Denmark 🇩🇰

Caiva (solo): I’m Caiva from Denmark! I started making my own costumes in 2011, so I’ve been a part of the cosplay community for quite a while now. For the past 8 years, I’ve competed and judged at different events around Europe.

Momone & Amao (duo): Hello! We are Amao and Momone, or Amanda and Simone in our ordinary everyday life. We are both 27 years old and have respectively been sewing and cosplaying since 2012 and 2010. This years ICL is the first time any of us have the chance to participate in an international competition, so we are more than excited to be going to spain for our first trip!

How did you discover cosplay and what made you start in this hobby? How long ago?

Caiva (solo): I’m not entirely sure when I first discovered cosplay, but I imagine it went like this: “Wow, this movie/videogame has some beautiful designs and costumes! That’s incredible… I should have that too!

Momone (duo): My first run-in with cosplay, was an old friend who had spotted a couple of Naruto cosplayers walking down the street, and immediately it was a case of “We have to do that too.” That was all the way back in 2010, and I started sewing my very first cosplay for halloween the same year.

Amao (duo): I was introduced by a dear friend back in 2012. I was informed that it was an option to show my appreciation for my favourite fictional characters, and combined with my adoration for vocaloid at the time, it was a must that Rin was my very first cosplay.

What does cosplay mean for you? And what is your favorite part of the hobby?

Caiva (solo): Cosplay has been a significant part of my life, so it goes without saying that it means a great deal to me. My favourite part about the hobby is the community and social interactions. I love meeting new people, exchanging stories, knowledge and chatting about our favourite things.

Momone (duo): Cosplay and crafting specifically is my absolute favourite hobby. Whenever I need to relax, I gravitate towards my sewing machine. Creating a costume with my own hands is the best part of the hobby for me. Nothing can beat the feeling of accomplishment I get when I look at a finished costume.

Amao (duo): The biggest part of cosplay for me is the community aspect. Getting to dress up and have fun with something I love is my favourite part. Also the absolute joy of getting to ‘convince’ my friends to join my endless unhinged plans.

What changes do you see in the cosplay community in your country compared to when you started?

Caiva (solo): The cosplay community has changed a lot since I first started. I especially appreciate how many resources are readily available now. You no longer have to scour suspicious websites to find things.

Momone & Amao (duo): The danish community have evolved so much over the years. Somehow we keep being impressed by the talented people we surround ourselves with. It seems like, in many ways, that the danish community doesn’t know the word ‘limits’ and will keep growing in both size, skill and camaraderie.  

Why did you choose that project for the ICL national selection? Have you already decided on your finals project for Madrid? Can you give us a hint?

Caiva (solo): I qualified at JpopCon with Senua from Hellblade (2014). I chose that project because it has been on my wishlist for quite a while and it was a good opportunity to tackle a more “aunthetic” looking character. Also, she has a cat ear headband, quite the pull if you ask me. As for the finals project? I’m currently hoping for a miracle.

Momone & Amao (duo): We may have a slight obsession with Enstars. We had decided that Valkyrie would be our next big project. Although we had fully expected it to be a different outfit. We had it planned out entirely, but had to change it up for the sake of time. We had already begun the creation of our outfits, which turned from just a leisure project, to our big project.
For the sake of the finale, we will be constructing some major improvements to look forward to.

Is this your first time competing in an international cosplay competition? What advice would you give to someone who wants to start cosplaying or join competitions?

Caiva (solo): This will not be my first time at an international competition, but I am so excited nonetheless! Competitions are a wonderful experience, so if I were to give any advice to curious souls, it’s “Don’t be afraid to enter, it’s so much fun”
Cosplayers on stage might seem intimidating, but that’s usually because of exhaustion from wearing heavy costumes/wig/make up for far too long (or concrunch). At the end of the day, we are all passionate souls who love spending time backstage having cozy talks.

Momone & Amao (duo): This years ICL is the very first time either of us gets to compete internationally. We have stood on many smaller stages throughout the years, and our greatest advice is to start small. You don’t have to be perfect to jump into your first competition. Make something you’re proud of for yourself, and you have the best start you can get. It’s all a matter of having fun along the way.

What has been your most memorable cosplay experience so far?

Caiva (solo): I can’t pinpoint one specific cosplay experience as “the” most memorable because, for me, it’s all about the friends I make along the way. Every cosplay adventure is unique, picking one seems impossible. 

Momone (duo): Most certainly, the moment of being called as the winner of my first international qualifier. It was such a surreal moment after so many years, to have my name called in such a big competition. It had been a dream to work towards from the time of my very first convention back in 2011.

Amao (duo): My most memorable moment was the very first performance I got to do with Momone. We took on the stage for the first time as a duo in 2018. Looking back I am so immensely proud of the leaps we have made in the following years.

What inspires your work the most—series, characters, craftsmanship, other artists…?

Caiva (solo): The people I meet through this hobby. Seeing what fandoms they are in, what projects they have planned, listening to their hype and speculations. It’s contagious in the best way possible.

Momone (duo): The crafting aspect is my biggest motivator. Whenever I start a new show or game, I have the tendency to look at a character design and ask myself how I would hypothetically make it. For the  most part, it’s a matter of picking my favourite character and diving into work. On occasion I will see another artist doing some really incredible technique and decide that I need to try that as well. 

Amao (duo): Music is a great gateway to get me dedicated to a project. If the series or game has a great soundtrack I will obsess with it and want to start making something instantly. Group projects are also a great motivator. Whenever I can pull my friends together to complete a group, my inspiration skyrockets.

What do you expect from your visit to Spain? Is this your first time visiting the country? 

Caiva (solo): This is my third time visiting Spain, and I’m so very excited to meet everyone and see their gorgeous creations! And of course try out some delicious foods.

Momone & Amao (duo): It will be our first time visiting Spain, so we are very excited. We have been receiving a lot of encouragement from friends who have visited in the past, so we are looking very much forward to the trip and the chance to experience a new country and community. We are looking forward to a trip, we most likely will never forget.

Describe the cosplay community in your country using five words.

Caiva (solo): I, love, it, so, much!

Momone & Amao (duo): Thigh-knit, skillful, welcoming, enthusiastic and supportive.

Link to your Facebook page, Instagram and Twitter (add other social media if relevant):

Caiva (solo):

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caivacosplay/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Caivacosplay/

Momone (duo): https://www.instagram.com/momone_cos/

Amao (duo): https://www.instagram.com/amaocos/
https://www.tiktok.com/@amaocos

Caiva, Momone and Amal were selected at J-Popcon.