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By Ed Avis
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 consists of numerous components stitched together. In fact, the fabric foundation of each costume is nearly identical – what makes them different is the remarkably crisp and realistic printed design.
“I don’t believe you will find anything similar to our design concept in the world,” says Galia Barak, the CEO of the company. Lola Stars Ltd. Is a family-owned small business founded in Israel in 2009. It recently expanded its operations and incorporated “Lola Stars USA” in the U.S. “Our unique, 3D-printed bodysuits collection currently includes about 250 designs for women, men and kids. The person wearing one of our costumes appears to be dressed in regular clothes, such as a skirt or pants and even multiple layers. In some designs you even see what looks like a perfectly nice belly button, but when you come closer to the person, you see it’s all printed.”
This method of creating costumes, similar to trompe l'oeil murals you occasionally see on the sides of buildings, allows the company to create a tremendous number of different costumes using a very small number of templates of one-piece body suits, jumpsuits or overalls. Some of the costumes include a fringe that is stitched on, but otherwise the base costume of each is made from one of the basic templates. The fabric is called “Milk Lycra” which Barak describes as “comfortable, comfortable, comfortable.”
“The primary characteristic of the costumes is that they’re very soft and stretchy,” she explains. “The design complements every body shape. You can even discreetly wear shapewear underneath, because the print camouflages a lot. It’s very flattering.”
Another advantage of the fabric, especially for trick-or-treaters in northern climates, is that it covers the body fully, keeping the wearer warm. They can even wear additional clothes underneath without damaging the total look, she adds.
In the U.S. Since 2022
Lola Stars (in Hebrew, the word “Lo” means for him and “La” means for her, so Lola means “for him and for her”) was founded in 2009 by Estee Lazar and Jacob Cohen. At first, the company sold costumes made by other companies, but about seven years ago they saw the opportunity to introduce their own designs. They entered the U.S. market in 2022 with the printed designs.
Barak expects the company to release at least 250-300 new designs in 2023. The company has its own manufacturing locations in China that can create small runs of the costumes affordably, because of the printing process, so small orders are welcome. The company’s minimum order is just $350.
“The nice thing about having our own factory is that we can receive the purchase order and manufacture per-order; we do not have to stock inventory,” Barak explains. “If we get a PO for 50 costumes, such as 10 costumes of Design A, 35 costumes of Design B, and 5 costumes of Design C, we can go ahead and manufacture those for that customer.”
She adds that the company is also capable of producing in sizes that are not currently part of the catalog, per demand.
Year-Round Design Options
As you can see from the pictures, the company’s costumes will clearly succeed at Halloween, but many designs are intended for other times of the year. Some are suited for festivals and raves, such as Burning Man, others for Independence Day parties or summer events.
“When you see somebody wearing our designs, it’s like ‘Wow, that’s unique,’” Barak says. “It’s something different than what you usually see.”
The company even welcomes custom designs. Stores that have an idea for their own product using a company logo, colors and special add-on items can ask Lola Stars to create a few designs specifically for them. Their team of designers, lead by Lazar, can produce simulation and mock-up images of new designs, working together with the customers. One of the product lines in design at this time, team uniforms, can be adapted per request.
Barak recommends that stores interested in carrying Lola Stars costumes start with the “best sellers” category on their website, www.lolastars.com. The company has joined the NCA Buyer’s Group and will offer members a 5 percent discount. Orders can be placed via email at lolastarscostumes@gmail.com.
As the company’s business grows in the United States, they will learn which products and categories are favored by the customers, Barak says, and add more designs in those areas.
Says Barak: ‘’We have already made sales in the U.S. and Latin America, but as we are now specifically designing for the American market, we hope to learn from our customers and tailor our collections and designs to their preference as we grow.”
If you are at the Halloween & Party Expo, be sure to visit Lola Stars in booth 1911.