We are so excited for the first MegaCon Cosplay Masquerade of 2024! We hope you’ll join us in London January 13th and 14th as a competitor or audience member. With Applications and Registration opening for the London Masquerade on November 15th, we wanted to spotlight our judges for the show.
The judges this year are very experienced and we are excited to have them join us for the London show. Without further ado-
@CaptAmelia, Saturday Judge
CaptAmelia ventured into the realm of cosplay in 2012. Initially drawn to Disney Princesses, her evolving style now embraces action heroes. Her ambitious undertaking of the Doctor Strange cosplay spanned nearly two years encompassing around fifteen new techniques. Amelia’s meticulous pursuit of accuracy, down to the millimeter, fostered a profound connection to the cosplay, exemplifying the concept of creators imbuing a piece of themselves into their creations. Amelia won the i71 Cosplay Championship with her Doctor Strange Cosplay.
Amelia’s cosplay journey and her competition journey are neatly intertwined with each other. Her first competition was also her first convention. For her, the joy lies in performing and infusing characters with life during those precious few moments on stage. Competing internationally three times, Amelia’s exposure to European conventions has elevated her performance standards, and fostered global friendships and an expansive perspective.
To aspiring competitors, she advocates for building networks within the community,, emphasising the value of connections and friendships that can be made at conventions. Some of her best friends ever made were from backstage experiences at competitions.
Detail-oriented crafting defines Amelia’s favourite aspect of cosplay creation, a transformative journey from hot glue novice to a connoisseur of intricate work. Primarily a fabric cosplayer and sewer, Amelia has recently embraced cold casting, employing resin and metal powder to achieve a solid metal appearance.
One of Amelia’s favourite cosplays she’s made is Elphaba Thropp, a character that holds sentimental value, marking a milestone in acknowledging her evolving skills and the realization that she could manifest desired costumes through her craftsmanship.
@BexiBeans, Saturday Judge
BexiBeans embarked on her cosplay journey after seeing the vibrant world of conventions in her teenage years. Drawn to the joyous expressions and the creative outlet cosplay offered, she started with a Cinderella dress, her favourite princess from when she was a kid. This first cosplay lead her into the realm of character performing, where she honed not only her performance skills, but also crafting costumes that are theme park accurate, washable, durable and long lasting costumes.
Participating in cosplay competitions elevated Bex’s craftsmanship standards. She emphasises meticulous finishing, even on elements that one will never see, which fosters longevity in the cosplay and neatness. Reflecting on her cosplay journey, Bex identifies pivotal projects like Multiverse Wanda and Queen Maeve as challenges that pushed her beyond her comfort zone. Overcoming initial hesitations, she delved into unfamiliar materials and techniques, discovering the key was to ‘stop worrying’ and embrace the learning process.
Bex’s advice to cosplayers and competitors is to pace yourself. Discouraging con crunching, she advocates for prioritizing well-being, enjoying cons in familiar costumes with energy and enthusiasm, rather than succumbing to sleepless rushes.
Bex’s crafting passion revolves around patterning, and seeing her vision come to life through patterns. Adapting to changes in her body over the years, she’s mastered the art of making cosplay fit her needs. From design modifications to clever patterning tricks, she builds her cosplays to truly fit and be comfortable for her. Fabric remains one of Bex’s favourite mediums, especially when a brocade or two-tone dupion. Collaboration also holds a special place in Bex’s cosplay journey, with a particular love for group projects.
Picking a favourite cosplay is a difficult task, but some highlights of Bex’s are Multiverse Wanda, Limited Edition Doll Cinderella, Pink Aurora, Princess Fiona and Dunyarzad!
@SketchMcDraw, Saturday Judge
SketchMcDraw started his cosplay journey in 2010 when a friend introduced him to the world of conventions. Intrigued by the idea of bringing fictional characters to life, Kyle, a creative soul, decided to give cosplay a try. Little did he know that this initial step would lead to a transformative journey, marked by significant achievements and contributions to the cosplay and film industry.
Over the years, Kyle’s cosplay evolution has been remarkable. He not only participated in competitions but also represented the UK at the ECG Finals in 2013. His work and tutorials have been published, and he has ventured into the Film and TV industry, crafting costumes and props for major productions, including Marvel and DC movies, Doctor Who, and Netflix’s The Witcher. From a novice cosplayer to a seasoned professional, Kyle’s journey is a testament to his passion and dedication.
Participation in cosplay competitions and events has significantly influenced Kyle’s approach to crafting. The exposure to diverse skills, techniques, and the drive to showcase his creations on competitive platforms has shaped his meticulous and detail-oriented methodology.
Offering valuable advice to aspiring cosplayers, Kyle emphasizes the importance of choosing characters based on personal preference rather than following trends. The genuine enjoyment of the creation process, especially for characters one truly likes, enhances the overall cosplay experience, preventing burnout from trying to keep up with fleeting trends.
Kyle’s favorite aspect of the crafting process lies in problem-solving. Whether determining the best approach to create specific costume parts or identifying the required processes, the challenge of finding solutions adds a dynamic and fulfilling dimension to his work. Kyle has honed his skills in molding and casting, mastering various techniques from simple plaster molds for latex pieces to intricate multipiece silicone jacket molds for fiberglass casts. He’s also done props with wood, although opportunities to work with wood are limited in his current projects.
@CereselCosplay, Sunday Judge
CereselCosplay cosplay journey was a natural progression of her sewing skills learned from her seamstress mother. It was when she met her cosplay partner-in-crime, Tabby, that Mariam truly found joy in creating duo cosplays and delving into the exciting world of competitions.
One of Mariam’s most intricate builds is Tighnari from Genshin Impact, featuring numerous independent elements and intricate details. Notable among the learned skills was the use of embroidery stitches, such as the woven picot stitch and French knots, to create a 3D lotus design. However, she considers the Great Priest Imhotep costumes as one of her most challenging builds, primarily due to the quick on-stage changes that required meticulous attachment planning for dramatic effects.
Participating in cosplay competitions has significantly influenced Mariam’s approach to her craft. The focus on neat seams and the durability of garments for stage performances has led to a commitment to making practically everything. The experience has instilled a dedication to avoiding the fast fashion trap, emphasizing the importance of clean seams for longevity.
As far as advice, Mariam stresses the significance of budgeting and planning. Whether making or buying costumes, careful financial planning and allowing ample time for adjustments contribute to a more enjoyable and sustainable cosplay hobby.
Sewing remains Mariam’s favorite aspect of the crafting process, given its longstanding presence in her life. Learning from her self-taught mother, Mariam appreciates the continual process of acquiring new sewing skills with each project, often engaging in discussions with her mother about different approaches. Mariam’s favorite medium to work with is fabrics of all kinds. She humorously acknowledges her penchant for finding fabric solutions to challenges that Tabby might naturally approach with foam.
Mariam’s Enkidu costume from Fate Grand Order is her favourite. While not the most impressive in terms of complexity, it holds sentimental value as one of the first intentionally crafted duo costumes with Tabby. It marked a significant step in Mariam’s cosplay journey, featuring proper finishes, full lining, and a color-gradient pattern.
@TheSparkofRevolution, Sunday Judge
TheSparkofRevolution began her cosplay journey fueled by childhood memories of dressing up as iconic characters like Ash and Misty with her sister. The idea of cosplay was present in Tabby’s household before they even knew what the term was, and Tabby’s sister crafted her a Cardcaptor Sakura costume for a fancy dress party in year four, laying the foundation for Tabby’s future in the world of cosplay.
Her formal entry into cosplay occurred in 2007 in the United States, where conventions were more prevalent. Tabby and her sister initially purchased Full Metal Alchemist costumes but swiftly transitioned to crafting their own as the desired options were scarce. This marked the beginning of Tabby’s journey, characterized by a continuous quest for learning new skills, experimenting with materials, and fearlessly pursuing visions, regardless of the outcome.
Cosplay competitions have significantly influenced Tabby’s approach to her craft. Recognizing her tendency to rush through projects, she learned the vital lesson of not settling for “good enough.” Competitions demanded meticulous attention to detail, pushing her to strive for perfection and refine her skills. The durability of costumes gained prominence, especially in the context of stage performances, where functionality and aesthetics needed to harmonize.
Tabby’s advice to competitors and cosplayers revolves around enjoying the journey without fixating on external validations. Don’t focus on what others are doing, cosplay is a fun hobby and fun is at the core of it all. Whatever it is that you find fun within the realm of cosplay is what your focus should be on.
Her favorite aspect of the crafting process centers on the intricate details of costumes. Tabby’s recent exploration into 3D printing and resin printing has revolutionized her ability to create sharp, detailed pieces. This technological leap represents a new frontier in her crafting journey, promising exciting possibilities for future projects. Additionally, leatherworking stands out as Tabby’s preferred medium. Despite its occasional inapplicability, she finds solace and mindfulness in the calming process of working with leather.
Tabby highlights her Caster Gilgamesh from Fate Grand Order as her favourite cosplay. Crafted with a minimal budget, this costume embodies resourcefulness and resilience. Having weathered international travels, ocean dips, and years of wear, Caster Gilgamesh holds sentimental value and represents the enduring spirit of Tabby’s cosplay journey.
@KatyChaosPixie, Sunday Judge
KatyChaosPixie started cosplaying driven by the desire to escape reality and emobdy characters beyond herself. Over the years, her involvement in cosplay has evolved into a continuous quest for self-improvement, skill acquisition, and exploration of gender identity through creative projects that push her beyond her comfort zone.
One noteworthy project that encapsulates Katy’s ingenuity and resourcefulness is the creation of the Jedi Leia outfit inspired by 2D fan art. Despite budget constraints, she navigated the intricacies of patterning, layering, and belt construction. This experience taught her valuable lessons in improvisation, utilizing pre-made patterns as a foundation, and identifying the skills she wanted to develop further—an essential aspect of her growth in the cosplay community.
Katy won Overall at the MegaCon Manchester Cosplay Masquerade in 2023. Katy’s engagement in cosplay competitions and events has shaped her approach to crafting. Balancing a high standard for her personal cosplays, she distinguishes between competitive pieces and those designed for pure enjoyment. Competitive cosplays receive meticulous attention to detail and additional skills, while fun cosplays may involve shortcuts to achieve the desired result without scrutinizing every aspect.
As far as advice, Katy offers the invaluable advice to prioritize having fun and recognize that personal worth is independent of external validation. Discouraging comparisons to others, she emphasizes the diversity of backgrounds and experiences within the community. Aspiring towards personal goals is commendable, but enjoying the process is fundamental to a fulfilling cosplay journey.
Sewing stands out as Katy’s favorite aspect of the crafting process, akin to performing magic with fabric. Her journey began with lessons from her mother and continued through formal education, further enhanced by self-driven learning from traditional sewing and patterning books. This foundational skill has been a cornerstone of her cosplay creations, contributing to the magic she weaves with every garment.
Choosing a favorite cosplay proves challenging for Katy, torn between the Jedi Leia and the green end of Frozen 1 Anna. These cosplays hold a special place in her heart, serving as go-to choices when uncertainty arises on what to bring.
