OSF Costume Rentals

08/27/2021

Did you know that the only laboratory in the world devoted to wildlife law enforcement is just a fifteen minute drive from OSF Costume Rentals? One of the ways that the US Fish and Wildlife Service Forensic Lab supports law enforcement with solving crimes related to wildlife is by matching known fur samples to samples supplied as evidence in crimes. We are so pleased to announce that they accepted a large donation of fur coats, stoles and pieces from OSF Costume Rentals today! Although real fur is historically accurate, its often too hot or heavy for stage use. Being able to free up storage space by passing along these furs to an organization that will use them to solve crimes against animals is definitely a win win!

08/26/2021

Work continues on the first ever OSF Costume Rentals promotional video! The pieces are coming together and it will be so FABULOUS!!
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08/25/2021

All boxed up with somewhere to go! These two boxes of costumes are headed to Andy Batt Studio for a historical gossip/comedy podcast called Antique Tea. Our costumes have the best adventures, and I can't wait to laugh along with this fun project.
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08/16/2021

OK, so maybe I have a bit of a shoe fixation this month, but have you seen the shoe history time line on the V& A Museum website? https://www.vam.ac.uk/shoestimeline/ What a gorgeous way to learn about shoes, society, art and history! Hammy was so inspired that he had to show off his Cavalier side....

08/13/2021

Today we salute the simple elegance and comfort of a pair of ballet flats! A long time staple of footwear for stage, basic flats lend them selves to many time periods, including the Renaissance, Regency and 1960s. Did you know that American fashion designer Claire McCardell commissioned Italian dance shoe maker Salvatore Capezio to make rubber soled ballet flats to match her dresses in the 1940s?

08/11/2021

How do you store more than a thousand pairs of shoes? In ALL the ways you possibly can! At OSF Costume Rentals, we have pipes to hang boots from, shelves to hold dress shoes and pumps, and bins to hold flats, sandals and slippers. What's your favorite way to keep shoes from descending into mayhem?

08/09/2021

Carrying on with my musings about footwear, check out these 6 pairs of beauties! The two pair in the back row would be appropriate for 17th/18th century, the middle row for 1940s, and the front row for any magical fantasy you like!

08/06/2021

Working on restocking shoes today, and its got me thinking about how shoes are constructed. Did you know that the job title of "cordwainer" is specific to folks who make shoes, and that "cobbler" refers to someone who repairs shoes?

08/03/2021

Today we celebrate one the most humble, certainly one the most essential of all sewing sewing implements...the safety pin! Invented in 1849 by Walter Hunt, I sincerely doubt that he could have imagined all of the ways that we have put safety pins to use. But whether you're holding up a hem, closing a busted zipper, or creating something entirely new out of them, safety pins are a vital part of anyone's sewing kit. Check out this 60 Second Doc about Sweedish clothing designer Tonje Halvorsen's magnificent creations for more inspiration.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9a-wVSs-Bmo

“I’m addicted to safety pins,” says Tonje Halvorsen from Sweden. Meticulously designing clothes from as many as 125,000 safety pins and 500 devoted hours, sh...

07/28/2021

Today OSF Costume Rentals celebrates the Chickasaw Nation Department of Communications and their documentary series, Enduring Nation. They've rented these costumes for a segment about the signing of the Treaty of Paris. Its been a fun project to work on, and we can't wait until its aired!

07/26/2021

Our friends at Bethany Publishing are working on another book cover photo shoot. This one calls for a "gentleman dandy from 1900-1902". Which one would you choose?

07/16/2021

OSF Costume Rentals will be closed July 17th-26th for Summer Vacation. We'll be back on the 27th. Stay cool, everyone!