The
The Official Publication of the National Costumers Association, Inc.
Masks...Unmasked! Opportunities in an Overlooked Category
NCA Members Predict...? Find out inside! 2020 Buyer’s Group
December 2019
costumers.org
Photos courtesy of A Masquerade Costume
CONTENTS
8
features
8 Masks...Unmasked! Opportunities in an Overlooked Category
By Kathleen Furore
16 At the Museum: The LACIS Museum of Lace and Textiles 16
21 2020 Buyer’s Group departments
6
In the Industry—Exciting Changes Ahead!
12 Business Basics—Costumers Look to 2020 19 Product Parade
19
24 My Favorite Costume costumers.org
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december 2019
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 2020* 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
*indicates end of current term
Go to www.costumers.org and look for the Facebook link at the bottom of the page!
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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: Marion Bradley, Discount Costume and Terri Greenberg, HALCO Time & Place: Dwayne Ibsen, Ibsen Costume Gallery and Marion Bradley Discount Costumes Web Site: Louella Torrence, Drop Me A Line Costume Shop and Don Knox, NCA Executive Director Bereavement: Terri Greenberg, HALCO Social Media: Janine Caufield, Caufield’s
ATTENTION ALL COSTUMERS Save The Date!
Mark your calendars for the
2020 Halloween & Party Expo!
Date:
Like the NCA on Facebook!
december 2019
2019 STANDING COMMITTEE CHAIRS
costumers.org
January 17 - 19th, 2020
Place: Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
PRESIDENT ’S LETTER Presidential greetings from Georgia, Goodbye Halloween, Thanksgiving, and soon to be Christmas! Before the year’s end, I hope each one of you will see
that you were able to make a dent in the retail/rental segment of your surrounding cities (or in your online presence)—and that your profit was better this year than last!
In the September issue, I mentioned that we were going to
NCA National Headquarters
up shop work, so were able to pay off what we paid out for the new inventory—and now cus-
Ed Avis Executive Director P.O. Box 13347 Chicago, IL 60613 708-646-2799 pub@costumers.org
slow but picked up the pace the closer it got to October 31. Now just have to get everything
The Costumer
open a pop up shop, which was 2,000 square feet larger than
our other location. The great news is that our customers loved it, so we have decided to move out of our smaller space. We
were able to get inventory close outs in order to make the pop
tomers know where our store will be next Halloween. Our old location started the month out moved over. A business owner’s job is never done!
And now on to exciting news.
I am excited to tell you about some fabulous changes coming to the National Costumers
Association. But first, I would personally like to bid farewell to CIVICA, and say thanks for all that you have helped this organization through. We could not have done it without your
team! And as all good companies know, sometimes you have to make a change to stay relevant. On this note, we have hired Ed Avis as our new executive director. Ed and his wife Kathy have been on our team in our publishing department for 5 years. They have given us amazing and
helpful magazine articles and have built up our advertiser base, as well. To help make the most of your membership, please be on the lookout for emails coming from Ed. He will be asking questions to find out what your needs are and how we can be an asset to you year-round.
Are you planning on going to the Halloween and Party Expo in New Orleans, which is
coming up from January 17 through 19? Why go, you ask? Well, this is your last chance to
visit New Orleans and deduct it as a business expense. We will be hosting our Annual Busi-
ness Meeting and meet-n-greet, complete with hors d’oeuvres and drinks. Come out and meet all of your board members, ask us questions, and give us your opinions on what we can do
better to serve you. Meet our vendors face to face, then place your order with them. Introduce yourself to our new executive director. Find new products. Get extra special discounts. Run into your old friends or meet new friends. Need I say more? Please introduce yourself if you see me in New Orleans! Until next time, Marion Bradley, President National Costumers Association Discount Costumes, Warner Robins, Georgia
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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 ©2019, 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
A Message from Your New Executive Director
I am honored and excited to join the National Costumers Association as your new executive director. My wife and business partner, Kathleen Furore, and I have been working on The Costumer magazine for five years and are looking forward to becoming more actively involved with the association and all its members.
We’re hard at work putting new resources in place—everything from a
new, more interactive website to an updated newsletter that will deliver more current news and business-building ideas than ever before. And we would love to hear your ideas, too. Let us know how we can help you build your
business and, in the process, contribute to even greater success for the NCA. Please email me at pub@costumers.org with your ideas—we’d love to hear from you!
The future of the NCA is bright. Let’s grow it together! —Ed Avis
A Preview of The Halloween and Party Expo 2020 The Hallowween & Party Expo (HPE) is fast approaching. It’s one of those must-attend events for so many reasons! First, the NCA will be hosting its Annual Business Meeting and meet-n-greet, complete with hors d’oeuvres and drinks. It also gives you a chance to meet vendors, find new products, get extra discounts and place orders. And you’ll be able to meet Ed Avis, the NCA’s new executive director, too. And if that’s not enough, take a look at these exciting events planned for this always-fun and idea-inspiring event, scheduled for January 17 to 19 at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans: december 2019
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New This Year: HPE is a SMART Event! To make it easier to discover new products and do business, all buyers will receive a SMART badge, powered by Konduko, that allows you to collect information at exhibitor booths, new products areas, the fashion show and more central locations and receive all information by email at the end of each day. By simply “tapping” the SMART badge on the easy-tospot readers, you will be able to receive customized exhibitor and product information at the end of each day. Brewing, Boos & Booze Costume Party. All badge-holders for the Halloween & Party Expo are invited to the party, scheduled for Saturday, January 18 from 8:00 11:00 p.m. at Generations Hall, 310 Andrew Higgins Blvd.
Artist Battleground—where the best stroke wins! This one-day make-up competition on the Haunted Trends Main Stage brings one of the most asked for products to life on stage! The best make-up companies will face off live on stage. Artists will be surprised by the theme of the battleground and given four hours to completely transform their models before a winner is crowned. You’ll see their creations come to life and learn their techniques you can recreate in your shop, too! Scenes from the 2019 HPE Show
Friday Night Fashion Show. You’ll see new 2020 costumes, accessories and products on stage from 70+ exhibitors from Halloween & Party Expo and the co-located HAuNTcon. The event also features drinks and hors d’oeuvres, entertainment and three $1,000 merchandise credit giveaways to buyers! New Product Showcase. Get a first look at the latest products in the industry…and cast your vote for the Best Product of the Show! For more information or to register, visit halloweenpartyexpo.com.
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december 2019
Photo courtesy of A Masquerade Costume
Masks
Unmasked
Opportunities abound in an overlooked category
By Kathleen Furore
Another Halloween is in the books and the Christmas season is coming to an end. What are some ways to march into the new year armed with ideas to perk up sales? Don’t overlook masks!
While you might think of creative face covers as predominantly Halloween items, masks can boost your
bottom line all year, according to Kyra Stewart, owner of A Masquerade Costume in Redmond, Washington— an NCA-member shop that specializes in masquerade art masks.
“After Halloween, chronologically, comes ‘Masquerade Season,’ which lasts approximately through Mardi
Gras,” Stewart explains. “In the United States, masquerade balls are popular and common as celebrations for New Year’s Eve. Ironically, in the United States, we also find secular celebrations of masquerade during the 40 days following Carnevale/Mardi Gras. You would not find this in Italy, but masquerade season extends a little longer in the United States. Masquerade wedding receptions have also been gaining popularity over the last decade. When my customers are looking for more places to wear their masks, I let them know that I will always
post on my Facebook page about any public parties and celebrations all year round.” How did Stewart decide to make masks such a big part of her business? And what advice does she offer other costumers interested in expanding the category? The Costumer: Masquerade Costume carries a much wider selection of masks than most other costume shops. How did you get into specializing in the mask category? Stewart: When I started a costume rental business in 1999 from a private collection of costumes, I also had 10 handmade art masks from Italy that I offered for rent. The masks depicted commedia dell’arte characters, archetypes, from which all comedy blossoms. Commedia dell’arte masks date back to the Renaissance but have been in continual use up until modern times for two primary purposes: character identification in physical theater, and anonymity during the carnival season, just before Lent (aka Mardi Gras). To me, masks are a basic foundation of theater and celebration, and my business serves both purposes. The collection has grown over the years, and the selection changes, as customers acquire the inventory, and as I meet new mask artists. Twenty years since I began offering my collection to the public, I now typically have around 500 masks in stock at any given time. I like to support local artists as well as artists who are maintaining mask-making traditions in Brazil and Italy and other places around the globe. The masks are displayed prominently in the store and well-lit, as a museum of handmade wearable art. When people are browsing, I let them in on the secret—that a mask chooses you, rather than you choosing a mask. The art speaks to our alter egos, a reflection.
Marketing with Masks
Interested in boosting business with masks? Try offering workshops and classes for adults and kids alike.
*Sponsor a kids’ mask-making workshop on weekends and/ or during school breaks at a local library or school. One great idea “borrowed” from the 2016 Boston Book Festival event “Hubbub: Creative Commotion for Kids” is to have young artists make an imaginary self by crafting a mask they can embellish with paint, stickers, feathers and other art supplies. At the Boston event, kids then wrote a story, scene or poem starring their “persona.” *Offer a mask-making class for adults. Renowned mask maker Jeff Semmerling of Art Side Out Studio & Mask Shop offers beginning, intermediate and advanced mask making classes in his Chicago studio. But you don’t have to be an expert mask maker to give adults the chance to be creative. *Don’t forget weddings and proms! Create a display or flyers that feature mask ideas for wedding and prom season and post them on your Facebook and Instagram accounts. A pinterest search will turn up myriad ideas you can share! The Costumer: Do you offer any kind of mask-making classes or other events to help promote masks? Stewart: One of the artists whose work we feature goes by the name FaceOdd. It’s a play on the word facade. She works with beef industry by-product leather, incorporating natural flaws of the hides into her designs. And she regularly schedules workshops for people to learn how to make their own leather art masks. We promote her classes and workshops through our store. Whenever we hear about a masquerade event or class, usually from someone shopping in our store or from one of our artists, we like to pass the word and use our Facebook business page as the way to get people excited about mask wearing, and mask making, opportunities. The Costumer: What advice would you have for independent costume shop owners who are looking to add or expand the mask category?
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Stewart: Choose masks that complement the rest of your collection. Be ready to show customers what they can wear with that mask, including your wigs, headwear, cloaks, formal wear, period costumes, exciting footwear, etc. There are no hard rules for masquerade, so help them play with mashups of history and find their radical self-expression. Make the mask seem like the central part of a complete head-to-toe look. Everything else in your store is what goes with those masks!
Business basics
2020 Here We Come!
NCA Survey Shows Worries & Hope for Coming Year By Ed Avis
Meredith Smith-Lane, alternatives to quality rethe theatrical manager tailers. Furthermore, the of Party Productions/ proliferation of cheap Masque Productions in products—and their Fort Dodge, Iowa, has ubiquitous availability— seen her costume sales has cut into the slim slump in the past year. margins retailers earn. With so many costumes “No one was available on Amazon and coming into our store at other mass merchananymore,” says Elizabeth disers, it’s hard for a Visciano, owner of Betsy bricks-and-mortar busiRoss Costumes in Lockness like Party Producport, New York, when tions to compete. asked why she switched But it’s another story to online sales only. “We when it comes to theatriclosed our store of 35 cal costume rentals. In years in 2017 and moved that market, Smith-Lane everything into a waresees more and more house.” customers. That move has “I feel that our bread helped because it suband butter is turning stantially cut Visciano’s Elizabeth Visciano (right) of Betsy Ross Costumes says unusual items—often used from Halloween to theatrioverhead costs, but she in steampunk costumes—are selling well. cal,” she says. “A few years still struggles. She rarely ago, we started a mailing once or twice a year to every high invests in new inventory these days and is slowly selling off school in Iowa. We send it so it’s sitting there on the drama what she has. director’s desk when school starts or after Christmas. We’ve However, there is a bright spot in her business: When she got business from schools all across the state. And their word can locate unusual, quality items, especially those made in the of mouth has generated a lot of others. I’ve had more schools United States, she sells them quickly. this semester than ever before.” “I’m constantly looking for more sources of quality stuff, Smith-Lane’s experience is fairly typical among costume made-in-America things,” she reports. “For example, we’re into shop owners. According to a survey sent to NCA members the steampunk thing, and it’s nice to find some unusual, rare in early December, 54 percent have seen “worse” or “much things that aren’t everywhere else. When I find those things, worse” costume sales in 2019 compared to 2018. In contrast, they sell quickly.” 64 percent of respondents said their costume rental business is Non-Costume Sales “about the same” or “better” in 2019 than in 2018. The NCA survey also asked about sales of non-costume items, bright spot: Quality and the results there were more evenly distributed. The decline in costume sales is not a new trend, of course. When asked about sales of accessories, such as wigs and Many NCA members have suffered from the growth of online makeup, 23 percent of respondents said sales have been “betsales, big box stores, Halloween pop-up shops, and other cheap ter” or “much better” in 2019 versus 2018, and 46 percent said december 2019
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same” as in 2018, while 33 percent report that they are “worse” or “much worse.” Related to that question, an open-ended question asked respondents what other products or services they offer. The responses revealed how creative some NCA members get with their offerings: among the items and services they offer are mascots, stage sound and lighting rentals, seasonal party decorations, scrapbooking supplies, balloons, horror toys and collectibles, sporting goods, custom costumes, and gift items.
Meredith Smith-Lane, Party Productions/Masque Productions
those sales are “about the same” as last year. Sales of items unrelated to apparel, such as balloons and magic tricks, have been mostly flat, according to the survey. Nearly 60 percent of respondents said such sales are “about the
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Next Year? mixed feelings Another survey question asked readers how they felt about the coming year. Half of the respondents said they are worried that 2020 will be worse than 2019. The other half were about evenly split between feeling the coming year will be about the same as 2019 and confident that the new year will be better. Smith-Lane embodies that split feeling. On the one hand, Party Productions/Masque Productions now has a full-time seamstress to support their growing theatrical business; on the other hand, Smith-Lane is not ordering more bagged costumes. There always will be different opinions on issues impacting your business, of course. But one thing remains constant: As an NCA member, you can seek advice from fellow members and staff alike on any topic, including how to make your business grow and evolve in the ever-changing world of costuming. Ed Avis is the publisher of The Costumer magazine.
At the Museum
LACIS Museum of Lace and Textiles: A fashion resource in Berkeley, California
All photos courtesy of LMLT
By Kathleen Furore
If you’re interested in learning about the history of lace and textiles, the LACIS Museum of Lace and Textiles (LMLT) in Berkeley, California should be on your short-list of places to visit. Established in October 2004, LMLT is the legacy of Kaethe Kliot, who has been described as “the spirit of the Lacis Textile Center and Retail Store, a haven for the textile community and all involved in virtually every aspect of the textile arts.” As the museum’s website notes, “This spirit remains, after her untimely passing in 2002, in the museum, which encompasses all that she loved.”
A Look Inside The museum’s goal is three-fold: to preserve the spirit of Lacis december 2019
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by establishing a place of support, knowledge and encouragement for all involved in any aspect of the textile arts; to preserve lace and textiles of all cultures from all periods, including the patterns and tools of creation, the objects of their purpose and the literature associated with these objects; and to provide a resource center for research and documentation of these objects. What can you expect to find when you visit? Jules and Kaethe Kliot’s lace and textile collection, which represents 40 years of dedication to the preservation of the finest of human handiwork, is the central collection housed at LMLT. It includes thousands of specimens ranging from items from pre-Columbian Peru to the finest laces from the 17th century European courts to examples of the machine laces that exemplify the 19th century Industrial Revolution.
There is also an extensive library, which focuses on lace, textiles and costumes and includes more than 10,000 books, patterns, articles and other ephemera, plus a collection of the related tools of the textile crafts. Rounding out the LMLT experience is a retail store that carries all of the items listed in its online catalog, as well as many one of a kind items and antiques, plus a variety of new and antique lace, vintage clothing, vintage wedding dresses, hats, ribbon and beads.
Current Special Exhibits Here’s a glance at some special exhibits running now and/or planned for 2020. Note that special exhibits are open only by tours, which can be scheduled Monday thru Saturday at 1, 3 and 4:30 p.m. Advance reservations are recommended. Admission is $3.00 for non-members, free for members and their guests. Shawls of Lace: A New Beginning. Running until May 5, 2020, this exhibit chronicles what the website describes as the “rethinking of old techniques, changes in fashion, and the unparalleled influence of the Industrial Revolution.”
shawLs
of
Lace
a new Beginning May 18, 2019
Worn to Dance: 1920s Fashion and Beading. This exhibit, which runs until October 2020, showcases how “…One hundred years ago, life changed dramatically for a woman as she entered a glamourous, jazz-mad and fashion-obsessed world.” december 2019
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To
May 5, 2020
Coming up: The Bird in the Textile Arts: The Extraordinary in Thread. This exhibit will launch on July 28, 2020 and run to August 2021. Free Clinics Offered, Too If you visit LMLT and have some extra time, you can gain more in-depth knowledge of textiles by participating in a free textile clinic during which museum staff members offer guidance on the identification, restoration, conservation, repair, storage and value of lace, costumes, rugs, quilts and other textiles. Sessions are tentatively planned for the third Monday of each month between 2 and 4 p.m. at the museum. Appointments are not necessary, but call to check for details.
Tours M on
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$3.00
s aT : 1:00, 3:00 & 4:30
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LacisMuseuM.org
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costumers.org
Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles 2982 Adeline St. Berkeley, California Open Monday thru Saturday 12 - 6 p.m. Admission is free 510-843-7290; lacismuseum.org
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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.
Like the NCA on Facebook!
Go to www.costumers.org and look for the Facebook link at the bottom of the page!
ATTENTION ALL COSTUMERS Save The Date! Mark your calendars for the 2020 Halloween & Party Expo! Date:
January 17 - 19th, 2020
Place:
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
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Fun World’s Home Run Horror, Voodoo King and Northern Realm Warrior. The latest selection from Fun World includes
the CM17132 Home Run Horror with shirt and pants printed with team baseball colors and logo, hat with sculpted ball, and printed socks. The CM11133 Voodoo King includes a shirt
with attached vest and skull buttons, tattered cape with faux
fur shoulders, hat with fringe and sculpted skull, and sculpted
skull belt. And the CF11131 Northern Realm Warrior comes
with a sleeveless dress with printed center front, cape with fur shoulder caps, adjustable belt, and gauntlets. 516-873-9000; fun-world.net
buyers group NCA Vendors offer discounts to NCA Members
The companies listed on the following pages have pledged special discounts to NCA members. Remember to list your NCA member number on ALL orders, even for firms not listed here, to show industry vendors the strength of our organization. If you notice an additional discount is provided, please contact the NCA office at 708-646-2799 so we can assist the supplier in publishBEISTLE COMPANY (SILVER) www.beistle.com (717) 532-2131 mrstouffer@beistle.com 1 Beistle Plaza, Shippensburg, PA 17257 Contact: Mark Stouffer Specialties: Costume accessories, hats, and beads. Seasonal and theme decorations and accessories, Elvira licensed décor. Discount: 10% discount, prepaid freight on $400 orders. Terms: 1%/10 Net 30, Halloween dating – pending credit approval. Additional terms and conditions on back page of catalog. Discount: 5% Off. Net 30 days payment terms. DREAMGIRL INTERNATIONAL (SILVER) www.dreamgirldirect.com (323) 268-0220 ggabor@dgbrands.com 5548 Lindbergh Lane, Bell, CA 91504 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 groupthemed fun. Discount: 3% after NCA membership confirmation. Terms: Halloween dating available to credit approved customers. DRESS UP AMERICA TOY INC. (SILVER) www.dressupamerica.com (718) 436-0031; Fax (718) 775-3200 sales@dressupamerica.com 234 Lee Ave. 8th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11206 Contact: Barry Grossman Specialties: We have excellent quality costumes and accessories for all ages as well as Pretend Play Dress Up.
ing the great discounts. The National Costumers Association, its officers, or its representatives, are not responsible for errors in this printing. Always verify all discounts and terms with the company before finalizing purchases. NOTE: 2020 Vendor Buyers Group
programs continue to come in. As of the printing of this issue the Buyers Group Programs for 2020 are as follows. Watch your e-contacts for more information and updates.
Discount: NCA members are entitled to a 10% discount. Free shipping for orders above $1,500. Halloween dating (subject to credit approval). Terms: Halloween dating terms applicable only to Halloween orders shipping after June 1, 2020. 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, 10% from Jan 1 – March 31, 2020, 12% at Halloween & Party Expo ( Jan 17 – Jan 19, 2020). 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 Andrew.hussmann@elope.com 10035 Federal Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80908 Contact: Andrew Hussmann 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. FORUM NOVELTIES INC. (PLATINUM) www.forumnovelties.com (516) 536-4600; Fax (516) 536-9741
info@forumnovelties.com 1770 Walt Whitman Rd., Melville, NY 11747 Contact: Robert Kamin Specialties: Costumes, masks, makeup, wigs, décor, props, Halloween accessories, jokes, tricks, novelties, Mardi Gras, St. Pats, luau, Christmas. Discount: 5% discount on all orders on all categories; 7% on orders over $5,000; 10% on orders over $10,000; 15% for orders over $15,000. Discounts will be given retroactively at the end of the season. Terms: Halloween dating November 10th. FROGGY’S FOG LLC (silver) www.froggysfog.com (615) 469-4906, x26; Fax (615) 346-9430 sales@froggysfog.com 302 Rutherford Lane, Columbia, TN 38401 Contact: Chris Markgraf Specialties: Fog, haze, snow and bubble machines as well as theatrical effects machines. All fluids are made in the USA and NAFTA certified. Discount: NCA Group Discounts are reflective of 5-10% off standard wholesale pricing on all fluids and machines. Terms: Net 60 terms all year. Halloween terms on all orders between August 1 and September 1. Freight is FOB Columbia, TN 38401. Free freight on orders of $5,500 or more in lower 48 states only. 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.
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buyer’s group Discount: Discounts are based on past and current purchases. Please inquire. Terms: Halloween dating November 10, 2020 WAC, FOB Funny Fashion Distribution Point. FUN WORLD/IN CHARACTER (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, weapons, accessories, décor, make up, Santa suits, beards, Valentines, St. Patrick’s Day, 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 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 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 Street, 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 2019-20 wholesale catalog. Terms: Orders for the year need to have exceeded $1,000 before discount level increase is activated. On-time payment is required to maintain discount. december 2019
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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 5/31/20 plus 5% discount on orders of $1,500 or more. There is no minimum order. Terms: Credit card or terms given to qualified accounts. JACOBSON HAT COMPANY, INC. (SILVER) www.jhats.com (570) 342-7887 sales@jhats.com 11301 Ridge Row, Scranton, PA 18510 Contact: Jeff Jacobson Specialties: Costume Headwear and Accessories Discount: Case pack pricing for our new items. Terms: Ship August 1 or sooner payable Nov. 1. JWY COSTUME & PARTY DÉCOR PRODUCTION (SILVER) www.costumedecorproduction.com (408) 757-2717 Jwy_costume@hotmail.com RM 231 Bridgepointe Pkwy, San Mateo, CA 94404 Contact: Emily Liu Specialties: Cupcake Decoration, Cake Decoration. Discount: 10% discount. 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 fifty thousand 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.
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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: Peter Sandusky 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 2019 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. MORRIS COSTUMES (SILVER) www.morriscostumes.com (704) 332-3304 sean@morriscostumes.com 6900 Morris Estate Dr., Charlotte, NC 28262 Contact: Sean Morris Specialties: All things Halloween, including animatronic full-size creatures, Star Wars Darth Vader Helmets, Wigs, Fangs, etc. A full line of Christmas items, from Santa Suits, Wigs & Beards, Toy Bags, and Elf Suits to Christmas inflatable yard decorations. Almost any celebrated day from Valentines, St. Patrick’s Day to the 4th of July, Morris has something for you. Discount: 5% discount thru May 1st for orders $1,000 or more. The Pirate Dressing (SILVER) www.thepiratedressing.com (321) 445-1837; Fax (888) 229-1577 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% of-
buyer’s group fered to all registered customers. Also, NCA members are eligible for an additional 5% discount on orders above $500. Terms: Discounts are only applicable for orders above $500. RG COSTUMES & ACCESSORIES, INC. (SILVER) www.rgcostume.com (626) 858-9559; Fax (626) 858-9798 halloweenbyrg@aol.com 726 Arrow Grand Circle, Covina, CA 91722 Contact: Roger Lee Specialties: Costumes for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Period, Cosplay, School play and religious. Animal Onesies, Hoodie. Sexy Costumes. Wigs, Hats, Wings, accessories. Discount: 15% discount off listed prices for orders over $500. No discount for order less than $500. Terms: Halloween dating (11/1/2020) for order amount over $1,500. Net 30 days for order amount less than $1,500. ROCKSTAR WIGS INC. (SILVER) www.rockstarwigs.com (832) 742-9705; Fax (281) 605-5484 service@rockstarwigs.com 3250 Bingle Road, Houston, TX 77050 Contact: Anna Reger Specialties: Premium synthetic wigs and eye lashes. Discount: Wholesale pricing to members. Terms: Must have a wholesale account with Rockstar. Application available on our website in PDF. RUBIE’S COSTUME COMPANY (PLATINUM) www.rubies.com (718) 326-1500; Fax (516) 326-1713 cinfo@rubies.com One Rubie Plaza, Richmond Hill, NY 11418 Contact: Lenney Peters 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 516-326-1500 and ask about details on the New Rubie’s 2020 Discount Schedule. In addition, if your purchases exceed $25,000 in shipped invoices, you will be enrolled in the New Rubie’s Reward Program.
SASSY ROYALS HATS (LORDS & LADIES) (SILVER) www.sassyroyals.com (337) 540-3098, Fax (337) 439-0807 annegmonlezun@yahoo.com 801 West Bayou Pines Dr., Lake Chartres, LA 70601 Contact: Anne Monlezun Specialties: Gatsby headbands, Victoria, Fashion, Showgirl, headpieces and hats for all occasions. Discount: Free shipping (must identify as an NCA member). SMIFFY’S (PLATINUM) www.smiffys.com (888) 776-4339 ext 701, Fax (888) 776-4339 maxineandrews@smiffys.com Heapham Rd. South, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, UK Contact: Maxine Andrews Specialties: Costumes, wigs, accessories, seasonal, sexy costumes. Discount: 15% all year round (exc. licensed and sale items) Terms: Seasonal dating for accounts with approved credit terms. Ship out of Indianapolis $150 free freight. 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. Terms: Net 60 terms on all orders under $500 (with approved credit). Net 90 terms on all orders over $500 (with approved credit). Member Privileges cannot be used in combination with any other special discounts or promotions. Trick or Treat Studios (SILVER) www.trickortreatstudios.com (831) 713-9665; Fax (831) 621-4763 sales@trickortreatstudios.com 3085 Carriker Lane, Ste. E, Soquel, CA 95073 Contact: Teresa Ganaden Specialties: We specialize in high-quality li-
censed masks, costumes, props, and accessories. Discount: Our discount for NCA members is 10% off orders over $1000 and 5% off orders $500-$999. Terms: In order to guarantee full fulfillment of your order, a 50% deposit must be paid by March 15th. Once a deposit is paid, customers will receive the same discount on any size reorder. 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, Los Angeles, CA 90040 Contact: Addison Lee 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%; $3,500+ = 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. ZAGONE STUDIOS LLC (silver) www.zagonestudios.com (773) 509-0610; Fax (773) 509-0613 TonyZ@zagonestudios.com 4533 W. North Ave., Melrose Park, IL 60160 Contact: Tony Zagone Specialties: Halloween masks, costumes and accessories. Discount: 12% for orders above $500 and 15% for orders above $1,000. Terms: For discount, credit card at time of order to be charged when order is shipped.
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december 2019
My Favorite Costume As the year comes to a close, The Costumer looks back on some of our favorite “My Favorite Costume” submissions from the past 5 years!
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3 (1) Julia from Linda Adams-Foat, Camelot Costumes (2) Adult Jockey from Janine Caufield, Caufield’s Novelty, Inc. (3) Addams Family from Gene Flaherty, Mehron, Inc. (4) Santas from Ken Fox, Magic Makers Costumes (5) Doily Dress from Debbie Meredith, Akron Designs & Costume (6) Ghoulish Servants from Larry Docktor, Broadway Costumes (7) Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Car from Shawn Sturdevant, A to Z Theatrical Supply & Services december 2019
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costumers.org
