Costume Exhibits, Workshops,
Auctions and ways to get your own costume
Here we list costume exhibits, classes and resources in Los Angles that will
help you get your outfit together... and lead you to costuming year round.
Also the site mascot, da Cat, has compiled a few "best picks" for spots to
buy costumes, supplies and accessories.
Watch out, it's a contagious hobby!
Costuming Workshops and Exhibits
Some of these Exhibits are also listed elsewhere, but they're
too good not to highlight here as well. Must see exhibits for those of you
into costumes.
 See
over 100 haunt couture garments given by by International Best Dressed Hall of
Fame icon Betsy Bloomingdale. Over 65 ensembles, info on the process of
creation, showcases her favorite designers, and examines her personal fashion
style and lifestyle. Includes a video documentation.
 | Info: http://www.fidm.edu/resources/museum+galleries
for their website and their pics from past exhibits.
 |
When:
 | October 21, 2009 – December 13, 2009 |
| 10:00a.m. - 4:00p.m, Wednesday - Sunday |
| 919 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles |
|
|
| Free to all. |
??? The Chamber of Horrors showcases your favorite terrifying costumes,
masks, corpses, mummies, posters and props from popular horror genre films and
TV. Get face to face with the masks of Jason and Mike Myers from the
"Friday the 13th" and "Halloween" movie series. Visit Hannibal Lecter’s
dark jail from "Silence of the Lambs." Highlighted costumes include...
"Sweeney Todd" blood-spattered costumes, Original spider web costume worn by
famed Hollywood personality Vampira plus many more props, masks and sets to send
a shiver down your spine.
After your horror visit to the basement, check out the rest of the
wonderful collection of Hollywood history and costumes. See costumes
from the Elizabeth Taylor's "Cleopatra", Marilyn Monroe’s "Let’s Make
Love". More dresses & costumes from actresses such as Bette Davis,
Lucille Ball, Mae West, Ella Fitzgerald, Rita Hayworth, Lana Turner, Joan
Crawford, Shirley MacClaine, Greer Garson, Sophia Loren, Susan Hayward,
Dorothy Lamour,etc. See props and costumes from both Planet of the
Apes movies, models from Jurassic Park, Moulin Rouge, Stargate and
many more.
| Info:
http://www.thehollywoodmuseum.com/ or 323-464-7776
| October 15 - Nov 2, 2008
| Wednesday - Sunday, 10am -5pm |
|
| The Hollywood Museum
| 1660 N Highland Ave, Hollywood |
| (The Max Factor Building 1/2 block south of Hollywood Blvd.) |
|
| $15, $12 seniors and kids under 12 |
|
This 10,000 square foot
touring exhibition contains the world's most comprehensive collection of
authentic Star Trek ships, set re-creations, costumes and props from 5
television series and 10 films over the last 40+ years - large collection of
original set pieces, props and costumes from all incarnations of the
television series and feature films.
The Archlight keeps rotating costumes exhibits. Below we're
listing what we know are there, but there's not an exact date range for these
exhibits. Please check their website for current info:
http://www.arclightcinemas.com l - if you're going for a specific film,
call ahead to confirm the exhibit is still there since they rotate quickly.
No schedule yet
See pictures of the movies costumes on
our exhibit site.
Special Shopping & Auctions
Sometimes there's not time to make a costume from scratch... and you
don't want a "bag costume". Bring your shopping talent and put
together something original. Or, if you've got a big budget, you might
be able to buy a movie original.
Two days of auctions of movies costumes, props and memorabilia. Full
outfit for The Terminator, Freddy Kruger, Star Trek costumes from TOS to the
movie series, Planet of the Apes, Back to the Future, Headless Horseman.
Classics include Ben Hur, Jane Eyre, Gown With the Wind. Props
from Roswell, Star Wars, Transformers. Originals from Michael Jackson,
Harry Houdini, Amelia Earhart, Neil Armstrong, Gus Grissom, Roy Rogers
(Costumes on day 2.) The whole catalog may be downloaded from a pdf.
Premiere
Props will be hosting a live auction of horror-themed movie props,
including super hero costumes from classic horror movies. Rare costumes
and props from fan favorites including Halloween II, Resurrection & 6, Freddy
vs. Jason, Nightmare on Elm Street, Jeepers Creepers, Obsessed, My Bloody
Valentine, Midnight Meat, The Collector, Sorority Row and many more!
Proceeds will benefit the
Entertainment Industry Foundation.
Live auction presented by Fangoria..
Unique Shopping Options
LA Opera is opening its
overstuffed Costume Shop for its first ever costume sale, just in time for
Halloween. The Costume Studio’s storage racks are bursting at the seams, and
the company is selling more than 2500 costume pieces to create more room for
its ever-growing production repertoire. Pieces for sale will include
everything ranging from complete “merry peasant” and “medieval courtier”
costumes to individual pieces such as capes, hats, shoes and fans.
Highlights of the collection will include a number of “diva dresses,”
stunning hand-crafted gowns worn by LA Opera’s leading ladies.
| Info: http://www.laopera.com or
<detail>
| Saturday, October 10, 2009, from 10am to 6pm |
| LA Opera’s Costume Shop parking lot
| 330 South Alameda Street, Los Angeles |
|
|
All
kinds of great vintage clothing, jewelry and accessories. Main era are
30's-50's, but you'll find all kinds of things from the 20th century.
Antique fabric, vintage yardage, quilts, hats, shoes, buttons, beads, laces,
ethnic clothing, Victorian whites, vintage clothing, jewelry, accessories, etc.
International Gems, Beads and
Jewelry Show
Most
costumes are not complete without a bit of glitz. These shows are great to
pick up that glitz. Check your local newspaper for coupons for free gifts
or $1 off admission.
| Santa Monica Civic Auditorium
| September 25-27, 2009 |
| October 9-11, 2009 |
|
You
can't costume well without good tools. Try out sewing machines, find the latest
tools, workshops on techniques.
| Info: http://www.rustybarn.com/
| Pomona Fairplex, LA County fairgrounds, Pomona |
| Oct. 5-7, 2009, 10-5
| See website for admission coupons. |
|
|
??? They carry costumes, props, set decor and artwork from
various productions. They're opening their parking lot for special
sales just in time to help you for Halloween costume shopping.
Come prepared to power shop. OR... if you can't get there, check out
their web options as well.
| Info:
http://www.backlotprops.com/ or 800-773-3020
| Saturdays in October 2007 - 9am-3pm
| 8853 Wilbur Avenue, Northridge
| (corner of Wilbur and Rayen) |
|
|
|
Buy Original Movie Costumes
Want the original costume o prop? Own a piece of cinema history.
Keep in mind, they are pre-worn and some may be distressed... and you have
to fit the actor's size. Items here are changing constantly... and
they're all loaded in anticipation for Halloween. Please check with
the web sites about shipping time if you're buying planning to wear something to
this year's parties.
| Antique
Dress Memorabilia |
| Backlot Props
| 8853 Wilbur Avenue, Northridge, CA |
|
| It's a Wrap!
| Two locations in SoCal, 3315 W.
Magnolia Boulevard, Burbank &
1164 S. Robertson Blvd., West Los Angeles |
| Most items are not on line. |
|
| Premiere Props
| 128 Sierra St. El Segundo, CA |
|
| The Prop Store of London
| London Office,
Great House Farm, Chenies
Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, UK |
|
| Screen Used |
da Cat's Best Picks for Costumes
This is just a very select list and personal favorites. Open to
others, but picky and have to be convinced.
The Ultimate spot for costumes from the famous and infamous.
Western Costume is normally closed to the general public but opens their
doors to rent to the general public for one month a year. You pick up
the costume for the month and return it after Halloween. This gives
you a chance to use it at multiple parties.
So, come as early in the month as you can for the best selection.
With Western Costume's collection built from 90 years in film and television
costuming, you can be anything you wish. You may actually rent the
costumes used in films and TV shows you have loved -- everything from "Happy
Days" to "Cleopatra", any era from Caveman to Spaceman.
|
Info:
http://halloween.westerncostume.com/ or 818-508-2147,
| Pick out and pickup costumes any time in October; return
costumes after Halloween
| 10am-6pm. Closed Sundays. |
|
| 11041 Vanowen St., North Hollywood. Just W of Vineland.
Enter from the rear for the Halloween Store. |
| Costumers rentals start at $45, security deposit must be backed by a
credit card. |
|
Best Pick for Buying Ready-made Halloween Costumes
The Halloween Club - Bag Costumes as well as Costume Accessories and Haunt
Accessories
| This is a year round giant store for everything Halloween. The
main store located in North Orange County. 2nd store is father up
the 5 freeway in Los Angeles.
| The Halloween Club has a truly amazing amount of costumes and
props... everything from inexpensive to trust-fund baby's party
level.
| Costumes are the standard Halloween "bag costumes" - everything
from discount to deluxe plus. Large selection of Adult, Kids and
Large Size costumes. Also carry some high end outfits that don't
deserve to be called "bag costumers", but are packaged that way to
simplify selling. ie, carry everything. |
| Many latex mask |
| Great makeup and quick prosthetics section. |
| Wall of Costume Wigs |
| Enough props to build your own haunted house... or at least
graveyard. Black light, dayglo |
| See some of
Ron's pictures to get an idea of how big they are |
|
| Shop early, if possible. Open very late this time of year.
This place can be a total zoo in October, but if you want selection,
this is the place.
| Zoo defined: You can wait in line an hour or so just
to get into the store. But folks do it. Tells ya how much
they like it. |
|
|
| Their web page ( www.halloweenclub.com isn't up, so if you need
info: 800-4 SPOOKY.
| The main Halloween Club store located at 13310 East Firestone
#A, in Santa Fe Springs. (You can see it from the 5 freeway.
Exit at Carmenita.) |
| Los Angles Store at 5901 Telegraph Rd., Commerce, 323-724-9328 |
|
Best Pick for Buying "Stuff" to Make Your Own Quality
Costume
Their website (
http://www.dragonmarsh.com ) has some accessories, fabric and trim up,
but not the costumes. You need to check out their store in person to
see their wonderful selection.
| In store selection of Renaissance Costumes, Medieval Costumes and
Fantasy Costumes
| Selection of Medieval and Renaissance style fabrics - Tapestry
to silk. |
| Whimsical fantasy prints. |
| Pirate Flags! Harry Potter costume accessories. Renaissance costume
accessories and jewelry. |
| Historic trim selection |
| Boning, specialty patterns, heavy duty grommets and more supplies
for making costumes. |
|
| Want a custom costume? Place your order early. |
| Info:
http://www.dragonmarsh.com or 915-276-1116
| 3643 University Ave., Riverside, CA 92501 (heart of old town
Riverside),
|
Note: new address for 2007. Right around the corner from their
old location. |
| Just SW of the 60/91 freeways |
|
|
| Their web site (
www.AlterYears.com ) is incomplete has only a few examples of their
patterns, but they have many more in store.
| This store in the San Gabriel valley specializes in historical
patterns (and books). (da stuff you need for making your own high
quality costumes.
|
Note: the physical store has closed and they have gone to will-call and
mail-order only... plan ahead and call in your order - 626-569-9919. |
|
| Also carry a number of hard to find costume accessories including
hoop skirts, gloves, corsets, corset supplies and boning. |
| Attending October events:
| Oct 2-11, 2009 - Great Western War, Buena Vista Aquatic
Recreational Area near Taft, CA. www.caid-gww-org |
|
|
Want more info on making costumes? Checkout out Boo News for
daCat's Favorite Resource Links for Costumes
Cinema Secrets - Halloween
Makeup and Effects
| Wonderful make-up and special effects from the Studio City store.
While most of the year they cater to the film industry, they go all out
during this season to bring high class make-up effects to the masses.
They pack their store wall to wall for Halloween. Makeup, hair
products, costumes, accessories and costumes: September and October.
|
Info: 4400 Riverside Dr., Burbank, CA 915055, 818-846-0579 |
| If you want profession makeup done for a special party,
make an appointment well in advance. |
|
| Their web store has a sampling of their offerings:
www.CinemaSecrets.com - makeup, Woochie (professional quality latex
appliances) and costumes. Much more in their store. |
|
Check out Universal Citywalk for Cinema Secret's Halloween FX store with
costumes, masks and, of course, lots of make-up supplies. |
| This great wig store is actually in North Hollywood. Over 10,000
square feet.
|
Info: 5241 Craner Ave, North Hollywood, CA, 818-761-9447, north
east of Magnolia and Vineland. |
| Nice large web store -
http://www.wilshirewigs.com/
| Beats any advertised price |
| Check out the "Costume Wigs" and "Bargain Wigs" categories for
Halloween hair. |
|
| They carry everything from serious wigs to insane day-glow to
theatrical. (However, if you're looking for the $12
last-one-evening wigs - go to a party store instead.)
| Custom wigs and wig pieces can be made by their folk |
|
| Love their prices. Special pricing for schools and group
purchase. |
|
Stats - Costume your Home
| This store is a wonderful place to find Halloween decorations.
You'll find idea and quality that's a couple of steps up from what's in
every party store. It will give your house and yard a more creepy
lived in feel, instead of feeling you're just surrounded by cheesy
plastic. They have lots of great decorating ideas. |
| Locations:
They've got a web site with maps,
www.StatsFloral.com .
| Pasadena - 120 S. Raymond Ave. (1 bk south of Colorado Blvd)
626-795-9308 This is the original store and the size of a warehouse |
| Capistrano Beach - 34081 Doheny Park Rd. (Next to Cosco)
949-493-3752 |
| Redondo Beach - 2012 Artesia Blvd. (1 1/2 m west of Hawthorne Blvd.)
310-376-6943 |
| Seal Beach - 12341 Seal Beach Blvd. (In Rossmoore Center)
562-431-6627 |
| Downey (outlet store) - 11610 Lakewood Blvd. 562-861-3383 |
|
Local Suggestions for costume stores
Ok, don't have time to get to these places and still need costume
accessories....
| Your local Party Store
| This time of year, they're have filled will costumes.... but shop early.
They run out and become a zoo |
|
| Thrift Stores
| they also set up their stores to help you find bits for your perfect
vintage costume. |
| great for acquiring your Zombie garb. |
|
Pick
up a copy of the LA Weekly - they have hoards of adds for costume shops
and often have discount coupons.
Check
the club listing, they often have a "favorite" store and discounts.
Some of da Cat's favorites Costume Links.
Costume Link Sites, great stops in the internet
super-highway....
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This page last updated
11/01/09
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