need. I am confident that your retail and rental sales will
be better than last year. From what I can see the public is starving for normalcy and just
like Halloween, there are elaborate Christmas decorations in yards and houses. Please take advantage of our vendor members and all the wonderful holiday products they carry.
On another note, your Board of Directors has been working hard to help provide you
with additional benefits to help your business grow.
I hope each of you took advantage of the social media posts and shared them on your
Facebook pages. Most of you are aware of our NCA Facebook page, which is open to
anyone. We have always requested that you like and share the posts. But in case you were not aware, the NCA has its own Members Only Facebook page, which is a wonderful tool that allows you to share ideas with and ask questions of other members. Contact
Janine Caufield, Brandon Lilly or Terry Sinopoli to be approved to post. You can find their contact information on page 2. Please take advantage of this member benefit and contact one of them today.
The Halloween and Party Expo is coming up from January 11 through 13 at The
Mirage in Las Vegas. To view new products and see the latest in the industry, plan on
going. It is a great chance to meet your vendor members and support them. Hopefully they also had a great Halloween and have some new ideas and merchandise to show. Make sure you read the E-contact that Executive Director Ed Avis sends out every other Thursday. And be sure to watch for news about a fantastic webinar slated for early January 2022, which will give you some great ideas to help the HPE shopping experience.
In closing, I want to wish each of you a very Merry Christmas and Happy Hannukah.
This holiday retail season will be what we make it. Think positive, keep your spirits up and enjoy your customers. Respectfully,
Pam Markel, President
National Costumers Association
Illusive Skull Costume Castle, Fairmount, West Virginia
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NCA National Headquarters Ed Avis Executive Director P.O. Box 13347 Chicago, IL 60613 708-218-7755 pub@costumers.org
The Costumer Publications Office Ed Avis Associates P.O. Box 13347 Chicago, IL 60613 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 michelle@mc2chicago.com ©2021, 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
IN THE INDUSTRY
HaLLoween 2021: WAY BETTER THIS YEAR! By Ed Avis
The candy wrappers from Halloween 2021 have been swept up, the rental costumes have been returned, and guess what? NCA members’ cash registers are full! An NCA survey the week after Halloween showed unequivocally that it was good year: 71 percent of respondents said costume sales were “much better than 2020.” And that’s not all — 55 percent said sales this year were “much better than 2019,” which was the last pre-COVID Halloween, and another 23 percent said sales were “somewhat better than 2019.” “One of the best Halloweens we have had. It was comparable to 2013 Halloween for us, which was great,” wrote Gayle Vaartjes, owner of the Kostume Room in Wyoming, Michigan, in her survey response. Vaartjes’ response was not unusual: Larry Docktor, owner of Broadway Costumes & Theatrical Supply in Sacramento, California, wrote: “From a pure dollar perspective, it was 66 percent better than 2020 and 33 percent better than 2019!”
Pop-Ups StilL Hurt This year’s Halloween numbers look good for most NCA members. Just imagine how good they would have been without Spirit Halloween and their ilk, who appear vampire-like during the season, suck a little blood, and disappear. Our survey did not ask specifically about these pop-ups’ effect, but some respondents offered their feelings anyway. “Spirit Halloween, Walmart, Party City, the internet, and resale of costumes on Facebook have taken plenty of the business in our small area. I even did a pop-up shop and that really did not help. Customers started to show up to my long-time business when their orders did not come in on time. I am not happy with the outcome at all after 40 years in business,” wrote one survey respondent. Other respondents seem resigned to the existence of the temporary shops: “Overall I was pleased, just wish Spirit Halloween was not here this year..lol,” wrote Marion Bradley, NCA’s immediate past president and owner of Discount Costumes in Warner Robins, Georgia. Ironically, Bradley says that some customers told her they searched Google for Spirit Halloween and her shop showed up (it helped that she paid for a Google ad), so they came to her store instead!
Celebrations Returned The fact that many more people celebrated the season this year than in 2020 definitely helped Halloween sales. According to our survey, about 60 percent of respondents’ communities had trickor-treating just like pre-COVID times, and another 31 percent had trick-or-treating with some COVID restrictions. Only about 9 percent said there was no trick-or-treating. The same trend held for Halloween parties and parades: 57 percent said their town partied like the pre-COVID era, and 30 percent said things were a little muted, but parties and parades still happened. The bottom line is this: Even with the problems — pop-up stores, lingering COVID restrictions in some cases, and a weak supply chain — Halloween was gangbusters this year. “We did fantastic!,” Vaartjes says. DECEMBER 2021
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LIFETIME MEMBER SPOTLIGHT LINDA ADAMS FOAT
Happiness in Costuming Leads to Honorary Lifetime Membership By Ed Avis
In 1982 Linda Adams Foat needed something happy in her life to help her cope with a stressful family incident. She found joy in music classes at her local community college. “I was taking voice lessons and the voice coach said they needed some more people for a production of Guys and Dolls,” Foat remembers. “So, I joined the production’s Mission Band, and had to make my own skirt for the show. I loved doing that and started making costumes for other productions. My career blossomed from there.” Foat’s love of costuming eventually led to two decades of service to the NCA. In recognition of that service, Foat was given an Honorary Lifetime Membership during the Board’s summer meeting in August. Her husband Merlyn Foat, who regularly accompanies Linda to NCA events, was given the Unsung Hero Award. “When Linda sees a need concerning the NCA, she is always one of the first to raise her hand and volunteer,” says Marion Bradley, immediate past president of the NCA and owner of Discount Costumes in Warner Robins, Georgia. “From her volunteering to be on the Board and being a Past President, to her great work with leading the Student Scholarship events, to diligently working the NCA Booth at our trade show, (and recruiting her husband Meryln as the dynamic duo) and graciously making amazing costumes to help the NCA raise funds — for all this and more; no one is more deserving of this award than Linda Adams Foat!” “I’m so honored to receive this recognition,” Foat says. “The NCA has been so important to me and my business over the years.”
OPENING HER OWN BUSINESS
Once Foat started making costumes for other productions at Highland Community College in Freeport, Illinois, she realized that she had a lot to learn. “Eventually I was doing whole shows, but I didn’t really know what I was doing,” she laughs. “I could sew, but I didn’t know all the ins and outs of making costumes. So, in 1985 I figured out what I wanted to be when I grew up and went to Rockford University for a costume degree.” Before long Foat was hired full time at Highland Community College to make costumes. The college had a slim budget for costuming, so sometimes Foat would make a costume at her own expense and then keep it once the show ended. Eventually she had six nice costumes in her home and Merlyn asked what she planned to do with them. That led to her next endeavor: She decided to rent out the costumes. In 1987 she started Camelot Costumes and ran the business from her home, while continuing in her post at the college. In 2000 she and Merlyn moved to a home with a store on the property, and Linda moved Camelot Costumes into the store. Soon thereafter came another turning point in her costuming career: In 2002 she joined the NCA. She was not a passive member—she attended national and regional conventions, took classes, read The Costumer magazine cover to cover, and networked with other members. “I thought, ‘If I’m going to spend this money, I’m going to get out of it as much as I can,’” she says. Networking with other members was a key NCA benefit for Foat. For example, when a customer asked for an item she COSTUMERS.ORG
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didn’t carry, often she would ask a fellow member for it. “I don’t have room in my store to buy $1,000 worth of shoes or hats, so I made connections with others in the association who did buy in bulk and I could call them and say, ‘Hey, do you happen to have this?’ And they’d say, ‘Sure,’ and most of the time they would sell it to me at wholesale plus just a little bit.”
JOINING THE BOARD
association and costuming in general was so evident. Whenever I needed advice or information, Linda was there.”
CREATING COSTUMES
Foat’s work in costuming continued apace during her years of NCA service. She estimates that she has created costumes for at least 250 shows at Highland Community College and local high schools. She says that until recently, her favorite production was Camelot. Every member of her family — she and Merlyn have four children and were foster parents to 15 other children — participated on productions of Camelot over the years. “That’s such a nice memory for us,” she says. “That’s partially why I named my business Camelot Costumes. The other reasons is that my husband is named Merlyn, and Camelot is such a fantasy place.” But two years ago, Camelot dropped to her second-favorite show.
Foat became so active in the NCA that when a board member left with a year left on her term in 2007, Foat was asked to step into the spot. She was subsequently elected to full terms and climbed up the leadership ladder. Among her many roles, Linda, together with Merlyn, became the face of the NCA at the Halloween & Party Show. The couple worked the NCA booth the entire time and helped make sure everything ran smoothly. Linda also regularly contributed some of her original costumes to be sold in the scholarship fundraising auction. By 2012 she was the second vice president. The first vice president normally becomes the Linda created this costume, “Amelia,” which was auctioned at the president the following year, but 2020 Halloween & Party Expo. that person decided not to move Her new favorite? Titanic. up, so Foat became president. Foat was known during her “In the summer of 2019 we did Titanic the Musical out at presidency and subsequent years as a past-president and the college, and now that’s my favorite.” Foat says. “I thought it director as a devoted, hard-working leader who was always would kill me because it’s very difficult to do. There are willing to give more.
“When Linda sees a need concerning the NCA, she is always one of the first to raise her hand and volunteer.” —Marion Bradley “I remember how helpful and accessible Linda was when I took over as editor of Costumer magazine,” says Kathy Furore, who became editor of Costumer in 2014. “We met with Linda to discuss the NCA and the magazine’s role, and her love of the DECEMBER 2021
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23 cast playing 67 characters. In the opening alone we had 40 costume changes! But when it was all done, I saw how beautiful it looked. I conquered it and it looked good, so now it’s my favorite.”
Foat is officially retired from the college, but still makes costumes for them on contract. She also does custom builds for individuals. For example, she has created several period dresses for a Mary Todd Lincoln reenactor, and she has done costumes
“I’m so honored to receive this recognition. The NCA has been so important to me and my business over the years.” —Linda Adams Foat
for several Renaissance weddings and many madrigal events. What does the future hold? Foat says she is considering selling or closing Camelot Costumes, but hasn’t decided yet. “I have very mixed emotions about it. I love what I do, especially the theater, and I would miss that terribly,” she says.
Merlyn Foat
“I love the building up of the show, watching the rehearsals, seeing the whole scheme of things working out. But during COVID I realized that I like that free time, so I do have mixed emotions about it. When I decide to retire, I know I’m going to cry.” Whether Foat retires soon or later, her legacy as an NCA leader is secure. “Linda impacted the NCA many ways in her years of service, and we are all grateful,” says Pam Markel, current NCA president and owner of Illusive Skull Costume Castle in Fairmont, West Virginia. “The association is stronger because of her.” Ed Avis is the publisher of The Costumer.
815-675-9777, x105, order@sunnywood.net www.sunnywood.net COSTUMERS.ORG
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Vintage Vibes
By Kathleen Furore
Old Items Bring New Sales
When Vogue reports on a recent trend, it’s likely worth listening to if your business has anything to do with fashion. Take vintage apparel, for example. In November 2020, a feature story by Emily Farra in the renowned magazine headlined with this: “2020 Was a Big Year for Old Clothes: How Vintage, Secondhand, and Upcycling Took Off.” According to the story, the term “vintage fashion” generated more than 35,000 new searches on the shopping app Lyst in September alone. And during the spring 2021 Ready-to-Wear collections “more designers than not said they’d used leftover fabrics from past collections, and in some cases...they spliced up vintage garments to create new ones.” Ooollee Bricker, owner of Vintage Ooollee in Augusta, Georgia, has recognized the value of vintage ever since she opened her shop in 2008. “We lived upstairs, and I had plans for a vintage store,” Bricker recalls. It was only when the costume business renting space in the same building floundered that she got into the costume business, too. “I bought out the costume shop — that’s how I got into the business. I fell into it,” she explains. Today, the vintage and costume businesses operate side by side; there are different entrances, but arched doorways inside connect the two. Vintage apparel and accessories remain a mainstay: Vintage Ooollee boasts the largest selection of authentic vintage clothing in the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA), says Bricker, who sources authentic
clothes from bygone eras from individuals who often contact her on their own to sell their vintage pieces. “There’s been a resurgence...the old is new again,” she reports. “Vintage is so popular. Retro items sell like crazy. Every day pre-pandemic, I sold at least one retro dress.” Customers who are into pin-up girl and Burlesque fashion from the 1940s and 1950s — think dresses, garters, stockings and high-heeled shoes — are among the shop’s biggest fans.
Multiple Ways to Capture Sales
The apparel and accessories that grace the shop’s vintage side attract shoppers throughout the year. “I see vintage as a year-round business,” says Bricker, noting that outside of Christmas, her busiest season is summer. “There are a lot of people who like vintage who are traveling then, and they seek it out.” And while the vintage-obsessed shoppers are those who really help ring up sales of vintage, this creative owner turns to her own collection to build the other side of her business, too. “I go to the vintage side and pull things all of the time — for example, if I need just the perfect piece for a small girl who is playing the lead in a play,” Bricker says. Sometimes, she’ll use a piece, clean it, then give it a new home on the costume side; other times, she’ll clean it and put in right back in her vintage inventory to sell, which is perfectly fine “beCOSTUMERS.ORG
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cause it’s used anyway,” Bricker says. “It all depends on the piece and the size.” Very small sizes (more frequent back in vintage/retro eras) typically return to their place in the vintage area, while larger sizes (which are easier to rent) find a home in the costume collection. Bricker also has discovered how lucrative recycling and repurposing even the small items and remnants can be. “If someone gives me something like a vintage outfit from the ‘40s, I might keep just part of it and use that to make other costumes,” she says. A long, white dress Bricker took home for free from an estate sale is one example of creative repurposing. Gold lame trim and “The dress had a big stain on it, but it rhinestones salvaged from a vintage dress embellish had gold lame trim — the real, old gold the cream-colored tail lame — plus pearls and rhinestones the coat that’s been used as size of a dime that went up one side, down a Liberace costume and the other, around the neck,” Bricker recalls. in productions of Legally “I kept looking at it because of the trim, Blond. and the woman selling it said, ‘Just take it so if the stain doesn’t come out, you won’t have lost money.’ I spent four hours taking off the trim – it was painstaking work!” That work has paid off splendidly.
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Bricker transformed the remnant trim into flapper headpieces she frequently rents out and used much of it to embellish a cream-color tail coat used in a production of Legally Blond. “That coat has been rented many times for Legally Blond and as a Liberace costume,” Bricker reports. “I always try to recycle everything,” she adds. “If the fabric is good but something is wrong with the outfit, I’ll cut it into squares then make a patchwork vest.” While not every shop has the room, or even the incliVintage Ooollee’s collection of retro nation, to focus on vintage dresses — some of the most popularapparel and accessories, selling items in the store there’s a lesson to be learned from Bricker’s business model at Vintage Ooollee. Even the smallest pieces of vintage can become a big part of the profit picture. They can become, as they have for Bricker, old items that just keep on giving! Kathleen Furore is the editor of The Costumer.
Fashion influencer Miss Audrey Monroe is one of Vintage Ooollee’s best customers and often tags the shop in her own posts.
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P R O D U C T PA R A D E Dreamgirl’s Little Red and Big Bad Wolf. Our two-piece
Little Red costume (#9477) includes a beautifully detailed fairy-tail dress with underwire foam cups and pleated ruffles, embroidered
heart trim, lace-trimmed apron and attached petticoat plus a fulllength hooded satin cape. Available in regular and plus sizes.
(Basket, Bow Top Stockings #10342 and Luna Gloves #5219 are not included.)
The Big Bad Wolf men’s costume (#9493) features a red and
black check jagged-edge tunic, attached faux fur hood with wolf ears, and fingerless gloves. Pants not included. 323-268-0220; dreamgirldirect.com
Camden Passage’s Bio Glitter. The Moon Glitter collection includes our sparkling, environmentally friendly Bio glitter. Made from plant cellulose found
in sustainably farmed organic eucalyptus trees instead of plastic, it feels more comfortable on the skin and
Ellie Shoes’ Glitter GoGo Boots.
Creations products are made in the UK to cosmetic
3-inch heels plus side zipper for easy
tensive range includes neon UV, metallic and terror
green, gold, red and silver glitter.
still shines as brightly as conventional glitter! Moon
These eye-catching calf-high boots have
grade standards and not tested on animals. The ex-
on and off. Available in black,
makeup. All products are FDA and Health Canada compliant.
888-755-5578, x220; camdenpassage.com
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714-771-0015; ellieshoes.com
NCA MARKETPLACE Advertising in the NCA Marketplace is $35 per issue (10%
discount for NCA members). 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.
Superimpulse’s World’s Smallest Micro Action Figures. Transformers Generation 1 giant alien Autobots and evil Deceptions that can transform into vehicles were first introduced in the 1980’s. Now we’re offering them in micro size! Measuring only 1.25 inches tall, each Micro Action Figure has three points of articulation and includes a replica of the original action figure blister card and display stand. Collect all three retro styles – Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, and the evil StarScream. Power Rangers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, GI Joe, and Masters of the Universe Micro Action Figures also available. 267-878-0466; superimpulse.com
InSpirit Designs’ Youth Fortnite Costumes.
Brought to you by Fun World, this collection of officially
InvoIces senT ouT
licensed Fortnite costumes includes the Fishtick
(#105082) costume with jumpsuit, belt with attached pouches
and mask. Available in M, L and XL sizes.
inspirit-designs.com
The invoices for your 2022 membership dues have been emailed to all current members. Please pay promptly to ensure that your membership remains current! If you didn’t get an invoice, please contact Ed Avis at executivedirector@costumers.org or 708-218-7755.
Thank you! COSTUMERS.ORG
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10 Great Reasons to Renew Your NCA Membership Before the Snow Flies... 1 . Costumer Magazine 2 . Buyer’s Group Discounts 3 . Members-Only Webinars 4 . New Consumer Discount Program 5 . Virtual Roundtables 6 . Biweekly NCA Today e-Newsletter 7 . Info-packed www.costumers.org 8 . NCA Plot Service 9 . NCA Guide to a Safe Halloween 1 0 . Online Member Directory
Renewal Invoices Have Been Emailed to All Current Members - Did You Get Yours? If Not, Contact Ed Avis at executivedirector@costumers.org today!
BUYER’S GROUP NCA Vendors offer discounts to NCA Buyer Members
A major NCA member benefit is the long list of discounts available exclusively to NCA members. Below is the list of companies that have pledged you these discounts as of our press time. Please be sure you write your NCA member number on all your orders to receive your discounts. Please also thank our Vendor Members for their unique support of the National Costumers Association.
CAMDEN PASSAGE (GOLD) www.camdenpassage.com (888) 755-5578 Fax (888) 955-5578 info@camdenpassage.com 115 First St., Collingwood, ON L9Y 4W3 Contact: Victor Del Zoppo Specialties: Loox - Theatrical Contact Lenses. Moon Creations - Professional Make Up. Discount: 5% Off Invoice. Net 30 OAC. DISGUISE, INC./DIVISION OF JAKKS PACIFIC (PLATINUM) www.disguise.com (858) 391-3600 Fax (858) 391-3601 info@disguise.com 12120 Kear Place, Poway, CA 92064 Contact: David Coggin Specialties: Licensed costumes and accessories. Discount: Generic Costumes & Accessories: 14% off list price; Licensed Costumes & Accessories: 10% off list price. Discounts do not apply to closeouts or special buys. Minimum order to qualify for the Premium NCA Discount: $2500. Opening orders must be received by Disguise by 3/14/2022 to receive full benefits. No extensions will be granted. For Members placing their opening order by 3/14/2022, a 1% Defective Allowance (DA) will apply to all orders placed for 2022. Members placing opening orders by 3/14/2022 will continue to receive full program discounts on all reorder activity for the 2022 season. Members who do not place orders by 3/14/2022 will realize only the benefits of the Disguise Standard Discount schedule and return policy.
DREAMGIRL INTERNATIONAL (SILVER) www.dreamgirldirect.com (323) 268-0220 x208 ggabor@dgbrands.com 5548 Lindbergh Lane, Bell, CA 90201 Contact: Gihan Gabor Specialties: From loveable characters to exquisitely luxe historical favorites, Dreamgirl COSTUMES, WIGS, and ACCESSORIES offer exciting and cheeky dress up experiences for singles, couples or group-themed fun. Discount: 3% - $1 - $5,000; 4% - $5,001 $10,000; 5% - $10,001 – Over. In addition, NCA will receive a 1% volume rebate based on net shipments to members. Terms: Halloween dating available to credit approved customers. ELLIE SHOES INC. (SILVER) www.ellieshoes.com (714) 771-0015 Fax (714) 771-0057 info@ellieshoes.com 1050 N. Batavia Street #B, Orange, CA 92867 Contact: Leslie Wandell Specialties: Ellie Shoes has footwear for all your costuming needs! Discount: 5% year round – Show specials to be announced Terms: Please have NCA membership number included on the purchase order, e-mail, or fax. Halloween dating subject to CIT approval. ELOPE, INC. (SILVER) www.elope.com (719) 328-1312 Fax (719) 328-1261 Kelli@elope.com 10035 Federal Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80908 Contact: Kelli Borel Riedmiller Specialties: High quality novelty and costume hats and accessories for licensed and elope
originals. Discount: 10% discount on first time order and 5% discount on all reorders (except Disney and sale items). Terms: Credit card on first 3 orders. After 3rd order, Net 30 terms may be requested with approved credit. FUNNY FASHION USA (SILVER) www.funnyfashion.com (719) 260-7744 Fax (719) 260-7743 info@funnyfashion.com 1015 Garden of the Gods Rd., Suite 150 Colorado Springs, CO 80907 Contact: Diane Lutz Specialties: Balloons, balloon accessories, large selection of value-priced Halloween, Masquerade and Theatrical costumes and accessories. Discount: 5% on orders from $500 to $4,999; 7% on orders from $5,000 to $9,999; 10% on orders from $10,000 to $19,999; and 15% on orders above $20,000. Terms: Halloween Dating November 10, 2022 WAC, FOB Funny Fashion Distribution Point. FUN WORLD/INCHARACTER (SILVER) 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, Masks, Decor, Pumpkin Carving, Weapons, Accessories, Make up, Santa suits, Beards, Valentines, St. Patrick’s Day, and Easter 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
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BUYER’S GROUP discount varies, see official FunWorld/NCA and InCharacter/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 300 lbs) per warehouse. This is only available to a USA-based ship-to address. International members must supply us with their freight forwarder details at time of order. Please call or email for details. GRAFTOBIAN MAKE-UP (SILVER) www.graftobian.com (608) 222-7849 Fax (608) 222-7893 ordermakeup@graftobian.com 510 Tasman St., Madison, WI 53714 Contact: Janine Wardale Specialties: Professional grade Theatrical and HD makeup suitable for TV/Film and stage. Featuring ProPaint body paint, FX Aire and GlamAire Airbrush makeup, plus a full range of lusters, shimmers, glitter body sprays and more. With four types of blood, four shades of modeling wax, spirit gum, pro adhesive, plus a full range of Halloween kits. Proudly made in the USA. Discount: NCA members will receive a one tier level increase in their earned discount per the schedule on the back of our 2021-2022 wholesale catalog. Terms: Orders for the previous year need to have exceeded $1,000 before discount level increase is activated. On-time payment is required to maintain discount levels. HALCO (GOLD) www.halcoholidays.com (724) 929-7300 Fax (724) 929-7301 info@halcoholidays.com 723 East Railroad Ave., Verona, PA 15147 Contact: Terri Greenberg Specialties: High quality Santa Claus suits, Mrs. Claus, Elves, Santa’s Helpers, Santa & Mrs. Wigs & Beards, Hats, Stockings and Christmas accessories. Discount: NCA members receive a 4% discount on orders placed by 5/31/22 plus 5% discount on orders of $1,500 or more. There is no minimum order. Terms: Credit card or terms given to qualified accounts. DECEMBER 2021
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JACOBSON HAT COMPANY, INC. (SILVER) www.jhats.com (570) 342-7887 sales@jhats.com 1301 Ridge Row, Scranton, PA 18510 Contact: Jeff Jacobson Specialties: Costume Headwear and Accessories Terms: Ship August 1 or sooner payable Nov. 1. KBW (SILVER) www.kbwcorp.com (626) 258-2938 jonas@kbwcorp.com 9832 Max Shapiro Way, South El Monte, CA 91733 Contact: Jonas Wu Specialties: Party masks, hats and accessories for Steampunk, Day of the Dead, Mardi Gras and other events throughout the year. Discount: 7% on web orders or items on the NCA price list (email Jonas for the price list). Terms: Minimum is $200 per order. For hats, minimum order is 3 items and for masks, minimum order is 4 items. Require credit card on first order and depending on size of subsequent order, may go to terms. References and credit check required. KRYOLAN PROFESSIONAL MAKE-UP (SILVER) www.kryolan.com (415) 863-9684 Fax (707) 795-9059 a.newman@kryolan.com 364 Blodgett St., Cotati, CA 93931 Contact: Anne Newman Specialties: Aquacolor, UV reactive, Temp Hair color, Blood, Beards & Mustaches and of course over 20,000 sku’s for your makeup needs! Discount: Get our highest margin discount for a full year! Low opening order and yearly minimums. Professional staff development and tester program. Terms: Net 30 with approved credit.
COSTUMERS.ORG
LOFTUS (SILVER) www.loftus.com (800) 453-4879 Fax (888) 871-7375 craig@loftus.com Contact: Craig Jamison Specialties: Halloween costume accessories, make-up, decorations, supplies including novelties and party goods for every day. Discount: Loftus will offer premium pricing and free freight on orders of shippable product over $500. Terms: Loftus will offer Halloween dating on Halloween items to open accounts in good standing. MEHRON MAKEUP (SILVER) www.mehron.com (845) 426-1700 Fax (845) 426-1515 info@mehron.com 100 Red Schoolhouse Rd., Chestnut Ridge, NY 10977 Contact: Katie Perez Specialties: Professional makeup for stage, screen, special FX, and beauty since 1927. Discount: 5% off all qualifying orders; increases to 10% off once YTD purchases reach $2,500; 15% off once YTD purchases reach $5,000. Once achieved, the discounts apply for the rest of the year. Discount applies to 2022 Mehron Dealer Wholesale Pricing. $500 minimum first order, $200 minimum on additional orders. Discounts cannot be combined with other offers and apply to qualifying products. Discounts cannot be applied to previous purchases. Proof of membership must be presented with P.O. in order to receive Membership Discount. Terms: If qualified, strict Net 30 Payment Terms apply. New accounts must meet Credit and Dealer Account requirements. THE PIRATE DRESSING (SILVER) www.thepiratedressing.com (321) 445-1837 info@thepiratedressing.com 10685-B Hazelhurst Drive #12134, Houston, TX 77043 Contact: Aditya Aggarwal Specialties: Rental quality pirate, medieval, Renaissance and steampunk outfits. Discount: Quantity discounts up to 15% offered to all registered customers. Also, NCA
BUYER’S GROUP members are eligible for an additional 5% discount on orders above $500. Terms: Discounts are only applicable for orders above $500. RUBIES II, LLC (PLATINUM) www.rubies.com (516) 333-3473 Fax (516) 326-1713 cinfo@rubies.com 601 Cantiague Rock Road, Westbury, NY 11590 Contact: Joe Wozniak Specialties: Licensed and non-licensed Halloween Costumes and Accessories for the whole family including pets. Discount: Please contact your local representative or Rubie’s customer service department at 516-333-3473 and ask about details on the New Rubie’s 2022 Discount Schedule. SUNNYWOOD, INC. (GOLD) www.sunnywood.net (815) 675-9777 Fax (815) 675-9788 order@sunnywood.net 2750 Barney Ct., McHenry, IL 60051 Contact: Tammy Semiletow Specialties: Exquisite Tiaras, Headpieces, Men’s Crowns, Period Pieces, Flappers, Costumes, Santa Suits, Bunnies, Accessories and so much more. Discount: All year long, you receive dozen pricing on single piece items and special promotions exclusively for NCA members. Member Privileges cannot be used in combination with any other special discounts or promotions. TISH AND SNOOKY’S MANIC PANIC NYC (SILVER) manicpanicwholesale.com Phone: 718-937-6055 Fax: 718-937-6172 retail@manicpanic.com 21-07 Borden Ave 4th floor, Long Island City, NY 11101 Contact: Noel Rodriguez-Ortiz Specialties: Semi-Permanent and Temporary Hair Color, and Cosmetics Discount: 10% off Wholesale pricing. MOQ for free shipping $500 Terms: Most customers are on prepaid terms
but are welcomed to apply for net terms based on credit application. TRICK OR TREAT STUDIOS (SILVER) www.trickortreatstudios.com (831) 713-9665 Fax (831) 621-4763 sales@trickortreatstudios.com 1005 17th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062 Contact: Anthony Austin Specialties: Trick or Treat Studios specialize in the highest quality licensed and original designed masks, costumes, props, replicas, collectables, action figures, decor, wrapping paper, accessories and tabletop games. With over 150 Licenses, Trick or Treat Studios will fulfill all your customers’ needs. Top Licenses include the Halloween Franchise (Michael Myers), The Universal Classic Monsters, A Nightmare on Elm Street, the Child’s Play Franchise and much more! Discount: Our discount for NCA members is 10% off orders over $1,000 and 5% off orders $500-$999. UNDERWRAPS COSTUMES (SILVER) www.underwrapscostumes.com (818) 349-5300 Fax (818) 349-7200 info@underwraps.net 9600 Irondale Avenue, Chatsworth, CA 91311 Contact: Payman Shaffa Specialties: Children and adult costumes, accessories, props, masks and mascots. Discount: 3% above regular discounts; additional discounts apply for early buy program. Terms: Initial order must meet $500 minimum. WEST BAY INC. (GOLD) www.westbayinc.com (323) 720-5777 Fax (323) 720-5799 contact@westbayinc.com 7245 E. Oxford Way, Commerce, CA 90040 Contact: Susan Yi Specialties: Fashion and Costume Wigs, Blush, Character Wigs, Glamour Eyez Eyelashes, Beards and Mustaches. Discount: $1,000 to $1,500 = 5%; $1,501
to $2,500 = 10%; $2,501 to $3,500 = 12%; $3,501+ = 15%. Terms: Minimum order per order = $300. Discounts apply on a per-order basis. If payment terms exist, late payments cancel all discounts. All freight paid by buyer. All new accounts opened on credit card terms. WOLFE FX / DENTAL DISTORTIONS (SILVER) www.wolfefx.com www.dentaldistortions.com (407) 730-9820 sales@wolfefx.com 6210 All American Blvd., Orlando, FL 32810 Contact: Nigel Febland, 917-864-1685, TheFeBlandGroup@gmail.com Specialties: We focus on professional quality make-up, Dental Distortions movie teeth, and other products. The majority of our products include step-by-step, clear descriptions and images. They are available for the makeup artist as well as the everyday user. Discount: NCA Members receive 5% off wholesale price all year. Terms: $300 minimum order, FOB Orlando, Florida. Credit card payment required. ZAGONE STUDIOS, LLC (SILVER) www.zagonestudios.com Phone: (773) 509-0610 Fax (773) 509-0613 francop@zagonestudios.com 4533 W. North Ave., Melrose Park, IL 60160 Contact: Franco Pacini Specialties: Halloween masks and costumes, accessories. Discount: 5% for any orders over $500, 8% on any order over $1000. All orders must be paid with Credit Card at time of shipping or a check prior to shipping. Please provide order ship date and NCA number when ordering.
COSTUMERS.ORG
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DECEMBER 2021
MY FAVORITE COSTUME Christy Hutchinson Theatre Garage Edmonton, AB, Canada
“We made our own version of The Corpse Bride and — not to brag — but it is gorgeous. It is one of the most stunning costumes I’ve ever made for our rental collection.” —Christy Hutchinson, Theatre Garage
It was a conversation
a reality when the friends founded Theatre Garage after buying
business.
wear shop that was closing after almost 50 years in Edmonton.
that launched a costume When Christy
Hutchinson and Tessa
Stamp met while working as technicians at
The Citadel Theatre in Edmonton, AB,
Canada, an idea
began to take root:
What if they creat-
ed a company to sell
the costumes Hutch-
inson had been making
and the puppets Stamp had been crafting in
their homes? It wouldn’t
be big — just something
nized the important role it played in the community. The women read up on how to start a business and the rest, as they say, is
history: After 13 years in business, Theatre Garage remains a popular stop for costumes of all kinds in Edmonton.
With 13+ years under her belt, you might think Hutchin-
son would have trouble coming up with a favorite costume. But
when The Costumer asked, it didn’t take long for her to name The Corpse Bride.
“We made our own version of The Corpse Bride and — not
to brag — but it is gorgeous. It is one of the most stunning
costumes I’ve ever made for our rental collection,” Hutchinson says. “We usually have to rush and rush, but we really took our
time on this one because it was for our own collection and was really a big investment for us.”
Even after more than a decade, the costume rents well.
“When folks come it to try it on, it is still stunning!” Hutchin-
artistic endeavors out of
makeup it is even more beautiful!”
their living spaces. In 2009,
that idea
became
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Hutchinson had worked as a seamstress for the store and recog-
small that would allow them to move their
DECEMBER 2021
inventory from Shirley Potter’s, a local costume and dance-
COSTUMERS.ORG
son says. “It was a fun one to make. Of course, with a wig and
What is your favorite costume? To be considered for an upcoming
My Favorite Costume profile, email Editor Kathleen Furore at kfurore@yahoo.com.