Merriam Webster defines cosplay as, “the activity or practice of dressing up as a character from a work of fiction (such as a comic book, video game, or television show)”. This hobby that has been around for over a century continues to evolve and grow rapidly. The concept of cosplay can be boiled down to the combination of community and self-expression.
One of the earliest sightings of cosplay was in 1908. William Fell and his wife dressed as characters from the cartoonist A.D Condo’s work Mr. Skygack, from Mars at a mask skating carnival (Plunket). Though back then cosplaying was not well-known, it was well received by the public. It is unknown the exact origin of cosplay but many are credited to its evolution. Individuals such as Myrtle
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Conventions help hold the cosplay community together. At a convention fans of similar interest attend panels, reconnect with distant friends, meet celebrities, shop for various items as well as show off their best costumes. In 2013, New York City Comic Con broke their record for attendance at 167,000 (Forbes). Depending on the size of the convention anywhere between a few hundred to hundreds of thousands. And many cosplayers do not attend conventions. The cosplay community encompasses veteran craftsmen like Yaya Han, talented child cosplayers, as well as those who cosplay just for fun. But like any community, there are many underlying issues. These problems include: racism, sexism, consent, as well as beauty standards. Many people inside and outside of the cosplay community shame cosplayers for portraying characters that they don’t physically resemble. It is common for people of color in the cosplay community to be pointed out as being inaccurate. But in past years non-people of color have practiced blackface to make their portrayal look more accurate. In 2014, a German teen received backlash for her Michonne cosplay. Ryan Broderick of Buzzfeed News reported that she claimed, “her costume was meant as a tribute to the character and doesn't see it as any different from her other makeup …show more content…
Cosplay has allowed people from all walks of life to create works of art. Individuals learn how to design, sew, and construct full costumes to bring their favorite character to life. The costume making process can take time ranging from a few days to several years. Costumes can require a lot of sewing and crafting experience depending on the character. Cosplayers learn different skills that they might not otherwise have learned. Skills such as casting and molding, embroidering, wig styling and makeup work. For example: The cosplay duo, Cowbutt Crunchies focus on every detail of their costumes, ranging from prop fabrication to wig construction. A flawless costume can launch a casual cosplayer into internet fame.
Moreover, some cosplayers make costumes for others for money in a practice called commissioning. These gifted cosplayers have the skills and knowledge to know what a cosplayer needs and wants in a costume. Some prefer this to buying mass produced costumes from retailers in Asia. But the creativity behind cosplay goes beyond that of just creating a costume. There are many individuals who work behind the scenes such photographers. They are responsible for capturing such well-made costumes’
He said the worst thing they [costume designer] can wear are interesting clothes. “Nothing destroys confidence like cleverly inventive clothes worn by your costume or wardrobe person because it means you are spending time thinking about yourself. You need to save all of your energy and design essence for the work.” -Long, William. Interview.
Have you ever gone on an adventure? Traveled to great unknowns and saved a princess from a dragon. While you were saving the princess, you were probably dressed up in a prince costume. Costumes are important to help you get into character and play your part. Sherlock Holmes does this in The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Throughout the book Sherlock uses costumes to help him get into character while solving a case. Sherlock dresses up as a drunkard, a clergy man, and an old man.
costumes, the actors and the way he has cut the script all add up to
Renaissance costumes in the beginning were marked by sincerity, charm, and beauty. This gradually became perverted as luxury, and richness, became the most important features, and finally, in the later decades, the Renaissance had become completely dominated by sumptuousness, and show. This trend was evident throughout the Renaissance, in many areas of culture, but is most easily noted and understood in the fashions of the time.
Regardless of the origins, regardless of the propriety? the existence of the masquerade as a part of popular urban culture in the eighteenth century cannot be denied. The masquerade was a much needed outlet for the people of this time who constantly had to keep their behavior within the strict confines of what was socially acceptable. By putting one mask on, the masqueraders were able to take a more fundamental mask off.
Female white models represented the majority of the population on this year Mercedes-Benz fashion week. According to Grace Austin, designers used models that won’t upstage their clothes, in other words, using models that will “blend seamlessly into a garment, pretty but blank-featured.” Famous designers such as Mark Jacobs, Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren, Donna Karan, and Salvatore Ferragamo are some of the famous designers of the 21st century. Each of them were able to present their collection on the Mercedes-Benz fashion week 2013, New York on both, spring and fall. According to statistics, white models featured an 87.6% of the population. Considering that nonwhite models were being added to the fashion industry since the Civil Right Movements on the late 60’s early 70’s, the average seems pretty low. In addition to that, the number of models that participated on the fashion show supports the theory of Aus...
To ensure the high quality of the atmosphere program, there will be a hair and makeup stylist onsite for the entertainers, as well as a costumer for daily maintenance and upkeep of costumes and props. The costumer can also incorporate body painting as a means of performance art and possible promotions with slot tournaments, casino giveaways, and other property marketing ventures.
Fashion has been around ever since ancient times, since the time of the Romans, it survived the world wars and is yet today a business with rapid changes. Fashion started off as an art form, a way for the rich to show their social status with unique and innovative designs that only they could afford. It was a way to separate the social classes of the society. In this paper I will include the creators of haute couture, and how the following designers developed couture, as well as leading names in today’s ready-to-wear industry. The list is long, but I chose to focus on the three most important designers in the modern fashion industry.
It’s no secret that some women believe fashion portrays who they are. Therefore follow every season’s new trend. This leads to spending money that they don’t have. Waller Lea, a journalist, suggest that “for some communities, purchasing knockoffs or generic products are frowned upon, forcing minorities to spend more money. Now businesses and companies are targeting minorities, causing more debt problems.” Addicted to retail or brainwashed? Opponents claim that fashion is simply a creative way to express themselves. There are others ways to express ourselves that are no based on our appearance. Through drawing, painting or through our thoughts and ideas. What happens when someone can’t afford expensive clothing or doesn’t have access to fashionable clothes? They are singled out and excluded from society for being different.
Lock, Simon. “Rewiring Fashion Week” The Business of Fashion. N.P., 27 September 2013. Web. 21 October 2013
A Fashion photograph is not just there for you to look at and like or dislike and pass it through your memory. But it’s there to give you a storyline, a desire, an illusion and a fantasy. The image makes you want to buy what is being advertised to you.
Chabon believes that costumes develop people into more esteemed version of themselves, however the costumes do not keep identities anonymous. Costumes, in addition to other aspects of a superhero, such as accessories and abilities, are used to display a physical representation of a person’s inner being. While this requires severe observation, it is not that simple for a superhero to secrete their background. Costumes are inspired by various background information and interests of the hero/creator. And it is because of those factors, that one can actually investigate or at least determine the possible outcomes of their identity as well as their superhero origins. Although concealing their own identity is the main reason people believe is superheroes
Since kabuki actors sometimes have to portray a female, dress and cosmetics play an important role in the performances. Costumes used are elaborate, detailed, and show the traditional dress of historical Japan. The primary form of cosmetics is called kumadori. The Asia Society's 1988 Video Letter: Noh and Kabuki translates kumadori as "making shadows" (1).
Laver, James. Costume and Fashion: A Concise History. New York, NY: Thames and Hudson Inc., 1985. Print
Clothing has been around for thousands of years; almost as long as the modern human has. At first, it served the practical purpose of protection from the elements; but, as life for early humans stopped being a constant struggle to survive, they started noticing how they looked and the concept of fashion began to take shape. These first few garments were typically dyed draped cloth that was pinned at the shoulder and/or waist. This was seen in many ancient civilizations around the world, Greek and Roman the most notable. Over time, clothing began to get more and more complex and formed to the body’s shape, eventually leading up to the tailored style we now have today. However, the sophisticated world of Haute Couture; or high fashion, can distinctly trace its roots to Paris during the mid-19th century. Clothing from there was thought to be superior to those from anywhere else, and women began to come from all over Europe just to buy dresses. This was probably due in part to one notable dressm...