By Kathleen Furore
NCA ADMINISTRATION
BoArd of directorS
President
Terry Sinopoli
Arlene’s Costumes 1156 Culver Rd. Rochester, NY 14609
terry@arlenescostumes.com 585-662-9942
Term ends: 2027
immediate Past
President
Pam Markel
Illusive Skull Costume Castle 1314 Morgantown Ave. Fairmont, WV 26554 docmarkel@aol.com
304-476-7927
Term ends: 2026
Vice President
Courtland Hickey
Chicago Costume 1120 W. Fullerton Ave. Chicago, IL 60614
courtland@chicagocostume. com 773-528-1264
Term ends: 2027
treasurer
Louella Torrence
Drop Me a Line Costume Shop 3600 Catherine Ave. Allentown, PA 18103 dropmealine@rcn.com 610-360-5498
Term ends: 2027
director
Marion Bradley
Discount Costumes 1736 Watson Blvd Warner Robins, GA 31093 balloonsnpartiesinfo@ gmail.com 478-396-1204
Term ends: 2026
director
Calvin Coffman
Graftobian 510 Tasman St. Madison, WI 53714 608-222-7849
calvincoffman@graftobian.com
Term ends: 2026
director
Anne Dorsey
McCabe’s Costumes 4054 S. Memorial Dr. Winterville, NC 28590 mccabescostumes@gmail. com
Term ends: 2026
director
Annemarie Aldrich
Rose Costume 104 W. Oak St. Denton, TX 76201
annemarie.aldrich@ rosecostumes.com 940-566-1917
Term ends: 2027
director
Bernie Garrido
Bernie’s House of Fun 1804 Green Ct. Brownsville, TX 78520 bernieshouseoffun@gmail. com
956-592-7676
Term ends: 2027
director
Dwayne Ibsen
Ibsen Costume Gallery 4981 Hamilton St. Omaha, NE 68132 402-556-1400 Fax 402-556-5727 ibsencostumes@gmail.com
Term ends: 2027
director
Brandon Lilly
The Life of the Party 4025 S. Mason St., Ste B. Fort Collins, CO 80525 brandon.lilly@goodsforgeeks. com
970-414-0857
Term ends: 2027
executiVe director
Ed Avis
National Costumers Association 708-218-7755
executivedirector@costumers.org
S tA nding committee c HA irS
Buyer member Benefits: Courtland Hickey
Vendor Benefits: Calvin Coffman
membership recruitment: Anne Dorsey and Marion Bradley
revenue: Anne Dorsey
nominations and Awards: Pam Markel
Bereavement, disaster and grievance: Pam Markel
History: Dwayne Ibsen and Pam Markel
Website: Janine Caufield and Brandon Lilly
Social media: Janine Caufield and Calvin Coffman
Top 10 Advantages of NCA Membership
10. NCA Zoom Happy Hours. Chat with your NCA friends from the comfort of your home!
9. NCA Mentor Program. Get help from more experienced costumers...or give help to new members!
8. Help Halloween Happen Campaign. Google Ads that drive traffic to your store’s website!
7. Halloween for All Campaign. Make sure your store is suitable for all customers, regardless of abilities.
6. NCA Zoom Fashion Show. Learn about the latest products from our Vendor Members.
5. NCA Webinars. Great information from fellow members and experts, plus always time for questions
4. NCA Today Newsletter. Your bi-weekly dose of news about the NCA and costuming
3. Bundle Program Discounts. We all save money when we combine our orders.
2. Buyer’s Group Discounts. Exclusive discounts from our Vendor Members
1. The Costumer Magazine. The quarterly journal that’s in your hands right now!
Stay tuned for details and plan on participating!
PRESIDENT’S LETTER
Hello ncA friends,
Spring is finally here! Some costume shops may find this time of year a little quiet. Others stay active all year long. Your shop can successfully sell non-Halloween items by expanding into yearround themed merchandise, event supplies, and everyday apparel and decor that align with your store’s eccentric aesthetic. You can offer seasonal and holiday costumes, accessories, decor, and more.
The recently minted “Summerween” has started making its way into the selections of several vendors. Mardi Gras, Valentine’s Day, patriotic holidays like this summer’s Semiquincentennial (America’s 250th birthday) and other summer events like luaus, graduation parties and birthday celebrations are perfect for expanding your year-round repertoire. Thanksgiving, 100 Days and regional events like Gasparilla in Tampa, Florida, the Kentucky Derby and Pride celebrations in various areas can also help you build your business into a year-round powerhouse. While carrying every item for every special occasion would be impractical and very overwhelming, selecting some from each season may help to expand your reach and still be practical. We have started carrying a collection of products for holidays and seasons that are popular. We have a specific section for them in our store and a category for each of them on our website.
This is also a great time for spring cleaning. This doesn’t just mean throwing things out. It can mean street sales, clearance events, open houses and more. Just after Covid, we were selling a warehouse. We opened up that building (by appointment) to theater companies, schools, entertainment companies, haunts and other organizations to sell off retired rentals and unsold retail items. We promoted it on social media and through word of mouth, keeping our expenses low. It was a great success!
It is also a great time to start saving and planning to join us for our NCA Get Away in Rochester, New York in August 2027. Why Rochester? It’s not just because it is my hometown, although I look forward to sharing it with all of you. We are the home of The Strong National Museum of Play. The National Toy Hall of Fame at The Strong Museum, established in 1998, recognizes toys that have inspired creative play and enjoyed popularity over a sustained period. Each year, the prestigious hall inducts new honorees and showcases both new and historic versions of classic toys beloved by generations. Our thought is to visit the Strong Museum to get a better feel for the Hall of Fame and possibly submit the costume as a nominee for induction. We also plan to visit the George Eastman House Museum. It is the world’s oldest photography museum and one of the oldest film archives. The museum holds amazing collections in the fields of photography, cinema, and photographic and cinematographic technology, and photographically illustrated books. The institution is also a long-time leader in film preservation and photographic conservation. We are also checking into a tour of one of our incredible theaters. We will also make sure that everyone gets to try our delicious (yes, I’m serious) and legendary Garbage Plates! I wish you all the best as you enjoy your summer and prepare for the Halloween season. Please report back and let me know how things are going for you and your business.
terry Sinopoli, president
National Costumers Association
Arlene’s Costumes, Rochester, New York
ncA national Headquarters
ed Avis
executive director
P.O. Box 13347 Chicago, IL 60613 708-218-7755
executivedirector@costumers.org
The Costumer publications office
Ed Avis Associates P.O. Box 13347 Chicago, IL 60613 708-218-7755
executivedirector@costumers.org
Ad Sales
Ed Avis
708-218-7755
executivedirector@costumers.org
editorial inquiries
Kathleen Furore
708-267-0023
kfurore@yahoo.com
Art director
Michelle Crisanti michelle@mc2chicago.com
©2026, National Costumers Association. The Costumer is published by the National Costumers Association, Inc., with headquarters located at the above address, a nonprofit and incorporated association of costumers located in the United States, Australia, Bahamas, Canada, India, Ireland, Mexico, and Great Britain.
No responsibility is assumed for the opinions expressed or claims made by the authors of articles or by advertisers. Appearance in the magazine does not constitute endorsement by the National Costumers Association, nor its officers or representatives.
www.costumers.org
ASSOCIATION NEWS
meet t H e neW ncA BoArd memBerS
The NCA Board has welcomed two new members, who were elected in December: Bernie Garrido, owner of Bernie’s House of Fun in Brownsville, Texas, and Annemarie Aldrich, owner of Rose Costumes in Denton, Texas. We asked them a few questions to get to know them better.
Bernie garrido
tell us about the history of Bernie’s House of fun.
We opened in August of 2023. The goal behind our store was just to bring something very different to our community,
first 30 kids who brought their letters. We do a little spooky Easter, as well, where we have an Easter bunny and take pictures and we give stuff away. We also bring actors from the horror industry into the store for meet and greets. Last year we brought in actors from the Terrifier franchise, from Scream, from Jason, and from Jeepers Creepers, to name a couple.
We’re also hosting our first horror convention this year in September. We’re calling it Spooky Texas Horror Convention, and it will be September 19th and 20th. We are hoping to bring about 10 different actors and actresses. Hopefully we’ll have 50 different vendors there as well, and some spooky attractions.
really focused on the experience, nostalgia and great customer service. I studied at the University of Texas in Austin, and when I was living there, there was a store called Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds, and it was an awesome store. I was always fascinated by it and always dreamed of having something like that in our community.
So, about 15 years later, I just felt it was time to do this. We did a lot of research for a couple years, studying good vendors, good merchandise and best practices. Then Covid hit and delayed us. Finally, in 2023 it was like, “Let’s go!”
do you do well in holidays outside of Halloween?
We coordinate events throughout the year. For example, in December we had our Krampus event in the store. Kids brought their letter to Krampus, and we gave away gifts to the
Bernie Garrido with his wife, Fiana, and sons Bernardo and Santiago
is there anything else you would like to add?
I genuinely mean it when I say that I’m very appreciative of the NCA. It’s been instrumental and we wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for those people and those opportunities that we’ve found.
Annemarie Aldrich
What were you doing prior to joining rose costumes?
My business and career and passion was all in the beauty and fashion industries. I worked with a production company out of New York, and we did trade shows, runway shows, that sort of thing. I found myself in Texas in 2007, which is when the recession was. I saw that there was a costume store that was looking for a business manager, and I said, well, that sounds like that could be a fun job. And it was so much more than that! I met Judy [Smith, the owner at that time] and we just quickly fell in love. I ran her business for her until 2018 when she retired, and then I bought the business from her.
What did you change or improve at the store after you arrived?
Well, during the first 10 years or so that I was here, Amazon was starting to take over everything, and Spirit Halloween and everyone else had such a hand in the pot of Halloween, and it was becoming such an oversaturated market. So, we shifted our focus to theater. We started focusing on school theater rentals and community theater rentals. That was such an incredible, wonderful move for us, and I do believe it’s one of the reasons we are still here. It’s fun and every day is different.
What’s your feeling about the future of costuming in general?
My feeling is that we’re headed towards a shift away from everybody wanting things fast and cheap. I think that valuedriven fashion and costuming is really going to be the next wave of the future. I think that people are looking more for items that are going to last longer than one show. They will see the value in rentable costumes again, you know, costumes that are built with beautiful fabrics and wonderful craftsmanship.
What would you like to accomplish as an ncA board member?
I’m excited to do things that help grow the industry back. I think we really need to get a better grasp on how technology can help us with everything from design to running our businesses. And we can be really inspiring young people to get more into these creative fields because they’re needed and there are just so many good ideas out there.
ncA leAderS elected, re-elected
NCA’s leaders were elected or re-elected at the NCA Business Meeting on December 11, 2025. Terry Sinopoli, marketing and customer service manager of Arlene’s Costumes in Rochester, New York, was re-elected to a second term as president. Courtland Hickey, owner of Chicago Costume and a current board member, was elected vice president. Hickey replaces Janine Caufield, who had served as vice president for many years and has decided to leave the board.
We’re going to the Big Easy! The biggest news announced at the 2026 Halloween & Party Expo in January was that next year the event is moving to New Orleans, after a fiveyear run in Las Vegas. The 2027 event will be January 11-13 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
The NCA is considering a member gathering in New Orleans during the event. Stay tuned for details — but in the meantime, put the HPE event on your 2027 calendar!
H pe 2027 moVing to neW orleAnS
A Vintage Re V i VA l
By Kathleen Furore
Yesterday’s apparel is today’s hot fashion
trend
editor’s note: In December, NCA Executive Director Ed Avis and I attended one of the most popular vintage markets in the Windy City. Being the Christmas season market, it was chock full of items from decades past (some dating to the 1940s, and likely before). What we found interesting was the number of young adults who were trying on and buying apparel and accessories their parents, grandparents, and possibly even great grandparents would have worn.
When I started researching this story and saw this assessment from a March 2025 story in Vogue, I realized we shouldn’t have been surprised: “Vintage isn’t merely a niche pursuit anymore; it’s a cultural juggernaut…In the most widely accepted sense, vintage refers to clothing and accessories that are at least twenty years old but less than one hundred years old. That places the current vintage sweet spot anywhere between the 1920s and early 2000s.”
To learn how consumers’ desire for decades-old fashion is translating to independent costume shops, we reached out to NCA member Anita Douglas, owner of The Second Act in Iowa City, Iowa, to discover how she is making the most of the current craze.
ostumer: how do you define vintage at your shop? Do you focus on certain eras of apparel and accessories — for example, is there a range of years you typically include?
ouglas: Technically, vintage is defined as at least 20 years old. At our shop, we have authentic vintage clothing from the 1930s through Y2k. We also have a Roaring ‘20s section, though most of those items are reproduction. We do include vintage double-breasted pinstripe suits (‘80/’90s) in that section because they sell so quickly!
ostumer: Where do you source your vintage pieces? We are a consignment AND costume shop, so we source a lot from our community of consignors. We put up social media posts about what we are looking for, and people respond and bring them in. Estates are a great source of authentic vintage, and we do direct buy-outs of clothing from people who contact us. We also occasionally source bundles of in-demand/designer vintage pieces from resellers in other states.
The costumer: how do you arrange the store and what are some of your most popular vintage items?
douglas: Our building used to be an office building and has seven “rooms.” We have named them all after parts of a theatre — a play on our name The Second Act — so we have the Main Stage, The Pit, The Green Room, Stage Right, Stage Left, etc.
The ‘80s has its own section against a neon pink painted wall, the ‘60s Hippies are in the Green Room with the priests, cowboys and world citizens (vintage from other cultures), and the ‘70s are in a section of the Archives room with disco ball lighting.
‘60s and ‘70s authentic era clothing are our fastest selling pieces — think suede-fringed jackets, leisure suits, bell bottoms, granny square tanks and shawls. The 1980s is also a popular party theme, and our collection of ‘80s prom dresses, parachute pants, track suits and neon gets a lot of attention in the shop. Of course, ‘90s/Y2k is HOT with Gen Z.
“ c ombining upscale clothing consignment, vintage and costumes is a winning mix at t he Second Act.”
— Anita Douglas
The costumer: Do you have any advice for stores considering adding vintage to their shops?
douglas: Combining upscale clothing consignment, vintage and costumes is a winning mix at The Second Act. That’s due largely to our hand-picked, curated collection. The tips I would offer for adding vintage into your costume shop would be:
Photo courtesy of The Second Act
Curate the collection. Not everything old is desirable. Be aware that vintage sizes are smaller. Getting larger size vintage pieces is like hitting the jackpot!
Remember that condition is important. For example, vintage zippers are grouchy at times and can be expensive if you rely on a seamstress to replace. Elastic might not bounce back. Stains may be permanent. We really look our pieces over.
Consider how you will launder/clean the items if you are renting them. Vintage that needs to be dry-cleaned is not a good fit for our rental collection so we sell those outright.
Supplement true vintage with costume accessories. Hats, necklaces, round colored sunglasses, gloves, pearls are all easy add-ons. We also add costume pieces to our vintage displays because some people prefer new or need sizing we don’t have in vintage.
Do it! There aren’t any tariffs on vintage (well, unless you import it).
B USINESS B ASICS
is your Price right?
A nuanced pricing strategy can improve customers’ perception of your store,
and your profits
When Jim Berg sets the prices for items at his store, Twin Cities Magic & Costume in Minneapolis, he starts with a rather simple approach: He puts himself into the buyer’s shoes and guesses what they would consider a good price for each item.
“I say to myself, ‘If I was the shopper, what would I pay for it?’” Berg says. “So if I would pay $20 for it, I think anybody would pay $20 for it, because I’m a very frugal shopper.”
Berg’s pricing strategy differs from the standard price-setting methods, such as “keystoning” (doubling the wholesale price) or basing the price on competitors’ prices. But his approach, which makes customers feel like they’re getting a good value while still maintaining profit, positions Twin Cities Magic & Costume for long-term success.
By Ed Avis
KnoW t H e floor And t H e ceiling
Before you set the price for a product, make sure you understand your true break-even for that item. Obviously, that includes the wholesale cost of the item, but also some overhead and related costs, such as potential shrinkage, carrying costs (interest on debt), and staff costs.
“If you don’t know your floor, you’re guessing,” notes Laviet Joaquin, head of marketing for a home technology retailer. “And guessing erodes profit.”
That first calculation — what your “floor” is — should happen before you buy the item in the first place, of course. You don’t want to be making pricing decisions after something is already in your inventory, because you may have to set prices higher than your market will bear.
“Today pricing is not only a financial decision but also a positioning strategy,” says Mariia Golitsyna, a business marketing and commercial growth strategist. “Retailers who succeed usually focus on communicating their value rather than competing only on price. When companies clearly understand what customers are willing to pay for — whether it’s quality, convenience, brand perception, or experience — they can protect margins while staying competitive.”
Berg has been setting prices at his store for nearly 40 years, so he can tap into a lot of experience when he’s guessing what people will think about his prices. But even if you don’t have the same depth of knowledge, here are some tips from him and others on how to create prices that can protect your margin and keep customers coming back.
Next, remember Berg’s practice and consider the perceived value of the item. Sometimes perceived value includes urgency — on October 30 a good Halloween costume has a higher perceived value than it does on November 1. Other times perceived value includes trendiness — if all the kids want to wear sparkly eye shadow, you can probably set the price higher for sparkly eye shadow.
Other characteristics that affect perceived value are packaging (people pay more for something that is packaged attractively) and advertising (when consumers see ads, they perceive that the product being advertised must be worthy of the investment in advertising).
By keeping your eye on those two ends of the spectrum — your breakeven at the bottom and the perceived value at the top — you should be able to set prices that bring in more profit than if you used a less-nuanced price strategy.
(continued on page 14)
Within the window of breakeven and perceived value, there is room to make adjustments that increase profit.
For example, keep in mind that some items in your store drive traffic, while others drive profit.
purchase, while the accessories increase the profit.
Sometimes you can earn more overall profit by bundling a selection of items in one package rather than trying to sell them separately, even if the margin is a little lower on the bundle.
“ retailers who succeed usually focus on communicating their value rather than competing only on price. When companies clearly understand what customers are willing to pay for…they can protect margins while staying competitive.” — Mariia golitsyna
“Some items are easily adjustable in their pricing structures because they are high-volume traffic items,” says Stephen O’Farrell, owner of Tricks & Treats and The Christmas Loft in North Comstock, New Hampshire. “Profit, though, comes from secondary items that are added to a purchase beyond the primary item that drove traffic.”
An example of O’Farrell’s idea might be setting a lower price on a basic Batman costume, because it’s in demand and you bought enough of them to get a decent price, but a higher price on the common accessories, such as the Batman accessory belt or higher-end mask. The costume initiates the
For example, let’s say customers want something to wear to the Pride Parade. If someone buys a rainbow-colored wig at $15, a glitter make-up kit for $20, and a tie-dyed t-shirt for $25, the sale will be $60 and at your normal margin of 50 percent, you’ll earn $30. But only one in 10 buyers makes that combo purchase — the rest just buy the wig, which means you earn only $7.50 per customer, giving you a total profit for those 10 buyers of $97.50. Now put those three items in a bundle and price it at $50. You’ll only earn $20 profit for the bundle, but if five of the buyers go for the bundle and five buy just a wig, your profit from that group of shoppers will jump to $137.50.
Finally, consider the experience factor: If you have a cool store that is beautifully decorated and offers a true “experience,” you probably can charge more — at least for certain items — than your competition at the ugly big box store. People who are in a fun mood and enjoying themselves are more apt to open their wallets.
WH en SHould You diScount?
O’Farrell says he starts thinking about discounts even before he buys inventory. Obviously, he hopes everything will sell out, but if he purchases wisely, he has enough margin at the end of the season to discount products but still make money.
Berg has a slightly different approach. He does not discount — instead, after Halloween, he moves the unsold costumes to a different location in the store and sometimes even increases the price to emphasize the quality of the merchandise.
“We try to price everything fairly to begin with so that we don’t have to mark things down,” he explains. “It’s not like a sale a Macy’s — I don’t mark something up double so that I can cut it in half for a sale.”
Ultimately, how you set your prices affects customers’ perception of your store. If you want customers to feel that your store carries quality merchandise and offers an enjoyable shopping experience, don’t worry if your prices are somewhat higher than those at mass retailers.
“Pricing teaches customers how to value your store,” Joaquin notes. “Teach them carefully.”
disguise Super mario Brothers costume and Accessory Kits. The new Bowser costume Kit (#85231Ad) lets your customers transform into this iconic Super Mario villain. The kit includes the headpiece with spiky horns, orange hair, and an angry scowl, plus an inflatable backpack with a realistic shell design. Shirt not included. The mario Accessory Kit (73790) and luigi Accessory Kit (73791) include each character’s signature hat, self-adhesive mustache, and signature white gloves. info@disguise.com;
ellie Shoes men’s and Women’s Boots. The 125-ren is a Renaissance-inspired men’s boot with 1-inch heel in black PU. Available in Small (8-9), Medium (10-11), Large (12-13), and XL (14). The 253-rebecca is a 2.5-inch heel ankle boot with a mix of lace & PU plus shoelaces and side zipper for closure. Available in black or white in sizes 6-10. (714) 771-0015 ellieshoes.com
The pirate dressing Heritage l eaf-trail underbust ensemble. This ensemble, which merges tribal elegance with traditional textile artistry, features a structured underbust bodice with attached flowing tail skirt with cascading ruffles and heritage-patterned panels. The combination of textured fabrics, handcrafted motifs, and flowing layers adds depth and character, giving the ensemble a bold, bohoroyal appeal. Made using assorted traditional fabrics; color, motifs, and patterns may vary, making every piece unique and oneof-a-kind.
thepiratedressing.com
PRODUCT PARADE
mehron Artist pigment metallic fX. Your customers will love the metallic effects and high-impact shine these pigments deliver. Can be used as a powder for soft reflective finishes; also can be used with mixing liquid, which transforms the pigment into intense molten liquid makeup that can be painted onto the body or hair or used to create designs like metallic eyeliner. It can also be used to paint props and costumes for cosplays. Available in 5 molten metal shades: White gold, yellow
rubies Supergirl and masters of the universe products. Be ready for the buzz around the new Supergirl and live-action Masters of the Universe films!
Supergirl dress deluxe. Inspired by the iconic Supergirl, this costume features a fitted dress with removable cape and belt, plus details like thumb holes and an easy hook-and-loop closure that fans love. Full Supergirl lineup, including costumes and accessories for all ages, even pets, also available.
castle grayskull 8-ft. lawn inflatable. Inspired by Masters of the Universe: Revelation, this display piece features lights in the skull and towers for dramatic nighttime impact. It also includes 12 sewn anchor loops, 12 sturdy stakes, approximately 40 feet of tie-cord, and weight stones in each tower that provide stability for worry-free setup. Full lineup of Masters of the Universe costumes, accessories, and collectibles also available. rubies.com
dagger and the 39.5-in. c hampion Sword (both pictured); 43.5-in. Knight Sword, 31.5-in. legendary Hero Sword, and 40-in. Warrior Spear also available. In-stock year-round. dressupamerica.com
NCA M ARKETPLACE
Advertising in the NCA Marketplace is $35 per issue (10% discount for NCA members). You will be billed upon publication; payment is due upon receipt.
For full details, see the advertising contract available at www.costumers.org. Contact Ed Avis at 708-218-7755 or executivedirector@costumers.org.
2026 nc A Buyer’s g roup
A major NCA member benefit is the long list of discounts available exclusively to NCA members. Below is the list of companies that have pledged you these discounts as of press time for this edition of The Costumer. Please be sure you write your NCA member number on all your orders to receive your discounts. Please also thank our Vendor Members for their unique support of the National Costumers Association.
AEROMAX, INC. (SILVER)
www.aeromaxtoys.com
877-776-2291
fAX 847-756-4091
jared@aeromaxtoys.com
28079 W. Industrial Ave
Lake Barrington, IL 60010
Contact: Jared Heidenreich
Specialties: Career Oriented Dress for Kids and Adults alike.
Discount: 5% off orders of $300; 10% off orders of $700; 15% off orders of $1,500+. Pre-paid orders $300 and over receive additional 2% discount.
Terms: Orders $2,000 to $3,000 get net 45; orders $3,001 and over get net 60 if shipped by May 1; net 45 if shipped after May 1. Orders under $120 require credit card payment. FOB Lake Barrington, IL 60010. No minimum order. Orders must be placed by 2/16/26 and shipped by 8/1/26.
CAMDEN PASSAGE (GOLD)
www.camdenpassage.com
(888) 755-5578
fax (888) 955-5578
info@camdenpassage.com
115 First St., Collingwood, ON L9Y 4W3
Contact: Anuja Mehta
Specialties: Camden is the manufacturer of Loox Cosmetic Contact Lenses and the North American distributor for Moon Makeup. We are an ISO 13485 & MDSAP certified organization. Moon Makeup - leading manufacturer of Face Paints and Fun & Bold Cosmetics. Our extensive range includes Neon UV, Glow in the Dark, Bio Glitter, Face Paints and Halloween makeup. All available in counter-top displays, boxsets or clamshell packaging. Made in the UK to cosmetic grade standards and not tested on animals. US FDA and Health Canada compliant. Loox Contact Lenses - Our cosmetic lenses are a great all year product, we stock over 220 designs. All Loox lenses are ISO 13485 & MDSAP certified, US FDA and Health Canada cleared for safe and legal retailing.
Discount: 5% Off Invoice.
Terms: Net 30 OAC. Working with us is easy. There is no minimum order, we are in stock yearround and offer free shipping on orders over $500. Typically, orders are delivered within two days of receiving them. You will have access to our high-res image library containing thousands of product images, beauty shots and videos. Further, we can work directly with you to create custom POS materials for your store.
CINEMA SECRETS (SILVER)
www.cinemasecrets.com
(818) 846-0579
fAX: (818) 846-0431
woochie@cinemasecrets.com
6639 Odessa Ave., Los Angeles, CA 91406
Contact: Paulette Zagaryan
Specialties: Leaders in Halloween latex appliances and makeup kits. Choose from a range of hundreds of styles.
Discount: All members receive 10% off list prices year around.
Terms: Please refer to our price list or contact us for full list of Terms and Conditions.
DISGUISE, INC./DIVISION OF JAKKS PACIFIC (PLATINUM)
www.disguise.com (858) 391-3600 fax (858) 391-3601
info@disguise.com
12120 Kear Place, Poway, CA 92064
Contact: Kevin LeMaster
Specialties: Licensed costumes and accessories.
Discount: Costumes & Accessories: 10% or 7% off list price depending on method of payment. Discounts do not apply to closeouts or special buys. Minimum order to qualify for the Premium NCA Discount: $2500. Opening orders must be received in writing by Disguise by 2/14/2026 to receive full benefits. No extensions will be granted. For Members placing their opening order by 2/14/2026, a 1% Defective Allowance (DA) will apply to all orders placed for 2026. Members placing opening orders by 2/14/2026 will continue to receive full program discounts on all reorder activity for the 2026 season. Members who do not place orders by 2/14/2026 will realize only the benefits of the Disguise Standard Discount schedule and return policy. Please reach out to your sales rep for full NCA program details.
DRESS UP AMERICA TOY INC. (SILVER)
www.dressupamerica.com
(718) 436-0031
fax (718) (718) 775-3200
sales@dressupamerica.com
4709 13th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219
Contact: Aaron Ackert and Barry Grossman
Specialties: We have excellent quality costumes and accessories for all ages as well as Pretend Play
Dress Up
Discount: NCA members are entitled to a 10% discount. Free shipping for orders above $1,500. Halloween dating (subject to credit approval).
Terms: Halloween dating terms applicable only to Halloween orders shipping after June 1, 2026.
ELLIE SHOES INC. (SILVER)
www.ellieshoes.com (714) 773-2995
fax (714) 771-0057
leslie@ellieshoes.com
1050 N. Batavia Street #B, Orange, CA 92867
Contact: Leslie Wandell
Specialties: Ellie Shoes has footwear for all your costuming needs!
Discount: 5% year round – Show specials to be announced.
Terms: Please have NCA membership number included on the purchase order, e-mail, or fax. Halloween dating subject to CIT approval.
ELOPE, INC. (SILVER) www.elope.com (719) 328-1312
customerService@elope.com 2080 Lookout Dr., North Mankato, MN 56003
Specialties: A diverse selection of creative, licensed, and original costume headwear, eyewear, and accessories.
Discount: On all member orders, 5% discount (excluding Disney and sale items).
Terms: Pay by credit card for the first three orders. After that, Net 30 terms are available with approved credit.
fOAM PARTY HATS (SILVER) www.foampartyhats.com (713) 264-2364
manuel.rojas@foampartyhats.com 3526 Lang Rd., Suite A11, Houston, TX 77092
Specialties: Foam hats, foam wigs, foam products.
Discount: 10% for orders of $2,500 and above.
Terms: Orders can be placed online, email or over the phone. All orders are prepaid before shipping. Terms can be offered on subsequent orders for orders of minimum $1,500.
FUNNY FASHION USA (SILVER) www.funnyfashion.com (719) 260-7744 fax (719) 260-7743
order@funnyfashion.com
1015 Garden of the Gods Rd., Suite 150 Colorado Springs, CO 80907
Contact: Diane Lutz
Specialties: Balloons, balloon accessories, large selection of value-priced Halloween, Masquerade and Theatrical costumes and accessories.
Discount: 5% on orders from $500 to $4,999; 7% on orders from $5,000 to $9,999; 10% on orders from $10,000 to $19,999; and 15% on orders above $20,000. Tradeshow specials to be announced! Terms: Halloween Dating November 10, 2026 WAC, FOB Funny Fashion Distribution Point.
BUYER ’ S GROUP
FUN WORLD/INCHARACTER (SILVER)
www.fun-world.net
(516) 873-9000 ext. 256 fax (516) 873-9005
Alexl@fun-world.net
80 Voice Road, Carle Place, NY 11514
Contact: Alex Losito
Specialties: Halloween: Licensed and Generic Costumes, Wigs, Masks, Decor, Pumpkin Carving, Weapons, Accessories, Make up, Home décor. Harvest Home Décor. Christmas: Santa suits, Beards, Elf on the Shelf, Home Decor, Valentines, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, and Easter Home Décor.
Discount: NCA Members automatically receive 10% off our “List Price” on “ALL” items in our line. Group “SELECTED“ or “RECOMMENDED” items receive an “ADDITIONAL” discount of 10-30%. Additional discount varies, see official FunWorld/NCA and InCharacter/NCA order forms for exact price/discount.
Terms: Seasonal dating (net Nov. 10th) available upon credit review for USA-based customers. We offer free freight on orders over $2,500 (or 300 lbs) per warehouse. FunWorld and InCharacter Costume orders can be combined to make free freight. This is only available to a USA-based shipto address. International members must supply us with their freight forwarder details at time of order. Please call or email for details.
GRAFTOBIAN MAKE-UP (SILVER) www.graftobian.com (608) 222-7849 fax (608) 222-7893 calvincoffman@graftobian.com 510 Tasman Street, Madison, WI 53714
Contact: Calvin Coffman
Specialties: Born of the costume industry, Graftobian has grown to become a high-end professional HD beauty brand that never forgets its theatrical makeup roots and proudly manufactures in the USA. Lines include disguise Stix®; propaint™ professional face and body paint; f/X Aire™ airbrush makeup; luster™ Shimmer Set; metal mania™; glitterglam™; glittergel™; four types of blood; four shades of modeling wax; liquid latex.; Halloween makeup kits and much more. Discount: We love our NCA customers! All NCA buyer members immediately jump to 5% off Wholesale (some exclusions apply). At $5,000 YTD, discount increases to 10% off. At $10,000 YTD, discount increases to 15% off. Discounts apply for the remainder of the year in which they’re earned as well as the entirety of the following year.
HM SMALLWARES LTD (SILVER)
www.hmsltd.ca
(514) 244-8492
edith@hmsltd.ca
PO Box 3172, Champlain, NY 12919
Contact: Edith Dempsey
Specialties: Better quality hats, accessories, horns and accoutrements. World renowned leatherlike and supersoft products. Halloween and Christmas décor.
Discount: 10% discount on first time order and 5% discount on all reorders, Minimum order $500.00. Terms: Visa/Mastercard. Halloween orders should be placed ASAP. We stock and ship all year round.
IVY TRADING INC (SILVER) www.cutiecollections.com (626) 442-9008
ivyinc2002@yahoo.com
9853 Max Shapiro Way, Unit A South El Monte, CA 91733
Contact: Wendy Zhao
Specialties: Costumes Accessories: wings, wands, tutus, head wears for babies, kids and adults. Everyday dress ups for fairy parties and birthday parties. Discount: 5% on orders of $500 and up; $10% on orders $1000 and up; $15% on orders $5000 and up.
MANIC PANIC (See TISH AND SNOOKY’S MANIC PANIC)
MEHRON MAKEUP (SILVER) www.mehron.com (845) 426-1700
fax (845) 426-1515
info@mehron.com
100 Red Schoolhouse Rd. Chestnut Ridge, NY 10977
Contact: Kenneth Llambelis
Specialties: 5% off all qualifying orders; increases to 10% off once YTD purchases reach $2,500; 15% off once YTD purchases reach $7,500. Once achieved, the discounts apply for the rest of the year. Discount applies to 2026 Mehron Dealer Wholesale Pricing. $500 minimum first order, $250 minimum on additional orders. Discounts cannot be combined with other offers and apply to qualifying products. Discounts cannot be applied to previous purchases. Proof of membership must be presented with P.O. in order to receive Membership Discount.
MUSIC LEGS (SILVER)
musiclegs.com (626) 588-2633
fax: (626) 588-2643
melvin@musiclegs.com 1088 Westminster Ave., Alhambra, CA 91803
Contact: Melvin Specialties: Wholesale and distribution of Hosiery, Costumes, and Lingerie. Discount: 8% off for NCA members, for non-sale items.
MUSTACHES (SILVER)
mustachesb2b.com
+37-06-992-1066
sales@mustaches.eu
Pramones str. 16F, Alytus 62175, Lithuania
Contact: Tomas Siuipys
Specialties: We manufacture high-quality fake mustaches and beards. We offer more than 1500 SKUs to choose from. We make mustaches in Europe (Lithuania) and ship worldwide. Shipment to the U.S. takes only 4-5 days. Our distributor in the USA is LOFTUS. They sell our products at the same prices as we do. Minimum orders and shipment terms are significantly lower. Please contact LOFTUS for more information.
Discount: We offer a 20 percent discount from our list price. MOQ per item is 6 pieces. The minimum order is $500. There is a $150 shipping fee, but orders above $2,500 get free shipping. Shipping takes 7-9 days.
Terms: Payment terms are 30 days after the order is received. Please request special Planogram orders for Halloween on payment terms.
OPPO MERCHANDISE GROUP (SILVER) https://uswholesale.opposuits.com/ (800) 474 2074
sales@oppomerchandisegroup.com
228 East 45th Street, New York, NY 10017
Contact: Jelle van der Zwet
Specialties: Within our OppoSuits brand we carry officially licensed and unique suits and onesies. Furthermore, our OppoSuits range consists of blazers, sweaters, shirts (long- and short sleeved), ties, summer sets & swim shorts. Our Suitmeister brand offers budget-friendly, seasonal suits, including Halloween and Christmas styles for every occasion. Discount: All NCA members have a year-round 5% discount on our Wholesale list price.
Terms: There is no MOQ. Through our portal you can directly order in stock items and choose your preferred shipping method to any desired US address. All orders are shipped from our DC in Butner, NC. (ex. works). Payment terms are NET30 after credit approval (orders are invoiced upon shipment). Available payment methods: Bank Transfer, CC and Check. We do not allow any sellers on Amazon or other third-party marketplaces.
THE PIRATE DRESSING (SILVER)
www.thepiratedressing.com (321) 445-1837
info@thepiratedressing.com 10685-B Hazelhurst Drive #12134 Houston, TX 77043
Contact: Aditya Aggarwal
Specialties: Rental quality pirate, medieval, Renaissance and steampunk outfits.
Discount: Quantity discounts up to 15% offered to all registered customers. Also, NCA members are eligible for an additional 5% discount on orders above $500.
Terms: Discounts are only applicable for orders above $500.
SOFI’S STITCHES, TUDOR SHOPPE (GMACK Designs LLC) (SILVER) sofistitches.com (843) 380-1554
fax: (843) 386-9270
customerservice@sofisstitches.com
2225 Lake City Hwy, Lake City, SC 29560
Contact: Gregory Todd
Specialties: Makers of USA Renaissance Costumes. Also Contract if you have dozens of a garments that you would like made here in the US.
Discount: We also sell to Vendors or Wholesalers. 12 or more units must be ordered of a garment to receive Wholesalers pricing.
Terms: If it is one of Sofi’s Stitches products we ask to give us 2 weeks notice in case it has to be made in our production line. Also, sometimes we have to wait on fabric to be delivered with times the way they are.
SUNNYWOOD, INC. (GOLD)
www.sunnywood.net (815) 675-9777 fax (815) 675-9788
order@sunnywood.net
2750 Barney Ct., McHenry, IL 60051
Contact: Tammy Semiletow
Specialties: Exquisite Tiaras, Headpieces, Men’s Crowns, Period Pieces, Flappers, Costumes, Santa Suits, Bunnies, Accessories and so much more.
Discount: All year long, you receive dozen pricing on single piece items and special promotions exclusively for NCA members. Member Privileges cannot be used in combination with any other special discounts or promotions.
TOYNK TOYS LLC (PLATINUM)
www.toynk.com (609) 682-4261
kerri@toynk.com
Contact: Kerri Angle
Specialties: Licensed popculture collectibles, plush and housewares along with action figures and prop replicas.
Discount: 5%
TISH AND SNOOKY’S MANIC PANIC NYC (SILVER)
manicpanicwholesale.com (877) 516-2642
fax: (718) 937-6172
retail@manicpanic.com
21-07 Borden Ave 4th floor
Long Island City, NY 11101
Contact: Noel Rodriguez-Ortiz
Specialties: Semi-Permanent and Temporary Hair Color, and Cosmetics.
Discount: 10% off Wholesale pricing. MOQ for free shipping $500.
Terms: Most customers are on prepaid terms but are welcomed to apply for net terms based on credit application.
TRICK OR TREAT STUDIOS (SILVER)
www.trickortreatstudios.com (831) 713-9665
fax (831) 621-4763
michael@trickortreatstudios.com
1005 17th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Contact: Michael Laimo
Specialties: Trick or Treat Studios specialize in the highest quality licensed and original designed masks, costumes, props, replicas, collectables, action figures, decor, wrapping paper, accessories and tabletop games.
Discount: Our discount for NCA members is 5% off orders over $1,000 and any subsequent orders of any size, excluding dolls and figures. Terms: No deadlines.
UNDERWRAPS
COSTUMES (SILVER)
www.underwrapscostumes.com (818) 349-5300
fax (818) 349-7200
info@underwraps.nett
9600 Irondale Avenue, Chatsworth, CA 91311
Contact: Payman Shaffa
Specialties: Children and adult costumes, accessories including weapons, boas, wings, hats & helmets. Discount: Underwraps Costumes offers an early buy program based on volume. When orders are placed by the deadline (TBD:late January), members can receive an additional 8% discount just by placing their order before the deadline as well as an additional 3% NCA member discount on top of the early buy volume discount (from 3%-9%). Overall discount can be 11%-20% off the full Early Buy order.
Terms: Initial order must meet $500 minimum.
WESTERN FASHION, INC. (SILVER)
www.westernfashioninc.com (909) 627-9551
sales@westernfashioninc.com 5236 Bell Court, Chino, CA 91710
Contact: PJ Gupta
Specialties: Rental High-Quality Costumes ranging from Pirate, Flapper, and Victorian. Also, we specialize in Festival, Rave, and Party Items. Discount: Free Shipping, please mention NCA Member when placing the order.
Terms: Halloween Dating to credit approved customers.
WOLFE FX / DENTAL DISTORTIONS (SILVER) www.wolfefx.com www.dentaldistortions.com (407) 730-9820
sales@wolfefx.com
6210 All American Blvd., Orlando, FL 32810
Contact: Nigel Febland, 917-864-1685
TheFeBlandGroup@gmail.com
Specialties: We focus on professional quality makeup, Dental Distortions movie teeth, and other products. The majority of our products include
BUYER ’ S GROUP
step-by-step, clear descriptions and images. They are available for the makeup artist as well as the everyday user.
Discount: NCA Members receive 5% off wholesale price all year.
Terms: $300 minimum order, FOB Orlando, Florida. Credit card payment required.
How Can I Get More Involved with the NCA?
The NCA is stronger when we work together! Here are five ways you can get more involved:
1. Try to buy from NCA Vendor Members. And when you buy from any vendor, whether they are members or not, make it clear on your order that you are an NCA member.
2. When you post something on Facebook or Instagram, share it with the NCA social media pages so we can all spread the word.
3. Have excess inventory that you want to sell? Email details to executivedirector@costumers. org and we’ll share it with other members.
4. If you have news about your business — such as a significant birthday, an expansion or move, or an ownership transition — email it to executivedirector@costumers.org so we can put it into the NCA Today newsletter or Costumer magazine.
5. Consider joining a committee or the board. Many hands make light work!
M Y F AVORITE C OSTUME
Michele Rohr
Exquisite Costumes
Stamford, Connecticut
When Michele Rohr volunteered to design the iconic yellow dress for her son’s school’s production of Thoroughly Modern Millie Jr. several years ago, she was an OBGYN with no intention of making costume design a full-time career.
But after working on that school production with Caroline Oliver, who had left her law practice to pursue a career in costume design, Rohr started designing costumes on the side. Then, at age 50, she left her medical practice to pursue a BFA in Costume Design/Costume Technology from the Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Purchase College in Purchase, New York, and graduated in 2024.
Today, these two creative career changers — who joined forces about three years ago when the chance to buy a collection of costumes from a well-known and respected costume rental company arose — own Exquisite Costumes in Stamford, Connecticut. Their mission: to make finding and renting theatrical-quality costumes online easy and enjoyable at a reasonable cost.
Rohr and Oliver have provided costumes for shows including Annie, Legally Blonde, Newsies, Shrek, The Wizard of Oz, and Addams Family; worked with clients who needed costumes for historical reenactments; and rented vintage clothing and costumes to theater directors, drama teachers,
and costume designers throughout the country. Lord Farquaad, the main antagonist in Shrek, is the costume Rohr chose when asked to pick a favorite from the myriad costumes she’s created.
First built in the fall of 2023, it continues to top her list, even though she has made it several times.
“This spring I will be making my fifth Lord Farquaad, each a different size,” Rohr says of the complex costume that takes about one week to make due to the many pieces plus an abundance of trim.
“Each costume requires a hat, skirted tunic, cape, and of course the ‘fake legs’ that are made of pool noodles in toddler boots attached to knee pads with shin guards as the actor plays the role on their knees. I counted once, and it takes over 100 pieces to make this costume, which makes me love him — and also hate him a little bit, too!”
Just why does Rohr feel so fond of her Lord Farquaad creation?
“Probably because I built him from scratch from my own design,” she shares. “I have fond memories of torturing my then-high school senior son with fittings, and because the character requires a big personality to fill this ‘little’ costume!”
What is your favorite costume? To be considered for an upcoming My Favorite Costume profile, email Editor Kathleen Furore at kfurore@yahoo.com.
