USA 🇺🇸
Jedimanda (solo): Hey y’all! I’m Amanda, I go by Jedimanda online. I’m 35 years old and I’ve been cosplaying since 2012 and sewing for longer. I am the solo representative from USA this year and this is my first international competition! I’m so excited! For my day job, I work in Marketing at our local Art Museum. I’m an avid bullet journal fan, bread-maker, and crocheter plus I just genuinely love to sew anything. I’m so excited to join the ICL in Spain this year, this will also be my first time in Spain.
JZ (duo): Hi! I’m Julie of JZ Cosplay; I’m 33 and have been cosplaying since 2010. During the week, I work as a data analyst. When I’m not cosplaying, I enjoy ice skating, riding horses, and gardening. I represented the USA at WCS in 2018, and I’m so excited to be part of Team USA for ICL 2024!
Jessie (duo): Hello, I’m Sew Excited Cosplay and my name is Jessi, I’ve been cosplaying since 2006. By day I work as an administrative assistant for a vision therapy clinic but my passion is in crafting fun and exciting costumes, learning how to develop my skills, and going on grand adventures with the friends I make along the way! This will be my first time representing the United States internationally and I’m both honored and overjoyed for this amazing opportunity.
How did you discover cosplay and what made you start in this hobby? How long ago?
Jedimanda (solo): I discovered cosplay in college. I was studying fine art painting and I needed my models to wear more interesting things for my setups, however, they didn’t own any crazy costumes. So, I took some costume design and sewing classes in college to make outfits for them. Then the need turned into a hobby, that then turned into an even bigger hobby when I started wearing the costumes and competing at conventions. This was around the early 2010s.Â
JZ (duo): I’ve always loved dressing up for Halloween and watching anime, so when I discovered my university had a cosplay club, it was the perfect fit! Everyone was so helpful and welcoming. I loved being able to talk about anime and learn about different construction techniques from more experienced cosplayers every week. I went to my first convention in the summer of 2010 with the friends I made in that club and still go to events with them almost 15 years later!
Jessie (duo): I first discovered cosplay as a young girl when I attended a comic book convention with my family. I did not go in costume at the time but I did fall in love with the idea of people dressing up as their favorite characters– the cosplayers I met that day were so nice and they looked like they were having so much fun I was instantly hooked. Later after learning how to sew from my mother I was finally able to start cosplaying myself and I have been doing so for over ten years now.
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What does cosplay mean for you? And what is your favorite part of the hobby?
Jedimanda (solo): Cosplay is an outlet to create amazing costumes AND have a community to share my creation with. The people in this community are such a pivotal part of cosplay. I love to share my work in progress photos with my online audience and close friends. Then when you are done, you can go to conventions and show it off! A cosplay convention is like an art gallery opening. What a treat!
JZ (duo): Cosplay has given me the freedom to step outside my comfort zone. It’s helped me discover so much about myself that I would have never thought to search for otherwise. I also wouldn’t be where I am today without the friends I’ve made over the years. Hence why the community aspect of this hobby is my favorite part: sharing build techniques, making friends backstage at contests, talking about favorite characters and theories, and just knowing that other people love the same thing as much as you is the most wonderful feeling.
Jessie (duo): Cosplay is a very important part of my life because it gave me the opportunity to make new friends and build a close and loving Cosplay family. Cosplay has allowed me to try new things, learn how to be a better crafter, and find ways to express myself creatively– but I think the friendships I have made along the way are by far the best part.
What changes do you see in the cosplay community in your country compared to when you started?
Jedimanda (solo): I’ve seen the changes mostly in the online space, however, as I get older, the community in my country grows with you. I feel a sense if kinship with a lot of cosplayer my age and it’s exciting to see everyone, year after year, at Dragon Con. When I started, I thought conventions were just local comic cons and that’s it.
JZ (duo): Outside of the obvious changes in materials and cosplay specific tools, the biggest change I’ve noticed is the impact of social media. Personal websites and blogs were the norm for sharing a cosplay portfolio before. It took a lot of work to maintain. Now, every cosplayer can easily make an account on their favorite social media site. It’s so much easier to find, share build notes and ideas, and even collaborate with others now.
Jessie (duo): When I first started cosplaying it wasn’t particularly popular in my country as it is today– it was somewhat underground and niche and kind of rare to see cosplayers at a lot of events outside of larger cities. Today the culture of cosplay has flourished and gone mainstream in exciting new ways as new methods and techniques have made it an art that is more available to people. As more and more people discover this creative and fun hobby it’s been like watching a garden of flowers burst into full bloom.
Why did you choose that project for the ICL national selection? Is this your first time joining an international cosplay competition?
Jedimanda (solo): I chose Rhaenyra Targaryen because I’m a HUGE fan of Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon. I believe the costumes in these shows are top notch and challenging to create. I’m an avid fan of House Targaryen and just waited for this first trailer to drop for HOTD for me to final pick a new costume to make. I tend to flock towards over embellished gowns of queens and women of power. Rhaenyra Targaryen fits that perfectly. This is my first time joining an international cosplay competition.
JZ (duo): Our selection costumes are from the Amazon Prime series: ‘The Legend of Vox Machina’. We chose our costumes because we both loved these characters, but also because they had a great duo dynamic and their personalities could really help drive a fun performance. Otherwise, I wanted to push myself to learn new techniques and Vax’s armor was the perfect chance for me to do that.
Jessie (duo): We chose these costumes together. We wanted something we could have fun in and would let us work on new skills.
What do you expect from your visit to Spain? Is this your first time visiting the country?Â
Jedimanda (solo): This is my first time visiting the country and I have no expectations except what I’ve heard. I’heard the people are so sweet, the food is stellar, and the wine is even better! Also they you all have pretty neat old buildings and art that I can’t wait to see.
JZ (duo): I’ve never been to Spain and am very excited to finally be able to go. I’m looking forward to seeing the historic locations and trying all the food!
Jessie (duo): I have never been to Spain before and I’ve heard so many wonderful things about how beautiful it is and especially how tasty the food is! I’m looking forward to meeting other Cosplayers and experiencing what their community is like in Spain.
Have you decided your project for the finals in Madrid? May you give us a clue?Â
Jedimanda (solo): Yes, my cosplay I wearing will be the same costume I qualified in, my Rhaenyra Targaryen cosplay.
JZ & Jessie (duo): Sibling Rivalry
Describe the cosplay community in your country using five words.
Jedimanda (solo): Kinship, Creative, Vibrant, Exciting, and Master-level.
JZ (duo): Passionate, Encouraging, Helpful, Creative, Fun.
Jessie (duo): Â Creativity, Friendship, Passion, Adventure, and Expressive.
Link to your Facebook page, Instagram and Twitter (add other social media if relevant):
Jedimanda (solo):
JZ (duo): https://www.instagram.com/jz_cosplay/
Jessie (duo):Â https://www.youtube.com/@sewexcitedcosplay4109 & https://www.instagram.com/sewexcitedcosplay/?hl=en
JZ, Jessie and Jedimanda were selected at Youmacon.
