My Mrs. Claus suit and the Winzer Cleaner wrappings.

I’m proud of two things in particular in this photo: my custom-made Mrs. Claus suit and the wrapper from Winzer Cleaners.

My outfit is now three seasons old. It needed some mild tailoring on the skirt and petticoat. And the jacket had never been cleaned because I had no idea how to go about that. I spent too much money for a local cleaner to ruin it.

So I took it to Ernest Winzer Cleaners in Morris Heights, Bronx. Ten miles from Times Square, Winzer is the go-to cleaner for Broadway shows. In fact, this third-generation mom and pop won a Tony for Excellence in 2018. Read this great New York Post story about Winzers’ Tony.

Or watch this video of co-owners Bruce and Sarah Barish here and try not to cry. “We’re not a normal family,” the Bruce said in his Tony acceptance speech. “We don’t take vacations.”

When I arrived at Winzer, Sarah gave me a recommendation. She preferred my green petticoat to the reddish velvet skirt. Hmmm. I’m listening, Sarah.

I showed her where I wanted the skirts taken in. Two employees came forward asking questions and making efficient notes.

The huge room behind them was as alive as Santa’s workshop with workers ironing, stitching, and doing all sorts of things I don’t understand. In September, before Broadway opened, I saw all sorts of complicated garments hanging on conveyer belt lines.

My jacket would be expensive to clean because staff would either have to remove decorative buttons and appliques or clean the jacket by hand. I suggested they clean the jacket by hand and then to wait another three seasons before getting another cleaning.

Later that week, she called. My garment was done. When I entered the shop, I gasped when I saw a long, long flamenco costume that seemed to float in the air like a bride in a Chagall painting. Sarah motioned for me to come into the office. My suit hung on a hook by the windows.

“Merry Christmas!” exclaimed Bruce, whose desk was around a corner. I never saw his face but I correctly guessed that he was the grandson of Al, an earlier owner. As Sarah finalized my purchase, I examined all the autographed celebrity photos that hung in the office. Everyone from James Earl Jones to the New York City Ballet had had dealings with Winzer.

I was really, really impressed.

Here is what Bruce says on his LinkedIn profile page:

“My family has been dry cleaning for Broadway and the public since 1908. If it ran on Broadway, we dry cleaned it. Chances are if your family is from NYC, we dry cleaned for your family as well.”

Ever since I got my outfit back, I have been trying to get a Q & A interview with Bruce. I thought the New York City Santas would love to hear what he had to say. Plus, I’m super nosy. But Bruce and I keep missing each other on the phone. As this is the busiest time of year for him, my gift is me not calling him. Instead, I’ll just thank him and Sarah for taking such good care of my suit.

It’s not just any outfit, after all.

In a way, it’s the face I present to the world. So in taking care of my clothes, they took care of me.

Related Article: A Broadway Dresser Attacks Sweat, A Hot Topic for Santas of the North Pole

Related Article: How To Gift Your Claus Clothing

Kathryn Rohe

Kathryn Rohe is a costume design professor at Ball State University in Muncie, Ind. A long-time dresser for Broadway’s Lion King and Mama Mia!, she knows so much about the little things. Here she is with her little Nalas and little Simbas:

Kathryn Rohe worked with the children in Broadway’s Lion King.

On Monday, May 3, she presented “Never Bunch Up Again” for the NYC Santas. Click here to watch. While the Santas enjoyed learning about the components of a perfect pair of pants, they took notes when Kathryn mentioned sweat.

For Santas, overheating is a hot topic. And having dealt with Julie Taymor’s massive costumes in the Lion King, Kathryn knows a thing or two about keeping actors cool and clean. Here is a principal dresser for the Lion King.

This Broadway dresser tends to the performer throughout the show to make sure she is comfortable and able to function when she can’t use her hands.

Ice packs come in two forms: the kind you break and the kind your freeze. The kind you break are single use. The kind you freeze are reusable. Experiment with sewing pockets into your cotton undershirt. Two pockets can hold ice packs around the front ribs. One pocket can hold an ice pack in the back.

Hand-held fans are great during extremely hot events. Kathryn shared backstage photos of Lion King actors finding relief with mini fans. 

Here are some of Kathryn’s other tips to treat smells and stains:

1. Bacteria causes odors in fabric, a no no for Santas. Kill germs by spraying a solution of one part cheap vodka and one part water onto a sweaty garment. Don’t douse but cover a large area. Let the garment air dry. Febreze is fine too, but Kathryn prefers non-scented and non-synthetic products to prevent buildup and allergic reactions. End Bac can be dangerous if used in a poorly ventilated area, but it’s good for shoes.

2. Wear a white 100% cotton T-shirt under your Claus clothing. If you wear a wicking shirt, your sweat may go into your expensive one-of-a-kind Santa suit, exactly where you do not want it to go. But test out both fabrics and decide what works for you. People in the Middle Ages wore heavy garments on top and cotton chemises underneath to protect their clothing.

3. Dress shields or “pit pads” are your underarm friends. Try products like Kleinert’s Disposable Dress Shields. Kathryn has made her own sweat barriers by cutting up umbrellas to make layers between costumes and an actor who was a “profuse sweater.” You can add snaps to these “shields” to snap them on and off the costume for easier cleaning. Wash these guards in a laundry bag to keep them from getting lost in the washer.

4. Underarm ventilation may work. An eyelet or invisible hole in the underarm seam might be a great cooling system. Kathryn thought of this during the conversation. Talk to your tailor.

5. Treat makeup stains right away. Products include Fels-Naptha soap, baby wipes, and hair spray.  

6. Find a good dry cleaner that understands costuming. For New Yorkers, Winzer Dry Cleaning has a reputation for handling specialty theatrical garments. But you can ask around and find a business that really cares about your expensive clothing. When it comes to white furry cuffs, consider detachable pieces that can be cleaned separately to avoid the dreaded “pinks” so common in the Santa world. 

“If it does not come with a Santa guarantee,” Kathryn said in the talk, “it cannot be any good.”

Related Article: How to Gift Your Claus Clothing

Related Article: Does Your Dry Cleaner Have a Tony? Mine Does