Dozens of Angelenos lined up to buy vintage, historical and designer costume items at Valentino's Costume Group in North Hollywood on May 6, 2024.In these challenging times, the need for reliable local reporting has never been greater. Put a value on the impact of our year-round coverage. Help us continue to highlight LA stories, hold the powerful accountable, and amplify community voices. Your support keeps our reporting free for all to use. Stand with us today.
Veal was there with her boyfriend Asi Lang as well as some 60 other people looking to get a good deal from this storied costume shop.“When you hear a place like this is basically giving up everything, you have no idea what gems you are gonna find,” says Lang. “We have enough for a small film production that we've hauled here. It's like all the ants come out to eat the sandwich.”
Very sad news…after Will’s death, Shon just can’t keep the shop going on his own. So after 20+ yrs, he’s closing, liquidating, and going back to just designing. The silver lining…it’s all on sale. ALL of it. The whole collection, 300K Items, racks, workroom equipment, etc.LeBlanc, who is 58, has been selling costume designs and rentals for nearly 40 years. He started designing for local theater and drag artists in his late teens.
“We grow up with these kids and … want to make it a fun experience for the kids to come to a real costume house,” says LeBlanc. “So we give them, you know, more than they would actually get if they go someplace else.”was also at the shop on Monday to pull a couple of outfits for a few shows he’s working on. He's been getting costumes at Valentino’s for more than a decade.