History

Carey Costuming was founded in 1997, creating custom costumes for a variety of groups: LARPers, Equestrians, and Wedding parties, to name a few,  most all of them with a medieval theme.  Business was conducted entirely in person in those days, measurements being taken and costumes being designed together with the customer.  Each costume was uniquely created for each customer.

 At the beginning of the new millenium, Carey Costuming decided to expand its horizons by creating a website.  Our goal: To offer our customers the excitement of customized clothing without the hassle of taking  measurements.  To accomplish this, we provide a wide range of options on our products, so that even if you buy the same costume piece as someone else, yours  can be distinct. 

Our commitment to providing these services online has lead to the site you see today.  We continue in our efforts to create costumes that help breathe life and individuality into a character.

Our Costume Designer

Gretchen Carey, owner, founder, and costume designer at Carey Costuming, began her sewing career by making and selling prom gowns when she was in high school.   She got her degree in genetics and spent several years as molecular geneticist after college, but after being introduced to Renaissance Faires she became more and more interested in medieval and fantasy costuming.  On becoming a mother, she left the field of science and devoted her attention to her once-hobby turned business, Carey Costuming.  This allows her to stay home with her daughter and pursue a career she really loves.

Each of the costume pieces we sell is crafted, not from store-bought patterns, but from patterns Gretchen creates herself.   She is constantly working through new ideas and prototyping new costume pieces.  Some of the models you see on the site are the customers who inspired the creation of the piece, and put them through real-world testing.  The products we make available to you are designed with comfort, durability, and longevity in mind.

Web Site Credits

Many hands have shaped this site.  We would like to thank Kelly Pender and Peter Carey for laying the ground work and getting the web site started.  We appreciate the talents of Stephen Archibald, who took most of the initial photographs of our products.   Many of the models are either members of the Carey family, or friends and fellow LARPers from some of the games we have attended, and we are grateful for their input, feedback, and good looks :)

Carey Costuming is an evolving business, always looking to grow and serve its customers in new ways. We are happy to receive your letters suggesting new products, giving us feedback on our site or products, and generally let us know what you are thinking. We really care about what our customers want and need!

©2000 Carey Costuming