Poland 🇵🇱
Lynx Den (solo): Hi! My name is Anna, and Lynx Den is my cosplay nickname. I’m 29 years old, and I made my first cosplay in 2014. I craft my cosplays in between my day jobs as an art restorer, painter, and teacher at the Academy of Fine Arts. Crafting is my life now, I guess. I’ve never taken part in an international cosplay competiton, so I’m super excited to join ICL for the first time!
Nethi (duo): Hi! I’m Nethi, also known as Jakub. I’m 35 and I’ve been cosplaying since 2022. This is my first time competing on the international stage, and I’m really looking forward to this new adventure!
Nabia (duo): Hi there! I’m Nabia, my real name is Patrycja, and I’m 28. I started seriously cosplaying in 2022, just like Nethi, though I dabbled in it back in my school days. I’m incredibly excited that my first international competition is something as amazing as ICL!
How did you discover cosplay and what made you start in this hobby? How long ago?
Lynx Den (solo): My brother sent me a Wikipedia article about cosplay, and it got me curious. I started researching the topic and was already thinking about my first cosplay project. That was almost 12 years ago! I started because I love seeing my favorite characters come to life, and owning their props as decorations in my living room or as wearable jewelry (Lara Croft’s necklace from the reboot games is still one of my favorite pieces).
Nethi (duo): It all started with a lost bet with Nabia and after that things spiralled down almost out of control and soooo we are here now.
Nabia (duo): Yep, Nethi lost a bet with me and it snowballed into something way bigger than we expected – and now we’re at the ICL finals! <3
What does cosplay mean for you? And what is your favorite part of the hobby?
Lynx Den (solo): Cosplay is an adventure for me. Beyond making costumes, I get to meet amazing people and take part in exciting events. My favorite aspect is crafting the costume on my own and incorporating as many details as possible. I love researching historical references to understand the inspiration behind character designs. If I see a small embellishment, I immediately want to recreate it!
Nethi (duo): Cosplay is my way to express my creativity needs. I love working with my hands, building things from scratch, and that sense of satisfaction when everything finally comes together it’s unmatched.
Nabia (duo): I’ve always needed a creative outlet, but I used to jump between hobbies. Cosplay really clicked for me because it blends so many techniques and skills, and the only real limit is your imagination. That’s also my favorite thing about it – there’s no single “right” way to do something. You can always try a new, unique approach.
What changes do you see in the cosplay community in your country compared to when you started?
Lynx Den (solo): The craftsmanship level has improved significantly! These days, not only can you buy beautifully made costumes, but materials like thermoplastics, wigs, and resins are also easily accessible. I’ve also noticed how 3D printing and modeling have changed how we approach details and proportions. While it’s still time-consuming and requires experience, it allows us to learn new skills while something is printing in the background.
Nethi (duo): I think the community grows with each year, materials and tools are more accessible now, and more people are open and enthusiastic about the hobby, which is great to see.
Nabia (duo): Definitely! Over the years, especially through conventions, I’ve noticed that cosplay has become much more approachable. There’s a growing sense of openness, more people are willing to share their knowledge and techniques now than ever before.
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?
Lynx Den (solo): I chose Ciri’s newest design from the Witcher 4 because, just before the trailer dropped, I was thinking how cool it would be to cosplay Geralt’s iconic armor, and Ciri’s look feels inspired by it. I also love the medieval art influences in the details. And of course, there’s the fun challenge of making chainmail! Unfortunately, I can’t use the Ciri cosplay for the finals, since the game hasn’t been released yet and the design is only based on trailers. So I’ll be bringing a different costume, one I also love and can’t wait to show you. Hint: lots of blue, glasses, and a katana sword ;).
Nethi & Nabia (duo): We’ll be bringing Jinhsi and Brant from Wuthering Waves! We both instantly connected with the characters and aesthetics of the game, so it felt like the perfect fit for our project.
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?
Lynx Den (solo): Yes, it’s my first international competition, and I can’t wait to meet all the other contestants! My advice: make a plan, don’t give up, trust the process, try not to compare your work to others, and remember that it’s all about the joy of creating and connecting with awesome people. Oh, and stay hydrated, and eat what you love!
Nethi (duo): Yes, it’s my first international competition and everything about it feels exciting and new. If you’re thinking about starting cosplay or entering competitions, my advice is: believe in yourself. Don’t put too much pressure on being perfect. This is a journey, and you never know where it might lead.
Nabia (duo): It’s my first time too, and I’d say: just go for it! Gather feedback, be open to constructive criticism, especially from more experienced cosplayers. But most importantly – stay true to yourself. At the end of the day, this is a hobby. It should bring you joy, fun, and fulfillment, not stress or burnout.
What has been your most memorable cosplay experience so far?
Lynx Den (solo): It’s hard to choose just one! But one of the most memorable moments was during my first cosplay competition, when I received a special, makeshift honorable mention. The contest only had two official prizes, first place and the audience’s vote, but the jury liked my costume so much that they wanted to recognize my work with an actual award. Since they only had two statuettes prepared, the organizers improvised and bought a katana sword from the convention itself to present as a prize. That’s what made it so special. I still have it, and it reminds me of the early days of my not-so-short-anymore cosplay journey.
Nethi & Nabia (duo): One time after a competition, we received some very detailed feedback. At first, it felt a bit intense, like we were being scolded, but in reality, it was incredibly motivating. That moment gave us a clear vision of what we wanted to improve. It pushed us to upgrade our current work and also lit a fire to start new projects. We wanted to see how far we could go if we kept growing and challenging ourselves.
What inspires your work the most—series, characters, craftsmanship, other artists…?
Lynx Den (solo): Passion for the character and the costume design, and watching experienced artists create their costumes.
Nethi & Nabia (duo): Honestly, one of ours biggest sources of inspiration is getting to create cosplay with someone close to me. It’s how we spend quality time together. We support and push each other, and that shared motivation really keeps the spark alive.
What are your expectations for your visit to Spain? Is it your first time in the country?
Lynx Den (solo): I’m super excited, because it will be my first time in Spain, and I’ve wanted to visit the country since I was a teenager. I even chose my high school based on its ability to teach Spanish :D. I haven’t used the language much since, but I can’t wait to be surrounded by it again. I’m also really looking forward to trying all the delicious food and drinks.
Nethi (duo): It’s my second time in Spain, but my first time visiting Madrid. No expectations, just excited to meet new people with whom I share my greatest hobby.
Nabia (duo): It’ll be my first time in Spain, and I’m so excited! I can’t wait to meet all the incredible people, try the local food, and explore Madrid.
Describe the cosplay community in your country using five words.
Nethi & Nabia (duo): Creative, open, inspiring, party, friendly
Link to your Facebook page, Instagram and Twitter (add other social media if relevant):
Lynx Den (solo): https://www.instagram.com/lynx.den/
Nethi (duo): https://www.instagram.com/nethicosplay
Nabia (duo): https://www.instagram.com/nabia.cosplay
Lynx Den, Nethi and Nabia were selected at Ryucon.
