Valentino's Costume Group

06/01/2025

https://www.gofundme.com/f/trying-to-keep-valentinos-open

Its been a year since we had to downsize the shop after Will's death. … Shon LeBlanc needs your support for Please help me keep Valentino's open and growing

10/31/2024

Today we celebrate 34yrs together
This is the man who has made it possible for me to do what I do. He has supported me and my success is his. I am so very lucky to have Tony in my life.
Btw that is our new little girl Ginget

10/30/2024

this is something I found on Ebay researching things for a show...I had to share...

09/17/2024

I had to go downtown on Friday to pick up some fabric. I havent been down in awhile..
So many places gone or changed. And not much going on. I went into Michael Lavin. it was a ghost town. Tex Carmel (the linen place) gone. LA Alex now just table cloths. I did see so many vendors who I have know for years. I did tell several that Will passed away...they all knew him too. It was an odd day....then followed by a Sunday excursion to do Hoop rehearsal with the girls and Sacred Hart academy in Flintridge....I was have a bit ( at lot) of anxiety that day for some reason...then I got behind a car that had a bumper sticker that said.." I hope something happens to you today that makes you smile" . I smiled...and it helped...then I had a grand time hooping around the stage with the girls..up stairs, down stairs, sitting, and tackeling .....the door..
We are doing Little Women. I am very excited....

09/04/2024

Totally DEPLORABLE!

08/15/2024

to all our drama teacher and theatre costumers....
Just a note that I have not retired...I am still designing and have a smaller stock of costumes...just like the old days...but because of the sale, I have meet some other costume people...and we have access to more costumes and shows....so as we get ready for the next school year and you start planning your shows....keep me in mind....we are here and excited to work with you guys!

08/15/2024

Good evening all,
Its been awhile and I would like to give you another update on me and some of the folks on this email.
Perry and I finished a documentry on Sat. It was quite a week. very fast. Perry was brilliant and had everything organized. Our director was fast, new what he wanted and worked with any issues any departments had. It was another great experience working with them. Thank you Perry.

I opened Agatha Christie's Murder After Hours aka the Hallow at Group Rep 2 weeks ago. The show is wonderful. Jules Arron directed. nice to be working with him again. Brilliant actors. And I am so lucky to work with a great design team. I think we have 4 more weeks of the show. got some amazing reviews...If you get a chance go see it. I had a ball doing costumes.

Also I was a dresser for the Metropolian Opera. At the Highland Ebel ladies club. We opened that the same night as Murder After Hours. it was a whirlewind but I got to meet Claire and she was so much fun to work with. very nice actors. nothing to do in act 1...act 11 was a different another story....ran my ass off.

We are back settled into the new space. still organizing. Geri has been in with me finishing up an evening gown for a show. its leopard taffeta....and looks amazing.

Ray Rochelle has taken a space in the building we are in. Johnny C. has his prop rentals in the same space and he is the one who intorduced me to the space. We have met some really cool people there. lots of props and set dec in the building. We will have a little onclave of art folk here. Hopefully we will see Act I over here too!!

To that end. With the closing of the shop, many of the costumes went to friends...so I know where a lot of them are. We are all in the same boat. We need are still setting up and organizing. I had some great help in my space..but more to do.. I have shelves of dyes, aging, Christmas decorations, sizing, etc to do.
I am not alone. Ray, Naz, Jeff, Haven and Betsey can all use help. Some of us just need a day or 2...some a week or more. Thier may be more on this thread who need help too.
Jeff is going in for a procedure on Friday and this will more than likely not allow to lift for a while.
I am putting this radical idea out there: Maybe we can help each other out? I suggest posting some days and times you can use help...And anyone who is available can come help get things organized. its all recipical. Anyone needing help, can hopefully provide lunch....and those helping, especially if you're in the industry, will get to see who has what. And who knows you may winde up taking things home with you.

I could use some help on Friday and next week.. if you can come help. let me know...
Shon

08/11/2024

Follow Occupy Democrats for more.

07/12/2024

Hi all,
the latest update. Got a lot done this week in the new space. Thanks to Jesse, Jian, Ash and Haven. All the shelves are up. not all full yet.. The shoes are up on the shelves and racks...by period not size..that need to happen. I started to set up racks and organize the clothes. jewelry needs to be sorted. I got the books on the shelves!!! the kitchen area is somewhat set up. so much has been done. Its a bit warm but luckily I have fans. Doing mornings mostly....lots of water...Ice coffee here and there...lol....
This is some of the progress...and its even better than this now.

06/28/2024

Good Evening,
Well we are finally out of the shop as of today. And moved up to the new space. It has been a bit bitter sweet. On the one had, I'm glad to be and be moving on with a new chapter of my life. I am proud of what I was able to create. And prouder of what Will and I were able to create. And with that I must thank everyone who was there on the journey. Betsey, Ben, Cidney, Jeff, Perry, Chris, Noah, Deborah, Amanda, Talia, Serven, Noel, Tanya, Christine, Jeff, Issac, Efrin, Kerrianne, Raymundo, Ray, Audrey, Daisy, Claire, Tammy, Shirlitha, Darryle, Deborah, Samantha, Yen, Liz, Lynn, Sarah, Kristie, and so many more. I am where I am because of all of you. Thank you all.
And of course I miss Will so much. He was everything, and its hard to let go. But it is time to move on. I will always have him in my heart. And I have some special things that remined me of him in the space.

I am going to start setting up the new space on Monday...Going to be moving from 2 spaces into one big one....if anyone would like to help...leg me know.. lets hang out on Park Avenue.

Here is to a new chapter for all of us