1980 GI Carmello Camel Starline Costume
1981 GI 18th Century Court Lady, Costumes Creative
1982 GI Shiva & Golden Male, Costumes by Josette
1983 GI Two Aztec Gods, Schenz Theatrical Supply
1984 GI Erte Showgirl, Landes Costumes
1985 GI Spirit of Things Wild and Unknown, Trosclair's Costume Supply
1986 Titania, The Fairy Queen, Ibsen Costumes
1987 GI Spinner the L.A. X. Chopper
1988 GI 16th Cenury Lord and Lady, Fantasyland Costumes
1989 GI Ascot Ladies, Landes Costume Co
Editor's Note: This is the fifth in a series of articles about NCA's famous Grand International Award (and the related costume awards) written by Pam Markel, immediate past president. To read the previous article, click here.
The 1980s brought the WOW factor to the Grand International Showcase event. Costumes were glitzy, intricate with beading and trim, they were oversized, imaginative and truly unbelievable in design and construction.
Barbara Moore from Starline Costumes in San Antonio, Texas stole the competition in 1980 and 1987 with her incredible, extraordinary mascots. In 1980 she won with her “Carmello Camel mascot,” and in 1987 her mascot “Spinner the LAX Chopper” took the grand prize. Barbara would go on to win other Grand International awards as the years progressed.
Joan Pekin, Costumes Creative in Bethesda Maryland, won with her creative, detailed entry of “18th Century Lady.” In 1982, “Shiva & Golden Male” created by Mickey Locklar, Costumes by Josette, Mississippi, stole the show with their glitzy, fabulous design.
In 1983, the Grand International Award was presented to Schenz Theatrical Supply, Cincinnati, Ohio. “The Two Aztec Gods” were glorious costumes accented with beautiful trims and jewels to bring out the exact detail needed.
Our former historian, Rachel Godelei Johnson from Landes Costumes in Indianapolis, Indiana, modeled the Grand International entry “Erte Showgirl” in1984. It was created by Landes Costumes. Detailed and elegant barely describes this beautiful entry.
The “Spirit of Things Wild & Unknown,” created by Trosclair’s Costume Supplies in Marrero, Louisiana, won the GI in 1985. Previously we wrote about the largeness of some of the costumes entered in the Showcase and this entry was definitely oversized, unbelievably detailed from head to toe and just simply breathtaking.
Ibsen Costume Gallery in Omaha, Nebraska won the Grand International in 1986 with “Titani, the Fairy Queen” from Midsummer Night’s Dream. The costume was created with beaded peach chiffon, and a harness of beaded wings, requiring hours and hours of hand beading by the Ibsen staff. The costume was intended for the first entrance of the character. Other scenes were played sans wings.
The Grand International Showcase Award in 1988 went to Park Fairyland Costumes in Moreno Valley, California. The “Sixteenth Century Lord and Lady” entry were beautiful costumes, with such wonderful attention to detail and period style.
The era of the 1980s Grand International Showcase came to a close with two extraordinary costumes from Landes Costumes in Indianapolis, Indiana. Ginger Van Halen and Beth Ann Boswell modeled the entry “Ascot Ladies.” These lavish costumes, with their attention to detail and fashion of that period, would complement anyone’s costume rental department. They are beautiful beyond measure.
The 1980s provided the most elaborate and competitive entries of any decade. Shops from all over the country took time to show their talents. This continued through the early and mid-1990s.
Hopefully someday this event can return in some form to engage, amaze, entertain and challenge creative National Costumers Association members.
Stay tuned for the next chapter of the Grand International winners of 1990s.
Your Past Presidents,
Pam Markel
Dwayne Ibsen