Costume Gallery at the Grundy Commons
by Cate Murway
Why would one dance? Every answer will be quite different, as it should be.
Perhaps the better question is, why would one not?
Welcome….. CG to GC!
Costume Gallery now most proficiently commands the Grundy Commons’ spacious 7th floor.
Norman Miller and his late wife, Beverly founded Costume Gallery and dedicated their adult lives, almost 50 years, making it an industry leader while serving the dance community.
No drama, just dance.
The Costume Gallery team works passionately to assist dance studios, schools, clubs, teachers, coaches and organizations in their goals to nail their performance, and to look great doing it, making their masterful dance steps appear as easy as a breath of fresh air, unimpeded and visible.
Such virtuosic choreographic presentations are created to be fully seen to be appreciated.
This product driven business clearly makes trendy ideas danceable for all kids 3-17 years old.
Competition costumes that inspire and perform are so vitally important. They give dance life.
Costume design and making is an involved process in the dance world, taking into account not just the look and fit of an item of clothing, but how it will respond to the considerable wear and tear of performance. Dance is all about movement, making the way a fabric hangs or moves on the dancer crucial, designed to harmonize with the dance and not hinder the movements.
Each outfit may be strategically structured to perhaps partially expose or to enhance the lines formed by the dancer's body, or they may express the choreographer's artistic vision to engage the audience.
So, costumes are the competitive edge, the first impression before the music or dancing even starts. When a dance is technically challenging, a costume should match the supreme mastery commitment given to the routine. Seeing the dancers look so incredible is the icing on the cake.
Costume Gallery is here to help each one dress the part.
History behind the curtains…..
Marie-Anne de Cupis de Camargo [Marie Camargo, 1710-1770] was responsible for costume reform, influencing changes in dance costumes by abandoning the traditional corset, and dancing barefoot with exposed arms and legs. This great French ballerina of the mid-18th century was the first to show off her brilliant footwork, wearing skirts that were daringly shortened to her ankle. But it was Angela “Isadora” Duncan [1877-1927] who introduced a totally new look to dance costumes, inspired by the Greeks, that conformed to body shape and exposed body lines.
The Costume Gallery creative and supportive team exudes energy, happiness, and sheer positive-ness! They have developed a strong reputation that truly sets them apart. The team presents a unified treasure-trove leadership while providing elaborate dance costumes and accessories to enhance every small jump, beat and turn that would be quite impossible to see, or execute, in heavy, incorrectly designed dress. Each costume is handmade from the highest quality materials, has a consistent fit, and is age appropriate with styles that will fit and flatter any body type. Texture and patterns, and even the costume color can be symbolic or influence audience emotions, and may be chosen according to their relevance to the emotions expressed in the dance.
But, the Costume Gallery team strives to provide more than just a memorable, excellent product with
unbelievable sparkle, jewelling and embellishments.
As in dance, it’s all about the landing! The impressive Grundy Commons meets their requirements.
Their new space is open and very well lit with high ceilings and original wood floors with a large vibrant and inviting workroom on premises. This onsite factory helps them deliver on time and most often meet even their customers' special requests.
But for a business to be successful, you need an incredibly strong backbone: a devoted CEO/President.
Enter CEO/President Cathie Beth [Carlista] Shouldis, who takes her responsibility to make the “Costume Gallery Holdings” business successful, very seriously. Flexibility and focus are needed to succeed.
Cathie grew up in Maine with her younger brother, Chris and sister Pam who are twins. Their late father Marty was a teacher and their mother Francine is a retired librarian.
Her sport of choice was cheerleading, “low key and fun”, and she played the trumpet in the school band.
“I had wanted to play the trombone but was told my arm was too short.”
But Cathie was always interested in fashion and she expressed that her grandparents were definitely the impetus for her career.
She has fond memories of taking the bus to the mall to shop with her grandmother Philomena who was a seamstress in a curtain store. She would bring back outfits and immediately alter them on her grandmother’s Singer sewing machine. Her goal was always to look like herself, not the masses. She enjoyed wearing unique outfits. “I was not a follower in clothing.”
Her jeans were self-tapered into slim peg legs.
Cathie’s grandfather Samuel was an upholsterer with a home based shop. He created among other things, the seating and design for restaurant booths in Portland, ME.
She also learned Italian cooking from that grandmother.
Albright College provided her with a co-major program combining the fashion courses with business.
“I had that practical side and wanted a business degree.” She polished her critical thinking skills.
She met her husband at Albright College in Reading.
Interestingly, “Working Girl”, a 1988 romantic comedy-drama is her favorite film and her husband‘s name is Jack. He is an HGP grad, a two-time All-Bicentennial Award winner in basketball and soccer who twice was named MVP on the Albright soccer team. Jack is involved in sales.
“No, not textiles”, she smiled.
“After school, I started in retail, working for Macy’s in fashion in NYC where I learned about sourcing.
I had thought I wanted to be a buyer but that was a perfect fit for me. I learned how to bring designs to life.” She continued her career for 17 years at Urban Outfitters, Inc., an American multinational lifestyle retail corporation in Philadelphia that is the parent company for Anthropologie, a lifestyle brand that caters to creative, educated women, and Free People, an American bohemian apparel boutique.
It was time for a change and she wanted to stay in the Philadelphia area.
Cathie was equipped with the knowledge, skills, expertise and credentials for a most successful contribution to the dynamic and fast-paced costume industry.
She was offered a COO position at Costume Gallery and was promoted to the President position in May.
The facilities were located in New Jersey but her plan was to transition how the product was sourced.
Cathie is “very goal oriented” as she concentrates on the core, focusing on design, product development, sourcing, sales and most importantly, customer care.
“I am a product person with strategy, and that balance helps me be successful.”
She also provides peace of mind with their offerings of unique, fresh designs every year, more than any other manufacturer; speedy delivery, and innumerable accessories to complete any look. From ballet costumes, tap & jazz, to hip hop, they feature colorful dance recital and competition costumes that have inspired and performed since 1959. They tailor design; exactly what the dance teachers want and need.
Their new Bristol Borough location is inspirational perfection.
In-house trunk shows are possible now in their spacious Grundy Commons rooms that provide an open feel for customers while they can interact one-on-one. “It’s all about being able to connect with the customer in a boutique kind of way.”
Working on new advertising concepts can happen now also. Cathie and her team are preparing for a video photo shoot to bring to the trade shows, utilizing the available sixth floor of Fred Baumgarten’s building. The pieces are put on mannequins and live models. “They are worn by athletes. Can they jump in them, can they spin? Modesty is taken seriously. I love that this is an old textile building. It is definitely the right place for all the sewing machines to do this part of business right here in the United States. And we also a great view.”
There is plenty of room for their top-notch, knowledgeable customer support consultants on site. “We offer more than a typical customer service. The consultants understand dance and oftentimes have even been a dancer.”
With domestic contractors and some production overseas, all the design and development is completed here in the USA while some manufacturing is done both in the USA and Asia.
With her team of designers, trunks are filled with samples from both of their catalogs, the whimsical young and fun, sparkly Costume Gallery selections, and the more sophisticated, edgier and serious Art Stone pieces, accessories, tights and some shoes, to be taken to on the road trade shows where they connect with dance teachers and studio owners from all over the country.
The versatility of their catalogues makes it easy to costume an entire dance recital and many competitions.
Dana Stone’s Stepping Stone Dance Studio on Floor 3N is just their kind of customer.
SSDS has just won 2018 Best of Bucks Dance School/ Studio for the consecutive 6th year.
Satisfied customers become enthusiastic fans.
Virginia Lee [Camerlengo] Holroyd, the proprietor of Ginny Lee Dance Studio in Bensalem is one of those very satisfied customers. Ginny explained, “The teacher chooses the music to match the dancers’ ability level and the costume has to be extraordinary and accurate to match the music.”
Recitals are a big deal! Costuming is most important in a winning routine, a unified visual concept.
“Costumes are a fun thing for the kids. They are so excited to see the costume and they are an important part of taking dance lessons.” Costume Gallery has a “wide selection and a lot of specialties. They are very good with that, and durability and timely shipping. We ordered lion print tutus and cat ears for a ‘Just Can't Wait to Be King’ tap number. They held up very well through 3 competitions and a recital and a show in Wildwood, NJ for the ‘Wildwood Days’ dance on the beach facing the boardwalk.”
Cathie and her husband Jack have 2 two teenage daughters. Juliana Francine is a crew athlete and Carlie Susan plays basketball and soccer. “Their middle names are those of my grandmothers. Neither of them dances, but that’s how that goes.”
Costume Gallery Holdings owns two trademarks: Costume Gallery and Art Stone/The Competitor®: Like No Other Costume Company In The World, purchased by Costume Gallery, Inc. in 2014.
They are “already looking at 2020” with their premium quality products and innovative costume styles across all the major dance genres. This something magical happens right here at their headquarters in historic Bristol, PA, as many things, and people, synchronize and help it flourish. Feel the magic!
“We keep the spirit of fun. We laugh every single day. How can you not smile surrounded by feathers, sequins and baby stuff? You can smile around here!”
Dance is a powerful tool for self-expression. Dance is about movement.
From the moment a dancer, or group of dancers, take the stage, an opinion is subconsciously made.
A well-polished look affects the overall performance and impression.
If your classes are wearing styles from Costume Gallery, you know their performance will be unforgettable. What a bang for your buck with the uniqueness!
So, don’t wait. Give a call. Move your studio into the spotlight.
The Costume Gallery team is selling happiness. They will ignite creativity with classic, or flashy and eye catching, fun and shimmery competition costumes that are perfect for everyone, so that every audience is drawn to every movement. They promise on time delivery. And it’s all about delivery!
Costume Gallery
925 Canal Street
Building 3, Floor 7
Bristol, PA 19007
800.222.8125
Recommend a "Spotlight". E-mail vjmrun@yahoo.com
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