Costumer Magazine
Product Parade
NCA Exclusive: HMS Santa Beard Set
NCA Vendor Member HM Smallwares is offering an EXCLUSIVE product set to NCA members. That means this product will not be sold in any other stores! If you carry it, you will not have to compete with Walmart, Target, Party City, etc. Read more
Mar 23, 2023
10:47 AM
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
Features
Who Was Lester Essig?
Lester E. Essig, the second President of the National Costumers Association, was known as the “NCA Roman Warrior” for three decades. He served the organization as President from 1926-1928. During the 1926 convention, Lester encouraged the association Read more
Mar 9, 2023
9:43 AM
All Tatted Up: Tap the Temporary Tattoo Market with NCA Vendor Member Artemix
COVID was a devastating blow to most businesses around the world, but for a select few it also created opportunities. Artemix, a new NCA Vendor Member, was one of those select few. The company’s primary business has long been providing temporary tatt Read more
Mar 8, 2023
1:27 PM
Sister, Brother Team Up at Seeing Red
There are some great examples of siblings who run companies together. Manned flight innovators Orville and Wilbur Wright. Cereal makers Will and John Kellogg. Fashion designers Rebecca and Uri Minkoff. And in costuming? Yes, we have our own sibling e Read more
Feb 22, 2023
3:44 PM
Mehron Makeup Celebrates Over 95 Years of Empowering Creativity
The NCA is 100 years old this year, and we were delighted to learn that one of our long-time Vendor Members, Mehron, Inc. is nearly as old! The company was founded just four years after the NCA. Here is a brief history of Mehron. Read more
Feb 15, 2023
10:50 AM
Meet Major Harrelson
I thought, since this is the 100th Anniversary of the National Costumers Association, it was fitting to know the story of Major Harrelson, the Founder and first President of the organization. Read more
Jan 25, 2023
5:33 PM
Loftus: Making Sure NCA Members Have What They Need
How often do you get ready to order some merchandise and notice that the minimum order quantity is simply too large? Or how many times do you want to try out a product with just a small order to see if it sells? Both situations are common among retai Read more
Jan 19, 2023
4:32 PM
Gallery: Lots of Familiar Faces at HPE
The Halloween & Party Expo is still in full swing, but here is a sample of photos taken by NCA Executive Director Ed Avis during the first two days of the event. Lots of familiar faces! Click on each photo for details. More photos coming! Read more
Jan 12, 2023
8:06 AM
NCA Historians Have Left Their Mark
Did you know that over the last 100 years various people have collected and preserved the history of the National Costumers Association? Read more
Jan 12, 2023
9:55 AM
Lola Stars: Trompe l'oeil Costumes that Deceive the Eye
Costumes comes in a giant variety of shapes, fabrics and designs, but new NCA Vendor Member Lola Stars has created a line that probably differs from anything you have seen before. When you look at the pictures above, you likely think each costume con Read more
Jan 10, 2023
7:10 PM
Convertex: World Class Fabrics for NCA Members
Nothing is more important to a good costume than high quality fabric. Costume designers know that fabric that is easily handled, looks great, and allows the wearer freedom of movement is essential to the creation of the best costumes. Read more
Dec 14, 2022
8:11 PM
NCA’s 100th Birthday Bash Will Re-live History, Look Forward
It’s rare that an association gets to celebrate a centennial, so the National Costumers Association is planning an extraordinary event to honor this momentous birthday. The celebration, August 4-6 in Indianapolis, will transport attendees back to the Read more
Nov 30, 2022
3:56 PM
Chocolate at a Costume Shop? Think Sweet Year-Round Profits!
When you scan the countertop of your costume shop, hopefully you see a few profitable impulse items that customers snatch up as they’re paying. You probably don’t see chocolate bars…but that could change soon. New NCA Vendor Member The Functional Cho Read more
Nov 30, 2022
3:34 PM
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
Costuming News
Firefighter Killed in Buffalo Costume Shop Blaze
Firefighter Jason Arno lost his life battling a blaze in downtown Buffalo, New York. The fire destroyed costume shop DC Theatricks, which had been in business 39 years. Read more
Mar 9, 2023
11:13 AM
Party City Closing 22 Stores
Following its Chapter 11 filing in January, Party City has announced that it will close 22 stores in total. According to documents filed in Bankruptcy court in Houston, Texas, there will be ten stores closed and another 12 will be auctioned and sold Read more
Mar 4, 2023
10:10 AM
Anna Bizon
Halloween Takes Center Stage at New Toy Fair Pavilion
Toy Fair 2023 attendees will experience no tricks and just treats at the brand-new Halloween Pavilion at the show, taking place September 30 to October 3 at the Javits Convention Center in New York City. The dedicated pavilion will spotlight products Read more
Mar 2, 2023
5:18 PM
NCA Partners with Web Marketing Firm
Web marketing is essential for any small business. With that in mind, the NCA has created a partnership with Marketing360, a small business web marketing firm, to provide $100 off the monthly fee for all NCA members. Read more
Feb 3, 2023
2:11 PM
Obituary: Joe Stevens
We were saddened to learn of the passing of Joe Stevens, longtime owner of Steven's Magic Emporium in Wichita, Kansas. He passed away January 29, 2023, at the age of 86. Read more
Feb 9, 2023
12:53 PM
NCA History: Miss National Costumers Contest
NCA President Pam Markel has been researching the association's history in preparation for our 100th birthday party in August (click here for details about that event), and she recently came across information about the Miss NCA Contest. Here is her Read more
Feb 9, 2023
1:01 PM
Second Date Added for Zoom Fashion Show
Good news - a second date has been added for the NCA Zoom Fashion Show. Part II will occur on January 31 at 10 a.m. Central. This is your opportunity to see Lola Stars, Sunnywood, Manic Panic and other vendors live. Read more
Jan 24, 2023
9:19 AM
Reserve Your Space at Spring Fling 2023
Spring Fling 2023 is coming! This casual NCA event, which is full of fun and devoid of formality, will be held May 4-6 in Sugarcreek, Ohio. Here are details: Read more
Jan 25, 2023
5:16 PM
NCA Zoom Fashion Show January 24
Are you wondering what's going to be hot in 2023? Then be sure to attend the NCA Zoom Fashion Show next Tuesday, January 24, starting at 10 a.m. Central. The show will feature live presentations from Zagone Studios, MOM-My Other Me, HMS Smallwares, R Read more
Jan 19, 2023
9:26 AM
Great PR: Grammy-Award Winner Usher Sports Manic Panic Hair Color
The hair color products made by NCA Vendor Member Manic Panic often grace celebrity heads, but rarely does the public learn exactly whose hair color created the look. That happened when Usher, the Grammy-winning musician, showed off his new orange lo Read more
Jan 24, 2023
8:43 AM
Obituary: Robert Zagone, Zagone Studios
We were saddened to learn of the passing of Robert Zagone, co-founder of long-time NCA Vendor Member Zagone Studios. Robert and his brother Phil founded Zagone Studios in 1974 in Chicago, and it remains a leading mask manufacturer. The NCA expresses Read more
Jan 11, 2023
8:58 PM
2023 NCA Buyers Group Deals Posted
The most up-to-date discounts from NCA Vendor Members available to NCA Buyer members can now be seen on the NCA website. These offers are exclusive discounts ranging from free shipping to significant percentages off. New vendors in the Buyer's Group Read more
Dec 28, 2022
11:44 AM
NCA Bundle Program Launched, Deadlines Tight
Good News: The NCA Bundle Purchase Program officially launched December 14. The program includes negotiated discounts from six NCA Vendor Members: KBW, Wolfe FX, Caretas Rev, Cinema Secrets, Blinky and Visual Effects/Duval. Read more
Dec 14, 2022
8:57 PM
New NCA Vendor MOM Offers Discounts
NCA Vendor Member MOM: My Other Me has issued a generous discount schedule for NCA members. Note especially the additional early-order discounts below the table. Read more
Dec 14, 2022
8:45 PM
Send Us Your NCA Memories!
In 1968 Virginia Gersney was elected curator of a nonexistent NCA museum (click here to read about this effort). She began gathering items from costumers around the United States for this future museum. Needless to say, this preservation dream never Read more
Dec 14, 2022
8:32 PM
