About Costume World

Costume World’s founder Marilynn A. Wick has seen her dream progress from a creative pursuit with two young daughters to an empire that has surpassed even her expectations.

With a stronghold in theatrical and Halloween costumes, pieces from Costume World’s one million plus inventory have been worn on the Broadway stage, private social functions, historical events, Halloween and Masquerade Balls and even the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus.

A history of acquiring the inventories of several established costume houses in Pennsylvania and New York, led, in the 1980’s, to Costume World in Deerfield Beach becoming one of the premier suppliers of costumes in America.

The first feather in Wick’s cap was her purchase of Stage Right Costumes in Grand Rapids, Minnesota (home of Judy Garland). Mortgaging her home to finalize the deal, Wick’s gamble paid off and she was able to pay the note in full within three months. In short succession, Costume World acquired the inventory of six other costume companies, including; Maier’s Costumes in Pittsburgh, Costume’s Unlimited of Pittsburgh and Buffalo, and Incognito of Dallas.

In 2005, Costume World scored a major coup by purchasing the Tony Award winning inventory of Dodger Costumes in New York City.

Dodger Costumes came onto the Broadway scene in the spring of 1998, when Dodger Costumes and Stage Holding, an Amsterdam based company, acquire the Eaves-Brooks Costume Company. The Eaves-Brooks company was founded in 1863, settled down on East 12th Street in Manhattan, and later when on to become the most famous costume company in America. Thus with this acquisition, Dodger came into possession of many of our nation’s most renowned and historic theatrical costumes.

The Dodger collection was considered the most historically significant costume collection in America and with its acquisition; Costume World became the largest owner of Broadway and theatrical costumes in the nation. “The inventory has so much value, and acquiring it has helped me to not only become the largest costume house in the industry but also one of the most historic,” Wick said of her Dodger purchase.

Comprised of three separate components; theatrical, rental, and retail, Costume World is not limited by any means to stars of stage and screen. In fact, Wick, founder and CEO of Costume World, has overseen the company’s growth, from its humble beginnings in 1976 when she used her design talents to create Santa Claus costumes for rental, to what is now the most comprehensive and diverse collection of costumes and accessories in the country.

Costume World continues to evolve but maintains the personal touches that helped it garner its stellar reputation throughout the country. From the personal attention of the experienced and talented booking staff to some of the most innovative and visionary costume designers available, clients can expect attention to detail and exemplary service throughout every phase of their experience with Costume World.

Wick, never one to rest on her laurels is still the driving force behind the company. She oversees every aspect of Costume World’s production. With her daughter Kimberly on board as the Vice-President of the company, the company continues to maintain the high standards that helped it rise to one of the most respected operations in the costuming industry.

FUN FACTS:

Costume World is affiliated with the National Costume Association, which establishes and maintains professional and ethical standards of business in the Costume industry.

In 2005, Costume World acquired more than 500,000 costumes from Broadway productions when it purchased Dodger Costumes.

Your rental from Costume World has an exciting history! The costume you rent may have been worn by Shirley Jones, Marla Maples, Loretta Swit, Richard Burton, Nathan Lane or Whoopi Goldberg, all of whom have been dressed by Costume World at some point.

Somewhere in America, there's a COSTUME WORLD costume on stage tonight!