1 of 5
2000 GI winner Mandarin Devil
2 of 5
2001 GI winner Xylia, Elfin Queen of Autumn
3 of 5
2002 GI winner Carnival
4 of 5
2003 GI winner Luccichio Drago
5 of 5
2004 GI winner Shouboo Parade Dragon
Editor's Note: This is the 12th 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.
As the 1990s came to an end, the twenty-first century’s NCA showcase event was shaping up to be equally as spectacular and extravagant as the previous decade. Costume design and construction were unbelievable, a diversity of materials and trims were more readily available, and the elaborate detailed nature of the entries was simply breathtaking. Entries were bigger, taller, with more attention to detail, and thus created an extravagant show of costumes greater than before.
The Grand International Showcase winner for 2000 was Spotlight Costumes in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for “Mandarin Devil.” This costume, modeled by Ron Thompson of Spotlight, was unbelievably detailed not only in intricate design but colorful elegant fabric and trim. This was the second Spotlight Costumes entry in a row to receive the Grand International. The Mandarin Devil was also the recipient of the Cliff Allen Memorial Award for Outstanding Fantasy Costume and the William Zauder Memorial Award for Outstanding Make-up.
The 2001 GI award went to Center Stage Costumes of Gainesville, Florida. “Xylia, Elfin Queen of Autumn,” was designed by Melissa Payne and modeled by Kathryn Cain. This designer was only 23 years old and had only worked for Center Stage since November of 2000. The detailed construction and design of this costume was so intricate. She truly looked like an autumn queen. “Xylia, Elfin Queen of Autumn” also won the Cliff Allen Memorial Award for Outstanding Fantasy Costume and the William Zauder Memorial Award for Outstanding Make-Up.
Josette’s of Biloxi, Mississippi, captured the 2002 Grand International Award with their entry of “Carnival.” This elegant winner captured the essence of the period with these gorgeous, embellished costumes, beautiful elegant headpieces and masks and the grand detailed staff that the gentleman carried.
Dragon did you say? “Luchicco Drago” created by Helen’s Pacific Costumes in Portland, Oregon received the 2003 Grand International Showcase Award. Luchicco Drago is Italian for shimmering dragon. The idea for this design was conceived at the Las Vegas convention (1997) in anticipation of the Chinese Year of the Dragon 2000. The creators of this masterpiece used a new lighting called “Live Wire” and expanded the idea to a neon dragon. The cost of materials was under $500 including live wire. The head was a reincarnated costume pieces made 20 years previously. The original base of the dragon was a snowman made for Payless drug stores. Luchicco Drago’s construction was an amazing journey for this talented costume shop. This was Helen’s Pacific’s 4th Grand International victory. Helen’s Pacific Costumes also won the Helen Aune Memorial Award for Outstanding Spectacular Costume. Click here to read more details about this costume from a 2003 issue of The Costumer.
After being blown away by the illustrious dragon of the GI showcase of 2003, along comes the Grand International winner of 2004 “Shouboo, the Enlightened Parade Dragon.” KDH Costume and Design Studio, LLC of Lake Charles, Louisiana, under the direction of Kevin Hodge, created this entry for the Ball Captain at the Annual Mardi Gras Presentation for the Krewe of Illusions, a Mardi Gras Krewe in Lake Charles, LA. Kevin’s design concept was to incorporate the grandeur of a Chinese parade, with confetti cannons and a dance in a full blaze during his time on stage. The costume took approximately four weeks and countless hours to bring to life. He was about 8 feet tall and 7 feet wide, but when feathered in, he grows to over 10 feet high and 9 feet wide. When his 27-foot detachable tail is attached he required four people to carry it. KDH designs created about 20-25 large costumes and designs for each year’s season. Click here to read more details about this costume from a 2003 issue of The Costumer.
The beginning of the twenty-first century Grand International Showcase Competition can only be described as spectacular, impressive and simply breathtaking. The creative minds of this period in the National Costumers Association History really came out in full array.
How fortunate we are to be members of this amazing group of costumers who dedicated their talents and creativity to be the best of the best. The National Costumers Association truly showed the world of what costume design really is.
As before there were so many other shops whose designs were equally as spectacular and worthy of recognition and praise.
Your Past Presidents,
Dwayne Ibsen and Pam Markel