United Kingdom 🇬🇧
DUO
Kerritcos, 25, competition newbie, do I count as a cosplay oldie yet?
Captain Amelia, 28, how do I write a bio?
How did you discover cosplay and what made you start in this hobby? How long ago?
KC: I’d been to maybe two conventions before learning about cosplay as something that I could do, rather than something done by people much more professional (ha!) than me. I actually found out about it through an old school friend I reconnected with. I started out as a photographer (still one!), went to a convention with her to take pictures, and was enamoured by the sense of community that was so different approaching the convention with a cosplayer rather than as a regular attendee. That was probably 7 years ago now, and here we still are!
CA: I’ve been cosplaying for ten years (sounds horrible when you say it), starting with an obnoxious amount of Disney costumes. My mum taught me to sew when I was little, and made sure I always knew how to make and mend my own clothes. When I learned about cosplay and the convention scene through a school friend, I knew the combination of crafting, performance, and an acceptable amount of showing off made it the perfect hobby for me.
Why did you choose Clone Wars as your project for the ICL preselection? Is this your first time joining an international cosplay competition?
CA: We fell into a truly feral Star Wars obsession after the release of the Disney+ Obi-Wan Kenobi show. Our friends disowned us, and, when the opportunity to apply for ICL came up, we couldn’t imagine working together on anything else.
KC: I don’t think there was really any discussion – or thought process – that happened, we went from floating the idea of attempting to enter ICL to having agreed to do Anakin and Obi-Wan and having a full skit idea in the space of maybe a minute and a half. This is my first time competing at all let alone international competition, so no pressure!
CA: This is my second time in an international competition – my first was ECG Season 7 – but our first time cosplaying together.
What does cosplay mean for you? And what is your favorite part of the hobby?
KC: It really scratches that creative itch, there’s just so many layers to it. It’s creativity with deadlines, and therefore motivation, and then such a reward at the end because you not only have a finished piece you’re (hopefully) proud of, but you get to wear it and show it off to people in real life. Not to mention how integral the community and friendships that have come with it have become to my life. I think I’d be a completely different person without cosplay.
CA: Cosplay is an escapist outlet, and it introduced me to some of my closest friends (and Kerry). It’s a community that champions creativity, ingenuity, and individuality, and encourages you to loudly and proudly be yourself. My favourite part of the hobby has always been the opportunity to perform, and to embody my character on stage; for two minutes, I get to be someone else.
If you weren’t selected before the pandemic, please let us know how did it affect to your cosplay projects and motivation and how you approached the selections.
The UK doesn’t host an ICL qualifier anymore, so we hadn’t even been able to think about entering until the online selections opened! We couldn’t pass up the chance to apply to such a performance focussed competition, and have been rehearsing in our back garden for months. We’d like to apologise to our neighbours.
What do you expect from your visit to Spain? Is this your first time visiting the country?
CA: It’ll be my first time in Spain – I’m hoping for good food, good company, and a good show!
KC: It’s my first time in Spain since I was four, which I don’t think counts. I’ve heard overwhelmingly positive things about this convention and competition though, so I’m hoping for a really fun time! I’m looking forward to the sightseeing day.
Have you decided your project for the finals in Madrid? Can you give us a clue?
We’ll be wearing the Clone Wars costumes we were selected with #BROTP
Describe the cosplay community in your country using five words.
Kerry: Absolute chaos, the best fun.
CA: Sociable, confident, motivational, close, dedicated.
You can follow KerritCos and Captain Amelia on:
KC: Instagram – @kerritcos, Twitter – @kerritcos, Facebook – facebook.com/kerritcosplay
CA: Instagram – @captamelia, Facebook – facebook.com/captainameliacosplay, Blog – captainameliacosplay.wordpress.com
SOLO
I’m Beth, aka Amazonian Cosplay, and I’m 25. I’ve been crafting costumes in the United Kingdom for 10 years. With a ‘devil is in the details’ approach, my skillset proudly extends to leatherwork, metal blacksmithing, prosthetic makeup effects, and my one true love, embroidery. When not stitching, I can be found at cosplay competitions (on both sides of the judging table!) across Europe, or collaborating with brands such as Netflix and Ubisoft. I celebrate costuming challenges, and hope to inspire crafting hopefuls to take more risks and love the finer details.
How did you discover cosplay and what made you start in this hobby? How long ago?
I started cosplaying a whopping 10 years ago this year! I was 15 years old, and a massive Doctor Who fan. I stumbled across a blog about cosplays from the show, and with still-wet PVA glue on unpainted foam, I made my way to my local convention, and it all spiraled rapidly from there!
Why did you choose Maria as your project for the ICL preselection? Is this your first time joining an international cosplay competition?
Maria from the Assassin’s Creed Movie is a costume that contains my entire heart. While approximately 3 people saw the film, I fell in love with the embroidery and all the detailing! I originally made this costume in 2016 for the film’s release, and since then have remade every part of it gradually over the years! After ICL, I can finally rest as she will be finished. This is not my first time in an international cosplay competition – in 2019 I took part in Art2Play in France, and next month I have the privilege of competing as the UK Champion in the Crown Championships of Cosplay!
What does cosplay mean for you? And what is your favorite part of the hobby?
Cosplay means everything to me. I’ve always been creative and interested in various art mediums throughout my childhood, but with finding cosplay and costume making it’s like I’ve found my home. Being able to bring my beloved characters to life, spending literal years embroidering all the teeny tiny details and attempting to create a perfect replica, it brings me so much joy and fulfillment. And getting to top it all off by showing it off on stage is the icing on the cake!
If you weren’t selected before the pandemic, please let us know how did it affect to your cosplay projects and motivation and how you approached the selections.
I was selected via the online submissions. To be frank, it was a super last minute decision to enter! I decided to enter as my two closest friends submitted for the Duo entry, and we thought it would be amazing if we were all able to go to Spain together! We never expected all three of us would get accepted. The pandemic was both a blessing and a curse to my cosplay crafting. On one hand, it gave me the opportunity to spend hundreds of hours on my cosplays, but I also struggled with motivation due to the lack of events and competitions and no place to show it off! So I set myself to work on one giant long project that I knew wouldn’t be finished until after the pandemic, so I didn’t need to feel sad about not having the opportunity to show it off.
What do you expect from your visit to Spain? Is this your first time visiting the country?
I visited Spain on a family holiday when I was about 15, but other than that, no! I’m super excited to do some sightseeing in a new city, and meet all the wonderful contestants and Spanish cosplay community!
Have you decided your project for the finals in Madrid? Can you give us a clue?
👀
Describe the cosplay community in your country using five words.
Passionate, Competitive, requires Damage Control
You can follow Amazonian on:
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/amazoniancosplay
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/amazoniancos/
Twitter https://twitter.com/megabethbob
Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@amazoniancos
Website https://www.amazoncostumes.co.uk/
Team U.K. was selected during the online selections (August 2022)
