The industry veteran is on board to lead the new division which will focus on the development of year-round licensed costumers, cosplay, masks and other accessories.
Jazwares has created the Costume Play division to bring stylized features and innovative fun to costumes which will allow consumers to transform into their favourite characters all year round, from birthday celebrations to comic conventions, to Halloween.
The new division will produce costumes for all ages, including dress-up trunks with outfits, masks and role play accessories for kids; high-end cosplay outfits, masks and accessories suitable for comic conventions; as well as pet costumes, seasonal Halloween decorations and treat carriers.
Available from spring 2022, the first line-up of trunks and everyday costume play products will launch across retail channels for Halloween 2022, including hundreds of costumes, masks and other costume accessories based on characters from Star Wars, Marvel, Spider Man, and Squishmallows.
Stephen Stanley will oversee the team as general manager. A co-founder of the Halloween and Costume Association, Stephen has more than 20 years experience in the business. He previously served as co-president of Disguise, and was most recently managing director of the licensed costume business at Rubie’s Costume Company.
Stephen will report to evp and partner, Michael Rinzler. He is joined in the team by divisional design lead Anthea Koveos Rodgers; Halloween and party senior sales director, Michael Esposito; senior brand director Thomas Schilling; and vp and general manager of Jazwares Costumes in China, Terry Ma. The team is rounded off with Angelina Castro as marketing director; Maxwell Lux as senior brand manager, and Daniel Jung as associate brand manager.
Michael Rinzler commented: “As we continue to grow Jazwares’ offerings into new categories of play from pet toys to costumes, we are thrilled to launch a dedicated division for all things costume play. Stephen has earned an incredible reputation as a leader in the costume business and we are thrilled to welcome him and this tremendous team of industry experts into the Jazwares family.”
