By Pam Markel
Emma Barnes Kautz
Erma Barnes Kautz was the first woman President of the National Costumers Association, from 1974-1976. She joined the NCA in the early 1950s. She began her costume career as an employee of Miller Costume Company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and then left to form her own company in Davenport, Iowa.
The excerpt below is from an article was in a publication called “The Democrat and Leader,” published in Davenport Iowa:
“Working from a collection of some 5,000 costumes that range from Authentic copies of gowns from Queen Victoria’s wardrobe to bathing suits of the 'Gay 90s' era, energetic Mrs. Erma Barnes, owner of a Davenport Costume Shop, is equipped to provide for customers with the proper regalia for a masquerade, a dramatic production, or a serious fraternal ritual. Mrs. Barnes opened her shop six years ago when she bought out the old Tri City Costume Company in Rock Island. At that time, the entire stock of costumes numbered some 1,000. She had added to her business such sidelines as false beards, animal heads, masks, wigs and mustaches, small joke novelties, hats and horns. A member of the National Costumers Association, Mrs. Barnes has the advantage of being able to call for very unusual material from other association members. In some instances, she is required to authentically duplicate costumes of a certain period which entails great research. This summer, Mrs. Barnes designed and supplied a number of costumes for the widely acclaimed 'Wheels a Rolling' pageant, presented in connection with the Chicago Railroad Fair...."
Erma sold her business in the 60s to Sid Lorber of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She and her husband later moved to Youngstown, Ohio to manage Master’s Costume Shop, a subsidiary of Masters Dress Suit Rental. She retired from Masters and relocated in Atlanta, Georgia.
Erma was responsible for the NCA’s first group buying experience. She financed a $1,000 purchase of makeup books. They were sold at a profit to the NCA at a time when the treasury was virtually bankrupt.