It only takes a moment inside the airy, sparkling white studio of Irene Corey to know you’re among friends.
Specifically, “Barney and Friends.”
Long before the arguably lovable, nationally known dino came to life on PBS, Barney came into being in Corey’s thriving studio.
Corey and niece Suzanne Braddick operate the costume company Irene Corey & Associates. Long before the Barney blitz, they customized dimensional characters and sculptures for some of the nation’s most recognized products in their neighborhood studio.
There’s no signage in front of the studio, which faces a park and is surrounded by homes. Without so much as a Barney sticker in the window, there is no suggestion that someone, or something, famous was born here.
“That’s because we want to protect the magical imagery the children have created in Barney,” Corey says.
Much of their work has been nationally acclaimed. Remember Martin Mull as “Mr. Telephone” in a recent 30-second spot for Metromedia? The giant, red-foam telephone engulfed all but his head, on which he wore a five-foot-long red “receiver” hat.
“It was a challenge to make,” Corey says, “but I’m driven by the fun of the unknown.”
Other stars created by Corey are Hershey’s Mr. Chocolate Bar and Reese’s Miss Peanut Butter Cup, which dance daily at the Hershey, Pa., amusement park. Add to the list the animated armadillo featured in a recent Paramount movie, “Unnecessary Roughness.”
Costume designing comes naturally to Corey, who has a history in art.
“I studied art, taught art and traveled with a theatrical troupe as the costumer and makeup artist,” Corey says. “I’ve always loved creating costumes.”
Corey’s studio is surrounded by gardens of flowers separated by stone pathways. Gardening, painting and serenity have become priorities after publishing several books on her 25-year career in theatrical costuming and design.
“It’s crazy, and we love it,” Corey says.
