Cosplay 101 + Costume

Just the BasicsCOSPLAY

&Silent Amora(Mahima Srivastav)

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The Hyderabad Cosplayers Club was formed to encourage cosplayers to promote cosplay as a hobby and a form of art.

Costume-playthe practice of dressing up as a character from a film, book, or video game.

No. of genres - UnlimitedWhat is Cosplay?

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From AgeTo AgeHumans1122

Who can cosplay?Or if you end up living more than 122 years

Fun. (duh!)Representing what you loveRepresenting your perspective of an artists productNetworkingWhy Cosplay?

Why Cosplay?

Comic-ConAnime-ConVideo Game FestCool Japan FestivalDragon-ConPop-Culture ExposJapan HabbaHalloween PartiesOr have a cosplay party of your own

Where can I cosplay?

A character you resembleA character you likeA popular characterA character you can

Anyone! Or Anything!Who/What do I cosplay as?

Photo-shootsLocationsAnd a lot of tailoring/adhesive bonding/cutting and repair workCostumeMake UpPropsCharacter Behavior/Body Language

What comprises of Cosplay

MEET OUR PRESENTERS

COSTUMESilent Amora and Pradyumndev Jodha

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Before you make your costume:Reference PicturesTimeSkill-LevelAdjustments/MeasurementsCostume

The fabric of your costume is dependent on:WeatherComfort LevelLocationWear & TearStretchDrape typeSheenCostume - Fabric

Cotton LightweightPleatsBest forShirts/T-ShirtsDressesUniformsCostume - Fabric

Cosplay: Makimachi Misao (Rurouni Kenshin)

Cosplayer: Tanya (Syrinx Cosplay & Supplies)

Photographer: Promit De (I, Saint Yuvee)

Suitings Professional Look

Best forJacketsUniformsSturdy pleatsCostume - FabricCosplay: Kakashi (Naruto)

Cosplayer: Sunil (Sun Il)

Photographer: Sunil (Sun Il)

SpandexLightweightStretchy

Best forBodysuits

Costume - Fabric

Cosplay: Domino(Deadpool)

Cosplayer: Niha (Niha Novacaine)

Photographer: Comic Con India

Satin MatteLightweightIron-ableWrinkles easily

Best forGowns and DressesCapes

Costume - Fabric

Cosplay: Aurora (Child of Light)

Cosplayer: Garima (Mysty Cat)

Photographer: Promit De (I, Saint Yuvee)

Rexine/Pu Leather/PleatherHeavyBadass

Best forFull Body JacketsCapes

Costume - Fabric

Cosplay: Squall Leonhart (Final Fantasy VIII)

Cosplayer: Vijay Sinha (Vijay Sinha Cosplay)

Photographer: Promit De (I, Saint Yuvee)

Cotton/Poly-BlendStrongPleats

Best forAbsolutely Everything

Costume - Fabric

Find your measurements

Find your measurements

Tips for getting an accurate measurementWear close fitting clothing or just undergarmentsWear the undergarments youll wear with the costume (especially bras for the ladies; this can make a huge difference)Grab a buddy to help!The tape should be parallel to the floor, and snug, but loose enough to fit comfortablyBust and hips are the widest points of your bodyWaist is the smallest point of your body (a lot of people get this wrong! they think their waist is lower than it actually is)

Find your Measurements

Layout all pattern pieces on fabric before cutting anythingRemember your seam allowance.Pin your pieces together before sewing, perpendicular to the line you are sewing.Remove pins as you sew they could damage your machine or your eyes!Always finish your edges! Folding the edge of the fabric under once is NOT a proper hem. Inside seams can be finished with a zig zag stitch. Iron it.

Sewing

Purchase matching thread, buttons, fasteners, zippers etc at the same time as the fabric.Use the right fabric. Dont use a flimsy or stretchy fabric like lycra or viscose for jackets and pants.Stay away from crushed velvet, shiny polyester, PVC, sequinsFor poofy gowns, use hoop skirts/wired underskirtsMake adjustments to suit your body.Use Fabric Paints, Not Acrylic or Poster Colors or Water Colors

Costume - Tips

Vests/Tank TopsCorsetsSleevesShoulder PadsSocksLeggingsCostume Add Ons/Alternatives

May not arrive on time for conHigh Risk (no control over result)Price may be higher than reasonablePossibly poor qualityPossibly inaccurateMay be hard to keep in contact with seller (ex. not responding to emails)May not always fit properlyCan find good pricesGreat if you can't sewGreat for if you have no time to work on a costumeUsually good qualityCan be found online (eBay, commissioners) and offline (cons, anime stores, costume shops)Commissioners allow for you to request variationsLess stress! (Making costume can be stressful)Less mess! (Making a costume can be messy)Costume Buying Pros and Cons

My First Cosplay

Let me start with my first Cosplay Expectations

Reality

(Comic con Express HYD 2013)

Over the time I improved my Costume

Delhi Comic Con 2014

Over the time I improved my Costume

Bangalore Comic Con 2014

Over the time I improved my Costume

Hyderabad Comic con 2014Winner of Graphic Novel Category

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Keep looking

Keep looking for the material and stuff that can be used for your costume.

First EVA sheet I found was in scrap dump of a Garage

Be imaginative

MFCC 2014 with Niha as Domino Aghori from HCEAsh/Vibhuti Cube

Rexinfrom a Sofa Maker Latex gloves Used in DishwashingCigarette Pouches Use Deo Shots Spray Painted

Rexinfrom a Sofa Maker Latex gloves Used in Dishwashing

Use Deo Shots Spray Painted

Cigarette Pouches

Generic Styrofoam(Any hardware store)

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Face Painted Fabric Paint Bull Dog Mask Sourced from AliExpress

I thought I was alone but I found you all