SANTA MONICA – If you needed a costume for Halloween, were attending a masquerade party, or shooting a TV show or a film, Ursula’s Costumes on Wilshire Boulevard in Santa Monica was the place to go.
Ursula, has worked in the wardrobe and costume industry for the past 50 years. Originally from Germany, Ursula worked on the Culver City Lot for almost 10 years before she moved to Santa Monica in 1994.
Urusula Costumes is an interesting store. You can buy masks and costumes for Halloween or any occasion. The real magic, though, happens in Ursula’s backroom where she has made costumes for famous actors such as Jimmy Smits, Brenda Vaccaro, Bette Midler, and Bruce Willis.
Watch the interview with Ursula at her store:
In her backrooms, Ursula has all the necessary gadgets and machines to make costumes that actors wear on the little and big screens. She has sewing machines, machines to add fine lace and gemstones to the clothes. “It takes about two weeks” Ursula said, to make a good costume. “This is the good stuff, here.” she said.
During the shutdown of the Covid 19 Pandemic, Ursula tried to continue running her business as close to normal as possible. Unfortunately, Ursula said she was unable to sell wigs and people didn’t want to wear an eye mask while also wearing a covid mask.
Ursula tried to sell her costumes online but found it difficult to purchase the new computer equipment needed to make the transition to online sales.
After 30 years of doing business in Santa Monica, Ursula will probably have to shut down her once thriving business. She said, “Everything in the store is being sold as clearance,” and she hopes that people will stop by and buy something to help her liquidate.
At 90 years old, Ursula is not slowing down. When asked what she would do when retired, Ursula said, I will paint and make accessories, “I have so many things to do.”
If you’re in need of a costume, you can stop by Ursula’s Costumes which is located at 2516 Wilshire Boulevard.
