Interview with Maria Contessa (Kiss costume designer/builder)
Fra 'Kiss Army Norway Magazine' #1 - 1995

Who is Maria Contessa?? I tell you!! She is the women behind most of the Kiss costumes and she actually made the very first Kiss costumes. Let's hear what this lady have to say about Ace, Paul, Gene and Peter!

This report go back to the summer of 1990 when I caught up with Maria Contessa at her clothing store in Miami. The reason that I were in Florida was because of the Kiss concerts in Orlando, Miami and Tampa. I went over to USA to collect some rare Kiss-stuff and meet the members of Kiss. It was a blast!! Now back to Maria. She's a costume designer of profession and she has done costume work for stars like Madonna, Billy Idol, Judas Priest and Kiss. She told us that Kiss was always her main priority. At the 29th of July, me and a friend went to see her at her shop at Miami beach.

The first thing to say about Maria was that she was a very nice and friendly person who took a long time off to talk to us. She showed us some Kiss costumes and even though she refused any possible offer for the costumes was giving us the chance to try the costumes on and take as many pictures as we would like. Paul's Kiss Meet The Phantom costume and Ace's Love Gun platform boots was what we were treated to see. She said that these pieces of costumes were the only once that she had left and that they meant a lot to her. Some costumes had fans, some kept the Kiss members themselves and some were just damaged. As you might understand we had a very exiting conversation with one of the people behind the Kiss scene.

Now I want to share with you some of the questions and answers that occurred on this meeting.

KISS ARMY NORWAY: When did you start to make costumes for Kiss and which costumes have you made?
MARIA CONTESSA: It was back in 1973 when I had a costume store in New York City. One day these guys came into my store and they told me that they were going to be rock stars. They told me about the image and how they were going to look. They didn't have any money to pay for such costumes, but they told me that they would pay me back when they became rich. I said I couldn't take a chance like that but somehow it went theirs way. And strangely enough they became rich and famous and they paid me back as promised. So I made the first real Kiss-costumes. I still make costumes for them today but I don't spend that much time on rock costumes now as before. I have made most of the Kiss-costumes but there have been other designers involved as well. I have also done some stuff for Ace and his band. I helped Paul out when he did his solo tour.

K.A.N. : How was it when Kiss came to you with suggestions on costumes. Tell about each member.
M.C. : Well Gene's costume were always the hardest to make. He came with sketches with a lots of details. And at some point I had to do something about the shape of the costume to cover his stomach (laughin'). Paul were kind of happy if he got some stars and glitter. Peter didn't didn't get to much involved other than making sure he became a cat. Ace's costume was always the most fun costume to make cause he always said I could use my own imagination. I'm a space man he said. I can also tell you that they refused to use any kind of real animal-skin.

K.A.N. : Was there any other people except from the designers and Kiss that was coming with ideas?
M.C. : Yes! Actually we got a lots of sketches from fans and some of that stuff was used.

K.A.N. : Have you ever been on tour with Kiss. And what do you think of the band?
M.C.: Well I"ve been with them on tour when I was needed. I remember they called me up during the Dynasty tour. They had some problems with the costumes at that time, so I went to help them out. I'm not very found about Kisses music but I think that the theatrical show was exiting. I liked the ballad Beth, and I remember that Peter was the only guy in the band that wanted to record that song. It became a hit. When we talk about the image I must say that I think they were more exiting before. They had the make-up and they were younger.

K.A.N.: You have been very close to the guys. Please tell me about how they were in private.
M.C. : Paul is a really down to earth human. He is very charming and very nice. Ace is relaxed and very funny, he can make a joke on almost anything. Peter is a silent nice guy as I know him. When it comes to Gene I know I shoulden't say this but Gene is probably the most boring man I have ever talked to. He is always talking about the girl last night (Yes that's our Demon,). He is much to "Hollywood". She looks down on a photo of Gene and say, I shouldn't say this because Gene can actually be very sweet.

K.A.N. : Who's your favorite member?
M.C. : I can't answer that, I love them all. But if I had to pick, I would say that I get along best with Ace and Paul.

K.A.N. : I kind of know the answer for this question but Ill ask it anyway as you were close to the band. What about drugs and alcohol before and now?
M.C. : Gene and Paul have always been very straight. No drugs, and just a drink or two on celebration. Both Ace and Peter have had some problems, I believe that they are fine now. Kiss today is a very clean band.

K.A.N. : You've seen how Kiss treat their fans. What do you think?
M.C. : I think they're great, even though they were in a hurry they took time off to sign autograph and posse for pictures. I remember that they was always saying that if it wasn't for the fans they wouldn't be around.

Before we left, Maria showed us some drawings and sketches that Paul and Ace had done. She also showed us a Christmas card that she had gotten from Gene. She said again,(With a touchy tone in hear voice) Gene is nice! See told us some crazy stories about Ace and we had a very nice time. Some days later when I meet Paul Stanley backstage in Orlando I gave him regards from Maria as I promised to do. Paul was real happy about hearing from her again.

Thanks Maria You were great!!!

By Stig Karlsen