From the History Vault: Evolution of "The Grand International"

    NCA costumers have always enjoyed sharing and showing off their unique sewing talents, techniques and elaborate designs while standing in awe of the abilities of their fellow members. Each member comes to the table (or competition) so to speak, with certain creative abilities and varying sets of sewing and designing skills and experience.

     Although the National Costumers Association was organized in 1923, the first mention of a Costumers Banquet and Ball was in 1928. Two hundred costumers paraded in front of judges that were selected from the membership. A beautiful trophy, the “Costumers Cup,” was

presented to the person wearing the most striking realistic costume. Charles P. Shipley was the first recipient of this award. He wore an authentic reproduction of a Chippewa Indian Chieftain dress regalia. 

     This Costume Ball was unique, in that it was the first event where costumes that were created and designed by costume shops of every state in the Union and a few foreign countries appeared in a National Costumers Association gathering.

     This competition continued for many more years, adding the winning categories of the “Best Dressed Man” and “Best Dressed Woman.”

      In 1955, this event was given the formal name “Bal Masque” and continued for twenty years. Costumers could now compete in specific categories: Most Beautiful, Comical, Authentic, and Most Original. The prestigious “Grand International Award” evolved and was presented to the best costume in show among all the categories.

     The first Grand International award was presented in 1955 to Colonial Costumes in Oklahoma for their entry “Two Southern Bells.” 

     From 1956 through 1959, the Grand International award went to various outstanding costumers. In 1956, the Grand International went to Lester Essig, (our second president and secretary) for his entry “Roman Gladiator.” In 1957, Northwestern Costume House in Minneapolis, Minnesota won for a “1885 Walking Dress.” An “Eighteenth-Century Couple” won in 1958, created by Barnes Costume Co. in Davenport, Iowa. Stage Door Costumes in Massachusetts dazzled the NCA members with their “Alice and the King and Queen of Hearts in 1959.” 

     Materials, trims, patterns, and creativity grew and grew within the membership, and by the 1960s costumes were taking on a new exciting look.

      Eventually Memorial Awards were added, rewarding costumes that had exemplary research, construction, design and imagination. These awards were named to honor designers who specialized in elaborate creations and contributed their knowledge to the Costumers Association.

    Competition was keen. At times there were over 125 entries, all extravagant and stunning. One NCA member purchased a seat on the plane for her costume, so her entry would not be crushed in transit. This convention event was extremely popular and continued until well into the 21st Century.

    In the coming months, we will be sharing some of the Grand International Award winners and Memorial Award winners from the ‘60s through 2010.

     Now that the NCA History Vault is open, don’t miss the next edition of the beautiful Grand International awards of the Sixties and Seventies.

Your Historians,

Past Presidents Dwayne Ibsen and Pamela Markel