Beginner's Guide to Cosplay

First, A Brief History of Cosplay!

Cosplay Through the Ages

Cosplay has left quite an interesting thread through history. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, if you follow that thread all the way back to the first instance of a cosplay-like event, you will end up in times as early as the late 19th century!

While the concept of a masquerade ball has been around since the 15th century, one in particular stands out. In April 1877, French science-fiction writer Jules Verne sent out over 700 invitations for a masquerade ball. While Jules Verne did not specifically request it in their invitation, some attendees reportedly showed up in costumes inspired by characters from Verne's books.

However, it wasn't until 1939 that cosplay truly began to take shape. At the first World Science Fiction Convention in New York City, Myrtle R. Douglas and Forrest J. Ackerman made a lasting impression by wearing "futuristicostumes" inspired by the movie Things to Come. Their costumes sparked a tradition of fan costuming that would grow exponentially over the decades.

But Where Does The Term "Cosplay" Come From?

By the 1960s, crafting elaborate costumes for conventions had become a dedicated hobby for many. The term "cosplay" itself was coined in 1984 by Nobuyuki Takahashi after he attended the Worldcon in Los Angeles. This new word perfectly captured the essence of the activity and resonated with fans worldwide. Today, cosplay is a vibrant and integral part of popular culture, celebrated at conventions and competitions across the globe.

Your First Cosplay: Where Do You Start?

Endless Materials To Choose From

When it comes to cosplaying, there are all kinds of materials you can use for your costume or other props. Clay, fabric for clothing, cardboard, metal, foam are some of the many materials I've seen used for creating cosplay props. There are even cosplayers that use make-up and special paint for their cosplay 'costumes', so you could even just use your own skin as a base if you want to

Of course, you could always use 3D printed props like my 3D printed cosplay kits as this would allow you to:

• Get really amazing details,
• It's easier to consistently repeat results by printing multiple at on
• Quickly interate on designs and keeping waste to a minimum (in most cases)

Choosing Your First Cosplay Project

Just starting out with your very first cosplay can be quite intimidating. I should know, as I faced that kind of stuff myself (and still do). The key things to keep in mind when working on your first project:

• You don't have to go all out on your projects: the key thing is to have fun!
• Start with a character or game that means a lot to you, because that passion and love will shine through as you work on your cosplay.
• Your project doesn't have to be a full character: a lot of the cosplay props that I have made so far are iconic to a particular character or game, like the Virtuous Treaty katana that 2B uses in Nier: Automata or the Forerunner handgun from Destiny 2.
• Research, research and research: doing everything from scratch is a great approach, but make sure to look for reference material that's as close to the source as possible like using screenshots from a game or photo. Doing that will help you figure out things such as scale and specific details way quicker.

Cosplay Etiquette and Conventions

While it's always a good idea to follow the general rules of a venue or event that you are at, keeping these rules of etiquette in mind is always a good idea wherever you are:

• Respect Personal Space: Always ask for permission before taking photos of or with cosplayers. Not everyone is comfortable with being photographed.
• Be Considerate of Costumes: Some costumes are delicate and require a lot of effort to create. Avoid touching or handling parts of someone else's costume without their explicit permission.
• Avoid Criticism: Cosplay is about having fun and expressing creativity. Avoid making negative comments about someone else's costume or appearance.
• Mind Your Hygiene: Conventions can be crowded and warm. Be mindful of personal hygiene to ensure a pleasant environment for everyone.
• Be Inclusive: Cosplay is for everyone, regardless of age, gender, body type, or skill level. Celebrate diversity and encourage others in their cosplay journey.
• Respect Event Rules: Adhere to the rules and guidelines set by the event organizers. This includes policies on props, behavior, and photography.
• Stay Positive: Spread positivity and support fellow cosplayers. Compliments and encouragement go a long way in making the community a welcoming place.

Your Journey Is Just Getting Started!

I hope this guide has helped inspire you to start with your very first cosplay! And its always great fun to follow other cosplayers and share the fun. As a start, here are some of my huge pieces of inspiration (i'll update this list if I find any new ones):

• Kamui Cosplay, run by the wonderful Svetlana and Benni! They have great books, patterns, make quite a bit with EVA foam and come up with some of my favorite character cosplays!