Costumes

My level of fascination with Halloween costumes? Meh.

I was never much on crafting eye-catching outfits prior to a candy-inspired dash around my neighborhood. While other kids were decked out as Disney princesses or showcasing the latest superhero gadgets, I settled for being a skeleton or ghost. Bare bones, that was my mantra.

My tepid interest in fashion and makeup still lingers. But every so often even I surprise myself....

Less than two miles from my home is the iconic Western Costume Company. For over 100 years, WCC has supplied costume designers and stylists with stock, building their reputation as the fashion hub of "The Industry."

The WCC warehouse contains 2+ million costumes and 100,000 accessories, a compilation that translates into 8 miles of inventory. From Judy Garland's ruby slippers to the tailored suits of Mad Men's Don Draper, it's all there. Living, breathing, Hollywood history even this fashion-challenged "skeleton" can appreciate.

"Fashion is part of the daily air and it changes all the time. You can see and feel everything in clothes." - Diana Vreeland, fashion columnist