The Costume Closet
is Bushwick's newly opened costume rental wardrobe, just in time for Halloween! Question: Have you ever bought a costume or outfit for a festival and only worn it once? SAME.
Bushwick's Costume Closet, located at 83 Starr st. is now challenging the way we think about fashion, by providing the neighborhood with much more affordable options that can either be bought or rented for any occasion in every season of the year. Co-founders and couple Felicia Mariah D'Ascanio and James Richwine opened the closet business in the basement of their studio about a month ago after a successful launch party. And are quickly learning that there is a demand and need for even more fashion than they had originally thought.
Headpieces by Felicia Mariah D’Ascanio
“People coming through here, they get to express themselves in a way that I wouldn’t even think for myself,”
”I found that it also trickles into normal life. You start getting a casual version of your festival look or your costume look.””
D'Ascanio, a stylist who moved to New York about seven years ago with a theater background, and had an extensive closet to begin with. Richwine, who had been part of the Burning Man community for several years, combined his closet with D'Ascanio to create the Costume Closet.
The Costume Closet has a $5 rack among all other rentals. The security deposit for these items ranges depending on their price and value, but according to Richwine, most items fall between the $5-$10 range for a 10-day rental period. The security deposit is returned once the item is brought back, but the couple finds that over half of their customers decide to keep the item(s) rented!
Costume Closet’s magical, ever changing 5 Dollar Rack
In addition to themed events hosted at the studio, they also host clothing swaps where everyone is welcome to bring clothing that they no longer wear in exchange for items they like, giving opportunity for people to partake in the events even if they aren't able to rent or purchase new items.
With the surge of fast fashion, the renting option and clothing swaps allow for a sustainable model for event fashion. "We're constantly trying to cycle through things and give back to the community in any way that we can 'cause the community gives so much to us," said D'Ascanio. "It's always this cycling of give and take."
There's no cost to book a one-on-one styling session. You can book an appointment online through the form provided on the Costume Closet website.
“There’s something about going into someone’s home and into their backyard, like everyone’s sitting on the floor outside and there were neighbors on their balconies,”
”For me, that grittiness about New York is kind of what I always really liked.””
The studio, as a creative space, holds about two or more community-based events a month, one of which is the clothing swap and the other is craft night. Head on down, go dress up and expand what you think your style is! The name of the game is to be courageous and try something on that may push your limits a little bit — but it will be a lot of fun at the end!
