Crafting a Character: The Art & Passion of Cosplay Costume Making
By BRANDY CRUZ | Photos by BRANDY CRUZ and courtesy photos
In the creative realm of fandom and reality, there exists a unique breed of enthusiasts who possess the remarkable ability to breathe life into beloved characters from pages and screens, transforming themselves into living embodiments of imagination. These are cosplayers — individuals who use their passion for fictional worlds to create tangible expressions of art and identity.
In the fascinating world of cosplay, enthusiasts transform themselves into beloved characters from anime, video games, comics, TV shows and movies. Beyond the thrill of embodying these characters at conventions, a significant aspect of cosplay lies in the meticulous creation of the costumes. Although many may have begun their journey by purchasing pre-made costumes, they now pour their blood, sweat and tears into creating the iconic costumes. It’s truly an art form that requires creativity, dedication and a deep love for the characters they portray.
Cosplay costume making is a labor of love that involves a blend of artistic skills and technical know-how. From sewing the sometimes intricately detailed garments to sculpting elaborate props, cosplayers invest countless hours into perfecting their craft. For many, the process begins with a detailed study of the character’s design.
“I usually start with a general character or picture, but I am not always concerned with being screen accurate. I have a few cosplays that are very similar to the source materials, but others are simply indicative of a character or style,” Lisa Youngblood, a librarian with the Harker Heights Public Library, explained. “When I present cosplay workshops for library patrons and families, I often tell them that breaking down a costume into visible shapes and layers is a good way to start working on a cosplay.”
Stephanie Corlew said she has always loved dressing up for Halloween, but decided to start cosplaying for the Bell County Comic Con.
“The first year of Bell County Comic Con was my first ever con and I went as the Riddler,” Corlew said. “I saw all the amazing cosplays there and decided to continue experimenting with different ways to make cosplays.”
Although she often dresses as Disney princesses, Corlew said her favorite cosplay to date is The Moogle from Final Fantasy.
“My favorite cosplay so far is my most current one, The Moogle,” she said. “I created the headpiece for it and I’m in the process of making new wings to wear. I wore it to Anime Sunika with a different pair of wings and a lot of people were excited to see me walking around!”
Killeen cosplayer Eriel Lopez, known as Loopy Lopez among the cosplay community, goes all out in her transformations and isn’t afraid to tackle characters who are traditionally male.
“I have done Vegeta (from the ever-popular Dragon Ball franchise), and it’s my absolute favorite,” Lopez said. “But instead of being prince, it’s princess.”
The artist’s stunning cosplay of the Saiyan Prince(ss) Vegeta was noticed at the Bell County Comic Con by both voice actors of the popular anti-hero — Brian Drummond and Christopher Sabat — who autographed the armor, which she now displays in her home.
Cosplayers employ a diverse range of materials and techniques to bring their creations to life. Fabric, foam, resin, faux hair and many other materials are used to craft costumes and props. Sewing skills are essential, as is a lot of time and patience.
To transform into Killer Frost, Lopez said she used Worbla Transpa Art — non-toxic thermoplastic sheeting that can be shaped with a heat gun — to create long icicles for the iconic DC character’s icy hair. She said it took her two months of shaping to create her masterpiece.
Temple resident James Shapiro said he spent 50 labor hours creating his first Mandalorian outfit. He and his wife, Sabrina, love cosplaying so much they decided to open an Etsy shop to sell their custom creations. The couple credits cosplay for bringing them together, but it has also helped James, who struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder from his military career.
“I got into cosplay as a healthy outlet for my PTSD as I was getting near the end of my military career,” James said.
James said he met Sabrina after she purchased some costume pieces from his online store. A few months later, they discovered they were both in the same Mandalorian cosplaying group and their relationship grew from there.
“We do custom commission pieces and also pieces that look like a certain character,” Sabrina said. “We will print raw pieces and send those out as well, if they don’t want them painted. It depends on what that customer wants.”
She said they do everything from custom paint, to installing visors, to weathering different armor pieces. Last year, the couple sold more than 500 custom pieces, mostly Star Wars helmets, which is one of the most popular cosplay fandoms. Sabrina said that although they build for others, they will also help people who have questions about making their own cosplay.
The creative process is akin to an artistic journey filled with triumphs and challenges. They often encounter unexpected hurdles, but overcome those obstacles through problem-solving. At the journey’s end, when all the blood, sweat and tears are done, it is an exhilarating experience to step out of their own lives and step into their character.
“I cosplay Rapunzel and kids go crazy for it,” Sabrina said. “I love their reactions and seeing them so happy. So being a princess is definitely my favorite.”
“I feel super accomplished and proud of my work and excited to wear it,” Corlew said about her experience.
“I get anxious that it’s not great and afraid it won’t be liked,” Lopez said, “but once it’s on, I feel better and know that I worked hard to accomplish my thoughts.”
Youngblood said she is always excited about wearing something she’s made, but it always comes with doubts and adjustments, especially because she uses her cosplay for both work and play.
“I tend to find the faults, the ways that I need to improve the piece, the ways that I need to make alterations to make the costume more comfortable or easy to move in,” she added. “It is usually my third wearing that I have everything looking good but also really functional.”
Youngblood said she has several popular costumes, including Star Wars jedis, Pikachu (from Pokémon), Professor McGonagall (from Harry Potter) and Ms. Frizzle (from The Magic School Bus).
“I love to cosplay characters that get reactions from kids and families,” she said.
She shared that sometimes children are a little shy, especially if they’re seeing one of their favorite characters brought to life through cosplay, so she likes to have something with her costume that children can hold onto during photos, such as Baby Yoda.
“Obi Wan Kenobi and Professor McGonagall are two of my favorite book and movie characters, so I particularly love playing them or similar characters,” Youngblood said. “In both cases, I am able to engage kids with training sessions (light sabers or wand use).”
Through a profound understanding of their character, cosplayers truly embody the essence of their favorite heroes, heroines and villains to become walking works of art that blur the lines between fantasy and reality.
