Gigi Coulson, Founder and Executive Director, is building an inclusive historical costuming community, with headquarters on Whidbey Island, WA.
For Immediate Release
Dec 21 2024, Oak Harbor, WA on Whidbey Island:
Costumers of Color, Inc. (CosCo) is a Section 501(c)(3), nonprofit, volunteer-operated, educational organization dedicated to creating welcoming spaces for People of Color (POC) in historical costuming and public history. In these hobbies traditionally dominated by a narrow perspective, Costumers of Color, Inc. believes that historical costuming and public history should reflect the broad-ranging world we live in. Through scholarships, educational events, historical activities, and a firm commitment to building a safe, multicultural community, they’re working to break down barriers, elevate diverse voices, and celebrate the many histories of cultural groups all around the globe with the guiding values of truth, fairness, safety, and unity.
Headquartered in beautiful Oak Harbor, WA, their vision is to fill an educational void and promote welcoming, safe multicultural spaces in historical costuming and public history. Founder Gigi Coulson, Whidbey Island resident, explains, that “the community of artists and historians we are building benefit from our dedication to valuing individuals with varied perspectives and experiences. Together we fight the erasure of communities of color from the historical record and the exclusion of people of color from arts & humanities pursuits. Costumers of Color, Inc. benefits the public by expanding the knowledge and opportunities available for historical study and portrayal of past cultures.”
On January 4, 2025 CosCo is holding a Norse Axe Throwing social hour at Tossin’ Axes in Oak Harbor for interested ones 18 and older. If you want to learn about the upcoming activities planned for 2025 stop by, meet Gigi, and chat with others interested in historical fashion. This meetup is part of their multicultural community outreach. All levels of experience in costuming welcome, even those who are just interested in learning more about what Costumers of Color, Inc. does. This public event is sponsored by a Spark Good Local Grant provided by the Oak Harbor Walmart Store #2319.
Gigi already has a full schedule of historical costuming activities and events in 2025 including a Venetian Historical Costuming Journey in Italy, a Regency Week in Bath UK, a 6th-Century Anglo-Saxon Living History Day in the UK, and an 18th-Century Georgian Salon in Seattle.
Whidbey Island events in the works for 2025 are a Regency Afternoon Tea at Siren House Tea in Oak Harbor, Vintage Wine Tasting in Langley, and a formal Georgian Dinner at Frasers in Oak Harbor. Gigi would love to work with other local venues to plan educational events, discuss sponsorships or collaborations.
CosCo has already announced its annual historical costuming event which will take place Saturday, October 4, 2025 at the Women’s University Club in downtown Seattle. The theme for 2025 is “18th Century Georgian Salon” and the program will include a seated dinner, lectures from local professors, historical games, historical dancing, and a historical music performance. The event aims to foster knowledge exchanges, community building, and opportunities for inclusive historical costumers at all levels to show off their work and meet others who share their passion.
Costumers of Color, Inc. is run on a volunteer basis and 100% of donated funds go towards three initiatives: Education, Costuming Events, and Historical Travel. Their 2024 Annual Impact Report is available on their website at https://costumersofcolor.org/annual-report/
ABOUT THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Gigi Coulson
Gigi Coulson is a sociologist, author, costumer, and public historian whose research focuses on the Italian Peninsula and British Isles. She studies and teaches about historical women’s lives, dress, accessories, and other aspects of material culture. In 2023, Gigi founded Costumers of Color Inc., a 501(c)(3) and has had success with hosting multicultural costuming events and meeting first year goals of awarding their first scholarship, holding a sold out annual historical costuming event in 2024, and leading three successful educational tours highlighting historical aspects of Italy.
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