The Costumer - National Costumers Association

Transcription

The Costumer • December 2011
THE COSTUMER!
LEADERS
The official publication of the National Costumers Association, Inc.
AND TRENDSETTERS OF THE COSTUME INDUSTRY
Established 1923
December 2011
Volume 87, Issue 4
Publications Manager
The Costumer
Diane Sheibley
31 Bramblewood St.
Bridgewater, MA 02324
800-NCA-1889 • 774-217-9381
Fax 508-819-3013
[email protected]
Administrative Secretary
Jennifer Skarstedt
121 N. Bosart Ave
Indianapolis, IN 46201
800-NCA-1321 • Fax 317-351-1941
[email protected]
© 2011, 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, Puerto Rico, Canada,
Great Britain, Italy and Germany.
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 consititute endorsement by
the National Costumers Association, nor its
officers or represenatives.
www
.costumers.org
www.costumers.org
All photos, unless otherwise indicated, are
provided by VPBecker Photography. To order
photos of recent conventions, contact them at
912-897-9898, vpbphoto.com.
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NCA Administration
President’s Letter
This Issue’s Advertisers
Organization, Member, and Industry News
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11
12
14
14
16
18
22
32
36
Something Exciting: Calling All Students
Welcome 2012 Vendor Members
A Challenge From The Membership Committee
Save the Date! National Convention 2012
A Moment in History
Snapshot Profiles
A Halloween Wrap-Up
Buyers Group 2012 Listing
There Be Dragons Here
The Year in Review
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NCA Marketplace
About the Cover
Frankie Stein, from Rubie’s Monster High
Collection, was their best-selling licensed girl’s
costume for 2011.
Cover design by Rob Lehr.
NCA Administration
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT
Janie Westendorf
Curtains Up Costumes
PO Box 147
Keota, IA 52248
641-636-2099 • Fax 641-636-2199
[email protected]
FIRST VICE PRESIDENT
Debbie Meredith
Akron Design & Costume LLC
3425 Manchester Road
Akron, OH 44319
330-644-0425 • Fax 330-644-7425
[email protected]
SECOND VICE PRESIDENT
IMMEDIATE PAST
PRESIDENT
Nancy Cox
Acme Costumes
2604 Highway 80
Garden City, GA 31408
912-966-0201 • Fax 912-966-0824
[email protected]
Linda Adams-Foat
Camelot Costumes
1321 S. Demeter Dr.
Freeport, IL 61032
815-233-1861
[email protected]
DIRECTOR
Lorraine Brown 2013*
Fabian’s Upstairs Closet
47 South Main Street
Fair Haven, VT 05743
802-265-3545 • Fax 802-265-3843
[email protected]
DIRECTOR
Cathy DeBolt 2012*
Echoes of Time Costumes & Vintage
Clothing
600 N. Witchduck Rd., Ste 102
Virginia Beach, VA 23462
757-428-2332 • Fax 757-428-8099
[email protected]
DIRECTOR
Linda Emerson 2012*
Emerson Costumes
11042 Village Ridge Ln.
Las Vegas, NV 89135
702-275-2470 • Fax 702-798-0008
[email protected]
DIRECTOR
Terri Greenberg 2012*
Halco
PO Box 108
Belle Vernon, PA 15012
724-929-7300 • Fax 724-929-7301
[email protected]
DIRECTOR
Karen Grizzard 2013*
Main Street Party Station
10749 Jefferson Ave
Newport News,VA 23601
757-597-7069 • Fax 757-591-0692
[email protected]
DIRECTOR
Julie Gump 2013*
Make Believe Costumes & Dancewear
1855 Parental Home Rd.
Jacksonville, FL 32216
904-645-6337 • Fax 904-645-5564
[email protected]
DIRECTOR
Barb Lochner 2012*
Once Upon a Fantasy
216 S. Greenlawn Ave
Elida, OH 45807
419-339-4834 • Fax 419-339-4834
[email protected]
DIRECTOR
Jane Powell 2013*
Costumes Etc.
2138 Faulkner Rd.
Atlanta, GA 30324
404-728-4598 • Fax 404-728-4599
[email protected]
2011-12 Standing Committee Chairs
Buyers Group
Gary Broadrick and Glenn Alexander,
Performance Studios
The Costumer
Diane Sheibley, Publications Manager
Disaster
Debbie Meredith, Akron Design & Costume LLC
Grievance
Historian
Rachel Godollei-Johnson, Landes Costumes by
Rachel
Marketing
Julie Gump, Make Believe Costumes &
Dancewear
Membership/Recruitment Lorraine Brown, Fabian’s Upstairs Closet
Membership/Retention Debbie Lyn Owens, Debbie Lyn’s Costumes
Memorial Fund
Nancy Cox, Acme Costumes
National Awards
Nominations
Parliamentarian
Debbie Lyn Owens, Debbie Lyn’s Costumes
Plot Service
Ken Epperly & Ken Fox, Magic Makers Costumes
Policy & Procedures
Adrienne Anderson, Past President
Public Relations
Karen Grizzard, Main Street Party Station
Publications
Roster
Source List
Joy Galbraith, Costume Gallery-Newport
Sunshine
Rocky & Louella Torrence, Drop Me A Line
Costumes
Time & Place
Linda Adams Foat, Camelot Costumes
Web Site
Rob Lehr
2011-12 Event Committee Chairs
National Convention
Auction
Awards
Banquet Supervisor
Convention
Convention Host
Joseph Stokes, Features Costumes
Janie Westendorf, Curtains Up Costumes
Jane Powell, Costumes Etc. and Frank McKinnon,
Eddie’s Trick Shop
Convention Program
Creative Costume Event Linda Adams Foat, Camelot Costumes
Education
Joy Galbraith, Costume Gallery-Newport
Historian Display
Rachel Godollei-Johnson, Landes Costumes by
Rachel
Hospitality
Janine Caufield, Caufield’s
Membership Forum
Terri Greenberg, Halco
Market
Linda Emerson, Emerson Costumes
Newcomers Orientation TBA
Opening Night Party
N/A
President’s Banquet
Registration
TBA
Shop Talk
TBA
Showcase
TBA
Youth
N/A
*indicates end of current term
ADMINISTRATIVE & MEMBERSHIP
SECRETARY & NCA NATIONAL
HEADQUARTERS
Jennifer Skarstedt
121 N. Bosart Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46201
800-NCA-1321 • Fax 317-351-1941
[email protected]
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FINANCIAL SECRETARY
Diane Sheibley
31 Bramblewood St., Bridgewater, MA 02324
800-622-1889 • Fax 508-819-3013
[email protected]
WEBMASTER
Rob Lehr
c/o Akron Design & Costume LLC
3425 Manchester Rd.
Akron, OH 44319
330-224-4121 • [email protected]
President’s Letter
Since you survived the months of October and
November and we’re already into December, you have
probably taken the time to evaluate the season – how did
it go for you, what changes might you make, what
improvements would make next year better? It hardly
seems like an entire year has come and gone, but in a
matter of weeks most of us will be heading to Houston for
the Halloween & Party Expo! It’s always fun to see the
new merchandise that is coming out and visit with friends.
In this President’s Letter I am focusing on a new
H’. To the public it might mean Happy
letter – the letter ‘H
Halloween, but for store owners Halloween means many
other things, including harried, hassled, hopeful, and
h orrendous…oh, and I suppose happy. For many of us, a
lot of our time is spent on Halloween – planning for it,
working like crazy during it, cleaning up after it, and then
starting to plan for the next one.
That planning will probably begin for many people in
Houston at the Halloween & Party Expo. While you’re
walking the show, watch for the new Buyers Group logo.
The Buyers Group committee has been working very hard
to offer great benefits from the participating Buyers
Group vendors. Chair-people Gary Broadrick and Glenn
Alexander of Performance Studios in Nashville have been
working with vendors to design a great Buyers Group
program – be sure to look for these vendors at the HPE
Show (as well as later in this issue) and consider
supporting them as they actively support our organization!
I know I used this second letter in my last letter, but it
C ’, for C ommittees.
bears repeating, and that is the letter ‘C
There are lots of c ommittees within the NCA that are
working diligently on your behalf. The membership
This Issue’s Advertisers
Alan Sloane & Co. ............................................ 19
Alchemy of England .......................................... 1
Ancient Egyptian Collection .............................. 3
Appliques with Glitz ......................................... 13
Disguise Inc........................................................ 34
Forum Novelties ................................................. 12
Fun World .................... Inside Front & Back Covers
Halco .......................................................... 5
Halloween & Party Expo ................................. 15
Junk for Joy ....................................................... 9
Rubies ................................ 31, Outside Back Cover
Sunnywood ........................................................ 21
Tabi’s Characters ................................................ 17
ThePirateDressing.com ....................................... 6
c ommittees – both recruitment and retention – have been
working with the Membership Secretary to develop fresh
ways to promote the National Costumers Association. To
c ontinue to have a strong association, we must keep
looking for new areas of growth for the membership. I
appreciate all that Lorraine Brown and Debbie Lyn
Owens and their respective c ommittees have done and
c ontinue to do on these projects.
Watch for new NCA banners at the HPE Show in
Houston – Marketing & PR, as well as Buyers Group,
have been hard at work in an effort to promote our
organization to future members!
Because it takes many people to help make this
association a success, there are also various Event
C ommittees laboring behind the scenes to prepare for a
great convention next summer. You can look forward to a
new creative event, and I hope you will read Linda
Adams-Foat’s article in this issue giving you more
information. What an exciting idea – a great way to
highlight the NCA to students and to present the
students to the NCA!
My hope is that you will thank these people who are
so willing to do the work of the NCA. Those of us at the
Board table and behind the President’s desk can certainly
say that the volunteers are the heart of the NCA!
Janie Westendorf, President
National Costumers Association
Curtains Up Costumes, Keota, IA
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Organization, Member, Industry News
Some of these items have appeared in the weekly e-contact, but bear republishing here for the benefit of the entire
membership.
BAL
LOONS , E TC. EXP
ANDS
ALL
XPANDS
Balloons, Etc., owned by Jacob and
Kimberly Cowger (AKA Sparkles and
Sprinkles The Clowns), has moved and
expanded and is now Balloons, Etc & The
Costume Emporium. They are now open
for business at their new location, 420 2nd
Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. They still
have everything they’ve had for over 7
years – balloon bouquets, balloon
decorating, magic supplies, and jokes &
novelties – but now they also have costume
rentals, makeup, and theatrical supplies.
NC
A NOW ACCE
P T ING PAYP
AL
NCA
CEP
YPAL
P AYME
NTS
YMENTS
The NCA has set up a paypal account to
accept direct payments for just about
anything. If you have any idea what I’m
talking about, then you know that you can
send money quickly, easily, and reliably to
someone else electronically using paypal,
and now that includes us. If you have any
money transactions to do with the NCA,
just send the proper amount of money to
[email protected]
[email protected].
Cookbook orders, membership dues
(although you still have to file the proper
paperwork), purchase of any of the NCA
logo’d merchandise, The Costumer
magazine advertising invoices... anything!
Just “send” the money to that email
address, and put a note in the comments
section of the transaction saying what it’s
for.
Contact Diane Sheibley, Financial
Secretary, at [email protected]
with any questions.
MUSIC THEA
TRE INT
ERN ATION
AL
EAT
NTE
IONAL
A NNOUNCES IPHONE APPS
“iPhone App MTIshows™ is here: Any
Show. Any Time. Anywhere.” Available for
free from the iTunes Store.
• Explore The Theatrical Encyclopedia:
Every MTI show has its own page with
song samples, synopses, author bios, and
much more.
Search and browse hundreds of musical
titles from the MTI collections including
MTI Broadway Junior, Disney Musicals,
Theatre for Young Audiences and School
Editions.
• Find MTI Shows Playing Near You: Use
the interactive map to find productions of
MTI shows near you, or search our
database by date, show title, or zip code.
• Bookmark Your Favorites: Pick your
favorite shows and easily search for nearby
productions.
Visit the app store on your iPhone to
download.
S AMUE
L FRENCH EP L AYS AR
E H ERE
AMUEL
ARE
Now you can instantly download and
read many of the acting editions in the
Samuel French catalogue through your
eReader or mobile device. Currently,
downloads are only available on Apple®
brand products (iPads®, iPhones® and iPod
Touches®), but they report on their website
that they are swiftly working to have their
ePlays available for Kindle, Nook, Sony
eReader, and more in 2012.
Check their website,
www.samuelfrench.com, for more info, and
for a list of available play titles. They also
have a free monthly electronic newsletter
that will keep you posted on current
releases – you can sign up for this on their
website as well.
A letter from customer Rob Trumbull to Debbie Lyn’s Costumes, San Jose, CA:
Hi All,
These are some of the clown noses I purchased at your store. As you can see, the
orphans in Mansa Zambia had a lot of fun with them. One year ago, these same
children walked into the orphan center when it first opened. They were quiet,
withdrawn, and did not smile. And now, with the help of many volunteers (AND
some bright red clown noses!), this is the result…children being children again!
Thanks for all your help!
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TDF COSTUME COLLECTION MOVES
Where do costumes go after closing
night? Many go to the Theatre
Development Fund’s Costume Collection,
which houses more than 75,000 costumes
and accessories from Broadway and OffBroadway productions, opera companies
and touring companies. This huge inventory
is available for rent at low cost primarily to
not-for-profit performing arts companies,
NCA FINANCIAL O FFICE
educational institutions and other
charitable groups nationwide.
TDF recently moved its Costume
Collection from Manhattan to:
TDF Costume Collection
Kaufman Astoria Studios
34-12 36th Street, Lower Level, Suite 1
Astoria, New York 11106.
212.989.5855.
The TDF Costume Collection provides
professionally designed costumes at
affordable prices. The reasonable prices not
only allow fledgling companies to mount
more professional-looking shows; they also
help theatres to produce a greater number
of new works by keeping production costs
down.
Performing arts organizations; colleges
and universities; middle and high schools;
and community and charitable groups are
primarily among those eligible to take
advantage of all the TDF Costume
Collection has to offer.
When you are “shopping a show” or
looking for a specific product ask first if that
vendor is an NCA member or/and do they
have a Buyers Group program.
You will see in this issue we have vendor
members that do not submit Buyers Group
programs for various reasons, and we have
vendors that submit Buyers Group
programs that choose not to be NCA
members at this time. Either way, these
vendors are stepping up to the plate for us
and in order for us to continue to grow we
must support each other.
NATIONAL COSTUMERS
ASSOCIATION:
WHERE VENDORS ARE MEMBERS
Please remember that all money
transactions with the NCA are now to
be sent to the NEW financial office:
NCA Financial Secretary, Diane
Sheibley, 31 Bramblewood St.,
Bridgewater, MA 02324.
Payments to the NCA may also be
made via PAYPAL; simply “send” your
payment amount to
[email protected].
IMPOR
TANT 2012 UPC
OMI
NG
MPORT
PCOMI
OMING
D AT ES
January 28-31
Halloween & Party Expo
February 16-19
NCA Winter Board Meeting,
Atlanta
May 19-20
Spring Fling
July 13-17
NCA National Convention &
Annual Business Meetings, Atlanta
I T’ S CREEPY AND IT’ S KOOKY
Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels and
first lady Cheri Daniels, along with several
staff members, portrayed the Addams
Family for Halloween this year. The
governor dressed as Gomez, complete with
Thing, the hand, on his shoulder, while the
first lady was Morticia.They handed out
candy at the governor's official residence in
Indianapolis.
Why is this interesting? Because NCA
member Landes Costumes by Rachel of
Indianapolis provided the costumes!
2012 B UYERS G ROUP PROGRAMS
R OLLING IN
You will find in this issue of The Costumer
the 2012 Buyers Group programs that
were submitted by the time of printing.
These NCA vendor members submit
programs to assist us in increasing our
bottom line at the end of the year by giving
our Retail Only and Rental/Retail
members additional discounts, lowering
minimums, increasing tier levels and/or
various other offers.
They offer these programs because they
want us to do well. In return we want them
to do well. SUPPORT these vendors.
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CONVENTION PREVIEW
Something Exciting:
Calling All Students
By Linda A
dams-F
oat
Adams-F
dams-Foat
Something exciting is coming to convention in
Atlanta next summer. We are developing a brand new
creative event designed to introduce a new generation to
the National Costumers Association. For this year and this
year only, the Creative Style Show will be replaced by a
costume design competition that will be open to costume
design students. Atlanta is blessed with several fashion and
costume design colleges and even a design high school.
The parameters of the competition are still under
construction but we have a committee of some of the most
talented minds in the organization that is currently setting
up the rules and regulations of this event.
This opportunity will give students in the field of
design an up close and personal look at our organization,
Sew
DeliciouS:
the NcA
cookBook
We have 200 recipes and over 50 contributors.
It’s a great collection! And these books make
great gifts for friends & customers. The
holidays are approaching!
All proceeds go to the Memorial Fund.
$10 for the book plus $4 for shipping.
Order yours today!
NCA, 121 N. Bosart Ave., Indianpolis, IN
46201, 800-NCA-1321, fax 317-351-1941
MAKES A GREAT HOLIDAY GIFT!
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to see what we have to offer and to grow in their field. The
competition will include research, final renderings, and
actual presentation of the finished costumes. A runway
show will open their presentation and it will conclude
with actual up close and personal inspection of the
garments. Rules and guidelines are still in development,
but we would love your input.
Some suggestions include giving the student a box of
goodies similar to our original Creative Style Show event.
Others include giving them a theme and a set budget.
This is your chance to shape this competition into
something very exciting. Please feel free to contact me or
any member of the committee with your ideas. The
committee will present this competition to the Atlanta
schools at the beginning of the spring semester. This will
give the students plenty of time to develop their ideas and
complete their costumes. The winner will receive a
scholarship (the amount to be determined) to the school
of their choice to further their studies in fashion or
costume design. Students are the future of our
organization and this is a wonderful opportunity for all of
us.
Don’t worry; the Creative Style Show will be back at
our next full convention. Our hope is that we will also
start a tradition of adding this student event to our
convention schedule on a permanent basis. Your
committee at the present time is: Linda Adams-Foat,
chairperson, Janie Westendorf, Debbie Meredith, Lorraine
Brown, Jane Powell, Wendy Goldstein, and Dwayne
Ibsen. If you would like to be part of this committee or
have a great idea for this project, please contact me as soon
as possible... Linda Adams-Foat, Camelot Costumes,
[email protected], 815-233-1861.
REMEMBER TO RENEW!
It’s that time of year again... time to renew your
NCA membership!
Don’t miss the discounts of the buyers group;
don’t miss the networking and tips and resources
from your colleagues across the country; don’t
miss the Costumer magazine and weekly econtacts!
Contact NCA Headquarters today!
[email protected], 800-NCA-1321
NCA MEMBERSHIP
Welcome 2012 Vendor Members
The NCA Membership Committee and Buyers Group Committee would like to share with all our readers the
names of the 2012 Vendor Members and at what level they joined the NCA at the time of the printing of this issue of
the magazine.
We look forward to expanding this list as the weeks progress. These vendor members support and benefit our
organization in so many different ways and we encourage all our Retail and Rental/Retail members to support them as
well through purchasing from this very special group of people.
A huge benefit of being a part of the NCA is the way we support each other and these members are no exception.
When you “shop” a tradeshow, or search for a specific product, look first to see if the vendor you are buying from is an
NCA member. They support us and we should support them.
Vendors join the National Costumers Association at one of three different levels. Each level comes with different
perks and benefits for the vendor. If you are interested in learning what those different benefits are log into the
“Members Only” section of the website and view a “Vendor Membership Packet”.
In addition to the various benefits that come with each level of membership we would like all our members to know:
At a Platinum L
Leevel entry, the vendor will be helping to host an event at the 2012 National Conference in Atlanta
at the $500 sponsorship level.
At a Gold L
Leevel entry, the vendor will be helping to host an event at the 2012 National Conference in Atlanta at
the $250 sponsorship level.
We especially thank these vendors for helping us make our National Convention an event to remember.
* denot
es the v
endor has also submitt
ed a Buy
og
or the 2012 yyear
ear
og
ed
denotes
vendor
submitted
Buyee rs G
Grroup pr
prog
ogrram ffor
ear.. These pr
prog
ogrrams ar
aree list
listed
elsewhere in this issue.
2012 P LATINUM VEND
OR MEMBE
RS
NDOR
MBER
Disguise Inc.* Forum Novelties Inc.* Paper Magic Group* Rubies Costume Company*
2012 GOLD VENDOR MEMBERS
Alexanders Costumes* Caufield’s Novelty, Inc.* Halco* Sunnywood, Inc.*
Tabi’s Characters* West Bay Inc.*
Zagone Studios Inc.*
Alchemy of England
Alicia International*
Arne Distributors Inc.*
Bauer Pacific Imports*
Ghoulish Productions*
Charades LLC*
Cinema Secrets*
Dillon Inc.*
Distinctive Costumes*
Dreamgirl International*
Dress Up America*
Eddies Trick and Novelty*
Elegant Moments*
2012 SILVE
R V END
OR MEMBE
RS
VER
NDOR
MBER
Ellie Shoes*
Esco Imports*
Flashback & Freedom*
Franco American*
Froggy’s Fog*
Funny Fashion USA*
Funworld*
Garland Beauty Products*
Graftobian makeup Company*
Hypard Trading*
Jacobson Hat Company*
Kryolan Professional Makeup
Leg Avenue*
Mehron Inc.*
Morris Costumes
Party King*
Peter Alan*
Pleaser USA*
Rasta Imposta*
ThePirateDressing.com*
TM&A of Miami
Trick or Treat Studios*
Underwraps Costumes*
Visual Effects*
Wolfe Face Arts & FX*
These vendors have joined our organization because they believe in what we do and what we stand for. Support them
with your business just like you support all your fellow NCA members.
11
membership
A Challenge From The
Membership Committee
By Lorraine Brown, Chair
NCA Membership Committee/Recruitment
For some time now, we have all been aware that our
costume world is narrowing. Granted, many of the closings
are due to retirement, but the reason they closed is because
they cannot sell the business.
In many ways, we, as an industry, have not kept up
with the times. We have not been able to see into the
future and make our businesses attractive to potential
buyers. The bottom line does not reflect the amount of
work that goes into running the day to day operations.
Young people want to realize a larger profit. Creativity is
no longer the reason to open a shop.
Your NCA board has been working hard to make
changes and foresee into the future. There are so many
questions. What makes this organization attractive to the
new waves of costumers and businesses? Many of our
12
newer members are retail-only shops, and we are glad to
count you among our ranks. But although they have
increased our member-ship numbers, many do not
participate in the creative and social events of the
organization. Who can we bring in that will not only
increase our numbers but will preserve the integrity and
purpose that this organization was built on?
Making our organization a success directly reflects on
making our businesses successful. How do we change our
shops to make them more current and what can we do to
increase our business? How can we compete with the
temporary stores and internet?
What my shop does today, in little rural Vermont, is
very different from what I did when I opened. My costumes
have become more sophisticated and of better quality. I may
rent less but my customers want better quality. They want
me to be more knowledgeable. I am doing more theater
and working more with school presentations.
This season I had more people come to me that
wanted to be a character from a video game, an obscure
character from a book or movie, and want pieces or parts
to create “a look.” Having the internet at my fingertips to
look up the character is an invaluable resource. All of those
resource books on my shelves mean little anymore. I need
information at my fingertips, and current.
I believe that I need to have stock so that I can create
these characters. I need to bend over backwards to help the
customers interested in these new genres…cosplay, steampunk, Brown Coat Ball and vintage clothing for costuming.
With these new waves of costuming there is also a new
type of professional costumer. We need to invite these
people to join our organization. We can help them with
resources and techniques, and they can help us keep up
with the times. When we need special costumes or
seamstresses, we should be asking costume professionals to
help us. Then we encourage them to join our organization.
Every member has a stake in growing the organization.
The membership committee is putting out a challenge to
members: find and invite a new member to join us. Look
at these costume professionals, look at students in the
field, look at the local vintage store …look out of the box.
Think to the future.
And thank you for all you do to support the NCA.
national convention
Save the Date: National Convention 2012
Jane Powell of
a city • Inside the
Costumes Etc and Frank
perimeter, outside the box
McKinnon of Eddies
• Decatur: It just keeps
Trick and Novelty
getting better • We’re
cordially invite you to
busy redefining small
attend the NCA 2012
town America • Decatur:
National Convention, to
trendy brews, comfortable
be held at the Marriott
shoes, Subarus • Smaller
Courtyard in Decatur,
than Atlanta, better for it
Georgia from July 13-17.
• Expected a lot, but got
Decatur is a small city
more • Decatur: we can
6 miles from the heart of
walk to that • Waggy
Atlanta, so you have all
dogs, smiling people,
Pictured above, the Decatur Courthouse. The convention hotel is less than a block
the conveniences of a big from this historic building, which houses the Dekalb History Museum. The area is
welcoming city • Decatur,
city, but all the charm of a rich in Atlanta history, making it of great interest to historians.
where your neighbors are
small one. The hotel is
your friends • Decatur:
located within walking distance of Metropolitan Atlanta
there’s a festival for that • Decatur: we’re Mother Goose’s
Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), the so those of you
left wing • Where the bicycles flow like wine • Four
who want to go to the malls or downtown Atlanta to the
square miles of can do • It’s a “Wonderful Life,” all year
World of Coca-Cola or Aquarium could get there quite
‘round • Yard sign wars, craft beer pours • Just like home
easily. There are also great restaurants, bars, and boutique
without the relatives • Decatur, a squirrel in every attic
shopping within walking distance of the hotel. Here is a
Other attractions within a 4 mile radius are The
little blurb by local residents, describing Decatur:
Carlos Museum with some great Egyptian artifacts and
Take a stroll, feed your soul • Decatur – what Atlanta
Mummies, and Fernbank Museum of Natural History.
wants to be • Slow down and enjoy your town • Everyone
wants to move back, Decatur • Decatur: Georgia’s peach of
Visit www.visitdecaturgeorgia.com for more info.
HISTORY
A Moment in History
Once upon a time, before the current magazine, there was
a newsletter called “Flashes”. In homage to that
publication we present this Historians Mystery Moment:
FLASH backs
November 1984. One member who was outstanding
in their field appeared on the cover of “The Costumer”.
(Then the editor and photographer decided they all had
to go to an American Legion turkey shoot! Imagine a 6’
turkey walking into the middle of a group of armed men
and living to tell the tale! The cows were fascinated.)
WHO AM I? (answer on page 35)
14
Member Profiles
Snapshot Profiles
In an effort to foster networking among NCA members, as well as create more awareness and resourcing amongst the
membership, a “5-minute survey” was sent out to a few members. Following are two of the responses.
If you’d like to fill out a 5-minute survey and have it appear in an upcoming Costumer magazine, email the editor at
[email protected], send an inquiring fax to 508-819-3013, or click on the link on the publications page in the members section
of costumers.org.
M
E
M
B
E
R
M
Name of stor
e: P
er
mance S
tudios
store:
Per
erffor
ormance
Studios
le
Nashvil
ashville
le,, Tennessee
Owner’s name(s): Gary Broadrick, Glenn Alexander
Year founded: 1988
NCA member since: 1999
A brief background of your involvement in the
industryy : Gary worked as a dancer and
costume industr
makeup artist. When stock in the company became
available, we invested and bought rental costumes.
Store specialty(s): A cosmetic line created by us,
for daily use, resold in hair salons.
ite par
ou do: We can
The fav
or
favor
orite
partt about what yyou
come and go at will!
W hat yyou
ou ffeel
eel yyour
our “secr
et to success” is:
secret
Honestly, compulsiveness about organization and
cleanliness; customer service with a “trained” staff; TV
advertising.
E
M
B
E
R
Name of store: Once Upon A Fantasy
Lima, Ohio
Owner’s name(s): Barb Ingle-Lochner & Jean Ingle
Year founded: 1983
NCA member since: 1985
A brief background of your involvement in the
costume industr
industryy : I try to do it all. However, just like
most other small town shops I just do what I can in
the way of masquerade for most of the year and a little
of theatre and face painting. I am available to do some
manufacturing as I think that will be the new
direction to keep the wolf at bay.
S tor
y(s): I can’t afford to have a
toree specialt
specialty(s):
specialty.
The favorite part about what you do: I really do
enjoy my customers most of the time but I love the
creativity of what we do. I also enjoy the relationships
I have formed in the NCA. Old but true, these are
just like family.
Do you have 5 minutes?
Tell the NCA a little about your store by answering a few short questions. Your
‘snapshot profile’ may end up in The Costumer!
Visit ”The Costumer” page on www.costumers.org
16
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ax 323-232-80
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HALLOWEEN
A Halloween Wrap-Up
reprinted from recent e-contacts
We ha
d a GO
had
GOOD
Hallo
low
season
OD Hal
lo
w een seaso
n this year! We
ended up meeting our sales goal which was to achieve the
same level as last year, which we did despite having not one
but FOUR (4) temporary Halloween stores pop up less
than two miles from us! It was pretty funny because they
were literally across the street from each other. It would
have been great to exceed our goal, but with the economy,
we are happy to stay at that level this year.
We also had several of our customers stopping by after
Halloween to tell us that they had won first prize at the
Halloween costume contest at the parties they attended
“because our costumes are not the ‘plastic’ ones that are
sold at the big box and pop-up stores!”
Keith Van Stratten
All A
un Cost
umes
Abbout F
Fun
Costumes
Hacienda Heights, California
I just would like to say that I do believe
“ HAL
LO WE
E N IS O
VE
R”. I mean really over, for
HALL
WEE
OVE
VER”.
shops such as ours. Customers in our area don’t seem to
care about quality and service anymore at Halloween. Just
the money. I’m sure they have no idea what they have done
to the costume industry. I’m so glad I sold my shop, preHalloween, and won’t have to worry or do another one. I
am still waiting for the moving date for the shop to go to
Alabama, and so I did the last Halloween. We NEVER
had a crowd, not even a good rush. We rent more costumes
for Christmas than we did at Halloween.
The ‘wanna-be Halloween shops’ have killed our
industry. I’m sure we’ll be reading about many more
closings after this past Halloween. What’s really too bad is
the wanna-be’s are just there for the bucks, and then gone
again another year. What a real shame what they have
done to such wonderful full-time shops! I wish all the
very best for those that will still be there and hope the offseasons will carry the load, without that magical
Halloween season.
This is our 31st season and retirement is bitter sweet.
Know I will enjoy the travelling, sleeping in, never leaving
the house on a snowy day, out to breakfast, flea market
shopping, etc.
However, I will miss my really good customers, that
really appreciated me being here for them. Well, good luck
and the best to all of you!! Will see you at convention!
umes By P
atti Jo
Patti Jo, Cost
Costumes
Patti
Moline, Illinois
18
Halloween can be a challenge nowadays but it can
stil
of
itable seaso
n. We all know it does not pay
stilll be a pr
prof
ofitable
season.
year-round bills. Hopefully we can pay for all that we
bought.
I know of four things that will influence this business:
locale, climate, product, and competition. Each shop has to
address each one of these in detail. More on each of these
to follow in The Costumer magazine.
Look at your business as if you were buying it. Then
ask the hard questions like ‘Has this been hanging here 10
years already? Do the temps have the same stuff? Where
am I going to find more room? Anybody know how this
fits and did you see those seams just shred?’
In the good old days you could buy things and make
things, open the doors, and people would come and buy.
Now they shop price, quality, and convenience. Yes, the
internet can be the enemy or an ally. We have found the
business that walks in our doors has probably shopped
online first. The business that we mailed out retail
dropped significantly. I think people are buying local as
we heard many complaints about prices, quality, and
customer service from online-only retailers. Therefore I
choose to believe the tide may be turning back to walk-in
business for Halloween costumes.
We held our same numbers this year but bought less
inventory. We shopped very carefully, scouted the temp
stores, created some of our own products, touted
cleanliness, and had a clearance section and half-off sale all
through the month.
All in all we did OK for the season but I don’t like
Halloween anymore.
Debbie Meredith, NCA 1st Vice President,
A kr
on Design & Cost
ume LL
C, Akron, Ohio
kron
Costume
LLC,
As referenced in this article, this industr
industryy is
str
angling itself with its oown
wn success. Our market has
strangling
3-4 year-round stores, and with our pop-ups and others
there were over 30 Halloween stores in Chicago this year.
Even if consumers were spending more, which they were
not, there are too many people going for the same customers.
The consumer can’t tell the difference between stores,
and the low web prices and free shipping diminish the
relative value of everything in the industry. 50% off is the
new norm, and if you don’t give them that they will
probably get it somewhere else. The best thing that can
happen will be a major contraction in this industry; 1
major wholesaler, 1 major seasonal retailer needs to go.
The good old days when anybody will buy anything
are over, people won’t wait in line, and they all want is a
deal. Those things are forever changed, and costume
retailers will need to change too.
Courtland Hickey, Chicago Costume Company
Chicago, Illinois
I hav
havee thought a lot about P
Patti
Jo’’s letter and I
atti Jo
have to agree that Halloween as we knew it is over for
small Mom and Pop stores. Looking back, 2008 was the
last time that I had a good Halloween. It has steadily
declined since then, with last year being the worst yet,
dropping 15% from the year before. The beginning of the
decline happened the same year that Party City opened in
Denton [TX], followed by one or two pop-up stores
opening each season thereafter. This, along with every store
you can think of having an extensive Halloween display as
well as the incredible competition from the internet, has
resulted in the Halloween pie being sliced into too many
pieces. As Debbie Meredith said, they (the pop-ups) are
becoming cannibalistic in their proliferation and we small,
independent shops are being left out of the market.
Maybe they will kill each other off and go away!
This year, my Halloween business actually increased
slightly, but I don’t forget that last year was my worst ever.
Maybe this will be the beginning of an upward trend? I
can only hope! We had lots of customers and some very
busy days but I can tell it’s not like it used to be. After
last year’s big drop in my Halloween revenue, as well as
having so much inventory left over, I had to make some
big decisions. We have stopped selling any new, packaged
children’s costumes and have cut way back on Halloween
ordering. We also have changed our advertising, realizing
that trying to compete with pop-up pricing on packaged
costumes and accessories at Halloween is a losing battle.
We now focus on high school and community theatre
customers. They are happy that we’re here for them year
round and appreciate the quality and customer service we
can offer. I shudder to think where I would be without the
theatre business. This part of my business is growing
steadily and eases the effect of the decline of Halloween.
If my health holds up, I can’t imagine retiring or
selling my business - it is too vital and thriving. But as for
Halloween, in my calendar year it is becoming of much
smaller importance. After 35 years in business, I have
learned to read the handwriting on the wall and adapt
accordingly. I am looking forward to a bright future for
Rose Costumes, just in a different direction than I used to
envision. I’m so optimistic that I’ve agreed to convert to a
POS system and paperless contracts in the next year, much
to the surprise of my family and employees.
Judy Smith, Rose Costumes
Denton, Texas
After reading all of the letters, I decided to report on
mo
nt this seaso
n. I was prepared
ermo
mont
season
what happened in Ver
for a slow season. First we had the hurricane and then the
largest party in our area was cancelled. In light of this, I
agreed to do two extra plays. I was not overwhelmed until
the last week and then I was in the shop for 10 hours a
day. The majority of my customers did not start coming
continued...
19
Halloween, continued
until late in the day. Some nights I was open until 9pm. I
worked on the plays in the morning and the customers in
the afternoon and evening (all evening customers were by
appointment until the last week).
So all in all, it has been a good season but I think
business has been good because I made dramatic changes.
A few years ago I decided to downsize; I have no
employees and little retail. I moved to a building on my
home property and therefore have very little overhead; I
no longer purchase packaged trendy costumes – I stick
with the basics. In addition, for much of the year I work
by appointment only.
This year I donated much of my children’s packaged
costumes to one of the towns that had families that lost
everything in the flood. I went through the adult
packaged costumes and marked many of them for $20 or
less. I had a retired rental rack.
Halloween no longer is my busiest time. Prom time is
probably bigger. I allow customers to take costumes for
extended periods during slow times and I let them take
costumes at Halloween for two weeks at one and a half the
rental cost. I arrange for deliveries and pickup in central
locations in nearby towns. I try to remake rental costumes
to change my stock, and I work at creating one-of-a-kind
funny costumes.
I work a little harder during some seasons but I make
as much or more profit than I did when I had the bigger
shop and opened 6 days a week.
umes
Lorraine Brown, Fabian
abian’’s Cost
Costumes
Fair Haven, Vermont
Hello all! Well, I’m with Patti Jo, we just haven’t
closed our doors yet, but I ’m guessing that next
Hal
lo
w een wil
oing out of business sale
Hallo
low
willl be our ggoing
sale. I’m
the only one taking home a paycheck (my mother works
for free), and for the first time in 28 years I took a cut in
pay (almost minimum wage) all summer just so we could
make it to Halloween.
We had our worst year yet, down 30% all month, and
like others there were days that had blocks of time when
no one was in the store, and that was the third week. We
had 7 Spirit stores in the Buffalo area, plus the Party
Citys, and some store just called Halloween Discount
Warehouse, or something like that - it was full of generic
packaging, and not discounted items. No idea where that
place came from!
We worked our tails off trying to sell as much as we
could to every customer that came in. People were so
happy with the service, but as always, so many told us that
20
they didn’t know we existed. Several told us that they came
here years ago, and forgot about us. We did some
billboards this year for the first time and I think that
helped. Plus we had one of our local feature news story
guys come out and we were on our N.B.C. local wake-up
show. That drew the most people, and it was free. He’s a
fun goofy guy who we dressed up, and he makes up puns
and jokes off the top of his head in between the local
morning news. If you have a person like that in your area,
contact them, they’re always looking for stories. We did
have to be at the store at 5:30am, but hey, it was free!
The biggest clue I had that things were not good was
the large number of people who asked if I would buy the
costume back after they used it. I also had an unusual
number of people wanting me to take their old clothes in
on consignment. Not even cool things that I could sell as
costumes, just regular looking clothes.
I’m scared people! Those of you that remember me,
know I’ve been single for a long time. Last year I met “the
man of my dreams,” and we plan on getting married next
September. (A Renaissance wedding, how could I not. I’m
thinking of telling my friends and relatives to come in and
pick out a costume, and don’t bother bringing it back.) Sadly,
my fiance lost his job, and unemployment has run out.
We’re too young to retire. I’m hoping I can keep my
head above water for the winter, and prepare over the
summer to get out. I’m gathering information from all of
you that have had to close, any other advice would be
greatly appreciated.
Like most of you, I’ve got that handful of customers
that are loyal and dread the thought of not having us
around. That’s the part that kills me. Oh well, I have many
things to be thankful for. Hey, I’m in love, what more
could one ask for.
I wish you all a wonderful, blessed holiday season!
Betsy Ross, Betsy Ross Costumes
Clarence, New York
We’re a couple of hours south (and slightly east) of
Lorraine [Brown], in southwestern New Hampshire. This
er
wn 19.7% ffor
or October
year we w
wer
eree do
down
October.. For us, I think
this was the result of a confluence of events: a Monday
night Halloween, the nor’easter, the economy, and – to a
somewhat lesser extent – the fact that we moved our shop
just after Halloween last year. We’re now in my home
town, and in a building my husband and I own; the
savings in gas and rent has helped considerably.
The move was a year ago and we advertised like crazy,
so it was less a matter of not knowing where we were than
a change in demographics. We’re now in a small town with
lots of children and much closer than iParty or WalMart.
We had discontinued carrying kids’ retail costumes
because most people just went to the box stores, which
were equidistant. So, we lost a lot of parents who came in
looking for them. Fortunately, the increased interest in
“living green” has created a bit more demand for our
children’s rentals, and we continue to add to that
collection. Nevertheless, next year we’ll try to
accommodate those who like to buy retail in order to keep
them in a dress-up box.
We found less activity than in previous years in the
two weeks leading up to Halloween; people were waiting
until the weekend just before to do their shopping. Then
the nor’easter hit and cancelled a number of parties, so
people just didn’t bother getting any costumes. Interestingly, our retail took the biggest hit; our rental numbers
stayed about even. And of those who bought costumes,
most did the accessory thing – not many full costumes
sold at all. Our average sale was about 30% less than last
year. One thing that helped this year was a Haunted Corn
Maze our town initiated. We rented costumes to the
actors for each of the 3 weekends. It was at an average 50%
discount, but accounted for a significant part of the rental
income.
Like Lorraine, we’re fortunate to have several shows to
outfit (4 in December alone), so that’s paying for much of
our Halloween stock. The theatre productions seem to be
increasing, and again like Lorraine, we are relying more on
tuxedo rentals over prom season. We also have a local guy
who does special F/X and make-up, and we’ve collaborated
with him to give him a higher profile and allow us to offer
a wider range of services. We’re not ready to throw in the
towel, but it’s definitely taking a lot more energy and
creativity to keep the customers interested.
ume La
dies, LL
C
Barbara Kasper, Cost
Costume
Ladies,
LLC
Walpole, New Hampshire
21
BUYERS GROUP 2012 SUPPLIERS
As of 11/30/11
Alexanders Costumes
951-276-2500
Alicia International Inc/Enigma 888-282-3777
Arne Distributors Inc.
713-869-8321
Bauer Pacific Imports
925-294-4002
./G
houlish PPrroduc
tions
C ar
etas Rev S.A. de C.V
C.V./G
./Ghoulish
oductions
aretas
866-336-1227
Caufields
502-583-0636
C har
ades LL
626-435-0077
harades
LLCC
Cinema Secrets Inc.
818-846-0579
Dillon Inc.
800-654-3696
Disguise
858-391-3600
Distinctive Costumes
800-222-4269
Dreamgirl international
323-863-7429
Dress Up America
866-943-7377
Eddies Trick and NNoovelt
eltyy Inc
Inc.. 800-544-8278
Elegant Moments
570-489-9861
Ellie Shoes, Inc
714-771-0015
elope, Inc
719-328-1312
Esco Imports, Inc.
800-445-3836
Flashback & Freedom, Inc.
631-471-2548
Forum Novelties, Inc
516-536-4600
ompan
C.
meric
an NNoovelt
Franc
eltyy CCompan
ompanyy LL
LLC.
ancoo AAmeric
merican
718-821-3100
Froggy
og
615-469-4906
oggy’’s FFog
Funn
ashion, Inc
888-333-6363
unnyy FFashion,
FunW
or
ld
516-873-9000
unWor
orld
Garland Beauty Products, Inc. 310-220-2080
Graftobian Makeup Company 608-222-7849
Halco
724-929-7300
H ypar
800-699-7755
ypardd Trading
Jac
obson Ha
570-342-7887
Jacobson
Hatt CCoo. Inc
Leg Avenue
626-581-1273
Mehron Inc.
800-332-9955
Midnight Syndicate Soundtracks 440-286-1494
Paper Magic Group
Party King
Peter Alan, Inc
Pleaser USA Inc
Rasta Imposta
RG Costumes & Accessories
Rubie
ostume CCoo.
Rubie’’s CCostume
Sky Hosiery Inc
Sunnywood Inc.
Tabis CChar
har
ac
harac
actters
ThePirateDressing.com
Trick or Trea
tudios
eatt SStudios
Underwraps Costumes
Visual Effects Ind
West BBaa y Inc
Inc..
Wolf
ac
olfee FFac
acee AArrts & FX
Zagone SStudios
tudios
tudios,, LL
LLCC
800-278-4085
888-577-5752
973-366-2400
714-771-1888
856-939-9599
888-858-9559
516-326-1500
626-588-2633
815-675-9777
323-232-8011
323-284-7201
831-234-2762
818-349-5300
718-324-0011
800-421-1940
407-772-2154
773-509-0610
The following is your 2012 list of companies that have pledged to you, NCA members, special discounts. Please be sure you write your NCA member number on
all your orders to receive your discounts. Remember to place your NCA member number on ALL your orders EVEN for firms NOT listed in this brochure. When
you notice an additional discount is provided, please contact the NCA office (800-NCA-1321) so we can assist the supplier in publishing these great discounts.
The National Costumers Association, its officers, or its representatives are not responsible for errors in this printing.
Always verify all discounts and terms with the company before finalizing purchases.
Buyers Group 2012 Chairs : Gary Broadrick & Glenn Alexander
615-256-0070 • [email protected]
22
Alexanders Costumes
951-276-2500, Fax 951-276-9727
[email protected]
3404 Niki Way, Riverside, CA 92507
www.alexanderscostumes.com
Contact: Leslie Fournier
Specialty: Manufacturer of affordable quality
costumes and accessories. Full line of all costume
accessories.
Discount: Under $2,500: 2%; $7,000: 7%;
$10,000: 10%. Although NCA customers may
start the year with a 2% discount, as soon as
purchases exceed $2,500, customer is entitled to
a 5% discount on all future purchases. When the
customer reaches the next level, the same
procedure will be applied and all future orders
will receive a 7% discount.
Terms: Customer must notify Alexanders
Costumes when a discount level is reached.
Discounts will be applied to all orders after
notification. Late payments will void all
discounts.
Alicia International Inc Enigma
888-282-3777, Fax 847-588-0987
[email protected]
7354 N. Caldwell Av., Niles, IL 60714
www.enigma-hair.com
S pecialt
pecialtyy: Wigs
Discount: 5% immediately to new orders placed
at show $250-2500; 8% for new orders placed
over $2500.
Terms: Does not apply in combination with any
other discounts. Applies to subtotal of base prices
on Enigma items and only to orders placed at
show. One time only. No cancellation on custom
orders placed after two weeks from show. No
changes on orders after 30 days.
Arne Distributors Inc.
713-869-8321 x0, Fax 713-869-9308
[email protected]
PO Box 7721, Houston, TX 77270
www.arneswarehouse.com
Contact: Alan M. Grossman
Specialty: Balloons, bridal, Mardi Gras,
masquerade, party supplies, renaissance, pet
supplies, Halloween, supplies for all seasons.
Discount: Discount varies. Extra 1% to 5%
depending on item.
Terms: COD at warehouse.
Bauer Pacific Imports
925-294-4002, Fax 925-294-4063
[email protected]
174 Lawrence Dr., Ste A, Livermore, CA 94551
www.bauerpacificimports.com
Contact: David Bauer
Specialt
pecialtyy : Venetian and festive masks, costume
accessories, Halloween, décor, Mardi Gras, luau,
lanterns, hats, wigs, boas, disco balls, umbrellas.
Discount: NCA members in good standing
receive: Orders over $700, 5%; orders over
$1,500, 7%; orders over $3,000, 10%.
Terms: New accounts must prepay their orders by
Visa/Mastercard or money order. Established
accounts receive 30-day payment terms from date
of shipment. A 2.5% monthly finance charge will
be applied to delinquent accounts. To apply for an
open account a minimum order of $250 and a
credit application must be completed and
approved. PLEASE NOTE: All discounts and special
prices are void if not paid within terms.
Caretas Rev S.A. de C.V./
Ghoulish Productions
866-336-1227, Fax +52,777-3143199 x102
[email protected]
Alfonso Junco 4, Col-Lazaro Cardenas,
Cuemavara, Morelos, Mexico, 62080
www.ghoulishproductions.com
Contact: Rosalba Dorado
Specialty: Masks, props, hands, accessories, and
costumes for Halloween and costume parties.
Disc
oun
t: 10% on the order. Special price for
iscoun
ount:
“Serial Killers” of $4.50, minimum 24 pieces.
Special price for “Chinless” of $5.99, minimum 24
pieces.
Terms: Minimum order $1,000USD. Discount
and special prices only if order is received before
April 1st/payment via credit card. Credit card
information needs to be given at time of order.
2012
Caufields
502-583-0636, Fax 502-583-2002
[email protected]
1006 W. Main St., Louisville, KY 40202
www.caufields.com
tac
t: Tracy Johnson
C on
ontac
tact:
S pecialt
pecialtyy: Caufield’s is a family-owned wholesale
distributor since 1920. Fast, friendly service with
low minimums. Caufield’s offers wholesale pricing
that is the same or just slightly higher than the
manufacturers. We distribute for the following
companies: Paper Magic, Forum Novelties,
Disguise, Beistle, Rubie’s, RG Costumes, Mehron,
Rasta Imposta, Franco.
D isc
oun
t: As an incentive to NCA members only,
iscoun
ount:
we are offering a low minimum opening order
with Net 11/1/12 dating of only $400 with
approved credit. This will enable you to combine
products from several major manufacturers to
reach the $400 minimum. Dating orders will ship
after June 1. All subsequent orders of $50 or more
will also receive the benefit of November 1 dating.
Place your order by April 1 and you can special
order any item from the manufacturers listed
above, even items we do not regularly stock.
Simply fax or email us your order on the specific
manufacturer’s order form and we will get the
items in for you. This will eliminate the need for
you to reach high minimums with each company
and still get the merchandise needed with
Halloween dating terms.
continued...
23
Contact: Michael Stein
Specialt
pecialtyy: Woochie special FX, theatrical makeup,
bloods, adhesives, makeup kits, barrier and
sealers, foam prosthetics and education
Discount: All NCA members receive a 10%
discount on orders placed with Cinema Secrets.
2012
continued...
Charades LLC
626-435-0077, Fax 626-369-5096
[email protected]
14438 Don Junian Rd, City of Industry, CA 91746
www.charadescostumes.com
tac
t: Jerry Beck, Charlie Santilena, Belinda Toro
Con
ontac
tact:
Specialty: High quality costumes at affordable
prices. Large selection of costumes, wigs, and
weapons.
D isc
oun
t: Volume discount schedule, with
iscoun
ount:
Halloween dating of Nov. 1 (purchase levels are
annual purchases): Purchases of $3,000+: NCA
discount 3% (standard discount 2%); purchases
of $5,000+: NCA discount 4% (standard 3%);
purchases of $7,500+: NCA discount 5%
(standard 4%); purchases of $10,000+: NCA
discount 6% (standard 5%); purchases of
$15,000+: NCA discount 8% (standard 7%);
purchases of $20,000+: NCA discount 10%
(standard 9%). No discounts are applied on
orders under $3,000.
Terms: No discounts allowed on payments
received after November 15.
Cinema Secrets Inc.
818-846- 0579, Fax 818-846-0431
[email protected]
4400 Riverside Dr., Burbank, CA 91505
www.cinemasecrets.com
Dillon Inc.
800-654-3696, Fax 405-942-4705
[email protected]
P.O Box 75939, Oklahoma City, OK 73147
www.dillonimporting.com
Contact: Jeff Goodner
Specialty: Halloween novelties, oddities, give-aways, and costume accessories.
Discount: Always case price. Free freight with
$150 shippable merchandise.
Terms: Halloween dating, net due 11/1/2012.
qualification: $2500+. Terms: Net 11/10/12 for
orders $2500+. Net 30 days for orders $1000$2500. All payment terms subject to credit
approval. Defective allowance: 1%, based on net
volume shipped calendar 2012; in lieu of return of
any defective 2012 product shipped 2012;
deducted from individual member invoice.
Freight FOB Walnut CA. Ship-to location
minimum order/reorder: $100, per ship-to
location. All program-related discounts and/or
rebates that may apply are calculated against net
shipments and subject to forfeiture if payable is
delinquent post 12/1. Discounts do not apply to
direct import orders. Discounts cannot b
combined with any other offers i.e. closeouts,
special sale items. Credit card transactions
available via credit department. Any deviations
must be authorized by the sales department.
Disguise
Distinctive Costumes
858-391-3600, Fax 858-391-3601
[email protected], [email protected], or
dealer link on our website
12120 Kear Place, Poway, CA 92064
www.disguise.com
Contact: Jay Nafman or area Disguise Rep
Specialt
pecialtyy: Disney, Marvel, Hasbro, Mattel, Saban,
Sesame Street, Spin Master, Nintendo, others plus
proprietary family groupings, Dark Shadows
Discount: (subject to change) Discount from
invoice for all orders placed by April 2:
proprietary product: 17%; licensed: 13%;
confirmed 2012 NCA members placing orders by
April 2 will continue to receive the maximum
17% / 13% discounts against reorder activity
through the 2012 season. NCA members not
placing orders by April 2 will receive appropriate
benefits under our published standard 2012
program.
Terms: An NCA active membership number/ID
must appear on all orders for the appropriate
discount to be applied. Minimum opening order:
$1000. Premium program minimum order
800-222-4269, Fax 248-666-9497
[email protected]
1413 Airway Dr., Waterford, MI 48327
www.distinctivecostumes.com
tac
t: Peggy Watson
C on
ontac
tact:
Specialty: Great rental/retail easy care traditional
costumes, 50s, robes, capes. US manufacturer
located in Michigan.
Discount: NCA members will receive the lowest
price of any Distinctive Costumes item.
Terms: NCA members will qualify for November
dating by placing a minimum $500 order or
higher by May 25, 2012. Payment due by
November 5, 2012.
Get the most out of the NC
A Buy
ers Gr
oup discounts
NCA
Buyers
Group
Write your NCA member number on all orders and invoices • When you are “shopping a show” ask first if that
vendor is an NCA member or/and do they have a Buyers Group Program • double check this Buyers Group
listing before placing orders to see if any additional discounts are bonuses are available
24
Dreamgirl international
323-863-7429, Fax 323-268-4913
[email protected]
5548 Lindbergh Lane, Bell, CA 90201
www.dreamgirldirect.com
Contact: Eric Ehrens
Specialty: Contemporary adult, tween, and
children’s costumes and accessories.
Discount: NCA member discount 8% off
Dreamgirl listed wholesale price list on all
costumes and costume accessories in our costume
collection catalogs, all year long.
Terms: Net 30/credit card/Halloween dating
available to accounts if they qualify as net 30
accounts. Due date 11/10/2012.
Dress Up America
866-943-7377, Fax 718-775-3200
[email protected]
234 Lee Ave 8th fl, Brooklyn, NY 11206
www.dressupamerica.com
Contact: Barry Grossman
Specialty: A full new line of Ringling Brothers’
clowns and accessories, as well as our specialty in
kids’ role model costumes: police, army,
firefighter, SWAT, FBI, doctor, etc, and the new hit
Special Forces.
Discount: A. 10% all year round discount (no
minimum purchase). B. Additional 5% discount
for placing the orders at the Halloween & Party
Expo in Houston. C. Free freight for orders above
$1500.
Terms: Halloween dating on credit approval.
Eddies Trick and Novelty Inc.
800-544-8278, Fax 404-377-2210
[email protected]
262 Rio Circle, Decatur, GA 30030
www.eddiestrickshop.com
Contact: Frank McKinnon
S pecialt
pecialtyy: Makeup, costumes, costume
accessories, wigs, masks, magic, novelties.
Discount: As a way of rewarding our customers
for adhering to the terms, we offer a BONUS for all
qualified early orders and prompt payment. On
November 15 we will compute earned bonus
rewards and issue a formal credit memo that may
be used against subsequent purchases only. In no
case is it intended to be a cash reward. The bonus
will be computed as follows: initial orders by July
9; $1000 to $2499 - 3% bonus; $2500 to $4999 5% bonus; $5000 to $9999 - 7% bonus; $10000
and up - 10% bonus. All subsequent purchases
between July 9 and Oct 31, 2012 will be
computed at the same rate as long as they are paid
on time. No order will be included that is paid
after November 9, 2012.
Terms: Halloween order(s) must be placed by
July 9 totalling $1000 or more. Payment must be
received on time. Halloween accounts, including
those orders shipped in October, are due
November 9. Any payment received after
November 9 invalidates the bonus. No discounts
will be given on Mehron or Ben Nye professional
or Mini-Pro Make-up Kits. We will not duplicate
any Mehron or Ben Nye discounts. California
costumes are not included.
You can stipulate shipping dates. When
ordered before July 9, 2012 the items will be
reserved for you for shipment when you desire.
This does not change your regular method of
payment. If you are currently purchasing from us
on a net 30 account, C.O.D., or credit card, your
method of payment will remain the same unless
some other terms are worked out with our credit
department.
Elegant Moments
570-489-9861, Fax 570-489-5619
[email protected]
3370 Scranton/Carbondale Hwy, Blakely, PA 18447
www.elegantmoments.com
Contact: Meredith Pierson
Specialt
pecialtyy : Women’s, junior’s, and men’s costumes
in sizes S-4X, lingerie, hosiery, leather, and vinyl.
Discount: 15% off list price.
Terms: Halloween dating net Nov 15.
Ellie Shoes, Inc
714-771-0015, Fax 714-771-0057
[email protected]
1050 N. Batavia St., Ste B, Orange, CA 92867
www.ellieshoes.com
Contact: Leslie Gaylor
Specialty: Costume shoes and boots for women,
men, and kids.
Discount: 5% year-round discount to all NCA
members.
2012
elope, Inc
719-328-1312, Fax 719-328-1261
[email protected]
3755 Mark Dabling Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80907
www.elope.com
Contact: Kelli Borel
Specialty: Costumes, accessories, licensed
products. Highest quality and most innovative
products, catering to specialty retailers.
Discount: For 2012, elope will be announcing the
NCA program at the Halloween Show in Houston.
Terms: Opening order $200, reorder minimum is
$100. Payment terms for new customers — cc/
COD first three orders, then Net 30 upon request
with approved credit. Late payments may
jeopardize discounts.
Esco Imports, Inc.
800-445-3836, Fax 210-223-1547
[email protected]
6055 Woodlake, San Antonio, TX 78244
www.escoimports.com
Contact: David Landez
S pecialt
pecialtyy: Toy gun costume accessories, toy
swords, vinyl snakes, pirate accessories, novelty
items.
Discount: Halloween dating and case pricing on
any quantity. NCA members also get an additional
5% off case price.
Terms: Halloween dating allows you to pay
November 10.
continued...
25
Franco American Novelty
Company LLC.
2012
continued...
Flashback & Freedom, Inc.
631-471-2548, Fax 631-471-3183
[email protected]
140 Corporate Dr, Holtsville, NY 11742
www.flashbackandfreedom.com
Contact: Howard Gruick
Specialty: Hottest latest fashions and accessories.
First, hippie, 60-80s accessories and clothing,
sunglasses, pimp jewelry, labcoats, etc.
Discount: 5% discount on all orders over $50.
Terms: Credit card, COD, or Net 30.
Forum Novelties, Inc
516-536-4600, Fax 516-536-9741
[email protected]
1770 Walt Whitman Rd., Melville, NY 11747
www.forumnovelties.com
Contact: Fred Pittella
S pecialt
pecialtyy: Costumes, masks, makeup, wigs, décor,
props, Halloween accessories, joke, tricks,
novelties, Mardi Gras, St. Pats, luau, Christmas.
Discount: 5% discount on all orders and on all
categories. 7% on orders $5000+. 10% on
orders $10,000+. 15% for orders over $15,000.
Terms: Halloween dating November 10th.
718-821-3100, Fax 718-821-1307
[email protected]
8400 72nd Drive, Glendale, NY 11385
www.francollc.com
Contact: Jay Dinhofer
Specialty: Halloween novelties including
costumes, wigs, hats, and a full range of
accessories.
Disc
oun
t: NC Dollar Volume Discount: $2500:
iscoun
ount:
standard discount 2%, NCA discount 3%; $5000:
standard discount 3%, NCA discount 5%; $7500:
standard discount 5%, NCA discount 7%;
$15000: standard discount 7%, NCA discount
10%; $25000: standard discount 10%, NCA
discount 15%.
Terms: 1. Earned discount level will apply to all
orders placed between January 2012 and
December 2012. Note: All special item pricing net
purchases (i.e. special discount) cannot be
combined to achieve dollar volume discount
level. Earned discounts will apply to merchandise
shipped and billed at regular dealer prices only. 2.
Some prices may change without notice. 3. All
Halloween invoices must be paid by 11/10/12 or
discounts will be forfeited. 4. Discounts apply to
merchandise only, not freight.
Froggy’s Fog
615-469-4906, Fax 615-346-9430
[email protected]
302 Rutherford Lane, Columbia, TN 38401
www.froggysfog.com
Contact: Chris Markgraf
Specialty: Fog fluid, snow fluid, bubble fluid
Discount: 5% off our wholesale price. All
inventory levels, store graphics and forms are on
the buying group website, www.fogorders.com
Terms: Net 60
Funny Fashion, Inc
888-333-6363, Fax 877-674-6487
[email protected]
10035 Federal Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80908
www.espa.be
Contact: Hans Hisgen
Specialty: Quality costumes and unique accessories.
Discount: 10% to 20% discounts on a net price
list unique to NCA.
Terms: Halloween dating (Nov. 10) WAC, FOB
Colorado Springs, CO 80908
FunWorld
516-873-9000, Fax 516-873-9005
[email protected]
80 Voice Rd, Carle Place, NY 11514
Contact: Isora Gozley x264, Alex Losito x256
S pecialt
pecialtyy: “Everything Halloween” Costumes,
mascots, licenses, décor, costume accessories,
wigs, masks, makeup, etc...Also a full line of Santa
suits and Christmas dress up (both retail and
rental quality).
Discount: NCA Members automatically receive
10% off of our list price and have the opportunity
to receive higher discounts (as much as 30% off
list). Free freight on all orders over $2,000 per
warehouse.
Terms: Seasonal dating available upon approval
from our credit department.
Garland Beauty Products, Inc.
310-220-2080, Fax 310-933-4280
[email protected]
13041 Cerise Ave, Hawthorne, CA 90250
www.garlandbty.com
Contact: Sara Schaap
Specialty: Costume wigs, eyelashes, beards and
moustaches, beauty accessories.
Discount: Halloween dating, 5% discount on
2012 pricing.
A Buy
ers Gr
oup discounts
NCA
Buyers
Group
26
Graftobian Makeup Company
608-222-7849, Fax 608-222-7893
[email protected]
510 Tasman Street, Madison, WI 53714
www.graftobian.com
Con
tac
t: Janine Wardale
ontac
tact:
Specialty: Makeup of all kinds: Halloween,
fantasy, theatrical, gore, clown, HD beauty, dance,
face painting, cheerleading, airbrush, team
colors, etc.
Discount: NCA members will receive a one tier
level increase in their earned discount per the
schedule on the back of our 2011-12 wholesale
catalog.
Terms: Orders for the year need to have exceeded
$1,000 before discount level increase kicks in.
Timely payment is required. Halloween orders
need to be in by April 15.
Halco
724-929-7300, Fax 724-929-7301
[email protected]
2037 Rt. 906, PO Box 108, Belle Vernon, PA 15012
www.halcoholidays.com
tac
t: Terri Greenberg
C on
ontac
tact:
Specialty: High quality Santa Claus suits: Mrs.
Claus, elves, Santa’s helpers, mascots, and
Christmas accessories.
Discount: NCA members receive a 4% discount
on orders placed by 5/31/12 plus 5% discount on
orders of $1,500 or more.
Terms: Terms for qualified accounts.
Hypard Trading
800-699-7755, Fax 626-333-5223
[email protected]
14218 Nelson Ave, Industry, CA 91746
www.hypard.com
Contact: Mike Matulich
Specialty: Costume shoes for every category and
theme.
Discount: 7% discount from wholesale pricing.
Terms: Credit card or Net 30 terms.
Jacobson Hat Co. Inc
570-342-7887, Fax 570-342-7454
[email protected]
1301 Ridge Row, Scranton, PA 18510
www.Jhats.com
Contact: Jeffrey Jacobson
Specialty: Halloween hats and accessories.
Discount: Ship 8/1 payable 11/10. End quantity
pricing styrofoam skimmers. Next quantity
pricing poly leis.
Terms: Must be current paying bills.
Leg Avenue
626-581-1273, Fax 626-581-1881
[email protected]
19601 E. Walnut Dr. South,
City of Industry, CA 91748
www.legavenue.com
Con
tac
t: Tamera M. Vestal
ontac
tact:
Specialty: Costumes: adult female and male
costumes, kids’ costumes, plus-size costumes;
hosiery; lingerie; burlesque; and shoes.
Discount: 8% on all catalog items.
Terms: Net 30 everyday orders; Halloween
dating 11/10 on Halloween orders upon factor
approval, Halloween dating must be noted on
the order.
Mehron Inc.
800-332-9955, [email protected]
100 Red Schoolhouse Rd.,
Chestnut Ridge, NY 10977
www.mehron.com
Contact: Gene Flaharty
Specialty: Performance makeup for fashion,
face/body painting, stage, studio, clown, and
education.
Discount: Automatic 5% discount off wholesale
list prices for any/all orders over $100 plus 50%
off standard UPS shipping rates. 10% discount off
wholesale list prices once YTD purchases reach
$1,500, plus 50% off standard UPS shipping rates
and for all additional orders over $100 for the rest
of the calendar year. 15% discount off wholesale
list prices once YTD purchases reach $3,750 plus
50% off standard UPS shipping rates and for all
additional orders over $100 for the rest of the
calendar year. Free product info guides and free
promotional materials.
Terms: No retroactive discounts. Member firms
must present membership documentation with
P.O. Net 30 day payment terms must be honored.
Halloween dating payment terms must be
honored; payment due 11/10/12.
2012
Midnight Syndicate Soundtracks
440-286-1494, Fax 440-285-2449
[email protected]
11510 Boxwood Circle, Chardon, OH 44024
www.midnightsyndicate.com
Contact: Edward Douglas
Specialty: Midnight Syndicate Halloween music
CDs. The best orchestral, instrumental Halloween
atmosphere for 15 years.
Discount: 5% off any order over $90. Free
displays, poster, and sampler CD.
Terms: Net Nov. 5 pending credit approval.
Paper Magic Group
800-278-4085, Fax 888-377-6546
[email protected]
54 Glenmaura Blvd, Moosic, PA 18507
www.papermagic.com
Contact: Michael George
Specialty: Paper Magic is a key supplier in
costumes, wigs, masks, accessories, makeup, and
décor. Also ranked for 5-star customer service and
satisfaction.
Discount: 15% off domestic list price.
Terms: $500 order minimum, $750 prepaid
freight. 11/10 dating upon credit approval.
continued...
27
$15,001 or more: 20%. Levels are determined by
current year purchase.
Pleaser USA Inc
2012
continued...
Party King
888-577-5752, Fax 866-594-7886
[email protected]
9036 Reseda Blvd #104, Northridge, CA 91324
www.pkhalloween.com
Contact: Sean Monahan
S pecialt
pecialtyy: Costumes, wigs, masks, hosiery,
petticoats, eyelashes.
Discount: NCA discount program: $1000-$2499
net order, 5% discount; $2500-$3999 net order,
10% discount; $4000+ net order, 20% discount.
Terms: Minimum order $300. Net 30 days. All
orders are FOB our Los Angeles, CA warehouse.
$2500+ net orders, Halloween dating due 11-1012. Initial Halloween dating orders must be
received by March 15, 2012 to qualify.
Peter Alan, Inc
973-366-2400, Fax 973-366-4300
[email protected]
PO Box 134, Rockaway, NJ 07866
www.peter-alan.com
Contact: Alan Berkaman
Specialty: Best known for our unusual wings,
better wigs, high quality, mid-priced costumes.
Discount: Minimum qualifying order $1,200.
Subsequent orders will also receive the discount.
$1,200-$5,000: 10%; $5,001-$15,000: 15%;
714-771-1888 x110, Fax 714-771-6888
[email protected]
679 S. Placentia Ave., Fullerton, CA 92831
www.pleaserusa.com
Contact: Bill Bonorris
Specialty: Sexy Halloween, costume shoes, boots;
traditional Halloween costume shoes, boots;
handbags.
Discount: $499-$2999=8%; $3000$5999=12%; $6000-above=15%. Volume
discount applies per individual sales order dollar
amount. This discount structure only applies to
order placed before April 30, 2012 and payments
are made on time per our agreement.
Terms: Halloween dating is available upon credit
approval.
Rasta Imposta
856-939-9599, Fax 856-939-5990
[email protected]
PO Box 7, Runnemede, NJ 08078
www.rastaimposta.com
tac
t: Sue Wellington
Con
ontac
tact:
Specialty: Costumes for all ages. Licensed
costumes, products turned into costumes.
Discount: 5% discount when paid within terms
on initial orders of $1,000; 20% discount when
paid within terms on initial orders of $3,500.
Initial orders must be received no later than
March 1, 2012 to establish discount. Discounts
will expire December 31, 2012.
Terms: New customer terms are credit card for
first order. May apply for terms on future orders.
RG Costumes & Accessories
888-858-9559, Fax 626-858-9798
[email protected]
726 Arrow Grand Circle, Covina, CA 91722
www.rgcostume.com
Contact: David Spiegel
Specialty: Infants, toddlers, boys, girls, teens,
men’s, women’s, sexy, full-figured, Santa,
accessories, wigs, hosiery, wings.
Discount: 20% off any order of $3500. 15% off of
any order of $2000. 5% off any order of $1000.
Terms: Halloween dating upon approved credit.
Rubie’s Costume Co.
516-326-1500, Fax 516-326-1713
[email protected]
One Rubie Plaza, Richmond Hill, NY 11418
www.rubies.com
Contact: Arthur Savarese
S pecialt
pecialtyy: The world’s leading manufacturer and
distributor of Halloween licensed and nonlicensed costumes and accessories.
D isc
oun
t: Rubie’s Costume Co., Inc. will give all
iscoun
ount:
members of the buyers group one upgrade from
the normal discount level that they would qualify
for providing that they reach at least the first
discount level on their own. Merchandise
included in program: All merchandise purchased
from Rubie’s catalogs are included, whether it be
children’s costumes, adult costumes, rental
costumes, hats, accessories, Christmas items, St.
Patrick’s Day items, Easter, etc. ONLY EXCEPTIONS
would be any items marked closeout, overstock
on special quotations on customer’s orders, Tillie
Beige packages (TBC 1-4), “Rubie’s Red Line”
pricing, or merchandise purchased on letter of
credit. Purchases from the “Rubie’s Red Line”
pricing will be invoiced separately and not
counted as part of your “Dollar Volume Discount
Program” with Rubie’s. This is for the sole purpose
of eliminating further discounts on the items
purchased from this “Rubie’s Red Line” pricing.
Your discountable sales to the year total will
determine your discount level.
Volume Incentive Program: With the purchase
of $500 or more from Rubie’s Makeup/Mask
Illusions Divisions (FOB-Phoenix, AZ), NCA
members can deduct 50% of their freight charges
A Buy
ers Gr
oup discounts
NCA
Buyers
Group
28
from their Makeup/Mask Illusions invoices ONLY.
Rubie’s will also offer special pricing on select
Christmas items.
Dollar Volume Discount Program: Annual
purchase above $3,000, NCA discount 3%
(normal 2%); above $5,000, NCA 5% (normal
3%); above $7,500, NCA 7% (normal 5%); above
$15,000, NCA 10% (normal 7%); above $25,000,
NCA 12% (normal 10%); above $37,000, NCA
15% (normal 12%); above $50,000, NCA 16%
(bonus level!)
NOTE: New maximum discount level is 16%,
and can be achieved by purchasing $50,000 in
merchandise during the 2012 year. The final
adjustment for all accounts will take place at the
end of the year as a rebate, thereby giving each
account the maximum amount of time to reach
the highest discount level. This offer is valid only
to members of the NCA in good standing which
have paid at least 97% of their Halloween invoices
with Rubie’s Costume Co., Inc. by November 10th
as required. This program cannot be combined
with any other offers.
Terms: The initial Halloween order has to be
placed before May 1, 2012 to receive all the NCA
discounts. As long as the initial Halloween order
was placed before May 1, all subsequent reorders
in 2012 will also be subject to the NCA program.
All Halloween orders placed after May 1 will not
be included in the NCA program and will be
subject to the regular Rubie’s discount policy.
The initial Halloween order has to be placed
before May 1, 2012 to receive all the NCA
discounts. As long as the initial Halloween order
was placed before May 1, all subsequent reorders
in 2012 will also be subject to the NCA program.
All Halloween orders placed after May 1 will not
be included in the NCA program and will be
subject to the regular Rubie’s discount policy.
Shipping charges are not discountable, and are
not included in your year-to-date sales total. The
computer calculates discounts on merchandise
actually shipped by December 31 (not on unfilled
orders or backorders). Discounts are based on
payments within terms. Delinquent accounts
forfeit all discounts.
Sky Hosiery Inc
626-588-2633, Fax 626-588-2643
[email protected]
1088 Westminster Ave., Alhambra, CA 91803
www.MUSICLEGS.com
Con
tac
t: Joseph Tok
ontac
tact:
Specialty: costumes, lingerie, hosiery
Discount: 8% discount on line items for all NCA
members in good standing.
2012
Sunnywood Inc.
815-675-9777, Fax 815-675-9788
[email protected]
2503 Spring Ridge Dr., Ste H, Spring Grove, IL 60081
www.sunnywood.net
tac
t: Courtney Tolbert
Con
ontac
tact:
Specialty: Sunnywood specializes in tiaras,
crowns, Santas, plus-size costumes, mascots, and
other rhinestone accessories.
Discount: NCA members receive one of the best
discount programs in the industry. 1. Dozen
pricing all year long. 2. Net 60-day terms on all
orders under $1,000. 3. Net 90-day terms on all
orders over $1,000 with approved credit. 4. In
addition, we offer special promotions only for
NCA members throughout the year.
Tabis Characters
323-232-8011, Fax 323-232-8016
[email protected]
808 E. Jefferson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90011
www.tabischaracters.com
Contact: Jasmine
Specialty: Quality costumes at affordable prices.
Disc
oun
t: We are providing a 2% discount on all
iscoun
ount:
orders to members of the NCA.
Terms: Payment due at shipping. We accept all
major credit cards and check (upon approval).
ThePirateDressing.com
323-284-7201, Fax 888-229-1577
[email protected]
105/Balji Plaza, Sector-8, Rohini, Delhi, India,
110085
www.thepiratedressing.com
Contact: Aditya Agarwal
Specialty: Superior quality Steampunk, pirate,
medieval, and renaissance clothing suitable for
parties, ren fairs, pirate festivals, and re-enactors.
Discount: 5% additional discount to NCA
members.
Terms: Standard minimum order applies.
Trick or Treat Studios
831-234-2762, Fax 831-621-4763
[email protected]
3170 Mar Vista Dr, Aptos, CA 95003
www.trickortreatstudios.com
Contact: Chris Zephro
Specialty: High quality retro masks and
accessories. Unique characters and monsters,
including licenses from comics and film.
Discount: 5% for orders over $500; 10% for
orders over $1,000.
continued...
29
2012
continued...
Underwraps Costumes
818-349-5300, Fax 818-349-7200
[email protected]
9600 Irondale Ave, Chatsworth, CA 91311
www.underwrapscostumes.com
Contact: Payman Shaffa
S pecialt
pecialtyy: Infant, toddler, children, adult, plussize adult costumes.
Discount: All NCA members receive 5% above
and beyond our discount schedule (not to be used
in conjunction with any other discounts).
Terms: $500 minimum order.
Visual Effects Ind
718-324-0011, Fax 718-324-0300
[email protected]
600E 156th St., Bronx, NY 10455
www.visualeffectsinc.com
Contact: Henry Kwitel or George Dertinger
Specialty: Fog and bubble machines, flame
lights, special effects, black lights, strobes, and
mirror balls.
Discount: 10% year-round discount for members
and an extra 10% for orders placed at the
Halloween show.
Terms: Net 30 days to approved accounts.
West Bay Inc.
Zagone Studios, LLC
800-421-1940, Fax 323-720-5799
[email protected]
7245 E. Oxford Way, Los Angeles, CA 90040
www.westbayinc.com
Contact: Paul Jang
Specialty: Everyday fashion wigs, costume wigs,
Santa wigs and beards, mustaches and beards,
eyelashes.
Discount: $200-$750: 3%; $751-$1,500: 6%;
$1,501-$2,500: 10%; $2,501-$3,500: 13%;
$3,501+: 15%.
Terms: Late payments cancel all discounts.
Discounts are on a per order basis. Minimum
order $200. All freight paid by customer.
Discounts do not apply to freight. Discounts
apply to net order. All new accounts opened on
credit card terms, future terms based O.A.C.
773-509-0610, Fax 773-509-0613
[email protected]
2600 W. Irving Park Rd., Chicago, IL 60618
www.zagonestudios.com
C on
tac
t: Tony Zagone
ontac
tact:
Specialty: Great fitting, moving mouth, made in
USA Halloween and theatrical masks and
accessories.
Discount: 5% on all orders; 10% on orders over
$1000. Discount applies all year.
Wolfe Face Arts & FX
407-772-2154, Fax 407-772-2230
[email protected]
224 W Central Pkwy, Ste 1020, Altamonte
Springs, FL 32714
www.wolfefx.com
tac
t: Shelli Farber, 386-956-9556
Con
ontac
tact:
Specialt
pecialtyy: Wolfe provides professional make-up
for movie and theater and offers over 60 different
easy-to-use face and body painting products for
sale to the end users.
Discount: A 5% discount to NCA members. If
orders are over $500, the discount will increase to
7, 8, or 10% based on volume for early order
period through March 1, 2012. $500-$1500, 7%;
$1500-$2500, 8%; $2500+, 10% discount. On
orders placed at Houston, a promo of 1/2 off on
shipping is offered.
Terms: Terms decided based on activity of
customers and credit history
Attention Vendor
Members:
There’s still time to participate in the
2012 Buyers Group and have your
name included in upcoming lists of BG
vendors, and on www.costumers.org.
Why not do it as you’re renewing your
membership in the NCA?
Contact Gary Broadrick or Glenn
Alexander at 615-256-0070 or
[email protected] for more
information, as soon as possible.
A Buy
ers Gr
oup discounts
NCA
Buyers
Group
30
There
Be
It’s Good to Be
Queen
Dragons Here
By Sheila S. Hudson •
. . . plus fairies, storm troopers,
vampires, and zombies.
Every year over Labor Day
weekend, Atlanta, Georgia, becomes a
dragon’s lair. More than 35,000
science fiction and fantasy fans,
authors, costumers, musicians, actors,
and artisans of every ilk gather to
celebrate their passion.
With more than 3500 hours of
programming and more added every
year, Dragon*Con is touted as “the
largest multimedia, popular culture
convention focused on science fiction
and fantasy, gaming, comics,
literature, art, music, and film in the
universe!”
The 2011 convention had a
presence in five major locations
including the Marriott Marquis,
Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Hilton
Atlanta, Sheraton Atlanta, and the
Westin Peachtree Plaza hotels. With
a schedule that reads like a guidebook,
a newbie can easily be overwhelmed.
But there’s one thing to remember:
no matter how ominous Dragon*Con
attendees may appear, they have a
reputation for respect and courteous
treatment especially to the challenged
among them.
With thirty-plus interest “tracks”
to choose from, ranging from
Alternate History to Anime to
Gaming and Tolkien’s Middle Earth,
there’s never a dull moment at
Dragon*Con. From the opening
ceremonies until the closing ceremonies on Monday afternoon,
Dragon*Con runs 24/7 except for the
dealers/exhibitors halls and the art show.
The Costuming Track convened
in the Marriott Marquis mezzanine
floor with panels and workshops
taking place in a cluster of rooms. The
first session was standing room only
as costuming professionals took the
platform to explain tailoring
techniques. The panel, led by
freelance costume designer Chris
Mueller, answered questions about
interfacing intricacies, choosing
appropriate lining and interface
materials, the placing of pockets, and
professional construction tips.
Mueller noted, “Whether you are
presenting your costume designs to a
build team or you are a director
trying to get a certain scene out of an
actor, you are basically teaching.”
Mueller should know because this is
his fourth year to share his wealth of
costuming knowledge with the
Dragon*Con community.
Freddy Clements couldn’t agree
more as he and his panel took up the
Pictured: this page: a camo costume. Opposite page, clockwise from upper left: Optimus Prime
from the Transformers ©; a silver and gold hawk entry featuring a chain mail vest constructed
entirely of soda pop tabs joined with fishing line; velociraptor costume made of upholstery
fabric and foam.
32
Photos by Tim Hudson
theme of suggested costuming
materials. For those needing a quick
suit of armor, he shared illustrations
of constructing breastplates
employing a Japanese folding
technique, applying fiberglass and
resin, shellacking leather, and
requisitioning fabric normally used
for auto headliners. For those wanting
more, Clements mentioned adding
LED components, smoke tubes,
sound elements, and glow in the dark
yarns and resins.
For costumers on a budget, the
audience viewed ensembles made
from cereal boxes, PVC pipe, various
foils, plastics, and other household
items. An alternative chain mail can
be fashioned by knitting a vestment,
dying it black and applying silver foil.
Clements, Professor of Drama and
faculty costume designer at
Jacksonville State University,
and Scott Merrill from
Crafts4Stage fame, shared
insights for wing-making, hat
and headwear creations, and
how to stitch sequin fabric.
“You Can Do That” was
an apt name for the session
that left my brain spinning
with possibilities as I made
my way to the Dragon*Con
parade where I saw endless
possibilities for clever
costuming. There were
numerous opportunities to see
examples of more innovative methods
at the Hallway Costume Contest, the
Miss Star Trek Universe Pageant, the
Star Wars Costume Contest, the
Steampunk Costume Contest, and
the Yule Ball, just to name a few.
The next day some
of the winners were
guests of the Costuming
Track. Throughout their
demonstrations the
panel pointed to the
winners’ clean lines,
their “finished look”
which included footwear
and accessories, and
their adherence to the time period.
Many contestants lost points because
their underdressing, wigs, or footwear
was not authentic.
My favorite from the group of
winners featured a demure red satin
Victorian-style dress trimmed in
leopard fur. The ample skirt displayed
twenty-four detachable handmade
flowers with interlocking teeth. A
device within the sleeve allowed the
teeth to bite anyone getting too near.
The bodice, headpiece, and sleeves
flaunted 2,200 hand sewn acrylic
rubies. A costume fit to kill!
The Velociraptor costume was
made of upholstery fabric and foam,
topped by an acrylic shaped head
with “follow me” eyes. The teeth were
genuine coyote and the tongue
constructed of pink foam. The
raptor’s long swinging tail was foam
with a device to control motion in the
sleeve. Toe nails are hand carved and
airbrushed.
One of the young costumers won
for her design of Optimus Prime
from the Transformers©. She mainly
used foam board, treated and painted
for all the construction parts. Evenly
balancing the costume pieces to allow
walking was her biggest challenge, she
told the audience.
Following Optimus Prime came a
silver and gold hawk entry featuring a
chain mail vest constructed entirely of
soda pop tabs joined with fishing line.
The six-foot wings were made of
cardboard covered with paper mache’.
Each wing weighed five pounds and
they were separately
manipulated with rods and
fishing line. The hawk head was
made completely of soda cans
air-brushed silver and gold.
This impressive costume was
100% recyclable, and its creator
was only 15 years old.
Costumes are encouraged
for everyone who attends
Dragon*Con, not just the
professionals. Hall costumes
run the gamut from silly to
ornate. A covey of princesses
drew waves and cheers wherever
they went. There are always a
smattering of Storm Troopers,
Wookies, Netherworld inhabitants,
zombies, werewolves, and Princess
continued...
33
Dragons, continued...
Leias. Oohs and aahs always come from the miniature
Darth Vaders and Yodas.
The Costuming Track dedicated a special session
exclusively for kids’ costumes. Freddy Clements, Scott
Merrill, Daisy Viktoria, Kathleen O’Shea, Pamela Cole,
Chris Mueller, Kristina Howard, and Andrea Mast-Kessel
rotated monitoring the panel. Their combined expertise in
wig making, makeup artistry, puppetry arts, pattern
making, historical accuracy in design, and sewing techniques made this a rich experience for all levels of
costumers.
Dragon*Con hosted a Meet and Greet for Costumers,
a Sewing & Craft Circle, Hallway Costume Contest, a
Steampunk Costuming Panel, Whedonverse Costume
Contest, World of Warcraft Costume Contest, and the
Yule Ball. Mundanes like me had a chance to mingle with
comic book characters, television personalities, and aliens.
Everyone had the same goal – to enjoy a weekend of fun,
relaxation, and an escape from our ordinary routine. But
for a costumer, this is a veritable goldmine of ideas,
techniques, and tips.
The Pattern Making class covered hat design, draping,
34
flat patterns, slash and spread alteration methods, and
using premade period pieces. A panelist executed a full
demonstration of mannequin draping with muslin. An
alternative to draping is body blocking offered by all major
pattern companies. Some discussion was given to altering a
flat pattern.
Fans of graphic novels, art and literature, fantasy,
horror, mystery, and science fiction will find gatherings
that will please. Proceeds from the Walk of Fame celebrity
book signings go to charity and a Red Cross blood drive
continues throughout the weekend. Troupes of volunteers
and staff make everything run smoothly. After 25 years of
experience the behind the scenes, personnel have
Dragon*Con down to a well-oiled machine.
Dragon*Con 2012 begins August 31 and continues
throughout September 3. Dragons will be there and so will I.
For more information, visit www.dragoncon.org.
Just some more
friendly (?) faces
Sheila Hudson
is aafreelance
based in Athens, Georgia. Her
spending
day atjournalist
the
RenFest!include humor, travel, inspiration, and
primaryGeorgia
areas of expertise
mentoring. Her work has been featured in numerous publications from
newspapers to anthologies, and her “Bright Ideas” columns are currently
featured on the Southeastern Writers Association website and on The Infinite
Writer. Ms. Hudson has long been an admirer of the handiwork of
costumers, at events such as Comic*Con, Dragon*Con, and Renaissance
festivals, and looks forward to continuing to contribute to The Costumer.
NCA Marketplace
YOUR AD HERE
Answer to page 14 queston:
Ward Scott!
$35 buys you exposure
to the entire NCA
membership!
Email [email protected] or
call 800-622-1889
Looking for a source for something? Check here, and when you contact them,
tell them you saw it in The Costumer!
Advertising in the NCA Marketplace is $35 per issue, plus a 10% discount for NCA members. Deadline for ads is 30 days prior to issue date. Issue
dates are February, May, September, and December, so deadlines are, respectively, January 1, April 1, August 1, and November 1. You can submit a readymade ad, or just send text and we will place it in a box. You will be billed upon publication of the ad, and payment is due upon receipt.
Full details are listed on the advertising contract available on www.costumers.org. Or you can contact the publications office at [email protected]
or 800-NCA-1889.
35
reflection
The Year In Review
By Rachel Godollei Johnson
An end of year review is like a bad Christmas letter
from your third cousin. We all know what was
important and we don’t want to hear about Johnny’s
broken arm, the transmission falling out of the Pontiac,
or who got braces. But here goes anyway.
Dear NCA friends and family,
Well another year has come and gone, and us “old
folks” (ha, ha!) are still pluggin’ along out here in the
Heart of the Country. Jeff dropped another dress size
and Dan’l did too. Rachel gained what they lost (it’s just
not fair! I swore when I hit 50 I would gain 10 pounds
every year so I wouldn’t get wrinkles, and it’s coming
true without my even trying! I look at one of those new
giant cupcakes and gain weight!) Speaking of weight,
that new NCA Cookbook has some great recipes in it!
Katy Perry married that Russell Brand kid and they
made for a cute couples costume pair at Halloween, but
Gaga didn’t come through with a new wow-factor idea,
and everyone here is still stuck in pirate land, not that
I’m complaining. People out here have finally caught up
to the zombie craze so we sold a lot of makeup. They
also heard about steampunk finally and we may get
some calls for it next year. The young’uns are tired of
the “sexy” craze so the old cougars are the only ones who
wanted that stuff this year (I ain’t gonna be the one to
tell them how foolish they look!). Costumers drop like
flies as the competition gets bigger and cheesier by the
season. Shows keep getting pushed up and we had 3 go
out Halloween weekend. Shows also keep getting
smaller as directors struggle to cope with budget cuts.
2011
36
At least we still get some of their business. It was a hard
year for lots of folks – we’ve been living on peanut butter
and hope for a while now.
On the bright side, I haven’t gotten broken into on the
day after Halloween for 5 years now, I didn’t get one bad
check this year, the internet is the new word-of-mouth,
and it works. I also figured out how to draw on makeup to
look like it’s a tattoo. The IRS won’t lock my doors and
hold an auction any time soon because the bank holds a
lien for the business loan I’m still paying on so they get
first dibs. Got most of my bills caught up and the ones I
didn’t will have to take a number (remember that scene in
“Beetlejuice”? “your number is 730,546,219,000... now
serving #3). I’ve got 10 Christmas reservations already and
hoping for more. My favorite customers this year were the
2 guys going to the AIDS benefit ball that wanted to be
butch fairies. Body suit, tutu, wings, tiny tiara for one and
flower wreath for the other, combat boots, cigars, and
gold-plated crowbars with stars on top for wands. Very
fun. The world didn’t end on any of the predicted dates
and my grandkids, nieces, and nephews are all bright, welladjusted, and cute as can be. I like peanut butter and hope
is a good thing.
So to give you a quick review of the NCA year:
Births
Samantha Trosclair, Aug. 31
Alexander Skarstedt, May 3
Awards
Barbara Barbee Moore, Major Harrelson Award and
Life Membership Award
Janie Westendorf and Lori Westendorf Hammes,
Harry Palmer Award
Merlin Foat, Unsung Hero Award
Passings
Tex Locklar, February 16 • Barb Rogers, February 22
Lillian Wymer, March 11 • Edna Pitella, April 7
Makeup and Wig Guru Bob Kelly, April 18
Jerry Coppock, June 17
Cora Pierce, mother of Meralie Pierce-Pocock, June 21
Bryan Price, July 3
Janine Caufield’s Aunt Dorothy, July 17
Daniel Wozniak, August 29

The Costumer - National Costumers Association

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