Top, Nancy Williams-Baker, a former Las Vegas showgirl, stands by some of the feathered boas that are sold inside Williams Costume, 1226 S. 3rd St. Center, the shop, owned by Williams-Baker, also sells an array of showgirl head pieces, also shown at bottom.Photos By Dale Dombrowski/View
Top, Nancy Williams-Baker, a former Las Vegas showgirl, stands by some of the feathered boas that are sold inside Williams Costume, 1226 S. 3rd St. Center, the shop, owned by Williams-Baker, also sells an array of showgirl head pieces, also shown at bottom.Photos By Dale Dombrowski/View
Dale Dombrowski/ViewShop manager Glenda Scott, right, aka the Queen of Rhinestones, shows off her cellphone and digital camera, adorned with rhinestones. Bette LaCombe, left, shops for items to jazz up her jeans, visiting the store on a recommendation from Liberace tribute artist Wes Winters.
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As she looked out toward the corner of Casino Center Boulevard, where older structures have been torn down to make way for future mid- and high-rise developments, Nancy Williams-Baker, owner of Williams Costume at 1226 S. 3rd St., emphasized that the business she began in this spot over 50 years ago is a true downtown business.
"My roots go down deep here," said the costumer, whose shop has dressed and blinged out the likes of Liberace, Reba McEntire, Gladys Knight, Tanya Tucker and countless Elvi since she was 19.
Williams-Baker pointed to a 20-foot palm rising above the roof of the large cinder block shop and warehouse space, which bear her name.
"I've been here since that palm was this high," she said, gesturing with her hands, a space less than 2 feet.
In 1948, she started as a showgirl for the El Rancho Vegas, straight out of high school, age 18.
"I danced at all the places that are gone now," said Williams-Baker. "The El Rancho, the Thunderbird, the Flamingo."
The feathers, the crystals, sequins, fabrics, crowns and headdresses that fill her shop to bursting speak to the showgirl clientele who strut through the doors. And Williams Costume customers are as varied as the 10,000-plus costumes the shop has to offer.
"We do an Elvis and Marilyn Monroe wedding practically every week," said Williams-Baker. "But Elvis also marries princesses, showgirls, movie stars. The wedding chapels send the couples over. Then, sometimes, they want to be gangsters. You know, legendary Las Vegas gangsters."
Rows of beading and fabric appeal to novice and professional designers outfitting theatrical productions, or working wardrobe for movie crews. Space suits with helmets and instrument panels bring in the Trekkies. Bunny heads and Roman emperor attire are ready for the coming Easter season, and women in search of the quintessential Sunday hat can make their own here.
Rentals make up the bulk of the business. Most of the costumes have been handmade by Williams-Baker, and in the past seven years, by seamstress Violetta Doynova.
Among the shop's biggest sellers are the Swarovski crystals, which shop manager Glenda Scott pulled from a showcase to dazzle new customer Bette LaCombe.
Lacombe was sent over by Liberace tribute artist Wes Winters.
"When I mentioned I wanted to jazz up my jeans," LaCombe said, "he told me Williams Costume was the place. It's fantastic."
"You know what I say?" asked Scott as she counted out LaCombe's glittering purchase. "It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that bling."
Scott is the self-appointed Queen of Rhinestones. Wearing a badge that testified as such, she said she lives what she says.
The shop's busiest season starts on Oct. 1, according to Scott, as the city gears up for the holidays, beginning with Halloween. Still, Scott said, every day is different at the shop.
"Some days during that season, we'll have people waiting outside," said the Chicago native.
In anticipation of holiday runs, Scott and Williams-Baker suggested booking rental costumes 30 days in advance.
As for more risqué apparel, Williams-Baker suggested customers come in and design their own.
The materials are in stock, from silk to floss. Professional makeup artist Ella Mae Flint can do the rest.
When asked whether the showgirl turned shop proprietor lends the new generation of showgirls any advice, Williams-Baker laughed.
"I don't give advice," she said. "That's one thing I learned not to do."
What is perhaps as impressive as the inventory is Williams-Baker's story. Having begun a dance school while she was still a dancer on the Strip, she made recital costumes for her students out of her garage. In time, she found herself making more costumes and teaching fewer classes.
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