Leg Avenue Section Expansion for Fall

We keep it dynamic here at the 43rd street Halloween Adventure Shop. This week we have been redesigning the shop a tad bit further - some of the items from the Bliss Avenue section (the lingerie) are heading up into storage to make room for incoming Leg Avenue items.

So, basically, the lingerie is making way for the sexy costumes. Make that quizzical look, it's ok. That was my first response upon pondering the situation.

But, no, really it does make sense.

According to assistant store manager Gabby, Leg Avenue is one of the most popular costume companies for female costumes, and Leg Avenue costumes are indeed in demand by customers this year.

Say hello to Racy Red Riding Hood, ruffled petticoats, and fancily decorated thigh highs. Incoming Leg Avenue.

How We Look at Masquerade in July 2010

We are coming up on our 3rd Halloween season this year. We opened in September 2008. Here's how we're looking in July 2010. Fully stocked and ready to roll!

July 2010 Masquerade NYC Store Gallery

Remodeling in action at 43rd street, and single-handedly!

Today at Masquerade on 43rd Street, Stella and her team of hard-working costume ladies have been sweating it out in the humid weather while laboriously redesigning the store's layout for the upcoming Halloween season.

Preparing for Halloween during late May? Why, yes. And why so?

All the remodeling is a result of several factors:
1. Tons of new items have been arriving all week, and we need to reopen the space in the rear section of the store to store them.2. The items that we inherited from the closed Bliss Avenue store have finally found a home in their own section of our store, creating a need for new storage for new items.
3. The desire to create even more "Costumes by Genre" sections of the store.
and
4. Oriana was struck by a tremendous design inspiration that met with Stella's approval


See above for Oriana's master design plan leaping into action as she reassembles the front make-up display area.

The redesign plan involves fuller development of the make-up counter, including the birth of a make-up area storage closet. The plan also calls for the further development of the "costumes by Genre" sections, including a "Decades" section for classic retro costumes by the decade.


As for the single-handed aspect of the remodeling - see Stella in the photo above. Each of the ladies has been single-handedly putting in her own physical labor in her respective redesign section.

Ok, so Stella and the box carrying photo - maybe it's not exactly single-handed.... but rather, double-handed!

Masquerade Prom is HOT in New York City this year!

We here at Halloween Adventure 43rd Street have made one BIG observation this past week:

Masquerade masks are definitely IN with the high school and teenage crowd here in the Times Square area. Masquerade Prom, masquerade school cruises, masquerade Sweet Sixteens (and Fifteens). That means it's been a very busy week for us here at Masquerade Costumes!

Floor managers Gabby and Oriana report that at least 3 schools in the area are having masquerade themed proms (junior and/or senior proms), according to information they've gathered from teenage shoppers this week. Oriana says that masks are being bought by both male and female students. "It's not just the girls," said Oriana, "but the females have been more into feathers."

When asked what sort of masks the teens have been buying most, store manager Stella reports "Mardi Gras, definitely." She goes on, "I've been getting groups of kids in here all day buying Mardi Gras masks. Definitely." Stella said she would certainly call this a feeding frenzy.

Gabby spoke a bit about the development of the masquerade mask popularity among the teenagers. She said the mad dash for masks this week started with a small burst of student shopper activity on Monday, and by Thursday the rush was in full swing.

Gabby also added that she has noticed the masquerade mask popularity gradually increasing with young people since New Years this year.

The masquerade rush has been keeping the Masquerade staff on their toes this prom season, and Stella and crew have been in top form throughout it all!

Masquerade Costumes
Halloween Adventure Times Square
311 w 43rd street @ 8th Ave
New York, NY

May 2010

Bliss Avenue Spills into Masquerade

With the recent closing of the Bliss Avenue lingerie store in Philadelphia, a slew of lingerie, mini hats, and new mannequins have arrived here at Masquerade. Gabby and Oriana have been working hard all day today, wrangling all of the underwear and new goods, and getting them prepared, stored, and finally up for sale.

And there's been a lot arriving!

MasqueradeCostumesNYC.com
311 W 43rd street, NYC

Spring has Sprung at the Costume Shop!

Spring has sprung here in New York City.

And that means incoming warm weather :) seasonal allergies :( and upcoming holidays and themed events!

It also means that we've been doing some spring cleaning here at Masquerade NYC. The ladies have done a fine job revamping the floor layout and decorating the ceiling with creepy hanging things (like wraiths, skeletons, and a giant golden Buddha).

Stella's been stocking some more funky sunglasses and party supplies, not to mention sombreros for Cinco de Mayo and Graduation caps.

But back to the store decor for a moment, because there is this thing sitting right in front of me. The new gargoyle...

...he's a recent addition to the store "staff" for this year. The gargoyle keeps an eye on the front of the store, perched on his pedestal with rubber rats hanging out on his knees (don't ask). He's got a huge pair of wings that spread out and make an impressive display in the center of the store.

In addition to the snazzier interior decor, the ladies have also been arranging the window display for the season:

Gabby got the western window (and herself) fitted out to represent Independence Day, the Mermaid Parade, the Pride Parade, Fleet Week, and Cinco de Mayo.

Bring on the spring time, bring on the summer, bring on the warm weather and the celebrations to come for the season!

Oriana's Take on Elmer Fudd

Oriana's Take on Elmer Fudd

... and Gabby's interesting bunny impersonation. Presenting Gabby's and Oriana's latest crazy "AfterHours Crew" store video:

NYC Purim Parties 2010

Purim Parties coming up in NYC for Purim 2010....
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Manhattan Jewish Experience Presents :: PURIM PARTY 2010 ::
Join hundreds of Young Jewish Professionals to celebrate the festival of Purim at the hottest new venue in NYC :: Carnival Presented by Bowlmor ::
Event Details: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=274567371436&index=1
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Purim Party with Hadag Nahash at (Le) Poisson Rouge
When: Feb 27, 2010 11:00 pm (Saturday)
Where: Village Theatre, 158 Bleecker Street, New York , NY 10012

Hadag Nahash, meaning Snake Fish, is one of the most successful acts in Israeli popular music today. Though usually described as hip-hop, Hadag Nahash music also incorporates funk, jazz, electro, rock and even Middle Eastern sounds.

Event details: http://eventful.com/events/purim-party-hadag-nahash-le-poisson-rouge-/E0-001-028431052-0
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Chabad Prospect Heights presents it's 6th annual community Purim party!

Saints Win! Saints Win!

In what is being described as the biggest upset in history, Mordechai and Esther, true saints, beat out Haman and Achashverosh in an amazing display of defense and offense, rarely seen before by the Jewish people! Join us as we celebrate.

Saturday, February 27
At Cong. Kol Israel of Prospect Heights 603 St Johns Pl.
Havdalah service 7:30
Megillah Reading: 7:45
Light Buffet | No Fee

Sunday, February 28 - 10:30am-1:30pm | Megillah reading 11:30am
At Franklin Park Bar & Lounge 618 St. Johns Pl. Subway: 2/3/4/5/6 to Franklin Ave.

Experience the sweetest Purim you’ve ever had! Featured entertainment by the world famous Danny the clown, performing his renowned show of Magic, Juggling, Animal balloons and face painting.

Masquerade in Costume contest with prizes
Sumptuous Purim feast
Assorted Hamentashen bar
Dance to the beat of Live Music by Shmuli!
Danny the clown's Magic show & Juggling act *Animal Balloons
Face painting

Suggested donation* $18 Adult $10 Children
*No one is turned away due to lack of funds

Sponsors welcome! Contact Rabbiari@brooklynyid.com
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FIDF 2010 Purim Party
When Thu, February 25,8:00 pm - 2:00 am
Where B.B. King Blues Club & Grill

Description
Save the date! Last year, hundreds joined us at the FIDF Young Leadership Purim Party. This year, this highly anticipated event will take place at the legendary BB Kings Blues Club... When? Feb 25, 8:00PM-2:00. Arrive early for an open wine bar Proceeds from this event will go to the DIGNITY Program. To learn more about the dignity program, visit: www.israelsoldiers.org.
To purchase tickets now, visit: http://www.israelsoldiers.org/store/product_info.php?cPath=24&products_id=598
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At 92Y Tribeca, the Purim Party 2010 features a Purim spiel by The Shushan Channel, an original play created by comedy writers from The Daily Show, the Tonight Show, and 30 Rock.

Full details and more here: http://www.villagevoice.com/events/purim-2010-1669179/

Purim is coming at Masquerade 43rd Street

Purim is coming at Masquerade 43rd Street!

Purim is February 28 this year! Coming early. We'll help you get your Purim costumes together here at the midtown Halloween Adventure shop. Purim for a New York state of mind.

http://www.masqueradecostumesnyc.com

Mardi Gras Musical Video!

New Masquerade Masks for Mardi Gras and 2010

We just got a bunch of new masquerade masks in this week here at the Halloween Adventure on w 43rd street, NYC. Or doesn;t it seem like we are always getting new masquerade masks in? Ah! Hence the name Masquerade Costumes NYC, you see!

Blogging is tough lately due to so much busy-ness and the coming of the micro blog. Ahem. Twitter. We'll keep blogging, but we are actually much more active on facebook at the Halloween Adventure / New York Costumes page.

The Mardi Gras specific masks and items that have come in this week have been added to our Mardi Gras Supplies 2010 page and other new masks have been added to our Masquerade Masks, Venetian Masks, and Fancy Masks.

Enjoy!

Mardi Gras Masks at Masquerade

Today's edition: Mardi Gras Masks at Masquerade Costumes NYC

Enjoy these, and more! Masks at Masquerade

Mardi Gras vs Masquerade Ball. The difference matters.

In honor of Mardi Gras 2010, Oriana (of 43rd street Masquerade) speaks about the difference between "Mardi Gras" parties and "masquerade" parties:

She would like to remind readers and party-makers that while a Mardi Gras theme party may be a masquerade party, not all masquerade parties are Mardi Gras parties. Both Mardi Gras and masquerades often call for elaborate masks and finery, but the Mardi Gras party has a more specific focus; Mardi Gras conjures up images of jesters, beads, Bourbon Street, New Orleans, green and gold and purple, and drunken revelry.

On the other hand, "masquerade," while technically defined as any party where masks are worn, often calls up images of a masquerade ball - finely dressed ladies and gentlemen dancing and adorned in Victorian style, chandeliers, ornate decorations, and high formality.

Oriana suggests that shoppers and party-makers have a good idea of whether they want their parties to have a "Mardi Gras" feel or a "masquerade ball" sort of vibe. She then suggests that shoppers use the most appropriate terminology that will help them in their search for masks and party supplies.

Is your masked theme party a Mardi Gras bash or a masquerade ball?

Or is it somewhere in between? Even if the masquerade party to are planning doesn't fit into the categories of a ball or a Mardi Gras bash, you can use these examples as ends of a spectrum to describe the party to are creating. It will help you shop, and it will help your sales associates to serve you better.

This note is from Oriana's page on Masquerade's website:
http://masqueradecostumesnyc.com/oriana.html