Cosplay
Zoë Owens
What is cosplay?
Cosplay is when you dress up as anyone from a book, movie, television show, comic-book or someone in history. This is mainly done at comic-cons and other expos.
When I first got interested in this topic & why I chose it.
I first started learning about cosplay when I was in 6th grade when I went to the Dallas fan expo and saw all of the different costumes and props. This interests me because it's fun making costumes and props.
What I already knew.
I already knew what cosplay was, and that it was mainly done at comic-cons. I also knew that people would plan and create their costumes for months before, and because of this it had a pretty big following on social media sites like tumblr, instagram and youtube.
What I learned
Cosplay didn't start in Japan.
Most people think that cosplay started in Japan, but this is incorrect. While Japanese culture heavily influences the cosplay industry, it is not where it stated. The first known cosplay, was in the U.S.
The first known cosplay was by Forry Ackerman.
The first documented cosplay was worn by Forry Ackerman (left) at World Con 1939. This was an original design called "space military".
Karen Schnaubelt may have worn the first anime costume in the U.S.
While it is unknown who wore the first anime costume in the U.S., any believe it was Karen Schnaubelt (right).
Woman were not allowed into cons and expos until the late 20s.
Woman were not allowed into cons and expos until the late 20s, at the end of the women's rights movement.
The first masquerade was held at world con 1950.
The first documented masquerade was held at world con 1950. A masquerade is when people get on stage in costumes and preform a song, skit, or a dance.
The word cosplay was introduced by Nov Takahashi.
When Japanese reporter Nov Takahasi went to World Con 1984 to report on what was happening, he saw many people dressed up in costumes. He chose to use the word cosplay, a mash of the two words "costume" and "play".
How it is beneficial to me.
This is beneficial to me because I learned new and interesting things, and if I wanted to pursue a carer in prop design, I could do better than before.
How it can benefit others.
Cosplay has been known to bring up confidence, and I think informing people about cosplay, may boost their confidence enough to cosplay.
My plans for the future.
I doubt that I will pursue a carrer in cosplay, or prop design, as it is not what i want my career to be. I do however, plan to continue creating new props and other crafts.