Belgium 🇧🇪

Orriix (solo): Hello! My name is Orriix I’m 29 years old.  I’ve been cosplaying for 10 years. I represented my country at Art to play before christmas in 2022 and at Paris games week championship in 2023.

Meilyli (duo): Hiiii ! I go by Meilyli in the cosplay community but you can just call me Mei. I’m 32 years old and I work as an administrative assistant. I’m a huge Disney fan, a musicals enthousiast, love dancing even if I’ve never taken courses, and I like meeting new people even if I can be shy and my english is sooo slow. To be honest I’m a bit nervous but I just can’t wait to meet everyone and be part of ICL 2024 !

Miwako chan (duo): Hello, I’m Miwako chan bit most of time got called Miwa or just Miwako., I’m 31 years old and I’ve been cosplaying since 2011.  I won several contests in Belgium and in 2018 I was runner up to represent my country at ECG Finals with 2 of my friends. I’m a huge Disney fan and musical addict. I work as a commercial assistant in a packaging company. I love dancing and acting. I’m a very sociable person and I love to meet new people, that’s why I’m really excited to join ICL in Spain and meet so much people from other countries!

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

Orriix (solo): I went to a convention for the first time with friends in 2015 and since then I’ve been into cosplay and officially doing it since 2016.

Meilyli (duo): I discovered cosplay at my first convention in march 2010 and thought it was a fun hobby but nothing more. Time passing by, I was still thinking about it so I started to look online and found the website of a french cosplayer whose name is Ivy’s Envies and fell in love with her work. I was like “I want to cosplay and create nice costumes, just like her” ! That’s how in november 2011, I was doing my first cosplays and that in march 2012 my first contest ever… I never stopped since then ! I’ve even had the honor of representing my country in ECG 2019. So now it’s the second time I will be representing my country and I couldn’t be more excited to join ICL in Spain, knowing it’s with my best friend Miwako chan!

Miwako chan (duo): I discovered cosplay irl at my first con ever, in March 2011. I immediately wanted to start cosplaying when I saw all it could bring to me. I saw it on Internet and discovered the work of talented cosplayers, that became really inspiring for me. Actually Nikita cosplay was the pne making me wanting to create my own costumes. I started cosplaying the same year in November 2011. I never stopped since then. Everytime I can perform on stage i do it!

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

Orriix (solo): I love learning new techniques on costumes and enjoying the craft! Sharing and meeting other people too. But I also love competition. My favorite part is crafting the foam and making textures on the pieces.

Meilyli (duo): Cosplay has a big role in my life since I met most of my close friends thanks to it. It also helped me feel most at ease on stage even if I always still feel a bit ridiculous, but It’s not frightening anymore. It’s going to sound cheesy but for me cosplay is a hobby meant to be creative and fun, and that’s my favorite part about it : wearing your cosplay with your friends, having a great time and creating memories.

Miwako chan (duo): For me it means Creativity, confidence and proudness. I love the fact of starting with a piece of fabric and transforming this in a whole princess dress (yes most of my cosplays are princesses). I don’t have a lot of self confidence but when I’m wearing my cosplays, i feel proud of my work and during a moment I have way more confidence than in my muggle life. I love wearing my cosplays, especially with my friends and create good memories together. I also met my best friends thanks to this hobby and it means a lot to me

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

Orriix (solo): A lot more people are cosplaying, of all ages and from many different universes, and even those who don’t cosplay are starting to get to know the term cosplay in our country.

Meilyli (duo): I think cosplay sellers and the ease of purchasing equipment have made cosplaying easier these last few years, and that allowed a lot of people to cosplay which is so nice.

Miwako chan (duo): There are way more generations in cosplay now. Everything is now easier to access (more tutorials, more social medias to speak with people and ask tips, more shops to get stuffs) and a lot of cosplayers are «popping from nowhere» and it’s a really good thing I think.

Why did you choose that project for the ICL national selection? Is this your first time joining an international cosplay competition?

Orriix (solo): Because Hiccup has always been a character who inspired me by his personality and courage, and it’s been one of my dream cosplays since the movie first came out. This is my second time joining a international competition.

Meilyli & Miwako chan (duo): To be honest, it wasn’t our initial project. When we realized our first idea was not possible, we decided to choose in our loooong list of cosplans. Anastasia and Drizella were the perfect match : they are from the Disney universe that we love so much and they had that “princesses dress» style outfit that we love so much. Also this duo being a funny and kitsch one, that allowed us to use shiny and patterned fabrics to match their personalities, and we were able to make something really funny on stage which we were excited about. Fun facts: usually Meilyli is making more green cosplays and Miwako is mostly making pink ones but this time, we’ve changed ! It’s our first time joining an international competition together and we are really excited for this ! As best friends for  years, it’s an honor to represent our country together.

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

Orriix (solo): I love seeing how conventions are run in other countries! No, this isn’t the first time I’ve been to Spain on vacation from time to time. But this is my first time in Madrid, and I can’t wait to discover the country’s capital!

Meilyli (duo): This will be my very first time in Spain and I am so excited to see the city, eat some delicious food and to be in a spanish convention!

Miwako chan (duo): It’s my first time visiting Spain and I’m really excited! I hope to discover more about this country… and maybe practicing my Spanish bases learnt during my bachelor, years ago!

Have you decided your project for the finals in Madrid? May you give us a clue? 

Orriix (solo): I’ll be coming with my Hiccup cosplay! The one with which I was selected for the ICL finals, with a few new additions to the costume!

Meilyli & Miwako chan (duo): After giving it some thought, we decided to keep our selections project for the finals. We are really proud of these costumes and our act, so we’re going to upgrade them for the finals as much as we can. We hope you’ll enjoy our act as much as we liked creating it ! It’s going to be light and fun!

Describe the cosplay community in your country using five words.

Orriix (solo): Sociable, opportunity, community, learning, exchange

Meilyli (duo): Fun, Friend, Creativity, Princesses and Glitters

Miwako chan (duo): Diversity – Friends – Humour – Talent – Creativity

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

Orriix (solo):
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orriixcosplay/

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

Meilyli (duo):

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

Miwako chan (duo):

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/miwako.chan

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@miwako.chan

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

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Orriix, Meilyli and Miwako chan were selected at Le Festival Made in Asia.

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