Every October, New Jersey looks to one woman to set the tone for the season—and she never disappoints. Maria Molino, affectionately known as New Jersey’s Halloween Queen, has turned costume creation into an art form. For years, her followers have watched her transform into icons like Jessica Rabbit, Sandy from Grease (a heartfelt tribute to Olivia Newton-John), Barbie, Marilyn Monroe, and even Ursula—a look so stunning that she wore it to Disney in Florida (and the theme park had to double check between her Ursula costume and the Ursula stationed in the park.) Each of Maria’s costumes are more than a transformation; they’re a performance, executed with a full team of makeup artists, photographers, and creative visionaries.
Image credit: Maria Molino/Gabrielle Preziose
Now, in a move that feels both thrilling and inevitable, Maria is channeling her unmistakable creative energy into her own fashion label: Draped in Drama. The brand, founded in 2025, is Maria’s long-awaited step into accessible luxury costume couture—a line designed for the bold, the glamorous, and the unapologetically expressive. Whether it’s Halloween, masquerade, boudoir, or any event demanding show-stopping style, Draped in Drama is a tribute to those who love to embody fantasy and confidence in equal measure.
Image credit: Maria Molino/Gabrielle Preziose
“Draped in Drama was founded in 2025 by me,” Maria shares in an exclusive interview. “Former owner of The Haute Maven in Red Bank, NJ. Costume Alchemist. My passion for fashion and my love for Halloween have always had me obsessed with costumery. Creating new costumes or making fun recreations of popular characters yearly has become a major part of my life. With the introduction of Draped in Drama, I’m looking to channel that creative spirit into creating costumes for others.”
Image credit: Maria Molino/Gabrielle Preziose
The debut of Draped in Drama is nothing short of spectacular—and notably local. For her first launch, Maria collaborated with Sweetest Sin Boutique in Red Bank, NJ, a beloved lingerie destination that just celebrated its 16th anniversary. The partnership perfectly merges Maria’s flair for fashion-forward costume design with Sweetest Sin’s reputation for chic, versatile lingerie that celebrates every curve.
“For this year, I decided to collab with Angela from Sweetest Sin in RB,” Maria explains. “Using lingerie bodysuits from the boutique and creating accessory boxes to turn lingerie into fun, sexy Halloween costumes. There are two: The Mysterious Bunny and The Sexy Red Devil. The boxes sell for $50 and include three accessories and a pair of nude fishnets.”
The results are exactly what you’d expect from Maria Molino—sultry, sophisticated, and irresistibly dramatic. Each piece exudes versatility: pair it for Halloween night, style it for a masquerade ball, or reimagine it for a luxe boudoir moment. Draped in Drama isn’t about disposable costumes; it’s about wearable fantasy—pieces that transition from playful to powerful with a touch of Maria’s signature glamour.
The Draped in Drama line has already made its debut across Maria’s Instagram, where fans have been captivated by the craftsmanship and aesthetic detailing that elevate each look beyond the expected. The full collection is now available on the Draped in Drama Shop Instagram, giving fashion lovers a chance to experience Maria’s artistry firsthand.
It’s a launch that feels personal—not just to Maria, but to her community. Red Bank, where Maria built her career as a boutique owner and creative visionary, continues to serve as both her muse and her stage. Her grandmother, Concetta—the woman who first inspired Maria’s love for fashion and costuming—remains a guiding light behind every design. That blend of family, fashion, and flair is what makes Draped in Drama so much more than a brand. It’s a statement, a celebration, and an invitation to play dress-up with purpose.
This Halloween, as Maria Molino continues her reign as New Jersey’s Halloween Queen, she’s not just dazzling us with her transformations—she’s empowering others to embrace their own. And with Draped in Drama, one thing is certain: the season’s most stylish transformations have only just begun.
**Follow Maria’s latest costume debuts on Instagram: @mariamolino
**Shop the Draped in Drama collection: Draped in Drama Shop Instagram
**Discover Sweetest Sin Boutique: Sweetest Sin Boutique
Links:
- Draped in Drama – Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drapedindrama?igsh=c29mbWhxZDdiazRh
- Sweetest Sin Boutique: https://www.instagram.com/sweetestsinbras?igsh=MW91eHYwamliMXZpZA==
- Maria Molino – TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@simplymariamolino?lang=en
- Maria Molino – Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariamolino/?hl=en
Photography: Gabrielle Prexiose – Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabrielle.preziose?igsh=MXJxdWZ4djR2ZW0zcQ==
