AvantGarb began life in 1987 in Jennifer Q Smith’s Berkeley, California garage. We are a band of professional mascot makers. We’ve been making mascots for 25 years. Jennifer has claimed the title, Queen of Fuzz.
Long ago, we grew out of the garage. We now have lots of square feet, 8 sewing machines – one of them a treadle, giant work tables on wheels, a washer and dryer, rolls and rolls of fuzz, fabric and foam and a small gang of brilliant mascot makers.
Jessica, Mike, Fish, Anne, Jennifer & Matt
Professional Mascot Makers
It is, of course, the GarbGang – the mascot makers that maker the magic happen —-and it takes a variety af talents to make mascots – we are:
- costume designers – of course
Jennifer Q Smith – Queen of Fuzz
- and also sculptors
- master stitchers who courageously to stitch thru foam, fur, fabric & fleece
- Structural engineers - there are very inticate inner working inside a mascot
- Mascot body parts Vacu-formers
- painters
- puppeteers
- mascot performers
- graphic designers
- performance artists
- writers
- an animator
- and mascot trainers
Besides Honorary Degrees in Silliness and Non-Specific Engineering, our creative team blends skills in costume design, theater, cabaret, puppetry, mascots and pattern drafting.
Our raison d’etre at AvantGarb is the creation of character. We’ll work with you to strengthen your business and community ties through costume and character.
Our goal is to be the physical marketing component for your marketing strategy. We strive to deliver countless hi-fives, hugs, laughs and “ooohs!” We resolve to be energetic, rambunctious and effervescent!
Bulked-up Laura
Tonie cutting pattern pieces for big, mascot clothes