HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — “Laughter is the best medicine in the world.” – Milton Berle.
During this pandemic, a man in Huntington Beach wanted to bring smiles, laughter, and levity to people.
So he created what is called, “The COVID Suit."
The tagline for Royce Hutain’s costume creation is, “We made a stupid suit to put smiles on people’s faces.”
The suit looks like a bright green or bright orange inflatable hazmat suit. Hutain said it was inspired by what health care or frontline workers have had to wear during the fight against COVID-19, head to toe personal protective equipment.
Hutain warns his costume creation is “not a real hazmat suit. Just brings smiles only! Does not protect, as far as I know.”
Hutain said it is “one-size-fits most,” and it could help hide that quarantine-fifteen, but again, the suit does not offer protection. It is just a costume to make people smile.
Hutain wasn’t always in the costume business.
“Total accident! I would have never thought I’d be in this business at all,” he said.
Before costumes, his life was computers.
“Just an IT guy, writing code, doing boring stuff,” he said.
Five to six years ago, when his daughter Zoey started walking, Hutain decided to make something special for her for Halloween.
“LED light up stick figure costume, when she was almost two-years-old,” he said.
He videotaped it, and well, the video of Zoey in her dad-made costume went viral. Hutain said it, “got 20 million views.”
Because it was so popular, Hutain decided to turn his creation it into a business called, Glowy Zoey.
Hutain said business was good. He sold the LED stick figure costumes to kids, adults, snowboarders, and skiers who hit the slopes at night.
When the pandemic hit, Hutain said sales took a hit.
“Business has been bad. I mean, it’s the only way I can say it. It’s been down quite a bit. Normally Halloween time is our biggest time, but also for school plays, talent shows, things like that, festivals. I mean none of that is going on,” he said.
Hutain, however, kept his creativity and his sense of humor going. That is how "The COVID Suit" came to a realization.
“The reaction has been amazing. Everybody’s laughing. Sharing. Having a good time. That’s exactly what I wanted,” he said.
Even Zoey is into it, too.
The Covid Suit has made its way to the sand near the pier in Huntington Beach, and along the boardwalk, as well as other spots around town.
While smiles are his main goal in creating this costume, Hutain said he’s also hoping it might bring in some business.
“I’m hoping more toward Halloween we see a big increase,” he said.
If you’re looking for a couples costume for a Zoom party, Hutain’s got another COVID-related costume coming.
It’s called The Virus Costume.
It is bright green and has red prongs all around a circle-shaped bodice. Hutain said it’s just one more thing to try to make people laugh. "The COVID Suit" is available in orange or green and costs $34.99.