The Dress-Up Professionals

This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.

The New York Sun

What do Louis XVI, Elvis Presley, and Carmen Miranda have in common? Well, almost nothing, really – except that all three, and hundreds of other characters, have inspired costumes available for rent at the Creative Costume Company.


This is not your average Halloween costume supplier. For 25 years this outfit has been designing and manufacturing elegant period dress for those who like to dress up. And while costume parties are plentiful this time of year, causing Halloween to account for about one third of the company’s annual revenues, you won’t find any John Kerry masks anywhere near the place. They don’t even make children’s costumes.


On a recent Saturday afternoon, people were rushing in and out getting gear appropriate (actually, mandated) for the entertainer Usher’s birthday party at the Rainbow Room, which was to be done up in a ’20s theme. Top hats, tails, pearls, and flapper dresses were flying out of the showroom on West 36th Street while valiant ladies in the workroom made last-minute (free) alterations.


Susan Handler and Linda Carcaci, founders of Creative Costume Company, met while they were both at Drexel College for Fashion Design, and teamed up after both had worked for garment manufacturers. They are proud of their creations, and consumed by the business.


They stress good quality fabrics and workmanship, and are fanatical about the upkeep of the costumes. Their especial point of pride is the creation of period dress with today’s luxe materials. Though they have a few things bought from suppliers, and a few vintage pieces, they mostly rent or sell their own designs.


Except in October, when they are too busy to make anything. However, with about 10,000 costumes in the showroom (no one knows the exact number) they have plenty of merchandise available. During the Halloween season, they rent out about 6,000 costumes, at up to $300 apiece.


They also collect a (maximum) $200 security deposit, to make sure the items come back in good shape. These costumes are lined and boned, and meant to last. Indeed, many items date back to their early years, and have been maintained with new trims, buttons and zippers to continue looking fresh and appealing.


A sideline business is the manufacturing of cocktail waitress uniforms for the gambling casinos, which have taken something of an unglamorous turn in recent years. When these servers became unionized, the costumes began to change.


Because of union rules employers could no longer demand that cocktail waitresses be young, trim, and buxom. Like the airlines dealing with aging stewardesses, the casino managers pretty much had to sit back while their employees took on extra wrinkles and pounds, like it or not. The costumes followed suit, with elastic waist bands and tent-like tops replacing traditional revealing bunny outfits.


Another specialty is costumes for recalcitrant men who won’t wear costumes. They can convince nearly anyone to be a monk for an evening (shapeless hooded garment), or a Cowboy (hat, boots). Or Rhett Butler, for heavens sake – what man could resist?


Creative Costumes often provides attire for TV shows and commercial producers, and the occasional off-Broadway play. Another New York company, Dodgers, is a bigger factor in the entertainment arena, making, for instance, all the 2,500 costumes for the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Show.


Ms. Handler and Ms. Carcaci have done work for the Letterman Show, Rosie O’Donnell, for the annual Halloween party episode of “Spin City,” and many others. They are also on call to help department stores design special windows, particularly during the holidays. The Christmas season is their second busiest.


Recently, they provided the Elvis costumes that the Yankee rookies had to wear as part of a hazing ritual en route to Boston to play the Red Sox. One of the allures of the business, according to Ms. Handler, is the endless variety of requests they receive over the phone or, more recently, over their Web site.


They also are frequently asked to outfit entire wedding parties along theme lines. One of the biggest events they have ever undertaken was a glamorous wedding at the St. Regis Hotel. The bride had decided on a Nicholas and Alexandra theme, so Creative Costumes went into overdrive to outfit an entire Russian court. They even attended the event to help the wedding party get dressed. (We gather there was little demand for Rasputin costumes.)


Ms. Handler and Ms. Carcaci are never far from the business. They visit thrift shops and flea markets looking for interesting trims or accessories, and are imaginative about “making do.” On one notable occasion they cut up some drapes that were in the dustbin and fashioned a beautiful costume for a client invited to the Duchess of York’s birthday party. Little did she know.


The company doesn’t carry shoes, but all other costume items are in stock. They have mounds of genii turbans, Carmen Miranda fruited hats (bananas are the real challenge there), boas, necklaces, maternity pads, sports uniforms, beards, and wands. They can transform clients into elephants, Fred Astaires, reindeer, rhumba dancers, Canadian Mounties, Darth Vaders, Mozarts, or Christmas trees. (Christmas trees? Only the thin need apply.)


Clearly, however, to Creative Costume’s owners, it is the elegance of the period dress which is most appealing. “Everyone wants to be beautiful” according to Susan Handler. If she and her partner have their way, everyone will be.


The New York Sun

© 2024 The New York Sun Company, LLC. All rights reserved.

Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The material on this site is protected by copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used.

The New York Sun

Sign in or  Create a free account

By continuing you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use