Costumer Magazine
-
5 Tips for Selling Non-Costume Items
Costume sales and rentals are the bread and butter of most NCA members, but some savvy members add revenue by selling non-costume items. One of the panel discussions during the recent NCA Success Summit focused on that topic, and we’ve collected five Read more
-
Creativity and Vintage Keep Business Flowing at Penguin Point
Sometimes a business does better when it does more than just one thing. That’s certainly the case with Penguin Point Productions in Oviedo, Florida, which has developed a combination of related businesses over the past 15 years. Today the operation e Read more
-
Generations Melding in the Costume Industry
We just wrapped up the 2021 National Costumers Association Success Summit, a totally Zoom event designed to help the U.S. costume industry get past the COVID gloom. True to its name, the event was a success – 8 hours spread over two days, packed with Read more
Product Parade
Product Parade: Disguise Inflatable T-Rex
The new Officially Licensed Jurassic World Inflatable T-Rex Adult Costume. This is a fully-covered, fan-operated inflating jumpsuit that includes a sewn-in transparent vinyl window that keeps the occupant completely covered. Features some fearsome s Read more
Jun 17, 2021
12:52 PM
Product Parade: Zagone Studios Classic Sock Skull Kit
Intensify your scare with the Zagone Studios UV Reactive White Glow Classic Sock Skull Kit! Moving Mouth Skeleton Mask that is created on a Head Sock for comfort and added safety, Rib Cage Bones on a Rotting Shirt with adjustable Velcro, Skeleton Fin Read more
Jun 2, 2021
2:04 PM
Product Parade: Graftobian Single Use Mini-Palettes
Play it safe at the makeup counter. Single use mini-palettes made from a specially coated neutral white paper, these individual sheets offer a clean and hygienic method for mixing foundations and other color cosmetics. The perfect disposable surface Read more
May 20, 2021
12:51 PM
Ellie Shoes 300-Summer
Ellie Shoes’ 300-Summer is a rainbow knee-high Gogo boot that comes in sizes 5-14. A dazzling boot to celebrate Pride! Read more
May 20, 2021
8:42 AM
Product Parade: Go Fun Face Dragon Mask
Our Dragon masks are what medieval dreams and mythical creatures are made of. They are a hit at any party and are a great for Halloween and role play.. Each design contains multiple contrasting colors and is light and comfortable to wear. All of our Read more
May 6, 2021
2:06 PM
Product Parade: LOOX Theatrical Lenses
Camden is the manufacturer of LOOX Theatrical Lenses, a leading brand sold worldwide. With over 100 designs and colors to choose from, versatile booking programs and a lens verification service, you’ll have an answer to all your customer’s needs. Read more
Apr 21, 2021
9:39 AM
Product Parade: Wacky Packages Minis
Wacky Packages Minis is a new line of hilarious, miniature, 3D products based on the classic stickers by iconic trading card company Topps. With silly and outrageous spoofs of popular household products, Wacky Packages Minis brings the original, 2D p Read more
Apr 8, 2021
5:43 PM
Product Parade: elope Dr. Seuss Neckties
New for 2021: elope is introducing a line of Dr. Seuss Neckties and a Bow Tie Set. We have the classic Cat In the Hat, Thing 1/Thing 2 and The Grinch. Perfect for teachers and Seuss fans of all ages. $6.99 wholesale/$13.99 MSRP. Read more
Jan 14, 2021
5:41 PM
Features
Monkey Business Images
Panel to Discuss Halloween 2021 on July 13
How will costume retailers do this coming Halloween? That will be the topic of an NCA virtual panel discussion on July 13 at 10 a.m. Central time. The event will feature Tom Arnold, a professor at Richmond University who is an expert on Halloween ret Read more
Jun 17, 2021
12:41 PM
Morris Costumes: New Owners Don’t Plan Big Changes
NCA Vendor Member Morris Costumes is entering a new stage in its existence. The main components of the company, including its wholesale business and the HalloweenExpress.com website, were sold to Oriental Trading Company in March. Morris’ retail Hall Read more
May 19, 2021
3:21 PM
NCA Survey: Costumers Reopening, Slightly Optimistic
Larry Dockter, co-owner of Broadway Costumes & Theatrical Supply in Sacramento, California, has a pretty good feeling about his business in the coming year. “I’m optimistic because of how October was for us last year,” he says, explaining that he sa Read more
May 6, 2021
1:39 PM
Selling Costumes Online: Five Key Take-Aways From the NCA Success Summit
The first panel discussion during the 2021 NCA Success Summit featured Courtland Hickey of Chicago Costume and Terry Sinopoli of Arlene’s Costumes in Rochester, NY discussing their experiences selling products online. Here are five key take-aways fro Read more
Apr 22, 2021
1:51 PM
Don't Overlook These Financial Benefits
It might seem that the financial panic created by COVID is easing, but don't forget that there are still some important financial benefits available to small businesses affected by the pandemic. Here are three: Read more
Apr 15, 2021
12:51 PM
Videos of NCA Success Summit Posted
The 2021 NCA Success Summit is over, but you can still watch the videos and get in on the fun! The event attracted 33 attendees on Tuesday, March 23 and 28 people on Wednesday, March 24. They enjoyed four information-packed panel discussions and four Read more
Mar 25, 2021
9:09 PM
Wolfe FX: New NCA Vendor Member Offers Make-Up and Dental Distortions Teeth
Make-up is an essential product for many costume shops. It’s sold to theater programs and actors, of course, but also Cosplay fans, make-up artists, and countless other customers who want to change their appearance. In sort, it can be an excellent so Read more
Mar 24, 2021
4:40 PM
Meet NCA Vendor Member KBW Global Corp.: Masters of the Masks
When Danny Wu left China in 1996 to come to the United States, he first traveled to other parts of the world. One stop was Venice, where he was impressed by the fantastic masks that island city is known for. Read more
Mar 8, 2021
7:20 PM
Theatre Garage: New NCA Member is Essential to Edmonton’s Theater Scene
Christy Hutchinson clearly remembers the day she decided that costuming would be her life’s work. “I grew up in an extremely small, rural town in Alberta,” says Hutchinson, owner of new NCA member Theatre Garage in Edmonton, Alberta. “We didn’t have Read more
Feb 24, 2021
9:12 PM
Super Impulse: New NCA Member Aims to Supersize Your Sales with Tiny Items
Wondering how to bring in some extra sales during slow months in your store? New NCA Vendor Member Super Impulse might have the answer. The company, which joined the NCA in January, makes a line of the “World’s Smallest” toys and games that are affor Read more
Feb 23, 2021
10:37 AM
Meet New NCA Member Jacob W. Patorti: Building a Historic Costume Collection
Do you think you have a lot of costumes? Maybe so, but you probably can’t compare with Jacob Patorti, who joined the NCA as a Costume Professional in early February. Patorti has nearly 10,000 hung articles and 400 totes full of accessories. And he’s Read more
Feb 11, 2021
10:03 AM
Chris Zephro: The Man Behind the Trick or Treat Studios Masks
Ever since I was a kid, I loved monster and horror movies. Every day I would go to a video store and just get all the Beta and VHS horror movies, slasher movies. I loved them, always. I grew up in Los Angeles, and my father’s best friend was Irwin Ya Read more
Feb 10, 2021
11:27 AM
Rasta Imposta: Laughter Comes First
NCA Executive Director Ed Avis recently interviewed Robert and Tina Berman, who own Rasta Imposta, a costume manufacturer and NCA Vendor Member. This “first-person” article is based on that interview. Read more
Jan 27, 2021
9:09 PM
First Person: Nigel FeBland, Veteran Costume Industry Sales Rep
Veteran costume industry sales rep Nigel FeBland was recently interviewed by APDSP Executive Director Ed Avis. Here is a “first-person” article about FeBland based on that interview. Read more
Dec 24, 2020
12:42 PM
New NCA Member Go Fun Face: Animal Mask Idea Born on a Plane Ride
The story sounds like a cliché: Guy on a plane strikes up a conversation with the guy in the next seat, talk turns to business, and by the time they land they’re partners in a new company. Only happens in the movies, right? Well, that’s pretty much h Read more
Dec 9, 2020
11:46 AM
Vadym Drobot
Are You Using Your NCA Benefits?
Are you taking advantage of your NCA member benefits? If not, you're missing out on thousands of dollars of savings and having many valuable resources at you fingertips! Here are just some of the benefits you can access: Read more
Nov 24, 2020
4:48 PM
How Was Halloween? NCA Survey Says Not So Good
Depending on who you talk to, Halloween 2020 was either fantastic or a complete bust. The NCA’s own survey, sadly, leans towards the “bust” side of that spectrum. Read more
Nov 11, 2020
4:25 PM
NCA Members: HQ Has Your Back
I know it’s been a crazy, scary, gut-wrenching year so far. Between COVID shutdowns, protests and looting, hurricanes in the Southeast and forest fires in the West, it seems like the body blows keep coming. Now we are on the eve of Halloween – which Read more
Oct 29, 2020
11:05 AM
No Disappearing Act: Stoner’s Funstore Keeps the Magic Alive
As we were researching an article about selling magic tricks and supplies in costume shops, the first few people we spoke to said that the internet has severely cut into their sales of those items. We were starting to lose hope for the topic until we Read more
Oct 29, 2020
10:47 AM
Disguise: Gaming and Adaptive Costumes Key to Success
Disguise was one of eight NCA Vendor Members who supported the association’s Help Halloween Happen campaign. In this Q&A with NCA Executive Director Ed Avis, Disguise General Manager Tara Hefter explains how the company finds and develops its costume Read more
Oct 10, 2020
3:05 PM
Zagone Studios’ Franco Pacini: Pent-Up Demand Will Help Halloween Costume Sales
Zagone Studios was one of eight NCA Vendor Members who supported the association’s Help Halloween Happen campaign. In this Q&A with NCA Executive Director Ed Avis, Zagone Marketing Director Franco Pacini predicts a successful Halloween. Read more
Oct 1, 2020
3:42 PM
Costuming News
Monkey Business Images
Panel to Discuss Halloween 2021 on July 13
How will costume retailers do this coming Halloween? That will be the topic of an NCA virtual panel discussion on July 13 at 10 a.m. Central time. The event will feature Tom Arnold, a professor at Richmond University who is an expert on Halloween ret Read more
Jun 17, 2021
12:41 PM
Meet the NCA Board Candidates
It’s almost time to elect new leaders for the NCA! Instead of an in-person event, the election of the Board of Directors will occur on July 13 at 10 a.m. Central during a special Zoom meeting that will also include a webinar or panel discussion (all Read more
May 20, 2021
8:49 AM
Morris Costumes Sells Key Parts of Oriental Trading
NCA Vendor Member Morris Costumes has sold a large part of its business to Oriental Trading. Here is part of the article from the Charlotte Observer about this: Read more
May 6, 2021
2:31 PM
Obituary: Patricia McGehee
We were saddened to learn of the passing of former NCA member Patricia McGehee, who owned Associated Theatrical Contractors in Kansas City, MO. She also created many costumes for productions of the Kansas City Lyric Opera. To read her complete obitua Read more
Apr 6, 2021
11:42 AM
Kryolan Drag Workshop Video Posted
Serving the drag community can be an important market for a costume shop. Tim Pearson, head make-up artist of Kryolan in New York City, stars in this video workshop for drag make-up. Read more
Mar 27, 2021
11:18 AM
NCA Spring Fling Planned for May 13-16
Spring Fling is on! This informal event, which is packed with casual fun and networking among NCA members, both active and retired, will be held May 13-16 in Sugar Creek, Ohio. Read more
Mar 25, 2021
2:59 PM
Mehron Launches New NCA Programs
To help support NCA retailers after a difficult 2020, Mehron is launching new programs designed to dramatically increase store traffic. With the expected pent-up demand for a festive Sunday Halloween, we’ve been working on special new initiatives to Read more
Mar 21, 2021
9:50 AM
Panelists Named for NCA Success Summit
The 2021 NCA Success Summit will offer insights and advice from a star-studded group of panelists on topics ranging from selling more products online to serving unconventional markets. This 2-day event on March 23-24 is free and open to everyone in t Read more
Mar 17, 2021
1:58 PM
Schedule Set for Success Summit
The schedule is set! The 2021 NCA Success Summit, March 23-24, will be packed with education and socializing. The event, which is free and open to all current, former and prospective NCA members, is designed to help costumers blast through the COVID Read more
Mar 15, 2021
11:23 AM
NCA Success Summit Coming...Help Us Plan
We know that a lot of costume businesses have had a very difficult year, so we're planning a major two-day event on March 23-24 to help them survive and thrive! This Zoom event, called the NCA Success Summit, will be packed with peer panel discussion Read more
Feb 24, 2021
9:34 PM
Vendor Discount Deadlines are Looming...And We've Posted Videos of the Fashion Show
Many discounts in the Buyer's Group have deadlines that are approaching in the next week or two. Please click here to visit the Buyer's Group now so that you don't miss these! Also remember that some Vendor Members offered additional Show Discounts, Read more
Feb 24, 2021
9:27 PM
NCA Zoom Fashion Show Part II is This Week!
The 2021 Zoom Fashion Show, which featured three days of fun in January, has resumed! Wednesday and Thursday, February 17-18, you can learn about the 2021 offerings of Underwraps Costumes, elope, Rubies and Super Impulse. Read more
Feb 11, 2021
2:57 PM
We Are Seeking Nominations for the NCA Board
Are you a passionate costume professional interested in helping direct the only trade organization devoted to the retail costume business? Or do you know somebody like that? Then we want to hear from you! Read more
Feb 10, 2021
4:53 PM
NCA Vendor Members Offer "Show Specials"
Many costume industry vendors offer "show specials" in January to entice NCA members to order their products. Since there are no in-person shows this winter, we asked the NCA Vendor Members to tell us about any show specials they would like to promot Read more
Jan 28, 2021
10:55 AM
Obituary: Carrie Louise Sudor
Carrie Louise Sudor of Monessen, PA passed away on Jan. 4, 2021 at 95 years old. She was the wife of Bill Sudor who was well known to the NCA, working to Rep Franco American Novelty Co. Bill was also an NCA Honorary Life member. The family has reques Read more
Jan 20, 2021
9:43 AM
