Transforming Customers into Movie Stars – One Costume at a Time at Melbourne’s Most Unique Costume Shop
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Time to read 11 min
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Time to read 11 min
At Little Shop of Horrors Costumery & Pop-Culture Emporium , we don’t just do costume hire … we help you become the character.
Tucked away in the heart of Mornington, our costume shop is a local icon and a must-visit destination for fans from Frankston, Melbourne, and all across the Mornington Peninsula.
This isn’t just a place to dress up—it’s a full-blown cinematic experience . Every visit is part of the show, and every costume hire fitting is a scene-stealer. Whether you’re getting ready for a themed party, a Movie Makeover , or just living out a pop culture fantasy, our shop is where the transformation begins. You've never seen another costume hire shop quite like it!
At Little Shop of Horrors Costumery & Pop-Culture Emporium , everything is curated. No racks of thrown-together garments. No random bits hoping to pass as a character. Our costume hire collection is packed with hand-selected pieces—professionally tailored, rare collector’s editions, and vintage finds from the 1960s through to the 1990s. A costume hire paradise!
We’re a shop like no other. A place where you’ll start getting excited for your party the moment you walk in the door. With 21 themed rooms, it’s a whole experience. Our own photography lines the walls, costume hires are safely stored upstairs, and if you’d like a tour, Louise will gladly guide you through it all.
We don’t just hand you a costume and send you on your way. We’re here to help—from the planning stage to the fitting room. Whether you need wigs , makeup , Movie Makeovers , or photos, we’ll help you pull the whole costume hire look together.
Take our Bram Stoker’s Dracula costume hire, pictured. It was custom-designed by Alicia and Louise to replicate the character as closely as possible, and professionally tailored using the highest quality fabrics. The photo? Shot in our studio, with our wig, our makeup, and our costume. That’s the level we aim for at Little Shop of Horrors.
And this is the level of care we provide to each and every costume hire customer - just like you - who walks through our doors looking for a costume hire.
More than anything, we care about how you feel. Our job is to make sure you look incredible, feel amazing, and leave with memories (and a costume hire!) you’ll be talking about long after the party’s over.
Costume Hire Appointments That Put You First
What makes our costume shop different? The experience.
Our costume hire process is by appointment only. Why? Because you deserve a personalised, one-on-one styling session with our co-owner Louise — a costume curator, makeup artist, and absolute costume hire, pop culture expert.
She’ll take you through a short styling questionnaire to understand your vision, then guide you to your dream costume hire look.
Our shop isn’t just a place to borrow a costume — it’s where your character transformation begins.
People from Melbourne, Frankston, and across the Mornington Peninsula book with us because we make the costume hire experience fun, stress-free, and unforgettable.
Time to go all the way..? Learn more below:
→ How to be the best dressed at the costume party, book with our Makeup Artist Louise
→ How to make the most magical core memories of your big day, with our Movie Makeovers & Photography
"Being a heavier lady, and hating the thought of dressing up in a costume, I just couldn't pick one off a shelf and hope for the best. I saw the Little Shop of Horrors advertised, so I went to check it out, I'm sure with a help! written on my forehead, I was welcomed straight away, and made to feel at ease, I made an appointment for a fitting, from their vast array of costumes. After filling in a form, which narrowed my choices down, because lucky me, it had to be something starting with a J, horror in itself. I tried about 3 things on, and was shown other choices as well. I chose to go as Jean Harlow, and had wig, beads, and make up done as well. I won best costume, so I was quite happy with that. Both girls were wonderful, and helped me so much, which made this horror story, turn into a Cinderella one. could not recommended them enough."
It’s the old-school costume hire shop photo album — reimagined for today.
Remember those nostalgic, plastic-sleeved books you used to flip through in traditional costume hire shops? We’ve taken that same idea and brought it into the future with a fully photographed, digital collection. Every costume in our Costume Hire range has been captured right here in-house — styled on real people, using our own makeup , wigs , and professional lighting, so what you see is exactly what you get.
There’s no guesswork. No stock photos. Just our real work, our costume hires, proudly on display.
You can browse from home, pick your favourite, and even reserve your look online ahead of your appointment — making the whole costume hire process easier, faster, and more fun.
Yes, we’re proudly based in Mornington… but people drive from everywhere to hire from us. Frankston, Melbourne, the northern suburbs, Geelong, even regional Victoria. We had someone from Cobram in the other week who made the trip just to visit our store — and that’s not unusual. Some come from interstate. Why? Because our Costume Hire collection, our service, and the full experience are worth it.
This isn’t just a place to pick something off a rack. Our costume shop offers a full-blown, cinematic Costume Hire experience. When you walk through the door, you’re not just trying something on… you’re becoming someone else entirely. That’s what keeps our Costume Hire customers coming back.
We’re known for:
Screen-accurate character Costume Hire
Inclusive sizing and fittings from size 6 to 26
One-on-one Costume Hire appointments with our expert stylist Louise
A fully photographed Costume Hire catalogue you can browse from home
But again — it’s not about us. It never has been.
It’s about you.
You’re the star. We’re just here to make you look like one… and have a kickass time doing it.
It’s no wonder so many of our regulars call us the best Costume Hire destination in Melbourne! Why not give us a try next time YOU have a costume party.. we think you'll agree!
At our costume hire shop, we’re constantly adding new arrivals to our Costume Hire collection. Inspired by new film releases or honouring cult classics, our costume hires evolve with the pop culture calendar—and with you.
Some characters are so fresh we haven’t even had a chance to shoot them yet. Like our Grand High Witch costume hire —straight from the 1990 classic The Witches. She’s hot off the tailor’s sewing machine and already turning heads. And we haven't even had a chance to do a photoshoot with her yet.. hence the missing photo!! (Face Palm) We are so excited to have added this fan-favourite to the costume hire collection.
And we’re only just getting started.
We are always adding new Costume Hire options. Some of our newest arrivals include:
Anthony Bridgerton (yes, that Bridgerton)
Longlegs from the 2024 horror hit
Donald Trump (the ultimate political party costume)
Count Orlok from the new Nosferatu remake starring Bill Skarsgård
Who’s next? Honestly, that might be up to you. If there’s a character you’re obsessed with and MUST HAVE for your next costume hire party—let us know. We love a new challenge, and if it fits the collection, we might just have it custom made for you.
We have costume hire available from Moulin Rouge's Satine, The Labyrinth's Goblin King, and Cinderella, to Chucky, Wednesday Addams, and Pogo the Clown… our Costume Hire range is designed to bring your screen favourites to life—with quality costume hire, character, and a little movie magic.
Because at the end of the day, it’s not about us.
It’s about YOU.
You’re the star. We’re just here to make you look like one… and have a kickass time wearing our costume hire doing it.
"The team here know their stuff. Costume Hires are in great condition, range is wide and fun and it is just a good experience. We will be back, we love the place!"
We get asked this all the time:
“Little Shop of Horrors? So… do you only do horror costumes?”
Short answer? Absolutely not.
While our name nods to the iconic ’80s comedy musical, Little Shop of Horrors Costumery & Pop-Culture Emporium is home to one of the most diverse and detailed Costume Hire collections in Victoria.
We specialise in movie, TV, and pop culture Costume Hire — that’s our passion and our superpower. From Jack Sparrow and The Joker (Heath Ledger’s version, of course), to Morticia and Gomez Addams, Captain Hook, and even Glinda the Good Witch, our character costumes are screen-inspired, professionally styled, and made to make you feel incredible.
But characters are just the beginning. Our Retro Room is packed with original and replica outfits from the 1960s, ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s — perfect for decade parties and themed events. Our luxe, hand-beaded 1920s Costume Hire range is a customer favourite, especially for Gatsby nights and Peaky Blinders parties. All supported by optional wig styling , makeup artistry , and even full Movie Makeovers .
Whether you’re visiting from Melbourne, Frankston, or travelling in from across Victoria, we always recommend booking your Costume Hire in advance — especially if you’re chasing a standout look or something ultra-specific.
So no… it’s not just horror.
It’s everything you love about pop culture, fashion history, and character transformation — all under one wildly creative roof.
"The ladies at Little Shop of Horrors are exceptional. I have been there now for various different face-painting requests and they never cease to amaze. Each & every time they exceed my expectations & provide me with award winning make-up, prosthetics and costumery. IMHO the best place in Vic to go for any sort of fancy dress or costume hire, but especially the Face-Painting,"
At Little Shop of Horrors, our Costume Hire is all about making you feel incredible—comfortable, confident, and ready to party. Our costumes are made from quality fabrics that feel as good as they look, and we cater for every body, every shape, and every size… from petite size 6 to plus size 26 and everything in between.
This is a safe, welcoming space with a strict no-judgement policy. We’re here to help you become your favourite character and guide you through the whole Costume Hire journey—from planning and picking the look, right through to trying things on, finding the right props, and sorting any makeup or wigs you might want to add. Whatever you need, we’re here for it.
That’s why our customers keep coming back. Quality, care, and real service… every time.
Carefully curated costumes
Our collection is full of beautiful, well-made costume hires chosen for their quality, comfort, and character. From vintage gems to custom creations, every piece is selected with care.
Inclusive sizing for every body
Our costume hire collection caters for all shapes and sizes, from petite size 6 to plus size 26 and everything in between. Our fittings are supportive, friendly, and all about helping you feel confident and comfortable.
Genuine, old-fashioned service
We take the time to help you get your costume hire right. From choosing your character to styling with props, wigs, or makeup—we’re here to guide you through the whole process with care and enthusiasm.
If you would like to see the costumes have available, you can check check them out on our Costume Hire Catalogue
Our costume hire pricing starts at $65 and goes up to $250 depending on the costume and what’s included. The price covers a 3-day hire, plus professional cleaning after your event. Longer hires or weekend pickups can be arranged—just let us know what you need, and we’ll do our best to help.
Yes! We cater for every body, with sizes ranging from 6 to 26 and everything in between. Our costume hire collection includes high-quality costumes in a wide range of styles and sizes, and our team is here to help you find the perfect fit—no stress, no judgment, just real service and a fun experience.
We specialise in high-quality costume hire for themed parties, events, and makeovers—covering decades (like 1920s, ’70s, ’80s), movie characters, pop culture icons, fantasy, horror, vintage glamour and more. Many pieces are custom made or rare vintage finds, and everything is selected with comfort, style, and fun in mind. You can browse our full collection online or book a fitting in-store at 16 Bennetts Rd Mornington.
Absolutely. We’re not just a costume hire shop—we offer full character transformations through our makeup salon, wig styling, and Movie Makeover photography studio. Whether you want a complete look for a party or a cinematic photoshoot to remember it by, we’ve got you covered. Just let us know what you’re after and we’ll help you create the perfect package.
16 Bennetts Rd Mornington
(03) 5977 1288
www.littleshopofhorrors.com.au
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