International Costumer Blog Posts
Patricia Ann Vandenberg — In Remembrance
A remembrance of Northern Lights Costumers’ Guild member Patricia Ann Vandenberg, who passed peacefully on Tuesday, December 23, 2025 by her friend, Jill Eastlake.
From the President’s Desk — December 2025
Seasons Greeting, Fursuit Shenanigans and a reminder about LAA Nominations!
Consider an End-Of-Year Donation to the ICG
Looking for a last-minute end-of-year tax deduction? Consider making a donation to support one of the ICG’s educational outreach funds. The ICG is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, educational organization, and your donation may be tax-deductable. Consult your tax advisor about your specific circumstances.
Apply For a 2026 Marty Gear Fund Grant
Now is a great time to consider applying for a 2026 Marty Gear Costuming Arts & Sciences Fund grant. The Marty Gear Fund is an International Costumers’ Guild program to provide grants in support of projects by ICG members that advance the art and science of costuming and benefit costumers in general or in specific groups. These are grants, not loans, and do not require repayment.
Costume-Con 2026 Virtual Competitions Now Accepting Entries
The Costume-Con 2026 Virtual Competitions are now accepting entries for the Future Fashion Show, Single Pattern Competition, and Doll Competition.
Silicon Web Costumers’ Guild Spring 2026 Webinars
The Silicon Web Costumers’ Guild Presents series offers webinars and workshops featuring speakers on a wide variety of topics about costumes and costuming. Registration is now open for the first two webinars in the Spring 2026 semester.
Gift Ideas from the ICG Press
Looking for gift ideas for the costumers in your life? Books from the International Costumers’ Guild Press make great gifts that provide hours of enjoyment. All titles are available in hardcover, paperback, and digital formats.
(Op-Ed) Another Fine Mess: Behind the Scenes of Judging a Worldcon 2025 Masquerade
This op-ed describes a serious problem with the 2025 Worldcon Single Pattern competition. I believe that the other judges and I were unfairly limited in the awards we could make and the extremely short amount of time we had to make our decisions. This was not only unfair to the judges, but also to the contestants. I offer some suggestions to next year’s masquerade directors.
ICG Archives Video Collection Inventory Update
The ICG Archives has begun the process of transferring the masquerade videos on DVD and digital held in the Archives onto the new M-Disk media that could last at least 100 years. Here is a summary report of what has been collected for preservation.
Christina O’Halloran — In Remembrance
I was saddened to learn of the passing of my dear friend Christina M. O'Halloran. While many people knew her from SF fandom and costuming, I was forever being amazed at the many many communities I unexpectedly shared with her, and at her deep and heartfelt engagement...