|
|
| Jacquie...the Costume Lady! |
|
|
|
|
At
the latest ED Expo, a lot of people asked me how I got started. In
1982, I owned a bridal shop in Saint Catherine's, Ontario
(Canada). There was a club across the street and the dancers and
features would come over and buy under pieces, garters, and
various other white accessories. Eventually they began to ask for
more elaborate costumes, and I had so much fun sewing for them,
that I closed the bridal shop and started doing this full time in
1983.
Later
I began making costumes for some of the feature entertainers that
would frequent our area, such as Victoria Frost, CC Moore,
Stephanie Evans, and Bunny Glamazon to name just a few. Another
one most of you know is Vanna Lace. After winning Miss Nude World
in 1990, Vanna sought me out to help revamp her wardrobe. Being
able to view my large photo album of feature apparel, we were able
to put her a collection of costumes and gowns together.
My
husband Marcel and I moved to Tucson, Arizona from Hamilton,
Ontario, in 1994. Despite the fact that it may have been better to
locate elsewhere -like Las Vegas, Atlanta, or Los Angeles- we
decided to move to Tucson mostly because it would help Marcel's
golf career, and also because I like the area and the weather. |
The
transition from Canada to the U.S. was very smooth, as I left Canada with
orders and deposits and barely skipped a beat. Many Canadian feature flew
to Tucson to have their costumes made. Eventually, however, with the
decline of the Canadian dollar and government sales taxes and duties, my
Canadian business slowed down. Thankfully, by that time we had established
a working relationship with feature entertainers herein the U.S. such as
Devon Michaels, Melissa Wolf, Leslie Wells, Lisa Ann, Lovette, and many
more, and business has snowballed ever since.
Within a year of moving to Tucson, we
bought a small adobe house on a fairly large lot in central Tucson. Marcel
built me a studio in the backyard, where my staff and I create all of the
costumes. I stock 17 different colors of sequins, zippers, various types
of fasteners, appliqués, feather boas, feathers, various sizes and shapes
of Austrian rhinestones - virtually everything I need to make any costume
that is ordered.
I have been sewing for exotic dancers
since 1982 and believe me when I say that I am very grateful for the
opportunity to work for such a gracious and appreciative group of people.
Thank you all for nominating me the Dancewear Company of the Year, 3
Times! And, thank you to Don Waitt, Donna Homan, and the staff at ED and
all of the other people who work behind the scenes for allowing us to
participate in the Expo. Try to come and see us in Tucson, but if you
can't we'll see you at Expo!
I have been in this business for a long time,
and know many of the current features and really I look forward to meeting
the next generation of feature entertainers, and helping you all develop
your costume wardrobe.
Smiles
and Sunshine
Jacquie
the Costume Lady
3210
E. 2nd St., Tucson, AZ 85716
520.321.0700
|
|
