Alinco Acquires Marylen’s Mascot Costumes — A New Chapter in a Storied Industry
In April 2025, Alinco Costumes Incorporated officially acquired Marylen’s Mascot Costumes, bringing together two of the most respected names in the mascot costume industry. Alinco, already the largest and longest player in the space, now strengthens its position as the dominant brand in the market with the addition of Marylen’s expansive catalog and renowned craftsmanship.
But this is more than a business move. It’s a continuation of a legacy that began over 60 years ago on a kitchen table in La Habra, California.
From Kitchen Table to Industry Icon
Marylen started sculpting and crafting mascot parade heads in 1960—long before the term "walk-around character" became commonplace. Working out of her home, she created animal heads for local costume shops just as Walt Disney was bringing cartoon characters to life in costume form. Her timing and talent aligned with a growing demand for character costumes that no one else was meeting.
It wasn’t long before Marylen’s work caught the eye of costumers in the motion picture industry. Her creations stood out for their charm, originality, and quality. By the 1970s, Marylen was producing walk-around costumes for rental shops and costume houses nationwide. She pioneered construction techniques that are still in use today and introduced iconic collections like the Madcap Menagerie, Potpourri Collection, Mascot Mania, and Dapper Dudes—designs so popular they’ve been copied many times over.
With more than 2,500 handcrafted designs in its catalog, Marylen’s became known as a gold standard in mascot costume design.
A Legacy Handed Down
Marylen retired some years ago, passing the torch to her daughter Linda, who has carried on the brand’s tradition of artistry and hands-on production. As Linda now enters retirement, she sought a path that would protect and preserve what she and her mother built over decades—a brand trusted by schools, parks, and companies nationwide.
She found that successor in Alinco.
A Shared History, A Shared Standard
Alinco and Marylen’s were, at times, friendly competitors. But they were also partners. Alinco as the largest player in the market, had long admired the Marylen’s brand—not just as a peer, but as a customer. For years, Alinco leveraged Marylen's as a vendor, drawn to the originality and reliability of the work.
That mutual respect forms the foundation of this acquisition. Alinco doesn’t just want to acquire the Marylen’s name—it wants to preserve its essence.
Looking Ahead
With this acquisition, Alinco adds a rich portfolio of creative designs, heritage, and expertise to its already world-class operation. Just as importantly, it commits to continuing Marylen’s production techniques, design sensibilities, and devotion to quality.
From lions, tigers, and bears to knights, dragons, and promotional characters, Marylen’s costumes have helped bring thousands of mascots to life. That tradition will now carry forward under the Alinco banner—with the same heart, same craftsmanship, and same dedication to the character behind the costume.
