Myrtle R Douglas: Mother of Convention Costuming

In 1939, two fans of sci-fi literature from California, Forrest J Ackerman and Myrtle R Douglas, attended the first World Science Fiction Convention, in New York City. They attracted a lot of attention because they were the only ones who wore costumes, which were made by Douglas. The idea caught on, and wearing costumes at sci-fi/ fantasy conventions soon grew in popularity.

In 1994, the International Costumers' Guild (ICG) recognized Ackerman as the "Father of Convention Costuming." Since he was so well known, little background about him or the reason for the award was needed. However, memory about Douglas had faded, and no mention was made of her or her contribution.

The ICG finally recognized Myrtle R Douglas in 2016 as the "Mother of Convention Costuming" for creating and wearing the first costumes at a sci-fi/fantasy convention, and for her efforts to popularize convention costuming.

Then ICG President, Philip Gust, created a documentary video about Douglas that he hoped would continue to inform people about her contribution to costuming at sci-fi/fantasy conventions.

This book, based on the video, pays homage to the fan who forever influenced what we wear at sci-fi/fantasy conventions,

Philip Gust enjoys sci-fi and fantasy costuming, and has particular interests in props, special effects, and prosthetic makeup. He also costumes in historical periods, including Regency, Victorian, and early 20th C.She has co-directed costume masquerades, and served as a judge at the local, regional, and international levels. He served as International Costumers' Guild (ICG) President from 2012 to 2017. He currently chairs the ICG Publications Committee and the ICG Technology Committee, and serves as the ICG Webmaster. He is the founding Editor in Chief of the ICG Press (https: //costume.org/wp/icg-press/).As a member of the Silicon Web Costumers' Guild, he is the Editor of the chapter's "The Virtual Costumer" quarterly online magazine (https: //siwcostumers.org/vc), and hosts the "Silicon Web Costumers' Guild Presents" webinar series (https: //siwcostumers.org/webinars).He and wife Kathe Gust received the ICG Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021. The award is the ICG's highest honor, recognizing a body of achievement in the costuming art and service to the costuming community. (https: //costume.org/wp/icg-lifetime-achievement-award/).He holds a Master of Science degree in Computer Science, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and Psychology. He has worked on NASA space missions that have visited every planet in the solar system.

Kathleen Gust enjoys creating clothing for many historical periods, and for various sci-fi and fantasy genre. She has co-directed costume masquerades, and served as a judge at the local, regional, and international levels. She served as International Costumers' Guild (ICG) Recording Secretary from 2012 to 2017. As a member of the Silicon Web Costumers' Guild, she is the Secretary of the chapter, its Webmaster, and the Assistant Editor of the chapter's "The Virtual Costumer. quarterly online magazine (https: //siwcostumers.org/vc), She and husband Philip Gust received the ICG Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021. The award is the ICG's highest honor, recognizing a body of achievement in the costuming art and service to the costuming community. (https: //costume.org/wp/icg-lifetime-achievement-award/).She holds a Master of Science degree in Library Science, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Communications.