The Grand International, Part 6: How Did the Awards Get Their Names?

Editor's Note: This is the sixth 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.

       In 1965 the Memorial Awards were given official names for each category. To honor specific outstanding members of the National Costumers Association, these awards were named in their honor.

  • The Warren Hendricks Memorial Award for the Outstanding Authentic Costume was named for a former Board of Directors member, Warren Hendricks from Hudson Costume in Long Beach, California. He served on the board, served as chairman of many committees, including showcase. Warren was deeply interested in improving the quality of costumes in the costume rental business
  • The Cliff Allen Memorial Award for Outstanding Fantasy Costume was given in honor of Past President Cliff Allen from Salt Lake City Costumes, Salt Lake City, Utah. Cliff honored our organization by serving on the Board of Directors, Secretary/ Treasurer, Editor of “The Costumers Magazine,” and President from 1961-1963. He and his wife also hosted many conventions. Cliff received the honorable Harrelson Award in 1967. Their business also included Alinco Mascots, developed by their son Terry and his wife Lola.
  • Helen Aune, owner of Arizona Costume House in Phoenix, Arizona was the name behind the Helen Aune Memorial Award for Outstanding Spectacular Costume. She was loved for her wacky ways and her great talent as a designer. She constantly participated in Showcase and won the Grand International Showcase Award three times. Helen served on the Board of Directors and as an educator at many conventions. Helen’s designs were popular each year as she created the Arizona State Costume for the Miss America pageant, usually winning a commendation.
  • The C. Arthur Landes & Joseph R. Landes Memorial Award went to the most Outstanding Theatre Costume. Art Landes was present at the very first meeting of the NCA in 1923. He served as President from 1937-1941 and received the distinguished Harrelson Award in 1959. Art was the force behind many initiatives: he led the fight to see that the Work Progress Administration’s costumes were not released on the open market and he helped create National Costumer’s Week. Joe Landes, Art’s son, followed in his footsteps. He served as President from 1958-1960. He also served as Secretary/ Treasurer and magazine editor and received the Harrelson Award. They both operated the Landes Costume Company in Indianapolis, Indiana. Also, part of the Landes Costumes were daughters Mary Lou and Diane, daughters of C. Arthur and sisters of Joe Landes. They kept the business going until they retired in the late ‘90s. Both received the Harrelson Award and Mary Lou was the magazine editor for years.
  • The Robert Schultz Memorial Award for Outstanding Animal/Mascot costumes was named after Bob Schultz and his wife Ann from Van Beau Costumes in Royal Oak, Michigan. The Schulz’s were very active members of the NCA. Bob served on the Board of Directors. His major contribution to the National Costumers Association was the creation of the Memorial Fund, which provided students with scholarships in the business exchange program. Bob created beautiful original mascots that were used by corporations across the country. Robert Schultz also received the prestigious Harrelson award in 1981.
  • Percy Rubenstein, owner of Bittners Costumes in Nashville, Tennessee, was honored with the Percy Rubenstein Memorial Award for Outstanding Comedy Costume. Percy was considered the “watchdog” of the NCA, always looking ahead in problem solving. Mr. Rubenstein served as President from 1965-1966 and received the distinguished Harrelson Award in 1968.
  • The Charles and Elsie Van Riper Memorial Award for Outstanding Holiday Costume honored our Past President Elsie Van Riper and her husband. She and her husband were active in all areas of the NCA. She served as President of the NCA from 1976-1978 and received the prestigious Harrelson Award in 1990.
  • The Abe Jacobson Memorial Award for Outstanding Masquerade Costume honored Abe Jacobson and his wife Bernice, who owned and operated Fierberg’s Costume Company in Hartford, Connecticut.
  • The Trosclair family of Trosclair’s Costume Supplies in Marrero, Louisiana were spotlighted by The Trosclair’s Family Memorial Award for Outstanding Commercial Costume. The Trosclair family became active in the NCA in the early ‘60s. They served on committees; Margaret served as a member of the Board of Directors and chaired many conventions. Her talent as a designer brought the company three Grand International Showcase awards.
  • The William Zauder Memorial Award for Outstanding Makeup was named after Bill Zauder. He became a renowned makeup artist and worked for many years for the Metropolitan Opera Company. Bill Zauder was known as the “Good Will Ambassador” of the National Costumers Association. Traveling for the Idea Wig Company, he planted seeds of interest in our organization to his customers. Ideal Wig Co. eventually became Disguise, which is still in existence today.
  • The Dorothy and LaMar Kerns Memorial Award for First Showcase/ First Convention was established in 1989-1991. Dorothy and La Mar were such a presence at the NCA events. Dorothy Kerns created a huge rental business and designed and built most of the costumes herself. In 1991, Dorothy was the recipient of the Harrelson Award. La Mar was an insurance salesman who joined his wife in the costume business and became the Secretary/Treasurer. He was greatly loved and maintained this job for years, providing a secure and profitable NCA Home Office. Their business, Costume Holiday House in Fremont, Ohio is now run by their sons, Greg and Doug. The Kerns family hosted many after Halloween get-togethers.

     Stay tuned for the next edition of the ‘80s Memorial Awards.

Your Past Presidents, Dwayne Ibsen and Pam Markel