The Grand International Part 15: Memorial Awards 2005-2010

Editor's Note: This is the 15th in a series of articles about NCA's famous Grand International Award (and the related costume awards) written by Pam Markel and Dwayne Ibsen, past presidents. To read the previous article, click here.

     The Memorial Awards were always an exciting event, with so many grand creations, designed by master seamstresses. Many of them were in the running for the Grand International Showcase winner, however the competition was fierce.

2005

     The Showcase for 2005 was no different. There were so many gorgeous entries that captured the various prestigious Memorial Awards.

“The Doge & Dogess of Venice,” created by Magic Makers Costumes in Huntington WV was awarded the Warren Hendricks Memorial Award for Outstanding Authentic Costume. These showpieces also were awarded second runner up to the Grand International award.

“Jack Frost & Lady Crystaline,” entries from the Enchanted Attic, captured the Cliff Allen Memorial Award for Outstanding Fantasy Costume. These striking costumes also won the William Zauder Memorial Award for Outstanding Makeup.

Spotlight Costumes in Pittsburgh, PA, was awarded the C. Arthur Landes & Joseph R. Landes Memorial Award for Outstanding Theatre Costume for their entry “Camelot.”

“Victorian Christmas” took the first place in the budget category.

Our dear Honorary Life Member Sylvia Luckman, who was from England, created “E’rtish for the 60ish,” which took the honor of the Abe Jacobson Memorial Award for Outstanding Masquerade Costume.

The Charles & Elsie Van Riper Memorial Award for Outstanding Holiday Costumes in 2005 was given to Spotlight Costume in Pittsburgh Pa. for their costumes “Dickens on the Strand.”

2006

      The Memorial Entries truly were outstanding creations by talented members of our prestigious organization. In 2006, this rang true. There were many amazing entries that deserved recognition.

“The Royal Jester,” created by Enchanted Attic, took the Jeannette & Percy Rubenstein Memorial Award for Outstanding Comedy Costume.

“Enchanted Claus” won the William Zauder Memorial Award for Outstanding Makeup. This entry was created by Center Stage Costumes and Magic in Gainesville, FL.

The C. Arthur Landes & Joseph R. Landes Memorial Award for Outstanding Theatre Costume was awarded to Performance Studios of Nashville TN for their creation of “Princess Run-A-Muck.”

Center Stage Costumes & Magic ran away with their entry “Mardi Gras Man” in the Charles & Elsie Van Riper Memorial Award for Holiday Costume.

The 2006 entry “It’s Good to Be King” was awarded the Trosclair Family Memorial Award for Outstanding Commercial Costume. Spotlight Costumes in Pittsburgh PA, were the designers.

The Abe Jacobson Memorial Award for Outstanding Masquerade Costume was bestowed upon the Illusive Skull Costume Castle in Fairmont, WV for their creation of “Madame Josette DuPrey.”

     As in every Showcase, the designers and creators were the best of the best. How hard it was for the judges to choose the winners.

2007

     The 2007 Grand International Showcase was unique for its humorous touch. Many entries were not only cute and creative but quite funny in nature.

Astrid’s Costume Attic was awarded the Jeanette and Percy Rubenstein Memorial Award for Outstanding Comedy Costume, for their entry “Pretty in Pink.”

“Keep to the Code,” created by Spotlight Costumes in Pittsburgh, PA won the Trosclair Family Memorial Award for Outstanding Comedy Costume.

The Warren Hendricks Memorial Award for Outstanding Authentic Costume was awarded to Camelot Costume in Freeport IL for their costume “Sunday by the Bay.”

Fabian’s Upstairs Closet and their entry “The Working Girl” took the Abe Jacobson Memorial Award for Outstanding Masquerade Costume. This costume also tied with “Harlequinn and Colombine” from Spotlight Costumes in Pittsburgh PA. The creation from Spotlight also won the William Zauder Memorial Award for Outstanding Makeup.

And to bring 2007 Memorial Award to a close, the “King and Queen of Halloween," created by Enchanted Attic, won the Illustrious Charles & Elsie Van Riper Memorial Award for Outstanding Holiday Costume.

2008

     2008 Memorial Judging took on a different flair. This year, in Omaha, the categories were eliminated while the Youth category and the Makeup category remained. Everyone now would have a chance to compete for the Grand International. The winners in specific memorial categories were as follows:

“Julia,” a creation from Camelot Costumes in Freeport, Illinois, was the runner up to the Grand International award, and won the Hendricks Memorial Award for Outstanding Authentic Costume.

“Pretty Lady,” from Fabian’s Upstairs Closet in Fairhaven Vermont, was awarded the Abe Jacobson Memorial Award for Outstanding Masquerade Costume.

“Rum Tum Tugger & Munkstrap” created by Camelot Costumes in Freeport, Illinois, walked away with the William Zauder Memorial Award for Makeup and the C. Arthur Landes & Joseph Landes Memorial Award for Outstanding Theatrical Costume.

2009

     The 2009 National Convention saw a small resurrection of the Memorial Award. The following costume entries were awarded the following:

“Faust,” designed and created by Spotlight Costumes in Pittsburgh PA., was the winner of the C. Arthur Landes & Joseph R. Landes Memorial Award for Outstanding Theatre Costume, the William Zauder Memorial Award for Makeup, and the Grand International Award.

“Zip It” created by Fabian’s Upstairs Closet, in Fairhaven VT, was award the Jeanette and Percy Rubenstein Memorial Award for Outstanding Comedy Costume.

“Buffalo Bill, Wild West Showman,” won the Abe Jacobson Memorial Award for Outstanding Masquerade Costume. This amazing design was created by Tina and Julio Lorenzoni of Changing Faces Costumes in Ohio

“Renaissance Bride and Groom” a design created by Costume Holiday House in Fremont Ohio, was the winner of the Trosclair Family Memorial Award for Outstanding Commercial Costume.

“Gwyneira, Goddess of the Winter Chill” was designed and created by the Illusive Skull Costume Castle in Fairmont, WV. It was the winner of the Cliff Allen Memorial Award for Outstanding Fantasy Costume.

Fabian’s Upstairs Closet in Fairhaven, VT. won the Charles & Elsie Van Riper Memorial Award for Outstanding Holiday Costume.

Spotlight Costumes in Pittsburgh, PA was presented the Warren Hendricks Memorial Award for Outstanding Authentic Costume.

2010

     The Memorial Judging of the Showcase had no categories for 2010. There were 15 entries for the Showcase and members voted for their favorite 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.

“Crouching Dragon, Happy Ending” was the winner of the Robert Schultz Memorial Award for Outstanding Animal / Mascot Costume. This entry was created by Acme Costumes in Garden City, GA. It was also the first runner up to the Grand International.

“Salacia & Neptune,” designed and created by Rose Costumes, Denton, TX, was the winner of the Cliff Allen Memorial Award for Outstanding Fantasy Costume and the William Zauder Memorial Award for Outstanding Makeup.

“Mutiny on the Bouffant,” a creation from Costume Holiday House, took the Warren Hendricks Memorial Award for Outstanding Authentic Costume.

Landes Costumes by Rachel in Indianapolis was the winner of the C. Arthur Landes & Joseph R. Landes Memorial Award for Outstanding Theatre Costume.

“The Marquis and Marquise of Venice” walked award with the Abe Jacobson Memorial Award for Outstanding Masquerade Costume. These beautiful costumes were made by Camelot Costumes in Freeport, Il.

     As we near the end of the historical reporting of the yearly competition at the NCA Conventions, we would be remiss without a mention of the interesting, creative, colorful and outrageous costume entries known as the President’s Award and the Judges’ Award. To be fair, the President’s Award for Excellence was actually 2nd place in each competitive category, and the Judges’ Award was a participation award. As we mentioned before, Phil Morris of Morris Costume was quick to say “It doesn’t matter, the costume is beautiful, and you need to use the experience as media publicity in your location. Show it in your shop window along with the trophy and let people and local media react to it.” Many entrants did just that, getting local home recognition for their entries in the NCA Showcase Competition.

     Our next article will show and discuss these amazing President’s and Judges’ Award costumes.

     We hope you have enjoyed this walk through NCA history.

Your Past Presidents,

Dwayne Ibsen and Pam Markel