Dramatic Threads

2014-06-05T22:00:00.000-04:00

Here's a bunch of cool books I've found on Amazon. Clicking on the picture links to Amazon, but I don't think I get anything if you buy from my links or from Amazon. Go elsewhere if you prefer, I know there are lots of reasons to not buy from them, I just find it a convenient place to get information about books.

This is the exhibit book for the Charles James exhibit at the Met. It doesn't have a lot of the cool stuff the exhibit does, but it's still full of pretty pictures.

Perhaps it's just my bias, but the 30's seems to be rather overlooked in fashion history. This looks like a great book to fill that gap, especially since it talks about menswear, too.

This book looks like it highlights past Met fashion exhibits as well as the parties that surround them. I'm betting it's a great overview of what the Met has offered without needing a shelf full of heavy books.

Fashion in Detail is a great series that focuses on closeups of historical extant garments. If you don't have the money or space for the whole series this book of highlights is a good choice.

Twenties fashions seem to be huge these last few years, so to go with that here's a huge book of pretty pictures of sparkly beaded dresses.

WCS 2014 USA Selection Intro Videos

2014-06-04T21:00:00.000-04:00

There's a thing at WCS where every team films a short video introduction for their skit. This year they had teams do that for the Team USA Finals. Here are copies of all the ones I could find on YouTube.

Karmaluna:

Green Jello:

C4:

Cute Classy Cosplay:

Toronto Fabric Shopping: Part 2

2014-03-24T20:00:00.000-04:00

After The Wool house there's not a lot of fabric, so we crossed the street and went back up Queen street towards Spadina again.

One note: it was cold and we had a time limit, so we didn't make the trek but if you're in the mood for the best imported Japanese silk ribbons walk down Queen street a little further to Mokuba at 575. It's a bit of a walk, and the prices are on the expensive side, but the trim and ribbon selection is amazing!

Starting out, as you cross the street there's a shop called Aroma Espresso Bar. We decided that the cold day needed some coffee, so we stopped.

I had a HUGE hot chocolate filled with marshmallows. Just the thing! They also had sandwiches and more substantial noms if you got hungry at this point.

Next to Aroma is Affordable Textiles at 529. So big it needed two storefronts!

This is another place that's packed to the gills with yummy fabric so close you can barely get through. Here's some pretty quilting cottons.

Even the door is crammed full. But, I found a Maral in all the chaos!

Looking through the bargain bins outside.

The fleece section.

Maral found a keeper!

Next on to Arton beads at 523-525. I think this is my favorite bead store because it has funky metal bits!

The funky metal piece section. Just a sampling.

The nice women behind the counter were eager to help us out and get their picture taken!

LA Boutique fabrics at 495 is an incredibly clean and well-laid-out store. Check out the stuff in the back!

After what seems like endless trendy fashion boutiques (check some of them out, they can have hilarious and interesting underground fashion) we came upon Queen's Fabric and Buttons at 461. This is a narrow store packed to the gills with buttony things!

The buttons behind the counter!

One last store on Queen St. This is Nevren's Sewing Supply/Trillium Button Inc. at 451. They've got a little bit of everything, but be sure to visit their button section!

After Trillium walk back towards Spadina. If you cross Spadina and turn right there's an awesome huge fabric store called King Textiles at 161 Spadina. If you don't know the area I recommend stopping here first to get an idea of local prices, then you can shop the rest of the street and come back for the stuff you couldn't get better deals on. Be sure to check the bargain basement!

I ended up getting some wonderfully plush fur and this yummy stripey cotton. Maral and Dawn got some too, maybe we'll be costume twins one of these years!

Driving away from the fabric district I still had a few upholstery-type things I was looking for, so we drove a mile and a bit to the home decor store on Queen West:

This is Designer Fabrics at 1360 Queen St. Parking is hard here, so try to come in off hours.

It's worth the trek, though! Although billed as decor fabrics it's actually pretty well rounded, with two floors of choices!

The first floor is interesting. You don't browse fabrics, you browse samples. When you find one you want cut you bring it to a cutting counter and they find the roll and cut the fabric for you.

The cabinet full of expensive, tempting stuff!

One place I haven't made it to that I wish I had: Lens Mill. I hear AMAZING things about it, that it's huge and full of gems, but it's north of town and a bit of a trek, so I've never made time for it. I hope to come Costume Con!

I'm so glad I got to shop Toronto. It's an amazingly fabric-full town, and I always find gems here. I can't wait to go back in a month for Costume Con and shop again!

Toronto Fabric Shopping: Part 1

2014-03-23T19:02:00.002-04:00

When I was in Toronto for SMoFCon last December I took the opportunity to go fabric shopping in Toronto's fabulous fabric district. I try to make it up here at least once a year because the area is just so fabulous for costumers! I thought that you guys would appreciate finding out more about this gem, so I photoblogged it this time. Here's part 1:

For a city parking in the fabric district wasn't really that hard, especially on a weekday in winter. We found a pretty empty lot on Cameron street. I liked that it was close enough that we could return with bags during the day (of course leaving them in the trunk, it seemed safe but why tempt people?).

The fabric district in Toronto is really near Chinatown, so we decided to start with an early lunch.

This is the crazy sheltered midwesterner pointing to the food in the window. I'd seen chickens and ducks and pigs hanging before, but never squid!

We ended up at this awesome dumpling place called Dumpling House. Everything was a-la-carte, so we picked up a bit of some good stuff and ate our fill!

Dawn and I are totally happy about our yummies and ready to get some fabric!

The shop has people making dumplings in the window, you can watch them make your food!

On our way back to Queen St. (where most of the stores are) we stopped off at the Leather and Sewing Supply Depot on Spadina. They have tons of leather and hardware. I picked up some awesome buckles that I will use for Costume Con costumes!

Leo's Textiles at 400 Queen has yummy laces! Brocades and furs too!

Next up is Sussman's Bridal Supplies at 420. Don't confuse it with Sussman's Bridal at 428, they're totally different stores. This one is full of lots of shiny things including feathers, beads, and accessories like gloves! There's an awesome wall of laces and trims!

And my favorite, the sequins! Sliding displays of tons of sequins of every color, shape, and size imaginable!

They have a wall of trimmy bits and sequined and beaded appliques.

Happy to depart with my money for shinies!

Skipping over to Sussman's main Bridal store at 428. This store is mostly overpriced, but you can find some awesome gems in amongst the stuff.

The selection of shiny brooches here is awesome, and some are really cheap too!

Trendy Fabrics at 422. A store jam-packed with a little of everything.

I picked up a remnant of gorgeous blue wool for cheap! Not sure what I'm going to do with it, but it will be great for something.

The fur selection has samples hanging so you can get the one you want without digging.

This is our first bead store stop, Fancy Gems and Findings at 438. It has tons of chunky natural beads as well as some neat sparklies.

My favorite part of this store was the chain wall. I picked up some chain for the Costume Con project.

This is the awesome wools at Downtown Fabrics at 436. They've got an amazing variety of prints, linen, lace, alpaca, and silks too.

This is Chu Shing Textiles at 440. They've got nice displays of fabric that's accessible and gorgeous for a pretty good price. Check them out if you're looking for colorful wools, silks, brocades, and fabulous beaded fabric. There's also stretch spandex and jersey here, the best variety in the city!

Next up is Queen Textiles at 444. This is one of those stores that's just piled FULL of fabric. So full there's not a lot of room to walk. They've got a ton of variety of stuff, though, and it's all yummy!

Fabric is stacked so high, but they do this awesome thing where they attach samples to the end of the bolt so you don't need to pull out the one on the bottom to see what it's really like! I picked up some great green upholstery brocade for Costume Con here.

The cutting table. See how cramped? Worth it, though. They're cutting some yummy green shot dupioni for Dawn.

Next up is The Beadery at 446. It's got lots of tribal and ethnic looking stuff.

This is Bling Bling at 448. It's another bead store that has a really awesome variety.

Shinies!

And found rock-stuff too!

Fabric by Designers is this great downstairs find. It's got tons of variety, including silks, wools, furs, prints, and brocades.

The last place of real note on this side of the street is The Wool House at 454. Salim is awesome and really nice, and the rows and rows of wool are so tempting! It was fairly priced for an in-person buy, too.

If you're into yarn and knitting there's a store next to The Wool House, but we didn't go in.

How to Start Cosplaying

2014-03-11T00:13:00.000-04:00

Starting to cosplay or costume can be intimidating. It's really not that bad, though, when you break it down into steps. I'll show you what I do.

First, pick a costume. I've decided on Tsukimi from Princess Jellyfish for this example. I chose it because I love the series, I love the character, and I've got friends who want to cosplay the series with me!

Second, choose a time frame. I want this costume for this weekend's Kansas City anime con, Naka-Kon!

Next, start to research the character and choose a costume. Many characters have more than one outfit, so pick the one you like best or think you can do the best. I'm going with the iconic, easy one:

Next research the costume. Start with Google Image search. Often with anime or drawn media you can find a character study, like this, which is great because it gives you all angles:

Next, using the images you found make a list of all the parts of the outfit. Sometimes this involves guesswork and deciding "Is that really an underskirt or just a fake split?" If you have to you can research more into the time period or traditional dress of the source to help educate these decisions.

Pants
Shirt
Socks
Sandals
Black Wig
Glasses
Brown Contacts

After you've got a list go back and start thinking about each piece individually. Is that part something you can buy or will you need to make or modify it? If you're buying it, from where? If you're making it, what pattern will you use? What kind of fabric? (We'll cover these in more detail later, just know you need to think on them.) Notate all this on your list.

Pants - buy from WalMart, add pocket
Shirt - buy from WalMart
Socks - buy from WalMart
Sandals - buy from WalMart, add strap
Black Wig - buy from Epic Cosplay and style
Glasses - buy? KC Costume
Brown Contacts - ignore, don't want to bother

Once you've got a list of pieces start to break down each piece into steps to complete. Sometimes this can be complicated, sometimes it's easy.

Buy pants
Add pocket to pants
Buy shirt
Buy socks
Buy sandals
Add strap to sandals
Buy wig
Buy barettes
Cut wig
Braid wig
Barette wig
Buy glasses
Buy red nail polish
Paint glasses red

These lists can get really long and complicated for a big costume, but breaking down the list by piece can really help you to think about what you need to do for each step. Now is a great time to figure out what you do and don't know. Need to figure out a way to add a strap to sandals? Google tutorials, ask friends, look for help. Figure out what steps you're going to need help on and try to figure out where to get that help.

Next, look critically at your list of steps and the time you have between now and the convention. Do you have time to complete all the steps and not go insane? Be sure and add in time for testing steps like mocking patterns and trying out new techniques. Also factor in shipping times. It's a good idea to add deadlines to all your steps at this point. I like to use ToDoIst to chart my schedules and provide me with a daily list of what to accomplish to help keep me on track. I used to use a notepad of sticky notes where I'd just write down what I had to accomplish and then tear off each day. Use what works for you. Look critically at your calendar while scheduling. Do you have a family event that will not let you sew that weekend? Move things to the next weekend. Also think about how long each step will take you and plan in extra time for mistakes.

Once you've got your to-do list you're ready to start! Order your supplies and get going!

Linkspam: Cosplay is Not Consent

2014-03-08T21:53:00.000-05:00

From a year and a half ago. I should have kept this updated, I haven't because it's so depressing to keep adding to the list.

http://madartlab.com/2013/12/06/getting-groped-gender-bias-and-genderbending/

http://www.geeksaresexy.net/2013/04/04/costumes-are-not-consent-combatting-cosplayer-harassment/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4Rjy5yW1gQ

http://geekfeminism.wikia.com/wiki/Ren%C3%A9_and_Readercon

http://geekfeminism.wikia.com/wiki/Wiscon_troll_incident

whatever.scalzi.com/2008/04/22/open-source-boobs/

feminspire.com/cosplay-is-not-consent-keep-harassment-out-of-comic-con/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Feminspire+%28Feminspire%29

http://www.themarysue.com/the-all-too-familiar-harassment-against-feminist-frequency-and-what-the-gaming-community-can-do-about-it/

www.strangelikethat.com/2012/09/an-open-letter-to-convention-going-butt-photographers/

http://www.themarysue.com/microsoft-reply-rape-comments/

http://www.themarysue.com/black-cat-cosplay-harassment/

http://www.themarysue.com/john-scalzi-con-harassment/

http://www.themarysue.com/things-we-saw-today-324/

http://www.geeksaresexy.net/2013/04/04/costumes-are-not-consent-combatting-cosplayer-harassment/

http://kotaku.com/5896920/the-fake-threat-of-fake-geek-girls

http://geekfeminism.org/2013/07/24/open-thread-never-say-fake-geek-again/

http://meagan-marie.tumblr.com/post/46396481491/what-would-you-do-if-you-werent-afraid

http://meagan-marie.tumblr.com/post/47680470186/why-do-i-cosplay-let-me-count-the-ways-the

http://io9.com/slut-shaming-and-concern-trolling-in-geek-culture-511721655

http://www.popphoto.com/news/2013/06/photographer-lands-hot-water-over-cosplayer-body-pillows

http://www.jimchines.com/2013/06/roundup-of-some-anonymous-protesters-sfwa-bulletin-links/

http://www.maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/dear-twelve-rabid-weasels-of-sfwa-please-shut-the-fuck-up/?doing_wp_cron=1374954571.6634469032287597656250

http://www.jimchines.com/2013/08/sexual-harassment-conversations-in-comic-form/

http://whatever.scalzi.com/2013/07/03/my-convention-harassment-policy-co-sign-thread/

http://www.jimchines.com/2011/12/sexual-harassment-intervention/

http://www.jimchines.com/2011/12/sexual-harassment/

http://www.jimchines.com/2012/09/crap-people-say-about-sexual-harassment/

http://seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com/519653.html

http://www.cheriepriest.com/2013/06/28/maybe-its-just-us/

http://www.maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/why-am-i-afraid-to-name-the-editor/?doing_wp_cron=1376351642.4084720611572265625000

http://mariadahvanaheadley.wordpress.com/2013/06/28/but-he-didnt-know-he-was-hijacking-your-ship-on-conference-creeps/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJ3EMTDuu-M&feature=share

http://whatever.scalzi.com/2013/08/05/a-creators-note-to-gatekeepers/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJY7kCKaxzE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEY5Vv0AvvA

http://bgzstudios.com/blog/photography/heroes-of-copyright-infringement-the-photographer-litigation-against-syfy/

World Cosplay Summit 2014 - Anime St. Louis

2014-03-07T23:15:00.002-05:00

Milo and I have submitted our resume for Anime St. Louis' WCS qualifier! Here's a copy of the document. I really wanted to post ours as an example because I was unable to find one online and having something to follow would have been really helpful when I was making this up.

Public World Cosplay Summit Resume

McCalls Spring Line

2014-03-06T23:19:00.002-05:00

And, to continue the new patterns that are out now, here's some winners from McCall's Spring Line:

McCalls 6940: Game of Thrones Cirsei pattern

McCalls 6941: Game of Thrones Daenerys pattern

Simplicity Spring Line

2014-03-05T21:29:00.001-05:00

It took so long for Simplicity to post their Early Spring line that the Spring one is out already too! Here are some interesting new patterns:

1406: High-Low skirt pattern

1426: Bra Tops. Dunno how they will fit other cup sizes, but if it works well it's totally unique!

1427: Tulle skirts. Good for both skirts and petticoats.

1444: Leotard. Knitwear is rare, too bad it doesn't have sleeves. Perhaps if they sell enough of this one, though, they'll start making sleeves and other variations.

Katsucon 2014 Masquerade

2014-03-04T23:53:00.001-05:00

While we were waiting for the Katsucon Masquerade to start this happened:

Monday Progress Update: March 3rd

2014-03-03T23:04:00.002-05:00

This is my Mother-in-Law's sheer 1860's dress. I made it for her birthday. Here's a bit more info than I gave you last week:

I was inspired by sheer dresses of the era. I used an acetate sheer. I had little problems with this as she has no plans of tending a campfire or traipsing around a field in it. The lining is kona cotton piped with yarn piping. I used Truly Victorian's 1863 Sheer Dress pattern on it, and it went together beautifully.

I didn't get pictures, but I also made undergarments. I made a hoop using Truly Victorian's 1858 Round Hoop pattern:

And a corset, chemise, and bloomers using Simplicity 9769:

It's hard to see, but the edges are trimmed in a purple loop trim. I want to give it a little more of something. Maybe ruffles? What do you think, how can I jazz it up a bit?

Current Project

2014-02-28T22:30:00.001-05:00

I got permission today to show you guys my current project: a sheer Civil War dress for my Mother in Law's Birthday!

More info on the making-of Monday.

Japanese and Korean Music

2014-02-27T21:35:00.002-05:00

I was recently introduced to a Japanese pop-metal (yeah, that's a thing) band called BabyMetal and their new song GIVE ME CHOCO!

I find it annoying, and adorable, and I'm a little sad that I can't see the outfits better because they look cute.

I've only done two Asian music cosplays, my Ayumi Hamasaki's Ladies Night dress:

And Ayumi's Song 4 U White Queen dress:

Neither of those are my favorite work, though, I think that has to go to her song Jewel:

I'd really love to do either that coat, or the ballgown that's in the second half of the video:

Perhaps I should throw that together, certainly would satisfy my current desire for bling!

My other Asian music obsession right now is not Japanese, it's Korean. I have two songs from K-pop group 2NE1 on my short playlist right now:

I Am The Best

Can't Nobody

Their new album, Crush, dropped yesterday and it's awesome! I can't wait for the videos from it, first of which comes tomorrow! Their tour, All or Nothing, starts Saturday, and I bet it will be amazing. Look at how Sci-Fi Geeky their trailer is!

Behind

2014-02-26T23:11:00.000-05:00

Sorry for not posting in so long. After Katsucon I came home sick and tired, and I was pushing through a sewing project I can't show you yet, so I didn't have much to say. Here's some randomness you can chew on until I can properly post tomorrow:

American Duchess Shoe Giveaway: http://americanduchess.blogspot.com/2014/02/nankeen-regency-boots-giveaway.html

World Cosplay Summit 2007 Winners (France):

World Cosplay Summit 2009 Japanese Entry

Costume Designer's Guild Award Winners:

EXCELLENCE IN CONTEMPORARY FILM

Blue Jasmine – Suzy Benzinger

EXCELLENCE IN PERIOD FILM

12 Years a Slave – Patricia Norris

EXCELLENCE IN FANTASY FILM

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire – Trish Summerville

OUTSTANDING CONTEMPORARY TELEVISION SERIES

House of Cards – Tom Broecker

OUTSTANDING PERIOD/FNTASY TELEVISION SERIES

Downton Abbey – Caroline McCall

OUTSTANDING MADE FOR TV MOVIE OR MINI SERIES

Behind the Candelabra – Ellen Mirojnick

EXCELLENCE IN COMMERCIAL COSTUME DESIGN

Call of Duty: Ghosts Masked Warriors – Nancy Steiner

World Cosplay Summit: Katsucon Update

2014-02-21T00:01:00.001-05:00

The Katsucon qualifier was last weekend, and here's how it went:

Bejitaballz, 1st place

Kiwi Teacup, 2nd place (tie)

Kirayume Cosplay, 2nd place (tie)

I can't wait to compete at Anime St. Louis, hopefully I will get to meet all these wonderful cosplayers at ACen!

Costume Porn Anime

2014-02-12T00:00:00.001-05:00

I've been doing some research into recent anime that might have nice ballgowns. Here's what my friend Heather found:

Maoyu

Valkyrie

The Mystic Archives of Dantalian

Outbreak Company

Horizon in the Middle of Nowhere

Rozen Maiden – Zurückspulen

Golden Girlfriend, Silver Girlfriend

Cosplaying Luggage

2014-02-10T14:35:00.000-05:00

What's your favorite travel luggage? Being a costumer luggage has always plagued me. I make big, complicated costumes that require a lot of components so I always have a ton of big, heavy luggage. I got by for years on cheap WalMart luggage, but it always kept breaking. Recently I invested in this luggage for a trip and, unfortunately, one of the suitcases broke the first week out. I had pretty good luck with the rest of it, though, so I'm going to try getting it warranty replaced before giving up entirely. There's a new option out there, though. A Japanese company is developing luggage with cosplayers in mind.

CosCase has a few interesting features. It includes elastics that hold oddly shaped pieces on to the side and the back. It's designed to be thin enough to go on a train (I'm assuming Japanese train here, no clue on how big that is). It also comes with a tray that turns it into a table and includes a makeup mirror:

All sound like great features, but I am still dismayed that it is so tiny! It may be ideal for a carry-around, but for travel I need something much bigger. I may still get one when it comes out. Are you more interested? Here's a link to the kickstarter-like campaign to get it into manufacture, and here's an article about it in English.

So what does my ideal luggage look like? I'm loving the hard-sided luggage I have now, I've had pins and sharp things poke through the fabric of other luggage. I love compartments. Not necessarily pockets on the outside, because when you open your suitcase flat in a hotel room they become difficult to access, but inside pockets make organizing things to live out of a suitcase so much easier (I hate having to unpack into hotel drawers and then repack, why can't I just keep things in my suitcase?). I'm not so sure about the makeup mirror and tray, but I love the idea of outside straps to hold things on the move. Sturdy enough to withstand the baggage handlers at airports and train stations is a must, and easily wheeled is important, too, when you have two big suitcases plus a laptop bag and carry-on. Light is important, because I want to be able to pack more into it. What's your ideal luggage situation?

Otilia

2014-02-09T23:40:00.000-05:00

Awards:

Best in Show Presentation: LoneStarCon

Documentation

Otilia Sm by auroraceleste

Pictures:

Simplicity Spring Patterns

2014-02-09T00:21:00.002-05:00

Simplicity has finally posted their spring patterns! Few surprises, but here's a look:

Not sure about the quality of the "amazing fit" system, but the seam lines are interestingly placed.

The Game of Thrones pattern we were all waiting for. Looks like it has accurate seaming, and Andrea Schewe has some suggestions on how to improve it on her site!

Adorable! I might need to make some of these for the niece and nephews.

Vintage, so I mention it, but it looks pretty standard.

Standard looking as well, but that collar might be useful sometime.

World Cosplay Summit Part 7: Reviews and Memories

2014-02-06T20:30:00.000-05:00

Last post guys! I've been so excited to share all my research with you, hope you enjoyed it! This final post is going to be linkspam of people's reviews and memories of the event in Japan from years past:

2008 - part 1
2008 - part 2
2008 - part 3
2008 - part 4
Singapore 2010
Phillipines 2013 - part 1
Phillipines 2013 - part 2
Phillipines 2013 - part 3

If you know of another one let me know, I'll add it!

2008 Teams Onstage

World Cosplay Summit Part 6: Regional Winners 2014

2014-02-05T20:30:00.000-05:00

The final part of my research for Anime St. Louis is to look at the teams that have been winning this year. (Don't worry, we'll have a final wrap-up post tomorrow) Here's the top two placers at the two regional qualifiers that have already happened:

Wild Garden - Nan Desu Kan 2nd Place

Green Jello - Nan Desu Kan 1st Place

ShoePuff - San Japan 2nd Place

C4 Cosplay - San Japan 1st Place

World Cosplay Summit Part 5: Regional Winners Past

2014-02-04T22:55:00.000-05:00

What wins big is relevant to a point, but when it comes down to it you've got to win a regional convention just to make it to the national qualifier. Thus, here's a look at the first place teams at different regional qualifiers last year:

KarmaLuna 2013

Nikkei Girls 5-0 2013

Green Jello 2013

Doomed Lunch 2013

Fox Gloves 2013

World Cosplay Summit Part 4: Runners Up

2014-02-03T21:00:00.000-05:00

When researching what resonates it's almost as important to look at the second place winners as it is the first. Sometimes you can see some really great ideas, and sometimes you can figure out what just didn't work as well as the first-place team. Here's the runners up for Team USA:

Wild Garden Cosplay 2013 Second Place

It's interesting to note that (as far as I can tell) this was the first year that second place (Wild Card entries) was allowed to compete at the finals. Wild Garden was first place at their qualifier at Nan Desu Kan, andthey significantly improved their staging to come out second overall at the finals. Here's their Nan Desu Kan skit for comparison:

Bejitaballz, 2013 Third Place

Cupcake Cosplay, 2012 Second Place

Bejitaballz, 2012 Third Place

Cupcake Cosplay, 2011 Second Place

2D Cosplay, 2011 Third Place

First, here's Team USA winning USA skit, totally different source material from their Japan skit

2010 Second Place

2010 Third Place

World Cosplay Summit Part 3: Past US Representative Teams

2014-02-02T21:00:00.000-05:00

What wins USA seems to be very different from what wins WCS. We saw yesterday that WCS seems to like fight scenes, big robots, and lights. Team USA seems to like coordination, polish, and showmanship without a lot of talking in the skit. I wonder if this will hold true in years to come, since 2013 was the first year Team USA placed (they took 2nd at WCS).

2013 Team USA: Cupcake Cosplay

2012 Team USA: Coconut Bubble Sex Cosplay

2011 Team USA: Fox Gloves Cosplay

2010 Team USA: Rynn and Sumikins

2009 Team USA: India Davis and Elizabeth Licata

2008 Team USA: Sonnya Paz and Renee Gloger

World Cosplay Summit Part 2: Past Winners

2014-02-01T20:30:00.000-05:00

This is going to be a video-full post, so be warned!

The best way to get a feel for WCS is to watch videos of past entrants and winners to see what resonates with the crowds and with the judges. Here's some past WCS winners to take note of:

Team Italy, winner 2013

Team Japan, winner 2012

Team Brazil, winner 2011

Team Italy, winner 2010

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWE4EZe_lw0
Team Japan, winner 2009, unfortunately I couldn't find one with sound.

Team Brazil, winner 2008