Meet Sam Salman of Northern Costume & Horse of Arabia in Valencia

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sam Salman.

Sam, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My career path started with me attending fashion design and business classes at LATTC. After working in both the garment industry as well as the entertainment industry, I started my own clothing line – Horse of Arabia. Years passed and I decided to go back to school for a higher education. I studied fine art and theatrical production with an emphasis on costume design at the California Institute of the Arts (CalARTs). After graduation in December, I helped start a costume shop named Northern Costume. Once coronavirus hit, we went back to making clothing through Horse of Arabia for private clients and friends.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
My struggles are and have been the systematic forms of oppression and racism this country has in place. The entertainment industry is full of people with no talent and no skills but were brought on board by a family member. Nepotism. On set, I am one of the non-white people behind camera.

Northern Costume & Horse of Arabia – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Northern Costume is a made to order shop. We can make anything from concept for final fit. What we offer: Costume Design, Color Theory, Character Breakdown, Sketching, Costume Illustration, Concept Art, Technical Flats, Pattern-making, Women’s Made-to-Order, Men’s Bespoke Tailoring, Millinery & Accessories, Shoe & Boot Manufacturing, Gloves & Handbags, Aging & Dying, Snow & Ice Weather, Sweat & Wet, Dyeing – Color Match, Dyeing – Halftones, Leather Distressing, Leather Painting and Metallic Dye. I believe our prices set us apart from our competition in that we do not charge nearly as much as our competitors.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I define success as the ability to complete a project and watch the performance either on stage, tv or the big screen. On a daily basis, I am looking out for ways to both better myself and the company.

Contact Info:

• Address: 28064 Avenue Stanford, Unit H
  Valencia, CA 91355
• Website: https://northerncostume.com/
• Phone: (661) 753-3539
• Email: sam@northerncostume.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northerncostume/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NorthernCostumeCo
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/NorthernCostume

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