Portugal 🇵🇹

Banshee (solo): Hey there! I go by Banshee, but some know me as Dani. I’m a 22-year-old cosplayer, costume maker, and designer from Portugal with a passion for the eerie and the elaborate. I’ve been crafting for nearly a decade, and competing for 2 years. I’ve represented Portugal as both the 2024 CWM 2nd Representative, and now the 2025 ICL Solo Representative. I love nothing more than pushing the boundaries of cosplay as a form of performance art.

Cristina (duo): Hello! I’m Cristina, I’m 34 years old and I’ve been cosplaying since 2015. I’m a full-time artisan and crafter. This is my first time representing my country, so I am very excited for this ICL adventure! 

Fable (duo): Hi! My name is Pedro, but people call me Fable and I’ve also been cosplaying since 2015. I’m a programmer and I’ve been told that the food is amazing in Madrid. I can’t wait for my first time at an international cosplay competition.

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

Banshee (solo): I stumbled into cosplay by accident, I was a gamer and artist all my life so I used to colect concept art books, one of which came from the Alice Madness Returns Franchise. This book “The Art of Alice: Madness Returns” had displayed all the costumes from ingame, and I fell in love with the design of the Histeria dress. I made it for a halloween party, I didn’t even know it was cosplay, but since then I didn’t stop. Two years later I found myself being a regular con goer and then found cosplayers.I was instantly hooked. What started as a passion for crafting Halloween costumes spiraled into a full-blown love for armor building, makeup, sewing, and storytelling through costume.

Cristina (duo): I had heard of cosplay since my teen years, but it was when I first went to Comic Con Portugal in 2014 that I actually understood the concept and the passion for cosplay. And ever since then, I have been cosplaying.

Fable (duo): I guess I used to dress up as a kid for “Carnaval” and when we went to Comic Con for the first time it brought back that feeling of dressing up as a character. What kept me in it was the fun of making the costumes.

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

Banshee (solo): Cosplay, to me, is a form of living art. My favorite part is the transformation, both physically and emotionally. Putting on a costume and fully stepping into a character’s shoes, and knowing what it took to get there crafting wise. It is a mind changing journey.

Cristina (duo): My favorite part of cosplay is definitely the research to create the costumes – figuring out the fabrics that were used, the time periods… And being able to learn new techniques with this hobby! Cosplay allows me to be creative and imaginative.

Fable (duo): To me cosplay means putting myself in the shoes of the character. My favorite parts (I’m sorry, but there are 2) are; making the costumes and imagining what the character might have gone through with it; and putting the costume on and feeling the power of that character. And also people’s reaction. I’m sorry, there were 3 after all.

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

Banshee (solo): The Portuguese cosplay community has grown in many ways. When I first started, I wasn’t very in touch with the interlinks of the cosplay community it was only when I started to go on competitions that I truly dipped my toes in the water. I think now, we’ve built an incredibly supportive and skilled/ talented community. It’s inspiring to see newcomers thrive and veterans innovate.

Cristina & Fable (duo): Competitions have been more fierce, however, there are more people trying out the contests for the first time and loving the experience.

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?

Banshee (solo): Laxasia is an emotionally and morally complex character, when I first saw her cutscene in Lies of P it was love at first sight. Lore wise, I personally related alot to the character, (she is literally me) I felt her pain and wanted her story to be heard. The way that her very bulky and dangerous armour falls down reveals a woman crumbling down in her emotions while wearing a lingerie/restrictive vest inspired outfit, really called to me. It took blood sweat and tears but I did it. I do love a challenge and I knew lax would be one I am very proud of that costume! As for Madrid… I’ve already chosen my finals project, and let’s just say: it is something so different than what I have done before but also will make alot of sense. Expect something theatrical and emotionally intense.

Cristina & Fable (duo): Because Witcher is awesome! We have already decided, yes and we can give you a hint: Hmmm.

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?

Banshee (solo): It’s not my first time—I’ve been fortunate to represent Portugal on international stages before like CWM 2024. My advice? Build what sets your soul on fire. Don’t fear judgment. Never give up. Learn with criticism, don’t take it personally. It’s ok to feel upset when you don’t achieve your goals. Competitions are tough but incredibly rewarding. Anyone can do it just keep trying. Treat every piece like a love letter to your craft. And document everything for your buildook or social media content. Always try to do your best but never let it affect you on a personal level, if its unhealthy draw the line, you are supposed to have fun in competing it is not an obligation. Compete with the people you love it can create so many good memories and a cool project with come to be!

Cristina & Fable (duo): This is our first time in an international contest! As advice to someone who wants to start cosplay: Don’t be afraid, come on in! The water is fine. For someone who wants to start competing: You won’t always be first, but you can always win the audience. Focus on that!

What has been your most memorable cosplay experience so far?

Banshee (solo): I made most of my real life friends backstage and some of the memories I have —laughing, crying, helping each other glue things last-minute—those are unforgettable. I also really loved when I was announced as our representative for ICL this year and everyone around me was so happy for me. I had all of my friends/ family and strangers crying tears of joy. A memory I also cherish alot was after the CWM finals, everyone waiting to talk to me and yelling out my name. The support has been INSANE

Cristina (duo): My most memorable experience was the first time we entered a cosplay contest – we were cosplaying as original characters from Assassin’s Creed and during the skit I had a wooden staff that opened up into 2 katanas. As soon as I showed that transformation into the katanas, the audience went wild! Best audience reaction I had to this date.

Fable (duo): My most memorable experience is being on stage playing a musical skit as the Joker. There was a vocal harmony in the song and the crowd was silent and then they burst into applause. My heart was full and I thought: I have to remember this moment.

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

Banshee (solo): My passion as I’ve mentioned before comes mostly from video games, dark fantasy and horror are my favourite genres. Games like Bloodborne, Dark Souls, Fear and Hunger, Darkwood, Omori and Alice Madness Returns really speak to me. Other things that i’m passionate about are Magic the Gathering the Tcg, D&D, Sonic the hedgehog and Berserk.The character that most inspires me everyday is Shadow the hedgehog, for as weird as that sounds I’ve been obsessed with this character since I was a little kid and I hold a very dear place in my heart for this edgy hedgehog.

Cristina (duo): The characters, most definitely – if I don’t like a character, it is so much harder to find inspiration or motivation to cosplay them. I need to love the characters.

Fable (duo): Craftsmanship because I am curious and creative and I want to know how things work and figure out solutions for things that don’t work.

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

Banshee (solo): It’s not my first time, but I’ve never been to Madrid—and that makes it feel scary but exciting. I’m excited to meet fellow artists, share experiences, and take part in a celebration of craftsmanship on an international level. And of course, I fully intend to absorb every ounce of inspiration the city has to offer.

Cristina (duo): I have been to Spain before, but haven’t stayed in Madrid! I am a little anxious for this experience and hopefully we are able to make Portugal proud! I can’t wait to meet and hang out with the other contestants and to make new friends. And of course the food! I have heard really good things about that.

Fable (duo): It is not my first time in the country, but I haven’t been to Madrid in a while. When I spoke to a previous ICL finals participant, he said the food was amazing – that was the main selling point. That said, I expect to meet people from all around the world, a lot of anxiety and an insane event.

Describe the cosplay community in your country using five words.

Banshee (solo): Resilient. Creative. Passionate. Supportive. Evolving.

Cristina & Fable (duo): We’ve. Made. Really. Good. Friends!

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

Banshee (solo): https://instagram.com/_bansheecosplay

Cristina (duo): https://www.instagram.com/cristinasleather/

Fable (duo): https://www.instagram.com/fablefoxweaver/

Banshee, Cristina and Fable were selected at Lisboa Games Week.