The
The Official Publication of the National Costumers Association, Inc.
THE GREAT COVID COMEBACK: HOW TO STITCH TOGETHER A POST-PANDEMIC PLAN
June/July 2020
COSTUMERS.ORG
CONTENTS
6
FEATURES FEA EA AT UR E S
6 Th Thee Great Great Covid Covid Comeback: Comeback:
How Ho w To To Stitch Stitch Together Tog o ether a Post-Pandemic Post-Pandemic Plan Plan
By Kathleen Kathleen F Fur urore
From r the F Front ront Lines 11 F 16
S Shop hop owners owners share share their stories stories
16 Pandemics Pandemics and the Costume Costume Connect Connection onnection How How past cr crises ises impacted impacted the industry industr y
DEPARTMENTS DE DEPAR PAR T ME N TS 18 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
Marion Bradley 2021* Discount Costumes 1736 Watson Blvd. Warner Robins, GA 31093 478-929-3500 NCApresident21@gmail.com
TREASURER
VICE PRESIDENT
Pam Markel 2021* Illusive Skull Costume Castle 1314 Morgantown Ave. Fairmont, WV 26554 304-363-4785 Fax 304-366-9850 info@illusiveskull.com
Louella Torrence 2021* Drop Me A Line Costume Shop 1050 Lehigh Street Allentown, PA 610-435-7481 Fax 610-435-7428 dropmealine@rcn.com
DIRECTOR
DIRECTOR
Gene Flaharty 2021* Mehron 100 Red Schoolhouse Road Chestnut Ridge, NY 10977 845-426-1700 Fax 845-426-1515 gflaharty@mehron.com
Dwayne Ibsen 2021* Ibsen Costume Gallery 4981 Hamilton St. Omaha, NE 68132 402-556-1400 Fax 402-556-5727 ibsencostumes@ gmail.com
DIRECTOR
DIRECTOR
Tyler Volz 2021* Spotlight Characters 1140 N. Walton Blvd. #3 Bentonville, AR 72712 479-696-4500
DIRECTOR
Louella Torrence 2020* Drop Me A Line Costume Shop 1050 Lehigh Street Allentown, PA 610-435-7481 Fax 610-435-7428 dropmealine@rcn.com
Linda Adams-Foat 2021* Camelot Costumes, LLC 1321 S. Demeter Dr. Freeport, IL 61032 815-233-1861 camelot7@comcast.net
DIRECTOR
Lori Hammes 2021* Curtains Up Costumes 100 Kramer Street Sigourney, IA 52591 641-622-5991 Contact@ CurtainsUpCostumes.com
2020 STANDING COMMITTEE CHAIRS Buyer’s Group: NCA Home Office Staff The Costumer/Roster/Publications: Ed Avis Associates Disaster & Grievance: Pam Markel, Illusive Skull Costume Castle Executive Director Liaison: Marion Bradley, Discount Costume Historian: NCA Home Office Staff Membership: Gene Flaherty, Mehron Memorial Fund/National Awards: Linda Adams-Foat, Camelot Costumes, LLC Nominations: Linda Adams-Foat, Camelot Costumes, LLC Plot Service: Lori Hammes, Curtains Up Costumes Policy & Procedures: Linda Adams-Foat, Camelot Costumes, LLC Publications Liaison: Pam Markel, Illusive Skull Costume Castle Time & Place: Dwayne Ibsen, Ibsen Costume Gallery and Pam Markel, Illusive Skull Costume Castle Web Site: Louella Torrence, Drop Me A Line Costume Shop Bereavement: Terri Greenberg, HALCO Social Media: Janine Caufield, Caufield’s and Tyler Volz, Spotlight Characters
Have You Paid Your 2020 Dues? Don’t risk missing out on all of the new benefits we are developing,
*indicates end of current term
ranging from educational webinars to business-building
Like the NCA on Facebook!
programs. Pay your dues today!
Go to www.costumers.org and look for the Facebook link at the bottom of the page!
QUESTIONS? Email Ed Avis at executivedirector@costumers.org
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PRESIDENT ’S LETTER Presidential greetings from Georgia, Wow, what a crazy, unexpected ride this has been! I have spoken to quite a few NCA members who said 2020 started off better than expected and continued in an uptick until it all came to a halt in mid-March. We’ve known we would have to continue to contend with 30-day Pop Up stores and online shops grabbing our sales—but nothing could have prepared us for the COVID-19 crisis! But, just like any unexpected life event or curveball thrown our way, this gives us a chance to show how resilient we are. To be a business owner, you have to have determination, grit, and a good mind set to make it all happen. Having a great organization such as the National Costumer’s Association on your side can make things much easier to handle. From webinars to virtual roundtables to great articles, the NCA has been offering a myriad of things to help our members. Because our shops are all different, not everything will apply to your business—but I feel comfortable in saying we are offering “something for everyone.” There are at least 10 webinars posted at www.costumers.org (click on the search bar at the top and put in “webinars” to find those we have done this year). Several recent webinars have information to help us through this crisis: “Coronavirus and Costume Shops,” “Improving a Costume Shop Website,” “Generating Online Sales,” and “Reopening Your Costume Shop.” Besides owning a costume store, I also have a party store rental company. My costume store has been 100 percent down, with the exception of people making appointments for specific items. On the other hand, my rental company—although down initially by 95 percent—has seen an upswing in sales as people have gotten tired of being inside. We are looking forward to opening up both stores at 100 percent, but we know that it will be an uphill battle. What helps me to remain calm and not get so stressed is thinking about a large scripture I have on the front counter in my costume store: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you, and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future— Jeremiah 29:11.” And, when I need some laughter I go to the Facebook page of Louella Torrence from Drop Me A Line Costume Shop. On a regular basis since the end of March, Louella has been putting on a costume and fabricating a great “quarantine” story to go along with the costume. Make sure you “like” her on Facebook and check her out! And finally, I want to give a big shout-out to those NCA members who stepped up and helped make 1,594 masks for those who needed them. I also want to say “thanks” to our executive director, Ed Avis, for all the extra work he has done in getting as much information out to us as possible. And remember: #we’reallinthistogether and #thistooshallpass! Until next time, Marion Bradley, President National Costumers Association Discount Costumes, Warner Robins, Georgia JUNE/JULY 2020
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NCA National Headquarters Ed Avis Executive Director P.O. Box 13347 Chicago, IL 60613 708-646-2799 pub@costumers.org
The Costumer Publications Office Ed Avis Associates P.O. Box 13347 Chicago, IL 60613 708-646-2799 pub@costumers.org Ad Sales Ed Avis 708-646-2799 pub@costumers.org Editorial Inquiries Kathleen Furore 708-267-0023 kfurore@yahoo.com Art Director Michelle Crisanti michelle@mc2chicago.com ©2020, 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 Great COVID
Comeback
a How to stitch together a post-pandemic plan WITH
ALL OF THE RUMORS AND RECOMMENDATIONS SWIRLING AROUND
ABOUT WHEN LIFE WILL RETURN TO SOME SEMBLANCE OF NORMAL, IT’S
HARD TO KNOW HOW TO PLAN FOR THE FUTURE. SINCE GETTING BACK TO BUSINESS LIKELY WILL HAPPEN IN FITS AND STARTS (AND PROBABLY WILL DEPEND ON WHAT’S HAPPENING FROM A HEALTH PERSPECTIVE IN YOUR COM-
MUNITY), IT’S IMPORTANT TO REMAIN LASER-FOCUSED ON HOW YOU CAN KEEP CUSTOMERS ENGAGED—AND HOPEFULLY KEEP MONEY COMING IN—
UNTIL YOU’RE FINALLY ABLE TO HANG THE “OPEN” SIGN ON YOUR COSTUME SHOP’S DOOR.
NCA Board Members Share Tips About Rebuilding #1 Plan a “Freebies with Purchase.” NCA
President Marion Bradley of Discount Costumes in Warner Robins, Georgia, delivered free balloon arrangements to people who placed an order totaling $20 or more during this down-turn.
#2 Make the Most of Makeup. Tyler Volz of Spotlight
Characters in Bentonville, Arkansas, is tapping into TikTok to help promote and sell makeup products his shop carries (Google TikTok makeup if you aren’t familiar with the TikTok makeup craze!). According to Volz, people are taking to TikTok to post side-by-side images of their pre- and post- made-up faces…so he is offering online tutorials showing how to create a variety of characters using makeup from his shop. “For example, I’ll post a picture of myself as Jafar [from Aladdin] and say, ‘Do you want to see the transformation?’” Volz explains. Louella Torrence He then walks through the store, showing the products from vendors including Mehron and Ben Nye that he’s used to create the look. The next step: putting together a kit with everything customers need to transform into Jafar. “I encourage people to buy makeup and then share a picture of themselves and tag the makeup brand and the place where they purchased it,” Volz says. “A lot of people, including makeup artists and just people in general, are using this time to learn new skills and stay relevant.” Stores can use makeup they offer to do the same. Volz notes that Mehron even has video tutorials available at mehron.com that shops can post and then create makeup kits using the products shown in the videos.
#3 Re-consider Refunds. Like many independent costumers afraid of what the shut-down would do to prospects for their long-term survival, Dwayne Ibsen of Ibsen Costume Gallery in Omaha, Nebraska, had decided not to refund deposits for canceled orders. That changed when someone gently advised him to take the high (albeit financially frightening) road, since those customers likely will be the ones who remain
loyal and continue to patronize the business down the road. If you’re still hesitant to offer a full refund, consider offering customers the option of taking a 50% (or some percent) discount off a future order.
#4 Focus on the Funny. Humor is helping everyone
weather quarantine status. Louella Torrence of Drop Me A Line Costume Shop in Allentown, Pennsylvania, is doing her part by posting funny photos/videos on her Facebook page to keep online visitors smiling.
#5 Get Crafty. Lori Hammes of Fiddle Dee Dee in Keota,
Iowa, is making and selling craft kits that include an 8”x8” board with a stencil applied to them. (picture top left). “If people need to purchase paints and brushes there is an additional charge for those items,” Hammes says. “And then we also charge for shipping if they aren’t local or don’t want to pick it up curbside at my store.” Hammes says she didn’t offer the kits prequarantine but got the idea from the larger version of the kit she offers in her store’s makerspace. “I knew kids would be going stir crazy and parents were running out of ideas—and patience!— with all of our schools closed in Iowa,” she explains. “So after a few requests from some of my loyal customers, I put the kits together. I’ve sold almost as many kits to adults as I have to kiddos, so I guess people of all ages are feeling the need to be creative right now.” She also is considering making costume kits, too. “We have an abundance of pretty well-used costume pieces and accessories that would be great for young people that like to play dress-up. With schools being closed statewide and a lot of parents still working or working from home, we thought it would be a good way to have some revenue coming in, while also movTyler Volz as Jafar ing some of those pieces that would otherwise go unused,” Hammes says. “Our thought was to do some different themes: pirates, princesses, and the like. “I’ll just reiterate that I think anything to keep kiddos busy right now is good!” Hammes continues. “And I think some of us are going back to our roots...I’ve sewn more in the last two weeks than I have since being involved in 4H in the early 90’s!” COSTUMERS.ORG
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Ideas Provide Lifeline for Theatrical Rental Shops It’s undeniably a tough time for costumers. And those whose businesses focus on theatrical rentals are navigating a particularly rough road as schools and community theaters cancel their long-planned spring productions, with no guarantee that the stage lights will be turned back on in the fall. What’s a business owner to do? Here, the NCA offers six ways to keep your costume rental business top-of-mind with both past and prospective customers.
#1 Embrace e-Learning Virtual school days have
become the norm…and schools from coast to coast are desperate for lessons that will keep students engaged online. Some are continuing online learning through the summer, and some already have announced they will be doing it for the fall semester, too. Here are some ideas about how you can help teachers engage their students online.
*Contact your local school district to offer special prices for teachers who might want to rent costumes and accessories for themed e-learning days, possibly tied into a history, geography or art lesson. *Reach out to local school and community theater programs to ask if they’re planning online events during the shut-down. Offer to sell or rent costumes for the online performers, possibly at discounted prices. For example, the Atlanta Acting School has launched a new Virtual Programs for Kids & Teens, with all classes held via Zoom. Could your business be part of something like this in your community?
#2 Be Part of Social Distancing Celebrations.
Laura Feist-Roche at Happy Daze Costumes in Norwalk, Connecticut is doing no-contact 15-minute performances for people who need characters. She booked 70 Easter Bunny performances and has done at least one gorilla since then. She has actors and charges for this service. Many people are looking for ways to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, proms, graduations and other key events while staying at least six feet apart—so let your community know your business can help them do that by delivering celebratory messages dressed in costume.
#3 Go Social with Promotions! Promote everything
you’re doing on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest or any other social media forum, and keep reminding your online audience that you can provide costumes and make-up at discounted prices at a moment’s notice to any individual or group planning performances online.
#4 Help Save Summer. During the “old normal,” theater camps were a big draw for parents looking for ways to keep kids entertained and learning during the dog days of summer. Reach out to your local park districts and other theater programs that have held theater camp programs in the past to see JUNE/JULY 2020
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if you can help them create an online version of these popular summer offerings in a “new normal” way.
#5 Hold an Online Raffle or Auction—or both!
Do you have any costumes customers might love to buy—perhaps something from a particularly popular show you’ve costumed? Are there local schools and theaters that might relish the chance to win a prize or big discount on future projects? Selling raffle tickets could bring in money in small increments right away, while an auction might generate bids for a bigger payout.
#6 Fundraise. You might consider asking for monetary
help a last resort—but if it’s one of the only ways to bring in much-needed funds, perhaps it’s something you should seriously consider. For example, All Dressed Up Costumes in Batavia, Illinois—a business that celebrated its 30th birthday in January and relies largely on theatrical rentals—created a Save the Theater Costume Shop fundraising campaign and had raised $6,395 (goal of $10,000) as of June 3. To show appreciation, the business is offering a tiered level of donor perks. The perks range from a personalized “Thank You” message on the company’s website for anyone who gives up to $25 to a private party for up to 10 people that includes drinks, hors d’oeuvres and a personalized performance by professional actors for donors who give $2,000. There are many levels in between. You can learn more about the fundraiser and perks at gofundme.com/f/save-the-theatre-costume-shop.
Mask It!
While many states are lifting stay-athome orders and allowing businesses Masks from Los Barrios Mexican to re-open, nothing Restaurant, San Antonio is likely going to be “business as usual” for some time. And whatever the next several months (or longer) bring, masks are going to be a big part of the picture for your customers and local businesses in your community. In addition to making masks to sell to your customers, consider reaching out to local businesses whose employees must wear masks. Restaurants, for example, are starting to reopen and all front- and back-of-house staff will have to wear masks to comply with new safety recommendations. Could your shop become their source for masks— maybe custom made with the restaurant’s logo on the front? Restaurants and other popular businesses in your area might even like to buy enough of the masks to sell to their customers!
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FROM THE FRONT LINES Costume shop owners share post-pandemic tales By Kathleen Furore
As stores slowly reopen across the country, costume businesses are reflecting on the challenges they’ve faced during the past few months while doing all they can to get sales moving once again. An NCA member survey in mid-May revealed that almost everyone had experienced a tremendous loss of business since the March shut down. “In fact, it was surprising to see that 10 percent of the respondents actually had business that was the same as before,” says Ed Avis, the NCA’s executive director, who noted that only 20 percent of survey respondents hadn’t been forced to lay off staff. Here, NCA members Caren Bricker, owner of Vintage Ooollee in Augusta, Georgia; Janine Caufield, an owner of Caufield’s in Louisville, Kentucky; and Helen Goncalves from Metro Boutique in Portland, Oregon, offer an inside look at how their businesses are rebuilding and what they predict lies ahead. (Comments are from an NCA webinar held May 28 and have been edited for space and clarity.) THE COSTUMER: WHAT ARE SOME SAFETY MEASURES YOU’VE PUT IN PLACE? Goncalves: Our sales are final for anything for the face like wigs or sunglasses and we limit how much people can touch things—we put that stuff in the back of the store. Bricker: We wear masks, we request our customers to wear masks. We have marks on the floor, we have hand sanitizer. The other thing I was concerned about—because I sell vintage clothing and rent costumes—was, ‘What do I do with the clothes that people have tried on?’ I spoke with someone and what we came up with was I’m steaming them because they say that a certain temperature and humidity will kill the virus and that was the best resolution I could come up with. I have a rack for everybody to return anything that is tried on so we can be sure we steam those items. I would do it right away. The only reason I would postpone it would be because I was busy helping other people. Caufield: Before we opened up, we had to submit a proposal to the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and we had to ensure that we took care of our employees and our customers. So every day, at the back door before our employees come in, I have to take their temperature. They are required to wear a mask when we have customers in the building. We have hand sanitizers throughout the whole building. There are no exchanges, no refunds. If someone comes in without a mask, I have one there for them…there’s a sign on the door, but if they feel like they don’t want to, I’m not going to be the police and say you’ve got to put a mask on. We require the six feet [of social distancing], which we’ve got marked on the floor, and we have the plastic for the cashier register. If anybody touches the keypad with their credit card or anything, [employees] automatically wipe the counter down before the next transaction.
The Costumer: What about makeup? Caufield: I have a makeup artist who handles [demos] in a very sterile way. We have Q-tips and pads and we do not let the customers double dip. We have sample boards, but we don’t have them where customers can get to them. If they’re interested in makeup, we can get it out for them and we get little Q-tips and let them try it on. We’ve always done that— there’s not been a change. Goncalves: We have removed all testers and, unfortunately, we are no longer allowing anybody to test the makeup. Bricker: I follow the same lines that Janine does…no double dipping allowed. I keep the makeup, the samples, behind the counter, so we have to pull them out for people to see. I usually do the makeup demo, so I’m controlling it.
Vintage Ooollee’s t-shirt design for the “We Give a Shirt” campaign COSTUMERS.ORG
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THE COSTUMER: HOW ARE YOU PREPARING FOR HALLOWEEN AND HAS THAT CHANGED SINCE THE PANDEMIC? Goncalves: We already had placed our orders. I have not added any new orders. I really don’t know what Halloween is going to be like this year…I’m not spending any more money for anything that I haven’t already ordered until I see sales change in maybe the end of the summer. [I have not canceled any orders] at this moment. Bricker: When I first closed, the first thing I did was I inventoried anything that I would have to order, like makeup and wigs...I haven’t placed any orders. The tricky part for me is going to be the whole steaming [process], and holding something for 24 hours…I guess I’ll have to make a list [of people] who may want to try it on, because I will hold a costume for 24 hours before I let somebody else try it on—even after steaming it, I think that that’s the prudent thing to do, because we don’t know. There aren’t enough answers. Caufield: When this happened, I put all my orders on hold because I don’t want all this big stuff coming in right now. I’ve heard through the grapevine—I don’t know how true it is, but I might as well just say it: Party City should be filing bankruptcy is what I’ve heard, and they’re expecting it to be a good Halloween. We’ve lowered several of our orders…I don’t know what the future holds. I just worry that if we have a spike, they might cancel Halloween. THE COSTUMER: DID YOU HAVE ONLINE SALES DURING THE COVID CRISIS, AND IF SO, WILL YOU CONTINUE WITH THAT OPTION?
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Bricker: I did not have online sales. Originally, I just had a vintage clothing store and then a local costume shop that had been here in town for 50 years closed. I got the opportunity to buy their inventory, which made me into a costume rental and a vintage shop. I never had gotten around to that. Now I hope to be going live within the next month—we are working on that right now. Caufield: We’ve always had online. While we were closed, our community really supported us with curbside pickup and ordering through Amazon or through Ebay. We will continue doing that. I would say that that’s what kept our lights on and paid our bills while we were closed. Goncalves: Unfortunately, we never had a website. This store has been around for 20 years and since this all came down, I’ve been working on a website to go live. THE COSTUMER: WHAT DID YOU DO FOR ORDERS THAT WERE PLACED BEFORE THE CRISIS HIT? Bricker: When we closed, I was in the middle of six plays. Three of them went out right before we closed and three of them canceled. I didn’t know what to do. One was a very good customer, a school that rents a lot. They called and said, ‘Send us a bill for the fittings and what you’ve done,’ and I did. They were gracious about it and happy to pay. I told another person I had rented to, ‘I’d be happy to give you a refund, but if you would be willing to take a gift certificate, if I could do that, that would be helpful to me because of this but I understand
because of the pandemic if you need the money.’ They said, ‘No, I’ll take a gift certificate, because I know I’ll be renting again.’ That was a good suggestion to go that route. THE COSTUMER: DID YOU DO SOMETHING SPECIAL TO GENERATE ATTENTION DURING THIS TIME? Bricker: I personally didn’t do it, but a local business downtown did this campaign called We Give A Shirt campaign. They ran the whole thing. I requested a T-shirt, they designed it, they put it on their website, they promoted it, they did a sale that only went for seven days, which created this sense of urgency. They charged $20 a shirt and had to get 50 orders to do it to make it cost-effective. Then they shipped the shirt to the person. They gave me $10 of every $20 they got. So, I got $780 because I sold 78 shirts…then I turned around and spent some of the money and bought more T-shirts to have in my shop to sell because I had so many people requesting them. It put my name out there in a way I never saw coming. Another thing I am working on…I pull old costumes all during the year because we end up getting in rental costumes that have seen better days. Instead of just taking them to the
THE VENDOR PERSPECTIVE NCA Executive Director Ed Avis recently chatted with several of NCA’s vendor members about how they are navigating the coronavirus crisis. “Every vendor I spoke with is confident that our industry will rebound—that the love of costuming is not going away. And everyone is happy that Halloween will be on a Saturday!” Avis recalls. “Halloween will be interesting— people are going to want to have a party!” said Janine Wardale, owner of Graftobian, who thinks happy, glittery, glitzy costumes will be in demand at Halloween. We’ve seen enough real death and misery lately, she asserts, so people will want something cheery come October. Sean Morris of Morris Costumes echoed Wardale’s thought: “Halloween will be as strong as ever. Everybody has been cooped up and will be wanting to get out.”
BEING INNOVATIVE
Many vendors are being innovative as they await better times. Kalan has been selling “Back off, I’m social distancJUNE/JULY 2020
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Goodwill or donating them somewhere, in the summertime when it’s slower for costume rentals, I do a dollar rack. Many times, these things are worth more than a dollar—but it’s the best free advertising I’ve ever done. So, I am prepping my dollar rack and I’m going to send out an email to a group of theater people first and let them come in…then after that, I will put that on Facebook. That usually generates a good bit of business for me. THE COSTUMER: HOW DO YOU BELIEVE YOUR SALES WILL BE AFFECTED OVERALL THIS YEAR? Goncalves: I think they will be down 40 to 50 percent…it’s going to be scary. Caufield: We expect it to probably be down, but it really depends on if they open it wide up or if there are going to be Halloween parties. I mean it’s really iffy, it’s kind of up in the air. We’re hoping that it’s going to be up but we’re buying like it’s going to be down. I’m not buying a lot of new stuff this year. I’m going to try to go with what we’ve got.
ing” buttons and other Covid-19-related items their retail customers can sell by the cash register. “Stylus pens are also flying out the door, because people don’t want to touch anything,” Kalan president Dan Shoemaker said. Kryolan has tapped its makeup manufacturing skills to produce hand sanitizer, while Morris Costumes has been sewing medical masks to help keep frontline workers safe.
VIDEO ENGAGEMENT
Some vendors have been posting videos to keep customers engaged. Mehron has been live-streaming makeup lessons and has videos that stores can post on their own sites. Videos that emulate canceled tradeshows are also a trend. Graftobian created a video that shows off their makeup products for Halloween, and Zagone made a video showcasing Halloween haunt décor.
INTACT SUPPLY CHAIN
Another positive note is that the costume supply chain seems mostly intact. “We want to let the costumers know that we’re producing our entire line, so
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when they’re ready we’ll have it available,” said Gihan Gabor of Dreamgirl. “We’ll have plenty of inventory,” echoed David Coggin of Disguise, who says characters from the movies Trolls and Frozen, and video game costumes such as Halo are expected to sell well for Halloween 2020. Of course, not everything is rosy in the vendors’ world. There have been many canceled or reduced orders, which has caused many layoffs. It will take a long time—and some amazing holidays—to make up for this crisis. But in the end, the industry is sticking together—and that’s what will help everyone survive. As Leslie Wandell of Ellie Shoes concludes, “We are hopeful that all of our beloved NCA members are staying healthy and safe and that we can all survive this uncertain time together. Ellen [Renger] and I spoke today, and she did want me to mention that she was so touched and heart warmed to see NCA members making masks and stepping up to help out. This is why we love our industry so much. She said keep up the good work, and we can’t wait to do business again soon!”
SPECIAL ARTICLE
Pandemics and the Costume Connection: How past crises impacted the industry By Kathleen Furore Are you at the point that you just can’t take any more negative coronavirus news? Are you trying to find that proverbial light at the end of this Covid-19 tunnel? To lighten the mood, we bring you a quick trip back in time for a look at costumes inspired by past global health crises.
in sight, word started circulating that the disease was caused by “foul smelling air” called ‘miasmas’… and that led to the “Cholera Preventive costume” that includes an acacia tree, a juniper bush, a branch of acorns, a pitcher of water, and herbs and perfumed tea. According to the Science Museum Group, the caption on the print depicting the costume ends with a warning: “By exactly following these instructions you may be certain that the cholera…will attack you first.”
The 14th Century Bubonic Plague. During this pandemic, doctors wore birdlike masks filled with vinegar “to counteract the smell of death,” according to a story from KPBS News. Flash forward three centuries and the Plague Doctor mask had become a must for Venetians at their annual carnival. The masks remain popular today, especially for Steampunk fans.
The 1830s Cholera Epidemic. Cholera hit England in 1831. With no cure JUNE/JULY 2020
The 1918 Spanish Influenza. Did
Copper engraving of Doctor Schnabel (i.e., Dr. Beak), a plague doctor in seventeenthcentury Rome, circa 1656.
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you know one of today’s most ubiquitous costumes—the zombie—may have its roots in the 1918 Spanish flu? According to an October 2019 story at theconversation.com zombie-like creatures were featured in
works by horror writer H.P. Lovecraft. “Surrounded by the pandemic’s ghastly atmosphere,” Lovecraft “channeled this climate into his stories of the period—producing corpsefilled tales with infectious atmospheres from which sprang lurching, flesheating invaders who left bloody corpses in their wake,” the article notes.
What Lies Ahead. Will Halloween 2020 see COVID-19 costumes abound? Will face masks be a required part of Halloween costumes? It’s too soon to tell… but it’s practically a given that coronavirus 2020 someday will be on the list of global health crises that inspired creative costumers. What are your predictions for Halloween 2020? Send them to Kathleen Furore at kfurore@yahoo.com.
The 2009 Swine Flu/H1N1. After this modern-day pandemic hit, myriad renditions of costumes featuring pig noses and surgical masks popped up for Halloween.
Print. Lithograph, hand coloured, `Cholera preventive costume’. London, Published by T. McLean, 26, Haymarket, March 1832.
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P R O D U C T PA R A D E Dress Up America’s Children’s
“Hat Couture” Hat Making Book from Judith M. Marianne
and affordable, this costume features a blue
hat designer with
Colonial Patriot Costume. Fancy
jacket with decorative golden buttons, an
attached grey vest, white jabot and cuffs to sharpen the look, and a back zipper
closure. The pants, designed with an elastic band for comfortable fit, can be topped
off with the black boot covers that can be secured easily around the legs. When
kids don the the tri-corner hat and wig included with the costume, they’ll be ready to recreate a role as one of the
founding fathers of the United States of America! Available in Toddler 4,
Small, Medium, Large and X-Large. Call for
Jongkind is a Dutch more than 55 years
of experience in hat
making. She creates
couture hats under her own name as well as
for established fashion
designers. This 208-page book is published in English and Dutch and can be enjoyed by anyone interested in hat making, whether you are a beginning or an
experienced hat maker. The book features step-by-step
instructions for 22 hat projects, along with photos. judithm.com
details on our Mascot sale!
718-436-0031; dressupamerica.com JWY Costume’s Cupcake Tutu. A single layer tulle ballet tutu designed to top cakes and cupcakes for birthdays, weddings and other celebrations. Each single layer tutu skirt is attached to fine, expandable elastic and can fan out to 2.36 inches (6cm)—big enough
Underwraps’ Tiger Collection.
Whether your customers want to recre-
ate the popular Tiger King star from the hit Netflix series in all his
glory, or dress their kids in tigerthemed costumes, this collection from Underwaps has everything they’ll need! Items
include the adult-size Tiger Shirt, Mullet Wig and Crown
Necklace (pictured; sold separately) and infant
and toddler-size Brown Tiger costume
(pictured). Adult Tiger Headpiece, kids’ Brown Tiger Animal Pack with headpiece and paws;
to fit a regular to extra-large cupcake. Each pack includes 10 tiny tulle tutus; available in pink, white, black, rosy, and purple. 408-757-2717; costumedecorproduction.com JUNE/JULY 2020
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COSTUMERS.ORG
and 16-inch Plush Tiger also available.
818-349-5300; underwrapscostumes.com
Morris Costumes’ Reaper’s Ride and Looming Clown Walkthrough. The full-size Reaper
(#MR124764) sits atop an eerie
steed from the underworld. When
activated, his mouth moves as he says
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.
one of six phrases while the horse bucks
its head and kicks its front legs.
Standing at a towering 10 feet tall,
the Looming
Clown Walkthrough
(#MR124761) is truly
an impressive piece! Once
activated, his eyes light up,
his torso rocks side-to-side,
and his mouth moves as he
says one of five phrases.
704-332-3304; support@
morriscostumes.com; mor-
riscostumes.com
Like the NCA on Facebook!
Rubie’s Wonder Woman Child Dress-up Set. This
set (Item #G40225) is perfect for
Go to www.costumers.org and look for the Facebook link at the bottom of the page!
young fans of the Wonder Woman character. The ensemble includes
a red and blue gold trimmed tutu dress with the iconic Wonder
Woman logo. The costume also
includes a belt, matching cape, and handbag to complete the look of Wonder Woman!
516-326-1500; Rubies.com COSTUMERS.ORG
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JUNE/JULY 2020
MY FAVORITE COSTUME Gayle Vaartjes, Owner The Kostume Room Wyoming, Michigan Kostumeroom.com In 1993, their children in school full time, Gayle Vaartjes and her sister Tammy were looking for a way to fill their time. They’d always made their children’s Halloween costumes— so they decided to turn those creative skills into a homemade costume business. “The quality was never that good with purchased [costumes], and we both enjoyed making our own costumes,” Gayle recalls. “We thought that if our kids loved these homemade costumes so much that maybe others would like them, too.” The sisters got to work. They sold the homemade costumes their own kids had worn, and used the $200 they made to buy fabric to craft more costumes with their mom’s help. And so, their consignment store, Kostumes for Kids, was born. “Our first year in business was so successful that we decided to keep it going,” Gayle says. Here, Gayle describes how Kostumes for Kids grew from a small consignment shop into The Kostume Room, the shop she operates with her husband, Randy, along with “one amazing part-time employee, Terri, and a fantastic group of employees during the Halloween season” in Wyoming, Michigan. The Costumer: What did you do after year #1? Vaartjes: We opened a temporary store at a local mall for the Halloween season and changed our business name to The Kostume Room. We continued the temporary store for six years. We would run the business off season in my sister’s JUNE/JULY 2020
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How are you handling the current crisis? Vaartjes: We have been through so much—from 911 in 2001 to the recession in 2008 and now the pandemic of 2020. The shut-down has been as difficult for us as it has been for everyone. Financially it has been scary and worrisome, but I am taking it one day at a time. Retailers are now able to completely open with all the safety measures. We have chosen to open four days a week with shorter hours until we see more traffic. With most summer events canceled, I personally don’t see it picking up until Halloween. We are trying to be optimistic, and our faith helps, too. The shut-down has given us time to give the place a fresh coat of paint and nice clean, shiny floors. I cannot wait to see my customers again. I miss them all so much.
basement. We grew so much that we had to find a permanent home for the shop. In August of 2001 we purchased a building and took a huge leap of faith that it would continue to be successful. In 2004 I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Once I recovered I wanted to give back somehow. I have been a wig bank ever since and provide a free wig to women going through hair loss. And in 2008, my sister left the business to take care of our mom. I will always cherish our time together. We had so much fun! The Costumer: A lot has happened during the time you’ve been in business.
COSTUMERS.ORG
The Costumer: Through all of the ups and downs, what are some of the favorite costumes you’ve worked with—things that bring back happy memories for you? Vaartjes: I think my most memorable costumes are my mascots. They have been at so many birthday parties, parades and different events through the years and bring so much joy to others. Another favorite are my mother’s vintage dresses. My mother made these dresses back in the day and kept them all these years. She gave them to me and I cherish them so much. What is your favorite costume? To be considered for an upcoming My Favorite Costume profile, email Editor Kathleen Furore at kfurore@yahoo.com.
