Costumer Magazine
Product Parade
Product Parade: Rubies' Offers Adaptive Costume Line
Rubies has introduced a line of adaptive costumes that are perfect for children who use wheelchairs. All of the costumes in the line are designed for comfort and are easy to get on and off. The line includes Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Chase and Read more
Oct 5, 2022
2:59 PM
Product Parade: Graftobian Nymph
The Graftobian Forest Nymph Makeup Kit with Elf Ears comes with: 2 Latex Elf Ears, Theatrical Cream in Mint Green, Luster Shimmer Powder in Golden Glow, Theatrical Creme RMG in Forest Green, GlitterGlam in Opal, Spirit Gum & Remover, Liquid Latex, Se Read more
Aug 11, 2022
11:52 AM
Underwraps: U.S. NAVY™ TOPGUN™ Pilot Jumpsuits
Take Flight with the Original United States NAVY™ TOPGUN™ Fighter Pilot Jumpsuits and Jackets! All-New for 2022 from Underwraps Costumes, Officially Licensed U.S. Navy™ TOPGUN™ Pilot Jumpsuits and Jackets are available for the whole family in Men’s, Read more
May 14, 2022
10:51 AM
Product Parade: Starline Plus Size Costumes
Starline offers a full line of “sexy” plus size costumes. Best sellers include Alluring Sea Siren (S8022X), Rosas Day of The Dead (PK2053XL), and Empress Divine (S9025X). All Starline plus size costumes are designed to flatter the wearer and come in Read more
May 4, 2022
8:27 AM
Product Parade: Barbie in a Box
This Halloween, you can be a real life Barbie Doll in this iconic Barbie Box Adult Costume! Dress up in your favorite stylish outfit, step inside the box, and you’ll look just the iconic toy in no time. The officially licensed Barbie Box costume come Read more
Apr 20, 2022
4:59 PM
Product Parade: Moon Terror Professional Makeup
Camden's Moon Terror Pro FX line provides products for dramatic special effects. The Pro Fake Blood offers a realistic, super thick consistency. It’s quick drying on the skin and smudge proof. Pro FX Liquid Latex is used to create special effects Read more
Apr 7, 2022
7:49 AM
Product Parade: Sunnywood Glitter Flapper
Sunnywood is here for all of your Flapper needs. Create this look with our #4448BK Sequin Flapper, #4439 Lace Gloves (available in white or black), and #4419 Impressive Flapper Headpiece. All at a fabulous value, in stock and ready to ship. Read more
Mar 9, 2022
5:38 PM
Product Parade: Gemar's Periwinkle Latex Balloon
Gemar's Periwinkle latex balloon is the perfect color to celebrate any event in 2022! 💜Very Peri, the color of the year of Pantone is more than just a popular shade though, it also captures a mood. Very Peri represents a moment of transition. Blue Read more
Mar 9, 2022
8:48 AM
Features
Post-Halloween Report: Several Reasons for Success
Halloween customers at Beauty and the Beast Costumes in Chattanooga, Tennessee said they were shopping at the store because they wanted to shop local. Many buyers at McCabe’s Costumes in Greenville, North Carolina found the store through a Chamber of Read more
Nov 16, 2022
5:54 PM
Halloween Sales 2022: Mixed Report, But Not Bad
Well, you can all take a deep breath now. Halloween is over! Based on an NCA survey of retailers and suppliers, it looks like it was a decent – though not record-breaking – Halloween. Read more
Nov 2, 2022
4:03 PM
NCA History: Despite Some Costumers Being "Selfish, Bigoted," Association Launched
The preservation of our organization's history has been foremost on my mind. In August of 2023, we will be celebrating the 100th birthday of the National Costumers Association. As I have been organizing and sorting through all the historical papers a Read more
Oct 19, 2022
10:59 AM
What Are People Buying for Halloween?
By this time of the year, you already know what your customers are buying for Halloween. But you might still find it interesting to read some "big picture" data about that topic. An organization called Online-Casinos.com surveyed 800 US residents ove Read more
Oct 19, 2022
10:34 AM
Welcome New Member: Chocolate Walrus
New NCA Member Chocolate Walrus in Reno, Nevada, which specializes in "adult" costumes, knows that customers come in all shapes and sizes, and they make sure everyone has a great experience. For example, those seeking plus-size costumes don’t have to Read more
Oct 11, 2022
4:13 PM
Halloween is Coming…Let’s Costume Everybody This Year
Halloween is the costume shop owner’s favorite holiday. A steady flow of customers, lots of inventory moving off the shelves, a pile of cash in the till. Halloween 2022 should be solid, based on the fact that last Halloween was good despite the linge Read more
Oct 5, 2022
4:08 PM
Innovation Fuels New NCA Vendor Member
When Carlos Perez decided to launch his own costume company after the Spanish company he was working for went bankrupt, he knew a major change in focus was required. Read more
Oct 5, 2022
3:20 PM
After 99 Years, What Do You Think of the NCA?
With a wild 99-year history, the National Costumers Association has seen peaks and valleys, good times and bad, growth and nearly a century of building relationships and building connections. What do YOU think of when you think of the NCA, your exper Read more
Sep 21, 2022
6:55 PM
Halloween for All Campaign Moving Forward
Halloween is a time when people like to take on a different persona, show off in front of others, and generally let loose and have fun. For people with disabilities, Halloween means the same thing. It is a time when they can be whoever they want to b Read more
Sep 7, 2022
5:10 PM
Meet Sojourner: New NCA Vendor Member Offers Year-Round Sales Opportunities
Adam Chudy and Tyler Strauss wanted to launch a business in 2015 when they noticed that a lot of people at music festivals were wearing fun-colored fanny backs. The men, who were co-workers in a Houston business at the time, thought that maybe there Read more
Aug 24, 2022
4:14 PM
Big News: NCA 100th Birthday Scheduled for Aug 3-6, 2023
From the Washington Hotel in Indianapolis, IN, it was 99 years ago, today, on August 24, 1923, when Major Harrelson and seven others organized and created the National Costumers Association. It's been 99 years of growth, challenges, successes and a c Read more
Aug 24, 2022
10:34 AM
Can You Guess When These Images Were Made?
The NCA leadership is busy gathering historical information and documents for the upcoming 100th birthday celebration in 2023. Naturally, we are going through hundreds of old NCA publications. With that in mind, can you guess what years these pages w Read more
Aug 11, 2022
11:36 AM
Meet New NCA Member McCabe’s Costumes
When Anne Dorsey’s children were younger, they always wanted to dress up in costumes that were not available commercially. “They never wanted to be Superman,” she says. “They always wanted to be something completely different, so I was making Minecra Read more
Jul 13, 2022
5:17 PM
Día de los Muertos: Respect the Culture When Celebrating Day of the Dead
Dressing up and decorating for Day of the Dead – or Día de los Muertos – is becoming increasingly popular throughout the United States. Some revelers dress in Day of the Dead costumes at Halloween; others wait to celebrate until the “official” timefr Read more
Jun 30, 2022
10:21 AM
New Vendor Member Western Fashion: Year-Round Sales Opportunities
Costume businesses need products to sell all year, not just at Halloween. Fortunately, new NCA Vendor Member Western Fashion offers a wide variety of costumes that sell in every season. Read more
Jun 16, 2022
8:16 AM
HM Smallwares: Face-to-Face Pays Off; 3D Printing is Part of the Future
Wayne Copoloff began his career at HM Smallwares in 1984 sweeping the floors. His father-in-law, Harry Feigelman, owned the company and needed help. Within months Copoloff was traveling widely to visit suppliers and customers. He took over the compan Read more
May 19, 2022
9:05 AM
New Era for Graftobian: Consolidated Ownership, New Warehouse
NCA Vendor Member Graftobian has had a big year. Eric Coffman, the company’s president, bought out his partner, John Mazur, last June, and the company has moved the make-up manufacturing operations from New York to a new facility in Madison, Wisconsi Read more
May 18, 2022
1:01 PM
Report from Spring Fling 2022
Spring Fling 2022 was amazing!!! Reconnecting with old and new friends is what this weekend was about. Although we spend most of our time shopping, talking, and eating, we always seem to find interesting things to do. Watching the Kentucky Derby toge Read more
May 18, 2022
12:50 PM
Mindscope Products: Get Ready for the Talking Pumpkin
What do people think about when Halloween comes to mind? Costumes, trick-or-treating and jack-o-lanterns, right? You already sell costumes to the Halloween celebrants…and now, thanks to new NCA Vendor Member Mindscope Products, you can sell jack-o-la Read more
May 4, 2022
8:13 AM
Snapshot: Taylor Maid Beauty and Theatrical Supply
“If we can’t make you beautiful, we will sell you a mask.” That tagline sums up the approach Mike Taylor has taken for 47 years at Taylor Maid Beauty and Theatrical Supply, the business he launched in 1975 in University Mall in Orem, Utah to fill the Read more
Apr 20, 2022
3:29 PM
Camden Passage: Safely Changing Customers’ Looks
If you’ve ever had a customer complain about poor quality cosmetic contact lenses or a reaction to make-up, the owners of Camden Passage have a message for you: Their products will not generate those complaints! Read more
Apr 20, 2022
12:44 PM
Six Tips for Sellling “Adult” Costumes/Clothing
Kids getting ready for trick-or-treating or Halloween parades are of course a giant market for your costume shop, but let’s be honest -- adults buy a lot of costumes, too, and in many cases they want their costume to be flattering or downright sexy. Read more
Apr 7, 2022
7:44 AM
What the Heck is Spring Fling?
If you’re a regular reader of NCA Today, you’ve probably seen the little news articles about the upcoming Spring Fling. But what exactly is it? Technically, it’s an informal annual gathering of costumers, not officially operated by the NCA. In realit Read more
Apr 6, 2022
5:34 PM
Be Welcoming: Tips on Serving the Drag Community
When most people think about your costume store, they probably envision happy kids choosing Halloween costumes and cheerful couples picking out party outfits. And those might be the majority of your customers. But you know – probably – that your cust Read more
Mar 23, 2022
9:57 PM
Light Up Your Sales: Visual Effects Party Lights, Fog Machines Can Enliven Your Bottom Line
When you think about a DJ set-up, you probably envision the 1980s version, when everything was big and expensive. Giant speakers, industrial-size fog machines, chunky strobe lights. This stuff was all sold by professional lighting and sound companies Read more
Mar 23, 2022
7:46 AM
Costuming News
Easley's Fun Shop Honored
Former NCA member Easley's Fun Shop was an institution in Phoenix for 72 years, until the shop closed in 2018. The building was sold to a company that opened a coffee shop and brew pub in the location. In early November, a plaque on the building noti Read more
Nov 17, 2022
11:21 AM
NCA Member Designs in Pageants
Historically, NCA members have been among the most talented costume designers in the country. Evidence of that can be found in past issues of Costumer magazine. Pam Markel, NCA’s current president, has been sorting through NCA historic files and foun Read more
Nov 17, 2022
10:29 AM
Join NCA at the Halloween & Party Expo
The National Costumers Association is once again excited to partner with the Halloween & Party Expo – North America’s only event for all things Halloween, party and celebration. The event will be January 10-12, 2023 at The Mirage in Las Vegas. Read more
Nov 16, 2022
10:40 AM
Big News: NCA's 100th Birthday Party Moved to Indianapolis
The 100th Birthday Bash for the National Costumers Association, which originally was scheduled for Kansas City, has been moved to Indianapolis. The change came about during negotiations with the hotels involved, and the end result is actually what th Read more
Nov 2, 2022
4:10 PM
NCA Business Meeting Scheduled for Nov 29
Heads up, NCA members! The 2022 Business Meeting will be held November 29 at 10 a.m. Central. At this meeting we'll discuss the association's finances, plans for the coming year, and other important issues. Please plan on attending! All members will Read more
Oct 17, 2022
1:22 PM
Starline Costumes in San Antonio Closing
Starline Costumes, a long-time NCA member in San Antonio, is closing after 50 years of business. Owner Julie Keck is planning to retire at the end of this year. Read more
Oct 5, 2022
3:10 PM
Halloween & Costume Association Holding Virtual Event in December
To kick off the buying season, the Halloween & Costume Association historically has sponsored the International Halloween Show in New York each December. For 2022, we're offering a virtual event to allow buyers and manufacturers alike an opportunity Read more
Oct 4, 2022
1:34 PM
Recording of Halloween for All Meeting Posted
The NCA's Halloween for All program is designed to help costume retailers better serve customers with disabilities. In this recorded meeting from September 27, 2022, we discussed how to implement the ideas in the program. Read more
Sep 27, 2022
2:07 PM
"Halloween for All" Meeting September 27; Bring Your Own Stories!
NCA's "Halloween for All" program, which encourages costume shops to better serve customers with disabilities, will be the described and discussed in an industry-wide meeting on September 27 at 10 a.m. Central. At the meeting we'll talk about the tip Read more
Sep 21, 2022
5:14 PM
Cedar Rapids Costume Shop Closing
Jacob & Kimberly Cowger, owners of Balloons, Etc & The Costume Emporium (420 2nd Ave SE Downtown Cedar Rapids) announce that the Costume side of their business is closing. In addition to all rental costumes now being for sale, nearly all other invent Read more
Sep 15, 2022
9:05 AM
Halloween for All Webinar September 27
The webinar about the NCA's Halloween for All program is scheduled for September 27 at 10 a.m. Central. We will explain the elements of the program, but the event will be set up in a meeting format, so that all participants can share their own experi Read more
Sep 7, 2022
7:27 PM
Article from the Historians: Remembering NCA's 50th Anniversary
s we get closer to the 100th Birthday of the NCA, it's fun to see how the 50th Birthday was presented. The following was written by Virginia Gerseny, Editor of the NCA Newsletter, January, 1973. Read more
Sep 7, 2022
5:38 PM
Recording of Cosplay Webinar Posted
Tuesday's NCA webinar about cosplay was packed with great information from a veteran cosplayer and two NCA members who serve that market. The webinar featured Neil Brozik, a cosplayer; Kathy Sprague, owner of Safari Pearl in Moscow, ID; and Brandon L Read more
Aug 24, 2022
4:49 PM
Welcome New Member: Functional Chocolate Company
We are pleased to welcome Functional Chocolate Company as a new NCA Vendor Member. Functional Chocolate Company makes a variety of delicious, healthy chocolate bars that are ideal for a costume retailer seeking a new countertop item to sell. The comp Read more
Aug 24, 2022
4:39 PM
Welcome New Member: MOM
We are pleased to announce that MOM: My Other Me has joined the NCA as a vendor member. MOM's extensive product range includes licensed costumes, such as Sesame Street and Assassin's Creed, accessories, make-up and much more. Read more
Aug 11, 2022
12:58 PM
