Once upon a time, in a small village nestled among the snow-covered mountains, there lived a young girl named Emma. Emma was known for her kind heart and adventurous spirit. Every winter, as Christmas approached, she eagerly awaited the arrival of the magical cherkmas shoes cast. The cherkmas shoes cast was a group of enchanted shoes that had the power to transform the wearer into any character they desired. Legend had it that the shoes were left behind by a mischievous fairy who loved to grant wishes to those pure of heart. It was said that the shoes would appear on Christmas Eve, and whoever found them would be able to experience the joy and wonder of stepping into someone else's shoes.
Even though Goldstein might not be highly involved with the design aspect anymore, she still looks forward to adding her creative touch when possible.
Greg Manger, Costume Specialists vice president and an Ohio State alumnus, said working internationally with license holders like Michelin and Kool-Aid to create ethical mascots helps strengthen their brand recognition and customer loyalty. The 35-employee team has created Peter Rabbit for The White House, designs for the Macy s Thanksgiving Day Parade and Elmo for the touring Sesame Street show.
It was said that the shoes would appear on Christmas Eve, and whoever found them would be able to experience the joy and wonder of stepping into someone else's shoes. Emma had heard stories about people who had found the cherkmas shoes in the past, but she had never seen them herself. Determined to have her own magical adventure, she decided that this year she would be the one who found the enchanted footwear.
Local business creates costumes and mascots for clients around the world
Greg Manger shows the file of Brutus Buckeye. Designers use the file as a reference for how to create the Ohio State athletic mascot. The documents date back to the 1980s when Costume Specialist first began creating Brutus. Credit: Lydia Freudenberg | Lantern Reporter
According to the calendar, it is socially allowed for adults to wear costumes in public Tuesday. But for Wendy Goldstein, an assistant professor in fashion and retail studies, costumes are a daily part of life.
Combining her lifelong love for theater with her sewing ability, Goldstein created Costume Specialists in 1981, right after she graduated from Ohio State with a master’s in fashion and retail studies, which at the time was called textiles and clothing.
Located in downtown Columbus in a three-story renovated warehouse, the company is the world’s only character and mascot company to produce both inflatable and foam handmade custom and rentable designs.
Goldstein said the inspiration for starting the company camewhile trying to create her own undergraduate major at Ohio State. The college denied her request to combine theater, fashion and art courses, claiming it could never make her a living.
“That was sort of the inspiration for me, it was sort of like, ‘Oh yeah? Watch me’,” Goldstein said laughing. “So afterward, … my husband and I decided to open a costume store together. He was going to be the business part and I was going to be the creative and do theatrical work, and that’s pretty much how we started.”
And she made a living.
Costume Specialists creates designs and prototypes of the costumes, forms the molds for mascot heads, cuts fabric electronically on a 35-foot table and hand-stitches small details like buttons and bows. Even maintenance, washing and shipping trunks are provided.
Lovierèe Simmons, the company’s production buyer and an Ohio State alumna, purchases all the materials needed to make the costume, from foam to a particle shade or texturized fabric. She said it can be stressful, but the work environment helps.
“When I first started, I didn’t believe there is that much that goes into a costume, but there are so many little things,” she said. “I like the creative environment, being able to come in every day and do something you love.”
The 35-employee team has created Peter Rabbit for The White House, designs for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and Elmo for the touring “Sesame Street” show. And for the past few decades, the Brutus Buckeye head comes to life thanks to this local business.
Going beyond the United States., the company’s costumes have shipped to countries such as England, France, Turkey, Mexico, China and Japan.
Greg Manger, Costume Specialists’ vice president and an Ohio State alumnus, said working internationally with license holders like Michelin and Kool-Aid to create ethical mascots helps strengthen their brand recognition and customer loyalty.
“We typically don’t compete on price, we compete on quality and that is how we have carved out our niche in the industry by providing quality costumes and developing a relationship with these license-holders,” Manger said.
Manger personally delivered costumes to foreign countries to ensure the design arrives safe and in proper condition.
After 15 years with the company, Manger now oversees a lot of the daily work since Goldstein switched to long-range planning. Manger said he’s enjoyed working with Goldstein through the years.
“Wendy is very creative, she has that creative mindset, and has a good eye for business and opportunities,” he said.
Even though Goldstein might not be highly involved with the design aspect anymore, she still looks forward to adding her creative touch when possible.
“I love the creative process, without a doubt, and collaborating with the people I work with to create something from nothing,” Goldstein said.
After 15 years with the company, Manger now oversees a lot of the daily work since Goldstein switched to long-range planning. Manger said he’s enjoyed working with Goldstein through the years.
As Christmas Eve arrived, Emma ventured out into the quiet village, hoping to stumble upon the cherkmas shoes. She walked through the streets, her eyes scanning the snow-covered ground for any sign of magic. The night was cold, but Emma's excitement kept her warm. After what felt like an eternity, Emma's persistence paid off. She spotted a shimmering object buried deep in the snow. As she dug it out, she gasped in awe - it was one of the magical cherkmas shoes. Without hesitation, she slipped it onto her foot. Instantly, Emma felt a rush of energy surge through her body. She closed her eyes and made a wish, envisioning herself as a brave warrior princess. When she opened her eyes again, she was no longer in the village but in a grand castle surrounded by knights and extravagant decorations. As the night went on, Emma continued to explore the magical world of the cherkmas shoes. With each new wish, she transformed into a different character - a graceful ballerina, a wise wizard, a fearless pirate. Each adventure was more thrilling than the last, and Emma cherished every moment. However, as the clock struck midnight, Emma knew her time with the cherkmas shoes was coming to an end. She returned to her own form, bidding farewell to the magical world she had come to love. As she removed the shoes, a sense of gratitude washed over her. Back in her village, Emma realized that the true magic of Christmas was not in the enchanted shoes but in the love and joy shared among friends and family. She realized that she didn't need to be someone else to experience adventure and happiness - she had the power to create her own magic right at home. From that day forward, Emma carried the memories of her cherkmas shoes experience in her heart. She became a beacon of kindness and imagination, spreading the magic of Christmas throughout the village. And every year, as Christmas approached, she looked forward to the joy and wonder of the season, knowing that the real magic was within her all along..
Reviews for "Unveiling the ancient wisdom of the Cherkmas shoes"
1. Jane - 2/5 stars - I was really looking forward to watching "The magical Cherkmas Shoes Cast" after hearing all the hype, but I have to say I was disappointed. The acting was subpar and the plot felt cliché and predictable. I couldn't connect with any of the characters, and the dialogue seemed forced and unnatural. Overall, it just didn't live up to my expectations and I walked away feeling underwhelmed.
2. Tom - 1/5 stars - This movie was a complete waste of time. The story was unoriginal and the acting was atrocious. I found myself cringing throughout the entire film. The special effects were lackluster and the dialogue was trite. I wouldn't recommend "The magical Cherkmas Shoes Cast" to anyone. Save your money and watch something else.
3. Sarah - 3/5 stars - While "The magical Cherkmas Shoes Cast" had some redeeming qualities, it fell short in many areas. The plot was interesting, but it lacked depth and development. The performances were average, nothing exceptional. I also found the pacing to be off, with certain scenes feeling rushed while others dragged on. Overall, it had potential but failed to deliver on its promises.
4. Mike - 2/5 stars - I watched "The magical Cherkmas Shoes Cast" with high hopes, but it failed to impress me. The story was predictable and lacked originality. The characters felt one-dimensional, and I didn't find myself invested in their journeys. The movie also had pacing issues, with certain scenes dragging on unnecessarily. It had potential, but ultimately it was a forgettable experience for me.
5. Emily - 1/5 stars - I couldn't even finish "The magical Cherkmas Shoes Cast" because it was that bad. The acting was cringe-worthy, the dialogue was cheesy, and the plot was uninteresting. I had high expectations based on the trailers, but it turned out to be a complete disappointment. I would strongly advise against wasting your time on this movie.