Costumer’s Guild West, Inc. presents the 28th annual Costume College 2020 Votes for Women! Celebrating the Beginning of American Women’s Suffrage July 30 - August 2, 2020 Votes for all Women! VOTES FOR ALL V OTES FOR W OMEN ERA NOW Bonus Track: The Twenties! www.costumecollege.net Registration Book Contents Dean’s Message 1 Hotel & Local Business Information Warner Center Marriott Woodland Hills 2 Parking at the Hotel 2 Emergency Costume Supplies 2 Transportation 3 Finding Food: light snacks to extravagant meals 4 Bringing your own food 5 What to Wear 6 V Open to the Public OTES Information Desk 7 Sewing Machine Rental 7 Costume Exhibits 8 FOR Caught on Camera 9 Marketplace 10 W Social Media 11 Scholarships & How to Get Them 12 OMEN Volunteers 12 Attendees Only Event Check-In 13 Teacher Reception & Check-In 13 The Lounge 14 Portrait Studio 15 Panic Room 16 Mobile App 16 Bargain Basement 17 Welcome Party: Beach Days 18 Friday Night Showcase: Suffrage Rally 19 Red Carpet 20 Raffles 20 Time Traveler’s Gala: A Night to Remember 21 Sunday Breakfast: Gibson Girl Breakfast Parlour 22 Fantasy Tea: Tea at the Abbey 23 Trunk Show 24 Classes Tours 25 Freshman Orientation 27 Class Information 28 Classes 30 Teachers Teacher Biographies 58 About Costumer’s Guild West & Costume College History of Deans & Themes 72 About Costumer’s Guild West and Costume College 73 Legal Disclosures and Policies 74 Costume College Committee Members 77 CGW, Inc. Board Members 77 All images in this book, other than those provided by Costume College and its teachers, are provided by Shutterstock, unless otherwise noted. Dean's Message Welcome kindred spirits. You have found your people! Welcome to Costume College 2020 What you hold in your hand is a labor of love. The 2020 Costume College committee has been hard at work these past six months to make our beloved conference an even better experience for all of you. I’m so grateful to this team for their creativity and dedication. I want to thank my predecessor, Meagen Hensley, who for over the past 18 years has taught and volunteered at Costume College. Her devotion to this event has been an extreme inspiration and help to me. She did an incredible job last year, managing the biggest event attendance to date. I consider myself lucky to follow her as Dean. I also want to thank our CGW President Mela Hoyt-Heydon and the CGW Board of Directors for their tireless efforts to address countless issues as we continue to grow. Last, but certainly not least, I’m grateful to this year’s Assistant Dean, Gina Cowley, who has been a tremendous help in assisting me on this journey. Her bonus track, and theme for next year, is the Roaring 20’s. It’s sure to be a roaring success! The main focus of Costume College is to encourage, nurture and educate no matter what gender, age, ethnicity or religion. When selecting my theme, Votes for Women ~ Celebrating the Beginning of American Women’s Suffrage, I realized I picked a tricky subject. As an Hispanic woman I am very much aware of the unfairness that happened during this time. I chose this theme because first, I adore the Edwardian era, and second, I did not want to ignore this important anniversary even though my ancestors did not get the right to vote until decades later. My hope is that together we can show others through our costumes and photos what it would look like if we could turn back time and do it all over again. Who’s with me?! Now, with that said, please feel free to celebrate other women’s suffrage movements from around the world. Our wonderful Costume College teachers have put together a dazzling array of classes for you. It’s impossible to “do it all” so take a breath and know that, no matter what, you will go home with inspiration and information. Our teachers are the heart of Costume College and sharing their knowledge and talents is a great gift to the costume community. We are all so grateful to them. For your after-class enjoyment, the Costume College team has worked hard to create some amazingly fun events! Be sure to make note of the times and details. These events are your chance to greet friends old and new, or even connect with that “internet buddy” you’ve never met. After you check in for Costume College Thursday night, please join us at the annual Poolside Social and Welcome Party. This year we have added a newbie area for all new (or somewhat new) students. On Friday we will repeat the Friday Night Showcase, with some fun new twists. On Saturday please join or enjoy our famous Red Carpet, followed by the grand Gala, An Evening on the Titanic. Late night dancing is open to all! Sunday morning will dawn with our pre-class Gibson Girl breakfast. In the afternoon, enjoy Tea at Downton Abbey. Costume College is about learning and the sharing of knowledge; our much beloved parties are secondary. Costumes are admired, but never required. Dress in theme or in whatever period that will make you feel empowered. This is your event, please enjoy it. Shopping opportunities abound this weekend! Our Marketplace will tempt you with a curated selection of costuming related goods. The Bargain Basement is always bursting with donated treasures. Don’t miss our raffle Saturday night at the Gala. And our Sunday afternoon Vendor Showcase returns after a sensational debut last year. If you are new, we send a special welcome! Please join me and our hotel liaison Meagen Hensley at a Freshman Orientation, either Thursday night before the Poolside Social or Friday morning before classes start. You will hear entertaining stories and quick tips, but be sure to read this Registration Book to get an idea of what to expect from your four days. Remember to eat, stay hydrated, and breathe. Lastly, I want to thank my wonderful family and especially my husband Jase for their constant love and support over the past year as I have prepared for this event. I am looking forward to meeting you in the great halls of Costume College!! Now on with the reading!! Geri Rex Dean, Costume College 2020 - www.costumecollege.net - 1 Warner Center Marriott Woodland Hills YOU ARE HERE! Just a couple of quick reminders about our lovely home for the weekend: • If you have an issue with your room, contact the Front Desk. Be nice and understanding, and they will extend the same courtesy. We want them to want us back, so forgive the little things, and calmly report the big things. Should your issue be beyond the help of the Front Desk, please ask the Information Desk to radio/call the Hotel Liaison. • Please be courteous to our hosts. Tip your bellman, valet, housekeepers, and wait staff. Staff changes daily, so tip daily – you won’t always have the same housekeeper or waiter. • The hotel is HUGE, and therefore full of guests who are not attending Costume College. Please be aware of those guests and polite when they ask to take a picture with you. Hotel & Local Business Information • Scholarship Winners, we’ve had issues in the past regarding splitting up your rooms and getting your scholarship applied. Please make sure your name is on your reservation upon check-in. Thank you! Parking at the Hotel Costume College Members Staying at the Marriott Warner Center: If you are staying at the hotel and parking on-site, you will need to let the Registration desk know that you have a vehicle upon check in and you will receive a parking pass. The hotel will charge your room bill for every night you are registered as a guest. The parking pass will allow you in and out privileges. Costume College Members Not Staying at the Hotel: Daily visitors may purchase daily parking pass for the duration of their day-stay, which can be purchased at the Valet desk in front of the hotel. There are no in and out privileges for the day pass. However, as an alternative, there is some parking behind the hotel next to the park and across the street in the mall parking lot. Please note the parking hour signage for each location. Costume College or the Marriott Warner Center is not responsible for any parking tickets you may receive for disregarding outside parking signage. If you have any questions about the parking charges, please inquire at the Front Desk. Emergency Costuming (and other) Supplies It happens to everyone at some time or another. You arrive at an event you’ve been planning for ages, and suddenly you realize that the green bag — no, the OTHER green bag — is still sitting at the back of your garage. With all your sewing supplies, or make-up, or whatever. Fear not, the Warner Center Marriott is fortuitously situated amongst world-class shopping, as well as shopping for poor creative souls like us. • Jo-Ann Fabric and Crafts: 22914 Victory Blvd., Woodland Hills (1.8 miles) • Daiso Japan (Japanese dollar store): 6745 Fallbrook Ave., Unit 916, West Hills (2.1 miles) • Michaels: 6625 Fallbrook Ave., West Hills (2.1 miles) 2 - Costume College® July 30-August 2, 2020 - Transportation General Directions to the Hotel The Marriott Warner Center is located at 21850 Oxnard Street, Woodland Hills, California 91367. Take whichever freeway connects you to US 101 west and exit at Topanga Canyon Blvd. North. Proceed 0.6 miles to Oxnard Street and turn right.