Costumer Magazine
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
New Book: Hat Couture
Marianne Jongkind is a Dutch hat designer with more than 55 years of experience in hat making. She creates couture hats,both under her own name as well as for established fashion designers. The book (208 pages) is published in English and Dutch and c Read more
May 27, 2020
8:49 PM
Colonial Patriot Costume
This fancy and affordable Colonial Patriot Costume will impress your child’s classmates and teachers with its sophisticated colonial style and exquisite details. This classic and handsome costume features a blue jacket with decorative golden buttons. Read more
May 27, 2020
8:43 PM
Michael Neveux 2017
Glamour Muerta Costume from Starline
Get into the Halloween spirit and celebrate Day of the Dead style when you wear this gorgeous Glamour Muerta Costume! Read more
Feb 20, 2020
1:05 PM
Bunny Mascots from Sunnywood
Our Long Hair Bunny Mascot (#4074) has the Best Bunny Face On The Market! This polyester jumpsuit is covered with Luxurious Plush Fur. The Fully Lined Parade Head, specially designed to fit all head sizes. Attached mittens and attached feet with hard Read more
Feb 20, 2020
1:03 PM
Abigail Self-Tie Frill-Waist Striped Pants
The pants are made using 100% Cotton fabric. Cotton is soft to touch, does not harm your skin in any way & can be worn outdoors without worrying about the heat. The waist is held together with a wide self-tie belt. The belt can be tied in the front t Read more
Jan 23, 2020
2:54 PM
Resident Evil™ 2 Zombie All-Pro Makeup Kit
Resident Evil™ 2 Zombie All-Pro Makeup Kit from Mehron! This deluxe kit lets the every-day gamer bring to life the terrifying Raccoon City zombies from the popular Resident Evil™ 2 video game franchise! The kit contains all of the necessary profes Read more
Jan 23, 2020
2:51 PM
Shazam from Rubies
Rubie’s officially Licensed “Shazam” Deluxe Adult Costume. Our Adult Deluxe Shazam Costume includes a Muscle Chest Jumpsuit with attached 3-D Gauntlets, 3-D Boot Tops, Belt and a Deluxe hooded Cape. Read more
Jan 23, 2020
2:49 PM
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
Features
Video Posted: Webinar on Reopening Your Costume Shop
The end of the COVID shutdown is near, and some costume shops have already started opening. In this webinar, we heard from three costume shop owners who have reopened -- Janine Caufield of Caufield's in Louisville, KY; Caren Bricker of Vintage Ooolee Read more
May 28, 2020
12:52 PM
Shifting Strategy at Performance Studios: Inventory for Sale
The COVID crisis dealt a blow to sales at Performance Studios in Antioch, Tennessee, just like at every other costume shop. But because much of the company's business has been based on events, and all of them have been cancelled, the situation is dir Read more
May 27, 2020
4:17 PM
March Ahead with New Mask Marketing
While many states are lifting stay-at-home orders and allowing businesses to re-open, nothing is likely going to be “business as usual” for some time. And whatever the next several months bring, masks are going to be a big part of the picture for you Read more
May 14, 2020
5:24 PM
Pandemics and the Costume Connection: How past crises impacted the industry
Are you at the point that you just can’t take any more negative coronavirus news? Are you trying to find that proverbial light at the end of this Covid-19 tunnel? To lighten the mood, we bring you a quick trip back in time for a look at costumes insp Read more
May 14, 2020
5:28 PM
Lifeline for Theatrical Rental Shops: 7 Tips for Surviving the Covid-19 Crisis
It’s undeniably a tough time for costumers. And those whose business focused on theatrical rentals are navigating a particularly rough road as schools and community theaters cancel their long-planned Spring productions, with no guarantee that the sta Read more
Apr 30, 2020
6:26 PM
Anna Bizon
Encouraging Words: Conversations with NCA’s Vendor Members
I’ve had the pleasure of chatting with a lot of NCA’s vendor members over the past couple of weeks, and I’d like to share some of these conversations with you. I had reached out to them for three reasons: To see how they’re doing during this crisis, Read more
Apr 30, 2020
6:05 PM
Coronavirus Survival Tip: Get Crafty
Looking for another potential way to make money during the coronavirus crisis? Here’s an idea from NCA Board Member Lori Hammes of Curtains Up Costumes in Sigourney, Iowa. She is making and selling craft kits, and plans to start Read more
Apr 16, 2020
2:32 PM
Coronavirus Survival Tip: Make the Most of Makeup
With all of the rumors and recommendations swirling around about when life will return to some semblance of normal, it’s hard to know what to believe and how to plan for the future. Since getting back to business likely will happen in fits and starts Read more
Apr 16, 2020
1:39 PM
8 More Ideas for Costume Shops to Survive Coronavirus
The coronavirus crisis has many businesses on the ropes. But let’s not throw in the towel yet! Here are some ideas to keep your cash register ringing, or at least to keep your shop in front of potential customers’ eyes. Read more
Apr 2, 2020
11:06 AM
Need an Online Store? Try Shopify First
We have heard from several NCA members over the past week that they need advice on selling their products online. This is suddenly an urgent need, since so many members have been forced to close their stores due to coronavirus. Read more
Mar 31, 2020
3:49 PM
How the CARES Act Will Help Your Costume Shop Survive
The federal government last week passed the CARES Act, a major piece of legislation designed to help businesses survive the coronavirus crisis. Here are the key details of how the act can help you Read more
Mar 30, 2020
4:35 PM
Costumers Unite to Help the Healthcare Workers!
The NCA is sponsoring an effort to make 1,000 masks for medical personnel. The NCA 1,000 Mask Challenge acknowledges that many costume professionals are excellent sewers, and their skills can be put to use making these much-needed masks. Read more
Mar 27, 2020
2:59 PM
Coronavirus Webinar Video Posted, Other Resources
The recording of today's webinar titled "Coronavirus and Costume Shops" can now be viewed online. The webinar covered issues such as how long the virus lives on clothing, how to keep customers engaged, and what the various new federal acts entail. Read more
Mar 27, 2020
3:01 PM
8 Coronavirus Survival Tips for NCA Members
It’s bad out there, folks, and we all know it. “I have had to date nine cancellations, half who had already made a down payment (they get a one year credit towards anything that I offer) and the other half had not paid; I may not get their business a Read more
Mar 19, 2020
1:53 PM
Escape from Europe: The Adventure of NCA Executive Director Ed Avis
If it wasn’t for the coronavirus, right about now I’d be writing you a first-hand report about a few costume shops in Germany. Instead I’m sitting in my boring little office in Chicago pondering my adventure of the last few days. Read more
Mar 19, 2020
2:28 PM
Check out these “Cons!” for Costume Ideas & Trends
If you’re wondering what kinds of costumes and accessories your customers might be looking for, checking out events in your area is one way to find out. The following list of March and April fan conventions, courtesy of UpcomingCons (upcomingcons.com Read more
Mar 5, 2020
10:00 AM
Association Report: Costumers Take On New Orleans
New Orleans is known for Mardi Gras and its overall festive atmosphere—so it makes sense that the Crescent City is beloved by costumers. That fact was evident when costumers from all over the country hit town for the 2020 Halloween & Party Expo, held Read more
Mar 5, 2020
9:54 AM
Couple’s Costumes: From Silly to Sexy, Pairs Want to Look Good Together
Halloween parties are a great time for couples to show off, and you can profit by making your costume shop a couple’s costume destination this fall. Read more
Feb 20, 2020
1:36 PM
Performance Studios: New owners honor the tradition, plan for the future
In January 2019, Ryan and TK Kelly became the proud owners of Performance Studios—the business that Glenn Alexander and former NCA president Gary Broadrick opened as a professional-grade makeup store on Church Street in downtown Nashville in 1989. T Read more
Feb 20, 2020
11:19 AM
“Creative Crew” Brings New Life to a San Francisco Costume Shop
he 2020 Halloween & Party Expo in New Orleans offered the opportunity to meet many NCA members—Austin Efurd, owner of Looks Costuming on Haight, was one of them. The story he shared about taking ownership of Costuming on Haight, a shop that had been Read more
Feb 6, 2020
11:11 AM
Costuming News
Minneapolis Costume Shop May Get Rent Relief
For the past two months, Jim Berg has been able to pay the rent on his nearly 11,000-square-foot costume store in West St. Paul despite being forced to close the shop because of the coronavirus pandemic. Time will tell if Berg can make the rent for M Read more
May 27, 2020
8:40 PM
The Big Restart: Webinar Scheduled for Thursday
The end of the COVID shutdown is near, and some costume shops have already started opening. Now is your opportunity to learn from them! NCA has scheduled a webinar for Thursday, May 28 at 10 a.m. Central in which we'll hear from several costume shop Read more
May 26, 2020
12:24 PM
Mehron Live-Stream Schedule for This Week
While we are practicing social distancing, the Mehron team will be live streaming on Instagram. We will be here to answer all of your questions, demo your favorite products, do tutorials on requested looks, and so much more! Read more
May 18, 2020
9:21 AM
Spokane’s Party Palace closing after 33 years
Since 1987, Spokane shoppers had a place to get costumes for ’70s parties, balloon arrangements for graduations and decorations for all seasons at the Party Palace. But owners Dan and Michelle Duncan have decided to pull the plug after nearly 33 yea Read more
May 14, 2020
7:05 PM
Costume Shop Director Reflects on Connections
When Arena Stage’s Mead Center for American Theater opened in 2010, people immediately marveled at the scale and design of the architecture. Our vibrant Washington, D.C. theatre was reborn—again. Through its storied history, Arena has performed in mu Read more
May 14, 2020
7:03 PM
Video of NCA Webinar on Generating Online Sales Posted
The COVID crisis is making your online sales more important than ever. An NCA webinar on Thursday, May 14 provided tips on generating sales via a costume shop's website. The event was led by Kim Baker and Joe Tacosik, who work for SmartSolutions, a c Read more
May 14, 2020
6:11 PM
Post Gene Flaharty's "Aging Workshop" on Your Website
Looking for a great teaching tool to add to your costume shop's website or Facebook page? Consider the video of Gene Flaharty's aging workshop. Flaharty is the makeup/artist instructor at Mehron. Read more
May 9, 2020
6:27 PM
Webinar: Learn How to Use Makeup to "Age" Someone
Want to learn how to make a person look older from a master? Tune in to a webinar on Wednesday, May 13 at 1 p.m. Central time and Gene Flaharty demonstrate the Mehron Mini-Pro Makeup Kit and the "Gene Method" using makeup to create various stages of Read more
May 9, 2020
6:21 PM
Webinar on Improving a Costume Shop Website Scheduled
The COVID crisis is making your online sales more important than ever. Learn some best practices for marketing and online sales on a webinar on Thursday, May 14 at 3 p.m. Central. The event will be led by Kim Baker and Joe Tacosik, who work for Smart Read more
May 9, 2020
6:04 PM
Mehron Offers More Live-Streamed Classes
Mehron is offering more livestream classes on Instagram. They've updated their list of events for this week. Here is their message: Read more
May 4, 2020
8:54 AM
NCA Webinar on Airbrush Face Painting Posted
Did you miss the webinar on April 29 about airbrush face painting? It featured Terry Sinopoli of Arlene's Costumes, who is a master at this art. Sinopoli explained both the technical/artistic side of the craft and the business side. The video of the Read more
Apr 30, 2020
10:47 PM
Costumer Needs Mask Materials - Please Help!
The NCA just received a plea from a member in Texas who is making masks for first responders who needs elastic straps and other materials. See her message below: Read more
Apr 24, 2020
3:11 PM
Opera Company Switches to Singing Telegrams
"In normal times, we believe our mission is Atlanta needs music and art and beautiful connection with the human voice," Artistic Director Tomer Zvulun said. "But in this day and age, Atlanta needs something else. People are isolated right now. They Read more
Apr 30, 2020
9:22 PM
Mehron Adds to Live-Streaming Course Schedule
While we are practicing social distancing, the Mehron team will be live streaming on Instagram. We will be here to answer all of your questions, demo your favorite products, do tutorials on requested looks, and so much more! Read more
Apr 27, 2020
3:03 PM
NCA Spring Fling is Cancelled
No surprise, but the NCA Spring Fling is cancelled. The event, which was originally scheduled for May 14-17, has fallen victim to the coronavirus crisis. Read more
Apr 16, 2020
4:59 PM
