Western Costume Company Blog

Before Going to the Prom...

noreply@blogger.com (Western Costume Co. Blog) — Fri, 13 May 2011 23:06:00 +0000

Be sure to bring your prom date to our yard sale on May 21st!

This is what happens if you don't bring her....

Battle On!

noreply@blogger.com (Western Costume Co. Blog) — Fri, 13 May 2011 22:49:00 +0000

Ever wonder where the warrior princess and her loyal sidekick, Gabrielle, get their gear?

At Western Costume's 4th Annual Yard Sale, of course!

Battle On Xena!

The Great Escape

noreply@blogger.com (Western Costume Co. Blog) — Fri, 13 May 2011 22:34:00 +0000

We heard about the amazing yard sale at Western Costume on May 21st and are planning our "great escape" to make it!

Fingers crossed we don't get caught!

Monday Movie Madness!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Hilary) — Mon, 09 May 2011 22:24:00 +0000

I'm Flying!

My name is Tallulah
My first rule of thumb
I don't say were I'm going
Or where I'm coming from
I try to leave a little reputation behind me
So if you really need to
You'll know how to find me

The Force is strong with this sale...

Why don't you come with me, on a magic carpet ride?

Andie: You know you're talking like that just because I'm going out with Blane
Duckie: His name is Blane? Oh! That's a major appliance, that's not a name!

You said you couldn't be with someone who didn't believe in you. Well I believed in you. I just didn't believe in myself. I love you. Always.

Whatever, Loser! Don't be Jeepin', come to the yard sale May 21!

Charlie, kinda new, kinda WOW!

Look out weekend...

noreply@blogger.com (Western Costume Co. Blog) — Fri, 06 May 2011 20:15:00 +0000

Cuz' here we come! After a long week of slaving away, prepping for the best yard sale to date, we are ready for some poolside Mai Tai's!

Hey Willow:

noreply@blogger.com (Western Costume Co. Blog) — Fri, 06 May 2011 20:07:00 +0000

We can Whip Our Hair Back and Forth, too!

Cinco de Mayo!

noreply@blogger.com (Western Costume Co. Blog) — Thu, 05 May 2011 23:14:00 +0000

Feliz Cinco de Mayo everyone! Hasta Vente Uno de Mayo for the wildest sale in the West(ern)!

Putting on the Ritz

noreply@blogger.com (Hilary) — Tue, 03 May 2011 00:49:00 +0000

Going to a party at Gatsby's mansion in West Egg this spring? Have nothing to wear to impress the lovely dame, Daisy Buchanan?

(She really is the Bee's Knees, ain't she?)

Why not don some swanky duds from our hotsy-totsy spring cleaning sale coming up on May 21st...

I hear Chaplin will be around to entertain...

And Billie Holiday may even show up to croon the night away...

Don't miss out!!!

May 21st
8am-2pm

Ahoy and welcome back yard sailors!

noreply@blogger.com (Hilary) — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 00:24:00 +0000

What have you been doing with yourselves for the past ten months or so? Wearing your yardsale merch from last year all over town/California/the planet? Going on fun adventures and solving wacky mysteries? Things of tremendous interest you say?! My oh my, that does sound marvelous. What have we been up to you ask? We could tell you...but what would be more fun? If you guessed photos, you get a sticker.

Sticker (Provided you print it out on adhesive backed paper)

Anyway, want to see our photos?!!* You betchya do!

Literalism Day Parade: This year's theme was Classic Films

See here a stunning Scarlet O'Hara in her drapery dress**

**Curtain Rod Sold Separately

Choir Competition and Choral Adjudication Day. Western Costume All Girl Beauty Shop Quartet Sponsored by Victoria Secret Pink***

***Kidding. Obviously.

Random Acts of Awesomeness Day: This is the best thing that has ever happened. Ever.

Also, everyone meet Miwa, our seriously cool model.

*As Per Usual: To the best of our abilities, all garments pictured in these photos will be available for sale at the 4^th WCC Yardsale on May 21^st. A day sure to be filled of fun, fashion, and from the looks of some billboards we may or may not have seen around, possibly the end of the world. Incidentally we'll have some fun military uniforms for sale- always a good catch for those pesky post apocalypse robot wars....just saying.

Artistry, ho!

noreply@blogger.com (Erica) — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 19:06:00 +0000

Today, on a very special episode of the Western Costume Company Blog, we are pleased to announce the upcoming Arroyo Arts Collective 18th Annual Discovery Tour: NORTH BY NORTHEAST. (www.arroyoartscollective.org)

Not only is it "a self-guided auto tour featuring more than 100 artists in homes and studios in Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Glassell Park, Montecito Heights, and Mount Washington" but our very own Ms. Kerry Deco will be showcasing some of her truly stunning creations.

In an exhibit entitled "Found Again: Sculptural, Ephemeral, Wearable" Kerry and her co-artist Ms. Kacy Treadway have created rather mind-blowing frocks and chapeaux using a wide variety of found objects from bottle caps to Converse and wine corks to wood.

For real folks, I've been looking at the following photo for 15 minutes and still can't look away. (Incidentally this inability has made typing rather difficult and I do apologize for any spelling errors... especially in the French portion of our show.)

And seriously this is a bonnet. Made out of wood. Even the feathers. Oh my god.

When she's not busy making making some of the most awesome head-coverings we've ever seen, Kerry is our full-time assistant milliner here at Western. Our master milliner Harry Rotz was going to provide some highly quotable words in praise of Kerry, but regretfully declined after persistent requests from Ms. Deco not to embarrass her by saying, on the internet no less, how awesome and talented she is.

So there you are. Kerry works here. She is talented and awesome and makes incredible art.

Check it out this weekend:
Sunday 9:30am-5pm
5431 Townsend Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90041
(Very end of Townsend, North of Hill Drive. Please park on Hill)
Tickets: $10 in advance - Purchasable online or at Galco's Old World Grocery 5702 York Blvd., Highland Park, 90042. $15 day of the Tour.

More Information and Tickets at www.arroyoartscollective.org

And Adventuring We Shall Go

noreply@blogger.com (Erica) — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 22:57:00 +0000

So there was young and handsome Prince Thad,

riding horses,

picking up chicks

going to sweet parties

and generally just being completely content with his awesome princely existence.
Everything was great but little did Thad know that his destiny was about to come
crashing into him like a train would crash into a tyranasaurus rex.

Far away, somewhere on a mountain.. or an ethereal plain or some such something
was a very beautiful goddess, let's call her Twixy. She was in charge of things like love and hugs and tiny candies expressing romantic sentiments.
Romantic Candies Goddess File Photo:

She was normally very nice and sweet, but had some how recently been thoroughly
ticked off by her on-again-off-again-stunningly-handsome-diety-boyfriend: Heath
Diety Boyfriend File Photo:

And like most young goddesses in her position, Twixy decided to take out her rage on some hapless mortal fellow in the most round about way she could think of. In this instance it meant that Prince Thad was suddenly consumed by a vision of a beautiful princess and he knew from that very moment that he would marry her... or at least take her out to the local tavern.
Beautiful Princess Madeline:

Not to be confused with endearing French cartoon in a blue dress. Though surely we could fine you a blue dress and a hat if that's what you really want to be for Halloween. But I digress...clearly.

Anyway, after telling his twin brother Oswald the Monk

all about this imaginary wonder-girl

Oswald told Thad that surely his could-be-beloved was none other than the beautiful and aforementioned Princess Madeline of none other than the kingdom right next door. Overjoyed, Thad set off at once but once again little did he know that Princess Madeline had been kidnapped by Twixy's evil headless henchman

and set adrift at sea where she was forced to make a really cute outfit that while totally awesome made her completely unrecognizable...

Alright so she looks just as beautiful as ever but let's all hop on the suspended disbelief raft and paddle our way into a decent narrative shall we?

...Yes, indeed we shall because nothing's fun like the Raft of the Medusa. Stick with us bold adventurers; it's about to get good (or at least awkwardly amusing)

And now a word from our sponsor:
Come on down to the Western Costume Halloween Store wherein you will find all the
fantastic costumes pictured here today. Friendly staff, free popcorn, wacky clothes, what's
not to love?
11041 Vanowen (Back of the Building)
North Hollywood CA 91605
10AM-6PM Monday through Saturday
Huzzah! Costumes!!!

Extra Thanks to Today's Special Contributors
Clint, Tiger, Nestor, Gavin and Theodore Gericault.
You Rock.

Once Upon a Time...

noreply@blogger.com (Erica) — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 23:40:00 +0000

Once upon a time in a land far far away (where it wasn't 110 degrees
in September) there was a brave young prince (in a smashing outfit)...

Handsome, charming, and wealthy, our hero had everything he
could ever hope for. All was well for but what a boring story it would be if life remained
a bed of cheerful roses and cherry bowls for young prince Thad. (Yup, I'm
going with Thad but his name can be up for debate. And
by 'debate' I mean I'll only be accepting submissions that are also Crayola crayon
colors. For a full listing see here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Crayola_crayon_colors
I'm partial to Prince Fuzzy Wuzzy myself).
Anyway, there's no telling what perils lie ahead in Thad's adventurous future....

Or what possibly unsavory characters he may encounter along the way...

But with his trusty steed by his side...

surely our hero can not but return victorious from his as yet to be specified journey.
Stay tuned...

And now, a note from our sponsors:
All of the wardrobe worn by Prince Thad and our other Ballad of Halloween heroes is available at our very own Western Costume Halloween Store, which very conveniently opens this coming Friday October 1st, right here in scenic North Hollywood, where- from what we hear anyway- it won't be 110 degrees either. See you there yes?

Ceci N'est Pas Une Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Erica) — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 17:35:00 +0000

If you are in any way like me, you may not have thought about your Halloween costume until sometime last week where- much to your dismay- you discovered that it was the middle of September leaving you a scant six to seven weeks to come up with something truly genius.
Fear not fellow partial procrastinators, for genius abounds at this year's Halloween store.
(Author's note to audience: for those of you new to this blog, I will now make a number of seemingly unrelated pop culture references that will only possibly be tied together in some flourish of narrative inspiration. Stay tuned)
(Author's note to self: Blog needs genius. Cartoons=Genius. Ere go: Blog=Cartoons*)

~Shopper's Note: Segue Sold Separately

Carrots are high in beta carotene and costume contest wins...just saying

Shopper's Note: Bacon Buddy Sold Separately.**
And now for the greatest food costumes I've ever seen (and
no, this has nothing to do with a dress made of meat):

Just some inspiration for the following triptych:

Seriously, I love this outfit. Also, strangely, I feel more informed.
About what, can't be certain but I'm definitely more knowledgeable
about something. I wonder what that's about...

'
xo for serious,
Erica

*Dear PhD Mathematics friends, sorry for the flagrant misuse of mathematical notation and logic. Also, sorry I can't make Dr. Who on Saturday.

**Having just realized our own need for a "Bacon Buddy" costume, there is not currently one scheduled to be part of the store. We'll let you know when we add this awesome piece to our collection.

And We're Back...

noreply@blogger.com (Erica) — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 16:37:00 +0000

Good Morning Readers,
This could be disorienting to you (it certainly is for me) but the wonder-phenomenon that is the
'Spring Sale Blog' is back...wait for it...in the Fall. While there is no impending yard sale per se, we do have the annual and epic Halloween Store that is sprouting up right under our very noses. Frankly, it would just be selfish to keep such awesome masquerade and sartorial splendor to myself. Do look forward to updates, photos, and general snarky humor. (If, of course, looking forward to things is something that you are into.)
In the meantime I'm also learning Spanish (but not the computer skills to have correct punctuation and accent marks- please bear with me)
The Spanish word of the day is:
Diplomacia.
Let's use it in a sentence, shall we?
Yo soy diplomacia. E usted?

xo for serious,
Erica

Western Costume Welcomes the Dykeman-Young Collection!

noreply@blogger.com (Hilary) — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 21:13:00 +0000

There is a lot happening here at western Costume Company. We are currently in the process of integrating the remarkable Dykeman-Young Collection into our own! As you may recall, we announced our acquisition of the collection in October. If you missed it, you can check it out on our blog here or at broadwayworld.com.

The Dykeman-Young Collection is an incredibly well maintained, nearly immaculate group of an estimated 50,000 period pieces that we will be moving into our shop within the next few months. Known for it's outstanding selection of evening wear, the collection also includes a fantastic array of work wear from the 20th century, not to mention thousands of other garments ranging from the turn of the century, up to the 1980's.

Thanks to Brian Moss, Dan Lester, and many other incredible staffers, we have done quite a bit of rearranging to fit this massive and marvelous collection into our stock. Once everything has been moved in, we will have an area designated specifically for the Dykeman-Young collection, all organized by our fantastic staff. We are so delighted to have this extraordinary resource combined with our own stock all under one roof. We hope you can come by soon to see the progress we are making!!

We will be sure to continue posting images and keep you all updated on our progress as we move more items into the shop!

Leftover Night

noreply@blogger.com (Erica) — Thu, 20 May 2010 23:43:00 +0000

Just as tasty as a the day after Thanksgiving, please help yourself
to as many of these previously unseen photos as your tummies and minds
can handle.

Alright, we'll keep the text light to follow up that heavy main course selection.
Mint, anyone?

xo for serious,
Erica

'Carrie'd Away

noreply@blogger.com (Erica) — Thu, 20 May 2010 00:06:00 +0000

Several experiences have informed me that if ever I am sitting in the immediate vicinity of three other women we are immediately and with all due haste supposed to figure out which Sex and the City character we most accurately conform to. Now I can't be certain if I even have a high-fashion oriented reader demographic that I've been horribly ignoring but if in fact for some reason that's the case welcome to Fashion Week. (And by Fashion Week I mean a one day event where Chelsea's going to style us up some outfits from the yard sale merchandise and where possibly I wear make-up) Please enjoy...

The New Movie

The First Movie

The Classic

Special thanks to today's photographer Kristin. We sure hope this made your day. It certainly made ours. Also, the girls in my department would like me to mention that I made them do cruel and unusual amounts of manual labor before taking these photos today. If any one out there would like to contribute to my Buy-Burke-Williams-Gift-Cards-For-My-Department program please send check or money order to

xo for Serious Erica c/o Western Costume

11041 Vanowen Street

North Hollywood CA 91605

Hey, that's the same location as our yard sale this Saturday. Fancy that.

xo for serious,
Erica

Nutritional Supplement

noreply@blogger.com (Erica) — Tue, 18 May 2010 21:48:00 +0000

We've been prepping this yard sale for a while now and sometimes
we just get a little punchy. Welcome to one of those times....

Milk: it does a body good

Lemonheads

Miss Practical Apple

Sahar and Ramsay are like two peas in a pod... I guess

Which must be why they both insisted on wearing these next two reasonably unidentifiable costumes. What are they? We don't know, but call us if you do.

So remember kids, this blog is part of a balanced breakfast.

See you at the sale this Saturday May 22, 8am-2pm!

xo for serious,
Erica

P.S. A very special surprise...

Look! Alpacas! A very special thanks to Ed and Dancing Rocks Ranch.
Ed invites you all to come and visit.

Space Movies

noreply@blogger.com (Erica) — Mon, 17 May 2010 23:35:00 +0000

So we're a little split in our department.
Here's the vote count:
Loves 'Space Movies': 1
Hates 'Space Movies': 1
Wish we would stop talking about our views on 'space movies: 2

Luckily (or perhaps unluckily) for you at home I am the one vote for
loves (obviously) and in case you were wondering 'space movies' is
actually a more generic term courtesy of my friend Chelsea and it includes
any and everything sci-fi, fantasy and most everything I've ever referenced on this
blog- ever.
So here's some of my favorites:

Say, your coat's kind of a brownish color....

There is no spoon

So yes...

Luckily for us, Ramsay is a little more jovial than Starbuck

xo for serious,
Erica

P.S. There are four lights

Pirates and Wenches

noreply@blogger.com (Erica) — Fri, 14 May 2010 23:16:00 +0000

Sorry readers, Pirates and Wenches is not the name of our frat party tonight. It's the name of our frat party tomorrow night. Holla.
Here are some ideas so you have a day to get your costumed act together.

Special thanks to Alex for her last-minute volunteering and generally saving today's blog. Now then, as apparently I'm throwing a frat party in 27 hours I'm off to the 7-11.
xo for serious,
Erica

I am a FBI Agent

noreply@blogger.com (Erica) — Thu, 13 May 2010 20:24:00 +0000

This is the coolest thing that has ever happened-ever!
I mentioned Point Break LIVE and then- from what I can
deduce anyway- the cast of Point Break LIVE commented
on our facebook page. Aaah! I feel cool.
So much so that I am now prepared to dedicate an entire
posting to this massive cinematic and now theatrical achievement.

I would also like to mention that if you are the costume designer of any of the projects I have or will reference, if you were the costume supervisor, the ager, the dyer, the specialty craftsperson, the set costumer, the tailor, the seamstress, the cutter, the fitter, the key costumer, the shopper, the costumer, the fabric buyer, the assistant costume designer, the uniform guy, the still photographer who took the photos or yes, even the p.a. (represent yo) then your work is only in this blog because I think it is amazing and totally rad and one day I hope to be as cool as you.

In the meantime though... Vaya con Dios
xo for serious,
~Erica

Pop Quiz

noreply@blogger.com (Erica) — Wed, 12 May 2010 23:58:00 +0000

Can you guess the theme my sociology dissertation? If not then there's nothing I can do for you.
xo for serious,
Erica

P.S. Congratulations to Ramsay on her blog photo debut.
P.P.S Special thanks to our Twin Peaks Area Correspondent for the blog idea and Mrs. Chavez for some really excellent key lime pie.

I Am The Very Model of a Modern Major Spring Sale

noreply@blogger.com (Erica) — Tue, 11 May 2010 22:34:00 +0000

Musicals.

Some people love them.

Some people ...not so much

We here at the spring sale simply wish to use them to make an entertaining blog piece. So however you weigh in on the great musical scale (<--- Look, a pun. ) we hope you'll enjoy today's piece. Also, sorry for missing yesterday. I was busy rehearsing my role as Dawn in Western Costume's very own production of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Musical.*

Is the sun coming out tomorrow? Well in any case look cute:

Brace yourselves readers, there's a boy in our blog. His name is Henry and he is so very handsome. Thanks Henry, you are the best. Also his outfit is good for when you are double booked in Pirates of Penzance and as Enjolras the idealistic student leader in the ever popular Les Miserables.

In the spirit of making musicals from movies...

Here's some ideas for those giant production companies down the road or just for you at home.

Patton: The Musical

... possibly not the greatest idea ever but you try making the AfrikaKorps entertaining. But as to end on an up note: have you considered the magical wonderment that would ensue immediately upon the opening night of
POINT BREAK: THE MUSICAL

Special Shout-Out to the cast of Point Break Live.
Speaking of which, I think I'll go home and watch Point Break. I invite you to do the same.
Enjoy the br0-mance people.
xo for serious,
Erica

*Okay so fine, there really isn't an all-Western production of the BtVS Season Six musical masterpiece.... yet.

Double Your Fun

noreply@blogger.com (Erica) — Fri, 07 May 2010 22:51:00 +0000

Great Things Come in Paris

Wait a sec, while probably true what we intended to say was:

Great Things Come in Pairs

So then have a minty fresh weekend

xo for serious,

Erica

P.S. Good Luck Storming The Castle

Down On The Farm

noreply@blogger.com (Erica) — Fri, 07 May 2010 00:25:00 +0000

The farmer in the dell
The farmer in the dell
Hi-ho, the derry-o
The farmer in the dell

And the farmer takes a wife
The farmer takes a wife
Hi-ho, the derry-o
The farmer takes a wife

And the wife takes the child
The wife takes the child
Hi-ho, the derry-o
The wife takes the child

And the child takes the nurse
The child takes the nurse
Hi-ho, the derry-o
The child takes the nurse

(And the nurse takes the dog...

...Hi-ho, the derry-o
The dog takes the cat)*
*Note: Cat and Dog not appearing in this episode

And the cat takes the mouse
The cat takes the mouse
Hi-ho, the derry-o
The cat takes the mouse

And the mouse takes the cheese
The mouse takes the cheese
Hi-ho, the derry-o
The mouse takes the cheese

And the cheese stands alone
The cheese stands alone
Hi-ho, the derry-o
The cheese stands alone

V for Victory, yo
xo for serious,
Erica