The Creative Style Show was a Highlight of NCA Conventions

Editor’s Note: Pam Markel and Dwayne Ibsen, who are past presidents of the NCA and members of the History Committee, regularly write articles about NCA history for the newsletter, and in 2026 they are focusing on the Creative Style Show. This is their first column on this topic. Regarding the photos above, these black and white pictures did not do the costumes justice. The box contained intense shades of lime green shartung and shocking pink Morie plus a piece of pink flowered sheer and black soutache braid. 

One of the highlights of The National Costumers Association annual conventions has always been the Creative Style Show. Ten to twelve members who were willing to participate in this event received identical boxes of mysterious mismatched fabric, trims and a questionable number of items that no one in their right mind would use to create a costume. The rules were very specific: everything and I mean everything in the box had to be used in the creation of the costume; you could only spend $1.00 ( later changed to $10) or less for items such as zippers, buttons, etc.; and you could make no more than two costumes out of the fabulous items you were given. It was truly a test of patience, creativity and ingenuity. Naturally, the goal was to make a costume or costumes to rent in your shop.

The first Creative Style Show was in 1976 at the Dallas, Texas convention. Margaret Trosclair was the show chairman. It was then called the “Surprise Style Show.”

Margaret sent 9 shops, including herself, a package of fabric and trims. All the packages were identical, with absolutely no directions. Each of the shops had to make a costume from the fabrics and trims etc., which was theirs to keep. Nothing which showed on the outside of the garment could be anything but from the materials in the box. As quoted in The Costumer magazine at that time, “The fun will be in seeing how completely different the finished costumes will be or maybe it would be even more exciting if they all turned out to be the same.”

Each shop was reminded to please wear a cloak or robe over their costume so no one could see the creations until they were presented by Mr. Wayne Murphy, the announcer, and attendees heard his comments. Margaret Trosclair decided to show her costume last, so everyone would know then what she had in mind when she choose the materials.

                  The first group of participating shops were as follows:

                  Lown Costume Co.

                  Masters Costume Co.

                  Krause Costume Co

                  Maiers Costume Co.

                  Jackie’s Costume Co.

                  Costume Holiday House

                  Bittner’s Costume Studio

                  Trosclair Costume Supplies

                  Howland Costume Co.

Retired member Lorraine Brown of Fabrian’s Upstairs Closet in Vermont called this activity “Our own Project Runway.” She said, “It was one of my favorites.”

Debbie Meredith of Akron Design and Costumes felt it was the most attended and enjoyed event of the National Convention. “Some members took it to a higher level, and some made simply nice stuff. I was scary opening that box, but once you got started it was fun.”

This creative contest brought out the best of all those who participated in it. It stretched your imagination and your ability to make something out of nothing.