Costumer Magazine
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NCA Member Profile: The Costumer: Celebrating a Centennial in Schenectady, New York
It’s not every day you hear of a business celebrating its centennial—especially in the costume industry, which has seen more than its share of shops close due to increased competition from Big Box stores, pop-up shops and e-commerce sites. But in Sch Read more
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Kids in Character
On April 22, 2018, Howard Avenue in Old Town Kensington, Maine, will be transformed into a literary wonderland. That Sunday, more than 100 authors, poets, and other participants will celebrate the International Day of the Book with live music, child Read more
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Designing for People with Disabilities:
Brian Allen sees the two customers every year. They come to his shop, Costume Gallery in Lady Lake, Florida, in wheelchairs, and they want costumes just like any other customer. After all, nearly everyone enjoys dressing up occasionally, and using a Read more
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Hats off to Headwear
When you think of buying hats and headwear for your costume shop’s inventory, what first comes to mind? The customers you’re stocking those hats for are likely thinking of Santa hats and witch hats, cowboy hats and pirate hats, top hats and a bowler Read more
Product Parade
Fun World’s Home Run Horror, Voodoo King and Northern Realm Warrior
The latest selection from Fun World includes the CM17132 Home Run Horror with shirt and pants printed with team baseball colors and logo, hat with sculpted ball, and printed socks. The CM11133 Voodoo King includes a shirt with attached vest and skull Read more
Jan 9, 2020
9:42 AM
elope, Inc.’s Hogwarts Robes.
Capture the magic of an older Hogwarts™ with this upscale line of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald™ 1920's Hogwarts Robes by elope. Inspired by the film, this robe embraces vintage styling to transport fans into the past of the famous Wiza Read more
Jan 9, 2020
9:33 AM
General Label Custom Woven Labels
Our custom woven labels are available in sew-in, stick-on or iron-on applications. Damask weaving produces a high-quality label that enhances any garment. Hi-definition weaving is used when designs having very small details need to be woven. Read more
Dec 18, 2019
10:52 AM
Ellie Shoes’ “Bubbles.”
The 254-Bubbles is a women’s shoe with a 2 ½-inch heel. It’s a versatile item that’s great for a scary clown or Harlequin costume! Read more
Dec 18, 2019
10:50 AM
Graftobian's Top-Selling Snap-Case Palette Boxes
The Master ProPaint™ Assortment #1 Palette Box is a good start to your Graftobian ProPaint™ collection. ProPaint™ delivers vivid color results with exceptional opacity. Activates easily with water. The Graftobian Luster™ Collection Palette Box holds Read more
Dec 18, 2019
10:49 AM
Seasons USA, Inc.’s Crazy Bonez Skeletons
These cute new additions to the Crazy Bonez Skeleton line are approximately 5 to 8 inches tall and part of the company’s value priced line for customers like you! Even though they’re value-priced, they’re made of the same high-quality polypropylene p Read more
Dec 11, 2019
3:56 PM
New WONDERFLEX® PRO
This new smoother texture product delivers the ultimate in smooth surface applications—and it’s great for creating finer details and curves. Similar to standard WONDERFLEX® but engineered without fabric reinforcement, the new “PRO” works well utilizi Read more
Dec 11, 2019
3:55 PM
InCharacter Costumes’ Witch
Witches are always popular at Halloween time…and this CF1022 witch costume is a perfect addition to your costume lineup with its full-length gown, tulle petticoat, hat with tulle sash and stick-on black fingernails. Read more
Dec 11, 2019
3:52 PM
Features
Big Changes at NCA
With the new decade comes a batch of changes at NCA! First, the management team has changed. Ed Avis and Kathy Furore, the couple who have managed The Costumer magazine for the past five years, are now the new association managers. They have been man Read more
Dec 17, 2019
4:01 PM
My Favorite Costume: Gene Flaharty, Mehron, Inc.
Gene Flaharty might not be a costume shop owner or employee—but he certainly knows a lot about costuming! As the makeup artist/product expert/sales manager for Mehron Inc., Flaharty has been part of the costume/theater scene for decades. And in his m Read more
Jan 9, 2020
9:27 AM
Masks—Unmasked!
Another Halloween is in the books and the Christmas season is coming to an end. What are some ways to march into the new year armed with ideas to perk up sales? Don’t overlook masks! Read more
Dec 18, 2019
10:47 AM
Historical Costuming
It seems like every historical costumer’s journey to a closet full of pretty things to wear always includes a trip…or two…or three… to the local fabric store. We inevitably find ourselves on the quick run to grab thread, hook & eyes or even ribbon. Read more
Dec 11, 2019
4:09 PM
The Force of Facebook
You probably have a Facebook page for your costume shop, and you may even keep it regularly updated with fresh posts and special offers. But are you taking full advantage of it? Here are seven tips from three Facebook experts on how to make sure you’ Read more
Dec 11, 2019
4:05 PM
My Favorite Costume: Larry Dockter, Broadway Costumes
It isn’t that common these days to find a costume shop that’s been around for more than half a century—especially one that’s remained in the same family decades and continues to thrive. Broadway Costumes & Theatrical Supply in Sacramento, California, Read more
Dec 18, 2019
11:13 AM
Costuming News
Love this Dress? It Can Be Yours!
This amazing dress can be yours! It is being auctioned off to raise funds for the NCA Scholarship Fund. The minimum bid is $250. If you would like to bid, send an email to Executive Director Ed Avis at executivedirector@costumers.org. Include the amo Read more
Jan 17, 2020
4:15 PM
Smiffys Announces Partnership with Manic Panic
Smiffys is delighted to announce a partnership with Manic Panic, the leader in creative hair colour and cosmetics, for an exclusive line of licensed wigs set to launch at the Halloween and Party Expo in New Orleans. Read more
Jan 16, 2020
12:27 PM
Update: Gene Flaharty's Wife Passes
The National Costumers Association extends its deepest condolences to board member Gene Flaharty and his family on the the passing of his wife, Lyn. Lyn was injured in a fall before Christmas, and passed away on January 1. Here is Gene's Facebook pos Read more
Jan 9, 2020
8:28 AM
The ‘Marvelous Specificity’ of Little Women Costumes
Oscar-nominated filmmaker Greta Gerwig is a film fan and cinephile first, so it comes as no surprise that the “Little Women” director is able to quickly conjure up some of her favorite pieces of below the line artistry with little in the way of promp Read more
Jan 9, 2020
9:18 AM
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel: 10 Hidden Details About the Costumes You Never Noticed
There are many reasons to watch The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel such as the phenomenal acting, the hilarious jokes, but one of the best reasons to watch this Amazon Prime original is the fabulous costumes. Donna Zakowska, the costume designer for The Marve Read more
Jan 9, 2020
9:12 AM
Who makes the costumes on The Masked Singer?
We may be trying to figure out which celebrities are hiding behind the masks, but really, when it comes to The Masked Singer, the real stars of the show are the costume designers. Read more
Jan 9, 2020
8:55 AM
Join the NCA at HPE
The National Costumers Association’s booth is a must-visit stop at the Halloween & Party Expo. Stop by the NCA lounge/Booth 1313 to see costumes on display, meet executive board members (including Ed Avis, our new executive director), and sign up/ren Read more
Jan 6, 2020
10:51 AM
The Countdown is on…for the 2020 Halloween & Party Expo!
The 2020 Halloween & Party Expo (HPE) is less than 2 weeks away! Here’s a snapshot of some of the events to put on your calendar if you’re planning to join your NCA peers and industry vendors at this costume event in always-exciting New Orleans from Read more
Jan 6, 2020
10:50 AM
