Participants of the Style Show in a long-ago convention.
Editor's Note: Pam Markel, NCA's president, has happy memories of her long participation with the group. In this article she reflects on the Creative Style Show, a popular event at past conventions.
One of the highlights of The National Costumers Association annual conventions has always been the Creative Style show. Ten to twelve members who were willing to participate in this event received identical boxes of mysterious mismatched fabric and trims, and a “questionable” number of items that no one in their right mind would use, to create a costume. The rules were very specific: everything and I mean everything in the box had to be used in the creation of the costume, you could only spend $10 or less for items such as zippers, buttons etc., and you could make no more than two costumes out of the fabulous items you were given. It was truly a test of patience, creativity, and ingenuity. Naturally, the goal was to make a costume or costumes that you could rent in your shop.
The first time I volunteered to do the Creative Style Show, I did not know what to expect. I had attended this event at conventions, but never accepted the challenge. The box arrived and my employees were so excited. Upon opening the mysterious package, we found jungle print/ striped material, black fabric, a Styrofoam head, and many other interesting things to say the least. At that point I wasn’t sure what I had got myself into.
Retired member Lorraine Brown of Fabian’s Upstairs Closet in Vermont calls it our own “Project Runway”. She said, “It was one of my favorites. I looked forward to receiving the box. I was a one-woman shop, so I did not have anyone to give me ideas or advice. Many of my customers and friends stepped in to fill the gap. In my opinion it was the best event to show off your creativity and to encourage others to think outside the box.”
Debbie Meredith, a retired member/ owner of Akron Design & Costumes, felt it was the most attended and enjoyed event of the convention. “Some members took it to a higher level, and some made simply nice stuff. It was scary opening that box she said, but once you got started, it was fun.”
This creative contest brought out the best of all those who participated in it. It stretched your imagination and your ability to make something out of nothing. The last Creative Style Show was held in 2019 at our Kansas City, Missouri convention. Would you be willing to join this adventurous, creative group of costumers perhaps at a future convention?