Mother-son team creates costumes

Cleopatra’s robes, witches’ hats, flapper dresses and an outfit only fit for a sultan occupy the closets and living space of a mother-son team that’s gearing up for its busiest time of the year.

Triple C Costume, run by Bigfork resident Lynda Collins and her son Jeff, provides costume rentals for occasions like Halloween. The costumes are all hand-made and crafted by the duo as a hobby.

Costuming has always been a family business for the Collins. A key influence was the fact that Lynda’s mom used to be the master seamstress and costume designer in Forest Grove, Ore., for the Pacific University drama department. Lynda grew up around it.

While living in Ontario, Calif., the family began attending Renaissance festivals and fell in love with the costuming. Thus began Triple C, named after the three Collins family members who took part — Lynda, son Jeff and daughter Torri.

“We had great success in Ontario,” Lynda said.

The trio scattered and moved to different places, but when Lynda retired in 2004, she moved to Bigfork to be near Jeff, who has worked as the cook at Mountain Lake Lodge for the last nearly nine years.

“We said, ‘Let’s do this again,’” Lynda said.

The duo has been working to reestablish inventory and build it back up. Some pieces have been saved from their Ontario days while others are new and based on requests from friends and community members. Halloween is a popular time for rentals, but special occasions and events also send costumes out throughout the rest of the year.

“We really have gone to an international flavor,” Lynda said of their costume selection. “We’re not emphasizing Renaissance as much, though it’s still our love and we’ll continue to make them.”

Costumes, which are adult-only, include Spanish, Japanese, Egyptian, Persian and French styles as well as Gothic and a fair amount of American trends through the decades.

“We always try to do his and hers,” Jeff said. “We’re always matching costumes and trying to team them up.”

Creating their elaborate costumes in Bigfork hasn’t been without its challenges, however.

“It’s quite a challenge for inventory and supplies,” Jeff said. “It’s hard to find enough yardage. In California, it was never an issue.”

They’ve had to get creative with fabrics or at times travel outside the Valley to find enough, like for witches’ capes that required 12 yards of fabric.

“We’ve had to splice and find different ways to use fabrics. We’ve modified some of the patterns,” Jeff said.

For both Lynda and Jeff, costume work gives them a chance to exercise their creative faculties. Lynda, using an extensive inventory of costume patterns, does the sewing, creating the base of the costume.

“I take inspiration from the patterns and I make them in the order that appeals to me,” Lynda said.

Her favorite creation was the red kimono she made last year for resident Donna Lawson.

“The fabric is my favorite,” she said. “That was a really a pleasure to work with. The spider queen (costume) was also a lot of fun.”

After Lynda finishes the sewing, Jeff then comes in and adds embellishments and flare. He also designs and creates the hats and accessories. The amount of time an individual costume takes varies wildly on the amount of detail involved. Jeff gets inspired by hats he sees in old movies or in photographs. He also has costume books to look through for ideas. Jeff’s favorite piece to work on was the Persian sultan costume for its color and details.

“It’s very mystical,” he said.

In total, their inventory includes 35 to 40 outfits and more are added all the time. Many of them will likely be seen at BruMar Estate’s second annual Halloween Bash this Saturday, Oct. 30, where Triple C is one of the sponsors. Jeff is also using his skills to decorate for the event.

Doors open at 7 p.m. with the music kicking off at 8 p.m. This year the music will be provided by local band Sick Pony. The band performs a blend of folk, rock and blues. The party has a $10 cover charge.

“It will be the Halloween party of all Halloween parties,” BruMar owner Bruce Solberg said.

Costume judging will take place at 10 p.m. with prizes given for the best and most creative costumes.

“Last year we had some pretty phenomenal costumes,” Solberg said. “We’re hoping to have the same thing again this year.”

Those interested in costume rentals from Triple C can make an appointment by calling 885-0201 or 837-4554.