The Costume Connection is a design and development company established by two costume professionals passionate about their craft. Karen Weller and Bonnie Sinclair have designed and mounted projects worldwide and have achieved the expertise necessary to understand the unique requirements associated with themed entertainment on any scale. Their ideas, inspired by the story, are generated from production experience in the real world with a focus on the up-close and personal guest experience. They have what it takes to create compelling costumes and wardrobe for your next project.
Bonnie Sinclair – Principal
Bonnie has over 30 years of experience working as a costume designer and design administrator in the entertainment and licensing industries. Her experience has included projects for theme parks, the motion picture industry, television, retail design, and licensing. Bonnie has mounted complex shows such as Landmark Entertainment Group’s opening entertainment for Puroland and Radio City Productions’ Christmas Spectacular.
She has designed parade costumes, operational wardrobe, and character costumes for the industry’s leading entertainment design companies, including The Hettema Group, Herschend Family Entertainment, and Thinkwell Group. As the Creative Director of Licensing for the award-winning writer and illustrator Maurice Sendak, Bonnie acquired the expertise needed for costume and character design of intellectual properties. As a leader, organizer, and creative force, Bonnie loves the collaborative process. Her extensive knowledge in the areas of design administration makes her an important part of The Costume Connection team.
Karen Weller – Principal
Karen brings a global perspective to the Costume Connection team. She has worked with many top entertainment organizations such as Disneyland, California, Universal Studios Japan, Universal Studios Singapore, Warner Brothers Studios, and Samsung’s Everland, Inc., South Korea. Her in-depth knowledge of theme park development and management has included design as well as budgeting, scheduling, and training operational teams.
Karen has developed special effects costumes for film and has designed costumes for prestigious theater venues in Southern California, including South Coast Repertory and Laguna Playhouse. Karen’s range of career experience has given her the ability to see a project from different points of view – creative design, technical construction, production management – and the skill to collaborate successfully with the entire creative team.