Forget ghouls and witches ...NI fancy dress fans want Trump and Kim Jong-Un masks for Halloween frights
SPARKS could fly in Belfast this weekend as North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un and US President Donald Trump are revealed as the most popular Halloween costumes.
James Elliott, director of Elliott’s Fancy Dress, has been unable to keep up with demand for both the outspoken US President and the fellow leader Trump recently dubbed ‘Rocket Man’.
“The popularity of Kim JongUn has been a big surprise, the outfits only arrived a few days ago and they are nearly gone,” he told the Belfast Telegraph.
The khaki green military suit and rubber mask combo is wrapped in colourful packaging which depicts the unlikely Halloween hit brandishing a rocket.
Despite faltering approval ratings at home, Trump has emerged as the second favourite character available in the 131-year-old iconic costume shop.
“Trump is proving very popular, especially in the Republic of Ireland,” Mr Elliott said. “There is a cardboard version of the mask which is what everyone went for initially, but now more people are opting for the more lifelike latex version.”
The experienced costume supplier admitted that even with his expertise it’s impossible to predict a spooky craze.
“By the time you realise something is a hit, it’s too late — they begin to sell out everywhere and become impossible to source,” he said.
New technology and the introduction of a ‘click-and-collect’ service has not prevented long lines forming outside the Ann Street, Belfast shop.
“It started quite late this year but we have been very busy online, technology has taken over. More and more people are using it each year but you have to order in advance, so we still get the last minute rush,” he added. “And we are shipping them all over the UK.”
With just three days left until October 31 the annual spectacle was in full swing yesterday as hundreds of aspiring spooksters sacrificed their lunch hour to make sure they deliver a fright this weekend.
Liverpool student Jack Williams (17) is in Belfast to celebrate his aunt’s 40th fancy dress birthday party tonight, and opted for a Trump costume.
“I just think it’s funny and hopefully out of the box, I assume everyone will want to be something scary,” he explained. “I have a blue suit and smart shoes from my school prom to go with it, so I’ve only spent around £40.”
Pals Ann-Marie McLarnon (44) and Kathleen Tumelty (45) also stood patiently in line to get their hands on gory essentials.
“I spent £95, we don’t mind spending the money as it’s only once a year,” Ann-Marie said. Keen to make the most of it, Kathleen added: “We’ll start the party at home, but who knows where it will end up.”
James McConnell (23) and his friend Gavin Kennedy (23), who intend to party as Marty McFly and Doc Brown, were happy to queue to go back to the future. “Kim JongUn and Trump seem to be popular, hopefully there won’t be too many doing the same as us,”