Summer 2023 Costumer Magazine

August 4-6, 2023

NCA ADMINISTRATION

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President

Pam Markel

Illusive Skull Costume Castle

1314 Morgantown Ave.

Fairmont, WV 26554

info@illusiveskull.com

304-476-7927

Term ends: 2025

immediate Past

President

Marion Bradley

Discount Costumes

1736 Watson Blvd

Warner Robins, GA 31093

balloonsnpartiesinfo@ gmail.com

478-396-1204

Term ends: 2024

Vice President

Janine Caufield

Caufield’s

1006 West Main St. Louisville, KY 40202

Janine@caufields.com

502-727-5682

Term ends: 2024

treasurer

Louella Torrence

Drop Me a Line Costume

Shop

3600 Catherine Ave. Allentown, PA 18103

dropmealine@rcn.com

610-360-5498

Term ends: 2023

director

Gene Flaharty

Mehron

100 Red Schoolhouse Road

Chestnut Ridge, NY 10977

845-426-1700

Fax 845-426-1515

gflaharty@mehron.com

Term ends: 2023

director

Courtland Hickey

Chicago Costume

1120 W. Fullerton Ave. Chicago, IL 60614

courtland@chicagocostume. com

773-528-1264

Term ends: 2025

director

Dwayne Ibsen

Ibsen Costume Gallery

4981 Hamilton St.

Omaha, NE 68132

402-556-1400

Fax 402-556-5727

ibsencostumes@ gmail.com

Term ends: 2024

director

Brandon Lilly

The Life of the Party

4025 S. Mason St., Ste B. Fort Collins, CO 80525 brandon.lilly@goodsforgeeks. com

970-414-0857

Term ends: 2025 director

Terry Sinopoli

Arlene’s Costumes

1156 Culver Rd. Rochester, NY 14609

terry@arlenescostumes.com

585-662-9942

Term ends: 2025

2023 STANDING COMMITTEE CHAIRS

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

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

Farewell Greetings from Fairmont WV

As August approaches, my term as president is coming to an end. This will be my last message as president of the National Costumers Association. It is a bittersweet moment for me. These past two years have been exciting, challenging, and educational to say the least. All the past presidents have left their signature on this wonderful organization. Their examples have guided me through the ins and outs of being president. I think it’s fair to say that with any job or position you hold, you grow in stature. The position of president of the NCA has forced me to reach outside my comfort zone, to explore my inner strength and mental capability and come to terms with what I could and could not do. I have never once regretted the time and effort I have invested in this association. If I gave 100 percent of myself, which I tried to do, it is still not be enough to repay the wealth of knowledge and friendships I have taken away.

My main goal as president was to move this organization forward in a positive way. The NCA needed to restructure its focus and change with the times. As I have been reading and organizing the history of the NCA for our 100th celebration in August, I am continually amazed at the creativity and dedication of our past members. The nine charter members of this organization in 1923 wanted the same things we want now. They wanted success, they wanted their businesses to be recognized as legitimate places of employment, and they wanted to create and sell the best, most interesting products they could make or buy. They wanted an organization to belong to where like shop owners could support each other and share ideas and struggles. They had their problems, but they did what it took to keep the association going, to keep the group moving forward as a whole.

Each of us joined the National Costumers Association because we loved costuming, and we loved designing. We, too, needed a place to share our ideas, solve our costuming problems, and make friends/mentors who held the same goals as we did. It is my hope that we will all strive to support this great organization and help it continue to grow.

It has been a pleasure and honor to serve as your president these past two years. I appreciate the support and confidence you have shown me, as I endeavored to build up and strengthen this wonderful association. I am deeply thankful for an amazing Board of Directors, who supported me and worked tirelessly to make this organization more relevant and worthwhile for its members.

Our 100th birthday celebration is August 4 through August 6 in Indianapolis, Indiana. How exciting for an organization to reach this milestone. I hope you are all considering coming to the party, and reconnecting with old friends and meeting new ones.

Respectfully,

Pam Markel, President National Costumers Association

Illusive Skull Costume Castle, Fairmont, West Virginia

©2023, 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

Get ready for the Birthday Bash!

The countdown is on! The NCA’s 100th Birthday Bash is weeks away, and we’re hoping we see you there. The registrations are streaming in, the hotel is filling up, and plans for an amazing event are underway. Have you registered yet?

This once-in-a-century event will feature lots of socializing and networking. Old friends from decades past will mingle with new members full of entrepreneurial energy. The ideas and enthusiasm will flow like electricity through the meeting spaces, meals, parties and educational events.

Education will play a key part in the event. Attendees will learn how to make masks, maximize social media, sell products beyond Halloween, and much more.

Indianapolis, which is the birthplace of the NCA, will be the fun-filled backdrop to the weekend’s festivities. The city is full of activities for families with children, so bring the kids! (See a list of venues and activities on page 8.)

All events will take place at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Indianapolis North, 3912 Vincennes Road. The fee to attend is $279, which includes Friday and Saturday night dinners, Saturday lunch, and all four educational events. The hotel rate is $139/night and includes breakfast and high-speed internet. The NCA has reserved a block of rooms; call 317-872-7700 to make a reservation.

Read details about this extraordinary event in the following pages…and then, if you haven’t done so already, register today! The registration form is on page 8, and you can register online at www.costumers.org.

See you in August!

THANK YOU, SPONSORS!

We are especially grateful to the four Centennial Sponsors whose generosity is helping make the 100th Birthday Bash a success. Thank you:

The Schedule

FRIDAY AUGUST 4, 2023

1-5 pm Registration in the lobby

3-5 pm Porpoise practice in the pool

6-7 pm Cocktail hour/Meet and greet new and old friends (cash bar). Ballroom A, B, C, D

7-9:30 pm Opening Night Party: “Harrelson’s Hideout, a 1920s Speakeasy.” To get in the swing of things, adorn yourself in a 1920s costume and be ready for a good time. Costumes are optional but appreciated. Bring some cash for the Silent Auction! Ballroom A, B, C, D

SATURDAY AUGUST 5TH, 2023

8-9 am Breakfast in the hotel gathering area.

9:15-9:30 am Welcome in the main ballroom

9:45-11:00 am Class: “Behind Every Mask There is a Face…. and Behind Every Face There is a Story.” Madrid Room. Attendees will learn how to create an elaborate mask that tells your story for the Bal Masque banquet.

11:15-12:15 pm Class: “Marketing Beyond the Basics.” Madrid Room. Whether YouTube, Instagram, Tik Tok or something new, social media and digital marketing are critical for your business.

12:15-1:15 pm Buffet lunch – Greenhouse Area

1:30-2:30 pm Class: “To Halloween and Beyond.” Madrid Room. Learn how to sell beyond Halloween: diversify your products, expand to new audiences, and test new marketing initiatives.

2:45-3:45 pm Class: “Between Friends: Hacks for your Business.” Madrid Room. Members will share their unique tricks for our unique businesses.

4-5 pm NCA Business Meeting. Madrid Room

5-6 pm Porpoise Review. Pool area

6-7 pm Cocktail hour (cash bar). Ballrooms A, B, C

7-10 pm Bal Masque Banquet. Ballrooms A, B, C, D

• President’s remarks and introduction of honored guests: Past Presidents, Harrelson Award Winners, Harry Palmer Award Winners, Honorary Life Membership, and Unsung Heroes.

• Presentation of Unsung Hero Award to Rachel Godollei Johnson

• Presentation of 1st Harrelson Plaque to Lester Essig’s family

• Installation of President and The Board of Directors

• Historical Presentation and Slide Show: See 100 years of NCA’s history unfold in 25-year increments!

• Cutting of the 100-year Birthday Cake

• Farewell and closing remarks by President Terry Sinopoli

• Hold hands in friendship and sing “Auld Lang Syne” (this is a long-standing NCA tradition)

The NCA Birthday Committee

The NCA Birthday Committee

Pam Markel, Illusive Skull Costume Company

Marion Bradley, Discount Costumes

Louella Torrence, Drop Me a Line Costume Shop

Dwayne Ibsen, Ibsen Costume Gallery

Terry Sinopoli, Arlene’s Costumes

Jim Miller, former NCA member

NCA Birthday Bash Registration Form

Register online at www.costumers.org, or complete and mail this form.

Name _______________________________________

Company ____________________________________

Address ______________________________________

City/State/Zip ________________________________

Email _______________________________________

Phone________________________________________

Name of Attendee #1

The Silent Auction

The Silent Auction will be your chance to secure some fun, useful, and/or historical items for your store or home. The auction items, donated by members and vendors, will be displayed in the ballroom along with bid sheets during the Harrelson’s Hideout party on Friday night. Each member will receive a number in their welcome packet — use that number to place bids. Bidding will end at 9 pm and winners will be announced shortly thereafter.

8 Things to Do in Indianapolis

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum

Indianapolis Zoo

White River State Park

Indianapolis Museum of Art

The Eiteljorg Museum

Name of Attendee #2

Saturday Meal Choice (indicate attendee’s choice by number)

Chicken Bruschetta - sauteed chicken breast, tomatoes and onions, fresh basil and balsamic glaze, seasonal fresh vegetables, red skinned mashed potatoes.

Skewered shrimp - garlicky-lemon grilled shrimp skewers, creamed spinach and creamy risotto.

Pasta Vegetable Scampi - red lentil pasta, seasonal vegetables, light lemon garlic sauce.

Do you have any dietary restrictions, such as allergies or sensitivities? Please describe them. ______________

Fees

___Number of attendees X $279 = ________________

__Check enclosed

__Charge my credit card: Card number

The Fashion Mall at Keystone

Garfield Park Conservatory and Sunken Garden

Expiration date__________ Security code__________

Mail completed form and payment to:

National Costumers Association

c/o Ed Avis Associates

PO Box 13347

Chicago, IL 60613

NCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS NOMINEES

One new board member and the president will be elected during the Business Meeting on Saturday at 4 pm in the Madrid Room. The candidates are as follows:

For President: Terry Sinopoli is a fourth-generation owner of Arlene’s Costumes in Rochester, New York. Terry, who has been on the NCA Board for the past two years, is Arlene’s Costumes’ marketing and customer service manager, and has worked there full time since 2014. Terry also runs the store’s face painting and temporary tattoos business, including clients like the Buffalo Bills.

For Director: Anne Dorsey is the owner of McCabe’s Costumes in Winterville, North Carolina. Anne opened her store in 2020 and has been involved in costuming for most of her life. She holds an MBA from the University of Mount Olive and owns an accounting practice. “My desire to serve on the board of directors stems from my love for helping others,” Anne wrote in a letter to the nominating committee. “I have served on nonprofit boards in the past and loved the opportunity. In the costume world we have so many challenges to navigate and having a group working together to make sure owners have the tools to succeed is why I am so passionate about being on the board.”

Members’ Memories

NCA Members Share Memories from Years Past, Predict What the Future Holds

Many NCA members have been part of the Association for decades — and they have many memories of fun times spent with fellow costumers. On the following pages, several members tell their favorite stories, share what they’ve gained from membership, and predict what the next century will hold for the industry.

(Clockwise, from top left): Magic Caterpiller Ride, Center Stage Costumes & Magic, 1998; group shot; Xylia, Elfin Queen of Autumn by Kathryn Cain, Center Stage; “Trudi” Cain, 2008; Louella Torrence with new members, 1993; Rocky Torrence’s campaign sign.

Ken Fox and Ken Epperly Magic Makers Costumes Huntington, West Virginia

Joined the NCA in 1980

In March of 1979, two pharmacy technicians decided to open a magic and novelty shop, as they were both magicians, too. Ken Epperly was good at math and science, while Ken Fox enjoyed traveling to countries and majoring in history. By ordering a Philip Morris catalog, we were invited to our first NCA area meet at Morris Costumes. We bought 10 costumes, pictured on Polaroids and taped to a poster board.

Ken Epperly taught himself how to sew and tailor men’s suits from his grandmother’s Singer home sewing course. We joined the NCA in 1980 and 36 years later we own 10,000 rental costumes.

Our favor-

ite memories at conventions, might be meeting Johnny Carson’s makeup artist, Dolly Parton’s wig maker, Bob Mackie’s assistant, and receiving the Unsung Heroes award in the first Academy Award ballroom at the Regal Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles. As education director Ken Fox carried Liberace’s gold lame’ jacket (his first costume) for his manager Jamie James’ lecture at a Las Vegas Convention. But our best memories were being in the showcase contest, dressing for president’s banquet, seeing other shop tours and meeting costumers from 50 states, even Hawaii and Alaska.

Every NCA member benefits from convention education classes and the networking from fellow members. Ken Epperly was a board member, head of the market, and vice president. Ken Fox was education chairman for years. We ran the plot service and printed three volumes for members to own, and we hosted two area meets in Huntington, West Virginia. The results: we gained a lot of information and met many creative

members by being involved.

We greatly benefited from little things, and from the old timers too: learning how to sew a French knot from Helen Aune; learning to wear an ink pen corded around your neck so you’ll never lose it from Dorothy Kiggins (I didn’t lose it for 30 years!); learning the correct way to iron a tux shirt from Ron Wickham; and learning to use a wire pet brush on animal heads and costumes from John Schenz — all valuable tips you can use every day.

What is the future of the NCA for the next 100 years? Will there be live movie stars or only CGI and lifelike computer animation? Will musicians and concerts be performed by holograms? Will robots and machines construct costumes? Will parents print out children’s costumes that they can cling to their bodies like paper dolls? I trust the human brain and heart will always be needed to know history, textures, engineer patterns and have creative imagination to control and use the robots, machines and holograms.

The NCA is like a giant tree, the members are the many branches, the 100-year-old roots are the organization, the networking and conventions harvest the fruits from all the branches.

Dizzy Dean, the baseball player once said, “It ain’t bragging if you really did it.”

From those 10 costumes evolved two year-round stores, four Halloween mall stores, four outgrown locations, 5,000 web pages for shipping nationwide with orders for the White House, Ringling Brothers Circus, the Liberace Museum and regular customers in Ireland, Germany and Dubai. All from a business in little old West Virginia!

We credit the NCA for 60% of our success — the other 40% comes from hard work and creative output with loyal coworkers for 36 years.

We hope the NCA tree continues to grow and sustain for the next 100 years!

Ken Fox and Ken Epperly

Carol Pocock

Mr. Fun’s Costumes and Magic Emporium

Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio

Joined the NCA in 1980

Al and I had begun our careers as high school teachers, he teaching speech and government, and me teaching math. We both loved theater and Al directed the plays at school and acted in the little theater in town. But we had left teaching by 1980 and owned a Fun Services Franchise, doing school carnivals, fund raising, etc. It was a small franchise trying to develop a new concept, and we met so many people who were creative and willing to share what they had learned. One of our franchise members encouraged us to try the Halloween business as it was just taking off. He also encouraged us to join the NCA. We were eager to learn as much as we could about this new business, meet people who were earning a living in costuming, and be successful in this new adventure! We started going to area meetings and conventions and only stopped when Al was no longer able to travel.

Some of my best memories are of the wonderful people we met, some still my dearest friends, all the places we traveled to for conventions and area meetings, visiting other shops, and the fun we had! Hosting our annual ”Spring Fling” at our Lake House and then our condo in town, for twenty years was a special joy to us both. Seeing Freddy from Forum and Artie from Rubies fighting over who was making the best spaghetti sauce was hilarious! There were so many other special moments at our gatherings! Witnessing the creativity of some of our members at the conventions and area meetings was breathtaking to me! And, of course, the classes, where we learned, or tried to learn,

so many tried and tested things from other members.

I can’t go down to one benefit, so I have two! Getting to know people in this challenging but exciting business, so we could share ideas, get advice, be inspired, and sometimes, supported and consoled was one benefit. The second was being a member of the Buyers Group, started by my friend Harold Maxwell. It helped us be competitive in a difficult business.

Looking ahead 100 years is tough with the world changing so quickly! So, I tried to look back 100 years for a start and see what hasn’t changed. People still like to dress up with costumes and/or accessories. People still like the theater, and costumes are needed for that. People still like to have themed parties. People still like wigs, make up, masks, etc. to change their appearance. Having gone through the isolation of the COVID pandemic, I think most people now realize how important human contact is to our well being. I think that will still be valued in 100 years. Seeing all the advancements in technology, I can’t begin to imagine what will be possible in 100 years! I see shopping, fitting, store inventory, sales, advertising all being done electronically, as they already are, but with all kinds of improvements. I see costumes being created by AI. I can imagine people at a party being dressed by electronic images while really wearing a comfortable pair of shorts and a t shirt! I also see hair, makeup, etc done that way, just don’t ask me how!! I see costumes and fashion totally intermingled, as has already been happening in my lifetime. But just as books have not disappeared, with all the other ways to “read” a story, I think people will still want to see and touch things and appreciate quality.

My hope for the NCA would be for it to help our members navigate the changes and be innovative in taking advantage of new technology for all aspects of the business. I also hope the members will continue to share their experiences and ideas and encourage each other. Nothing can compare to that.

Donna White & Arlene Stephens

Arlene’s Costumes Rochester, New York

Joined NCA in the late 1970s/early 1980s (“It’s been a long time. We don’t know the exact date.”)

Arlene and Donna originally joined to better the business. They knew they had a lot to learn and looked to the NCA and its ideas for tips and suggestions.

Lorraine Brown Fabian Costumes Fair Haven, Vermont

Joined the NCA in 1988

I was supposed to have a sponsor, but I did not know any other costumers. There may have been two others in Vermont. I cannot remember how that was handled. I always felt that I learned more in one week of convention than by taking a course in college. Having other costumers to ask for advice was invaluable. The NCA used to have a wonderful youth program…I would take my two girls with me every year.

Outside of learning more about sewing, fashion, business and traveling I made friends for life. My daughter-in-law always said I was with my “peeps “ when I was at NCA events. I consider myself lucky to have these memories.

Arlene and Donna loved going to convention. Eventually their sister Shirley Painter (Costumes by Suffolk in Long Island, New York), their nieces Terry Mayfield (Fantasy Costumes in Decatur, Alabama) and Lisa Jochnowitz (Capital Costumes in Albany, New York), as well as Donna’s daughter Cindy Sinopoli and Bette Mitcheltree (Donna and Arlene’s cousin) started coming. They got to meet many other people from across the country who were working in their field, and they truly had a great time and learned so much!

Obviously, the discounts are great, but the girls learned so much over the years about how to run their business and found new tips and tricks. They even brought home one of their favorite suggestions, which was to start what would now be called a pop up. We were one of the first in our area to have any kind of pop up and for several years we ran at least five or six of them each year from August through the end of October and sometimes even into the Christmas season.

Arlene and Donna aren’t sure what the future will bring but do hope that the next generation of costumers will be able to carry our industry and ensure that it survives and thrives into the next hundred years!

(Submitted by Terri Sinopoli, Cindy Sinopoli’s daughter and current board member of NCA)

I fear that the costume shops that we owned in the 50s to the pandemic will never come back. The theater shops seem to be holding their own but individual shops have to diversify to be profitable. I fear that there will not be a 200th anniversary.

Louella Torrence Drop Me A Line Costume Shop Allentown, Pennsylvania

Joined the NCA in 1993

We joined the NCA because of Bill Sudor, a Franco Rep. He had been coming to our store with large black cases filled with Halloween products to sell. He also introduced us to the Chicago Halloween trade show, where he introduced us to LaMar Kerns, secretary/treasurer of the NCA, and sponsored us to the NCA. Our first convention was in Cleveland. Al and Carol Pocock were hosting and welcomed us with open arms. From then on, we never missed a convention unless we had a wedding or a baby being born.

Judi Cain

Center Stage Costumes and Magic

Gainsville, Florida

Joined the NCA in 1990

convention, where Rocky and I helped the auctioneer by trying things on. Racing Glenn Alexander at conventions to be first in when the doors opened to buy Rubies’ discounted rental costumes. Hosting a regional [convention] at my store in January and having a large turnout and a lot of fun. Rocky and I were the NCA’s Sunshine Committee and sent birthday cards to everyone. Rocky was on the NCA board of directors. He flew to San Jose alone for his last board meeting. He was blind and could no longer read. When he got there, everyone on the board took very good care of him.

The biggest benefit was networking. If I needed something, I called fellow costumers. If they didn’t have it, they would refer me to someone else. Fellow costumers were also a phone call away if I was having a problem making something, or wanted to bitch about anything (vendors, customers, shipping, or if I just finished a costume and it was short two inches in the waist!).

What happens 100 years into the future is now in the hands of the younger costumers. I hope the Halloween business gets more and more exciting and that the NCA is part of that excitement.

In 1980 I started a temporary event in the local mall called “The Gallery of Horror.” It was a Halloween Art Show with everything hand made by me and other local artists. Local theater groups, performers, teachers and churches tried to stock up on theatrical supplies in October and begged us to be a year-round store. So, in 1990 I rented a space in a strip mall and called it Center Stage Costumes and Magic.

I didn’t know much about retail, much less about costume rental. Somehow, I found out about a wholesale show in Atlanta, where I learned how to buy things we couldn’t make ourselves. Most important, I found out about the NCA! It was exciting to meet people who had similar starts to their costuming business. What a wonderful group of people they were! I joined right away and didn’t miss a convention or a regional meeting.

I loved being on the board of directors, going to meetings and making friends with some of the best people I’ve ever known. The conventions were fun. We loved participating in the showcases. Our first year, my 17-year-old daughter designed and modeled the costume that won first place in the fantasy category. A couple of years later we won the Grand International Award for a costume that I designed, a girl who worked in my shop constructed, and my other daughter modeled.

The biggest benefit was learning about business, marketing, and buying for a retail shop. But most important were the friendships I made with talented, intelligent and warm, friendly people who also had a delightful sense of humor.

My hope is that there will be more local costume shops and that temporary corporate stores will have gone away in 100 years. Local costume shops provide inspiration for creativity and fun. My store’s motto, which greeted people when they came through the door, was carved into a sign: “We don’t stop playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop playing.”

I hope costume shops are still around 100 years from now to remind people to never stop playing, to always find time to have a good time. And I hope that all the costumers will gather for the 200th birthday, all dressed in costume, and have a wonderful, fun celebration of 200 years of fun!

THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS!

7 TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL HALLOWEEN 2023

By Ed Avis

Halloween is still several months away, but it’s not too early to start planning how to make this year’s season a resounding success. It will be the first truly post-COVID Halloween, since the crisis officially ended only this year. So, very few people will be concerned about the potential risks of Halloween parties, parades or trick-or-treating. Which will mean, hopefully, that your store will be full of costume-buying customers.

Here are seven tips to maximizing sales this Halloween:

1. Help those who help themselves. In other words, be sure to stock lots of accessories, make-up, fabric, used clothing, wigs, hair dye, moldable materials and other items useful to customers who want to make their own costumes this year. Individuality is a big deal — just see how popular cosplay is these days — and DIY customers love to patronize businesses that support them. If you have room, consider setting up space

where these customers can create right in your store (after they pay for the materials, of course).

2. Be different. It’s not likely that you can compete on price with Walmart, Target or Spirit Halloween, so why bother? Instead, stock products they don’t stock. Start by checking out the discounts offered by NCA’s 50 Vendor Members. You can find them by clicking on the Buyer’s Group tab at www.costumers. org. Our Vendor Members offer an enormous range of products that are never found on the shelves of big box stores, ranging from extra high quality costumes to truly Hollywood quality makeup to impulse items perfect for your counter. Need some basic Halloween décor items like cauldrons and pumpkins? Check out Blinky Products. Need awesome shoes to offer customers who want the complete look? See the amazing line from Ellie Shoes. Want some fantastic one-of-a-kind masks? Zagone

Studios offers many. Want to expand your make-up section with theatrical quality goods? See what Graftobian, Camden Passage, Mehron, Wolfe and Kryolan offer. Bottom line: You have lots of options among NCA Vendor Members to offer great items that your competition will not stock — check it out!

3. Do something fun. A great way to bring attention to your store during the Halloween season is by sponsoring or hosting some kind of fun event. A zombie workshop, where you help attendees apply zombie makeup and create outfits from old clothes, is one idea. If you have the space, maybe you could sponsor a classic Hollywood horror movie night in your store or in your parking lot. Better yet, combine those ideas: Show “Night of the Living Dead,” the ultimate zombie movie, and then follow it with a zombie make-up class! Creativity rules the day when you’re planning events to bring folks into the store, so put on your thinking cap.

4. Create a welcoming environment. Our weirdly polarized political environment may have made some of your customers nervous about showing their own colors. Let them know that you welcome all customers and will continue to stock the costumes, accessories and make-up any customer may want to create the look they desire. Make your store the place

everyone can come to feel safe and part of a community that understands and appreciates the fantastic diversity of humans.

5. Remember customers with disabilities. In 2022 the NCA developed the “Halloween for All” campaign, which encouraged members to welcome customers with disabilities. This campaign generated ideas such as holding a special “sensory-aware” night where customers who are not comfortable with crowds, noise and bright light can shop; stocking costumes and accessories that can easily accommodate individuals who cannot wear tight costumes or are sensitive to certain fabrics; and offering masks on sticks for customers who don’t want anything touching their face. There are more ideas in the Halloween for All booklet; if you need a copy, email Ed Avis at executivedirector@costumers.org or visit the NCA Member Portal to access a digital copy.

6. Partner, partner, partner. Halloween is a fun time of year for many organizations, and you can make your store the hub of the fun by partnering with them. For example, talk to your local PTA about holding a fundraiser event — such as a costume workshop, movie screening or special sale. Or see if your local Kiwanis or Chamber of Commerce would like to co-sponsor a Halloween parade or zombie walk. Or talk to the local chapter of an organization that serves people with disabilities and partner on a special day when that group alone can shop in your store, which may make them more comfortable. The point behind all of these ideas is that your store will be perceived as a bona fide community partner, which will be beneficial to your business in the short and long run.

7. Space out your sales. The last two weeks of October are probably already busy for your store, so you don’t need an event that brings in more customers then. Instead, try some sales techniques that get customers to shop early. For example, advertise a 10 percent discount on costumes in September, a 5 percent discount the first two weeks of October, and full price thereafter. Or offer a series of declining value coupons — $10 off in September, $5 off in the first two weeks of October, and zero after that. Try a similar strategy with your costume rentals, if those are part of your business. You could say that customers who pick up their rentals two weeks before Halloween can keep them until the first week of November at no extra cost. This gives them the option to wear a costume for more than one event, and it takes the pressure off your store during the super-hectic days prior to Halloween.

Do you have any other ideas on how to make Halloween 2023 a blockbuster success? We’d love to hear them, and we’ll share them on NCA’s social media and website! Send your ideas to Ed Avis, executivedirector@costumers.org.

Bra Tenders — Creating Smooth, Sleek Silhouettes

By Ed Avis

Editor’s Note: NCA Executive Director Ed Avis recently spoke with Lori Kaplan, owner of Bra Tenders, a new NCA Vendor Member that carries a proprietary line of undergarments that are highly valued by New York theater performers. This is an edited version of their conversation.

Avis: When did you start Bra Tenders?

Kaplan: Bra Tenders was born in 1999, and we’ve been in our current New York City location since 2003. Before Bra Tenders was its own entity, I worked for somebody else in a similar kind of business for over 20 years, so I have 45 years of my life invested in this…. The business was created in my living room in Brooklyn. When we couldn’t see out the windows because there was so much merchandise, we started looking for a physical space in Manhattan. We got a small store on Ninth Avenue, which 20 years ago was still on the sketchy side, but it was developing. It put us very close to the theater district where we wanted to be. A couple of years after that, we outgrew that tiny little space. We moved into our current space, which is about 2,500 square feet.

Avis: So, your clients are in theater and film?

Kaplan: Broadway, film, television, and we also work with regular women who just need bras that fit them properly. We work with a lot of brides and people from the performing arts going to galas and red carpet events. There’s a lot of underwear that goes into creating a smooth, sleek silhouette, especially under dresses that are cut down to here and cut down to there. Our work with stylists and costume designers taught us a lot of tricks that also work for brides and other formal wear and just for women who need to look good on a daily basis, especially full breasted women.

Avis: You also make a line of proprietary products. Tell us about those.

Kaplan: When we first moved into our little space, a wardrobe person on Broadway was doing a project for a pet organization

that he believed in. He asked me if we had any “cock socks,” and we did not. There was a factory that made some dance wear for us, and we told them what we were looking for and asked if he could make something like that. He made a couple of prototypes, and it turned out to be a hit. Then, very shortly after, somebody was looking for nude-colored men’s underwear, which didn’t exist in the market back then, so we started making a facsimile of men’s underwear in three different skin shades in 2003. They’re still our best-selling products today. They’re used in nude scenes, things like that.

Avis: Are “cock socks” what I think they are?

Kaplan: Yep. You can go to www.bratenders.com and look up Houdini, and that is our number one selling product in the shop.

Avis: You also have proprietary specialty hosiery, right?

Kaplan: In the very beginning, people were always looking for sheer to the waist support hose, because they make the legs look good, and it had to be sheer to the waist because showgirls and costumes can’t have any lines across the thighs. The company that was making the hose that was used for over 40 years can’t make that particular hosiery anymore, so over the past two years, we’ve been working with another factory to create something that works on stage. We have 13 different skin shades in these tights, and we carry them in nine sizes.

Avis: What products do you offer wholesale to NCA members?

Kaplan: We offer all of our proprietary products wholesale, including our Houdinis, the BT brand of modesty wear, and the New Heaven hosiery. Members can visit our site, bratenders.com, and email me for wholesale information, lori@bratenders.com

Avis: Anything else you want people to know about Bra Tenders?

Kaplan: That we carry things you can’t find anywhere else, based on requests from our entertainment related community. And we’re still people who answer the telephone.

PRODUCT PARADE

Ellie Shoes. Introducing the 100-Batty — a new design for 2023! This ballet flat with bat wings detail and a shoelace bow will be available in black, red/ black, pink/black and beige/black. Another option: The 312-Walt is a tan Men’s Platform 70’s Calf Boot with 3-inch heel. Both products arrive in Summer 2023! 714-771-0015; www.ellieshoes.com

Graftobian Makeup Company.

Disguise. Officially Licensed Ariel

Mermaid Live Action Deluxe Child’s Costume includes dress (117959) in sizes XS (3T-4T), S (4-6x), M (7-8), L (10-12); Officially Licensed Ursula

Live Action Prestige Adult Costume (149819) includes dress, detachable tentacles and shell necklace in sizes

S (4-6), M (8-10), L (12-14), LX (18-20). Wig not included. Also available: Officially Licensed Nintendo Mario

Deluxe Elevated Costume includes overalls with buttons, hat, gloves and mustache in sizes S (4-6), M (7-8), L (8-10).

email info@disguise.com; disguise.com

”For over a decade, we owned and operated Clownin’ Around Balloons & Costumes, a full-service costume rental store in Middleton, Wisconsin. While assisting Halloween customers at the makeup counter, we saw first-hand what was on the market and what the market needed. At the same time, we began a theatrical makeup company. The resulting Character Makeup Kits, with detailed instruction sheets, became instant customer favorites and have been so ever since.” — Eric Coffman, President, Graftobian 608-222-7849; www.Graftobian.com

Orchid Bloom. Our alternative fashion label crafts primarily gothic and vintage style rockabilly clothing. Our in-house designers produce fresh prints from our vault of vintage vixen styles including the Black Gothic Dress (Item 6420). reza@orchid-bloom.com; orchid-bloom.com

PRODUCT PARADE

Loftus International. Wigs are an essential accessory when completing a costume. We have you covered with our wide variety of wig styles and colors — long, short, colorful, realistic, decade-specific, or character creation, including the GP22129 Pocus Hocus Witch Wig that, like all of our wigs, comes in a hangable plastic bag with a colorful insert card. Hundreds of costume accessories in stock and ready to ship for everyday or Halloween sales also available! 800-453-4879; sales@loftus.com; www.loftus.com

Trick or Treat Studios. Proudly announcing…Rob Zombie’s Halloween series Michael Myers Mask! Our full line of Rob Zombie’s Halloween masks was developed using the film-used master molds from Special Effects Artist Wayne Toth, who made the masks for the film. Shop masks and weapons for this Halloween season and keep an eye out for costumes and more in 2024.

CSR@trickortreatstudios.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.

MY FAVORITE COSTUME

Judi Cain Center Stage Costumes and Magic Shop Gainsville, Florida

When The Costumer asked Judi Cain, the now-retired former owner of Center Stage Costumes and Magic in Gainsville, Florida (which closed in 2010), to share some favorite memories from her decades of membership in the National Costumers Association, her experiences with the NCA’s Showcase events took center stage.

Among her favorite memories was the “Colorous Schfizz” — a Fantasy Creature Costume that her daughter Jennifer created for the 2001 Showcase when she was just 21 years old.

“Jennifer loved to play with fabric and trims, and growing up with a mother and father who were both artists, was encouraged to express her creativity,” Judi explains. “The Schfizz was made with scraps of fabric, pieces of foam rubber, skeins of multi-color yarn with metallic threads running through it, and various other recycled materials.”

Jennifer vividly recalls making the costume.

“The ‘Colorous Schfizz’ came about when I was latch hooking. I was working on a gillie suit idea and decided to create the body of the ‘Schfizz’ using a mesh material with larger holes like you’d find with an old-style basketball shirt. I latch-hooked the entire thing from head to toe with colorful yarn, trim and tinsel.”

Because she had created wings for the family’s costume shop, Jennifer says she had a good idea about how she would make the wings for the fantasy costume. “They had good bounce, but as you can see from the picture, keeping them in place for still shots could have used some more work!” she says.

For the head and feet, Jennifer relied on foam, while a latex mask and taxidermy eyes “brought the costume to life,” she explains.

“The process from start to completion took about three weeks, with about four to six hours devoted to the project each day,” she recalls, before giving this shout-out to her parents:

“Thanks so much for giving me, at a young age, the opportunity to let my creativity run wild!”

That creativity remains on the move: According to Judi, Jennifer is still creating costume items and has a thriving Etsy shop featuring elaborate gentlemen’s top hats, fanciful headpieces, fancy eye patches, and ruffled collars.

What is your favorite costume? To be considered for an upcoming My Favorite Costume profile, email Editor Kathleen Furore at kfurore@yahoo.com.

SAIL THE HIGH SEAS IN STYLE!