Hey all, Kit here with your monthly Cosplay Girl of the Month post!

To start this whole adventure out I figured I should try to set some things straight. Specifically, what the heck this cosplay thing is, and what it means!Now as those who are in the cosplay community know, trying to set parameters or rules that must be met for a person to be defined as a cosplayer is impossible (and slightly dangerous.) But here it is as I see it.

So Cosplay, where the heck did that word come from? Well it’s a mash up of costume play. Which is essentially what we’re all doing, (at least I am!) we’re running around and playing, in costume. As far as I know it came from the Anime community, and was adopted by the rest of the costumed world over time as the idea of running around in a costume at a convention became more and more popular. Some folks like to be called costumers, and that’s the term I use when I’m talking to someone who has no idea what it is I do. But I like Cosplay, it has play in the name and I think this hobby should be fun and not so serious!

Now how to be a Cosplayer in two easy steps!

1. Get a costume

a. Here’s a bit of contention among cosplayers. Some say you need to make your own, others say tough noogies I don’t have the skill to make my own so I’m going to buy it! Now like I said earlier I’m a fan of having fun, being in character, and being a nerd. As long as you have that going for you, you’re ok in my book. But if you buy a costume because you want to have your picture taken/get attention and have no idea who the character is you’re running around…go home.

b. I personally make all my costumes, and I really appreciate/respect cosplayers who do. I don’t like it when people say they can’t make a costume because you know what, I had no idea how to sew when I first started! In fact I still really have no idea what I’m doing. Just get in there, find a friend, try/fail and repeat until the fail step doesn’t happen. I can’t read a pattern for my life, but I still figure out how to pull together all my costumes, many at least 90% from scratch. Heck if I can make shoes, you all can too!

2. Run around in said costume

a. Now I appreciate a person who is in character when in costume. It all goes back to that don’t just be a model looking for attention. Here’s your chance to be your favorite character, embrace it! So what I can’t even get an audition with NBC to be Wonder Woman, I’m going to run around Comic Con being Wonder Woman myself! Embrace your nerdy rights, don your costume and show off how well you know your character! And none of this shy excuse; you’re surrounded by like minded fools!

Ok that’s enough words, there’s a small bit of info on what the heck it is I’m attempting to represent. Over the year I’ll get into actually making your costumes. I’ll give you all some tips/techniques, and some etiquette for cons. This is for the folks both in front of and behind the camera! If there’s a topic you’re curious about feel free to message me, and I’ll be sure to answer your questions!

Kit Quinn
Kit@ComicImpact.com