Self-expression can manifest itself in a number of ways, but members of the cosplay community say expression goes further than imitation.
Cosplay is a method of dressing in costume as a character from popular culture including movies, books and video games. This is often seen as a hobby, but most cosplayers use their skills as an act of self-expression.
Keisha Swanson, a Calgary native and avid cosplayer said important connections to a character’s traits can determine who she chooses to dress as.
“There are certain parts of characters I can connect with and that’s why it pushes me to cosplay them because I want to really celebrate that part of myself,” said Swanson. “I feel confident and dare I say it sexy for once.”
The psychology of choosing a costume goes deeper than just how a character makes someone feel. According to an article written by Ashely Lotecki entitled Cosplay Culture: The development of interactive and living art through playin June 2012, 22 per cent of people who participate in cosplay chose characters based on personality and if they share similar personality traits. 38 per cent of cosplayers explained they chose a costume based on the visual appeal of a character making it the largest factor in character choice.
“There was two of us that worked on it. It took about three months from start to finish,” Said Natasha Amir a Lethbridge resident. She completed the construction of a fully functional centaur suit complete with fur and hooves that moved as she walked.
Some convention attendees will attend more than one convention a year to fill their costuming passion. Cosplayers also aren’t the only ones who make an appearance to more than one convention. Event vendors who sell their wares during convention also travel around for the events.
Jay Tansey an illustrator who sells her creations at multiple events a year insisted that visiting other events is critical for business, but she travels more for the social aspect.
“If others decide not to travel, they miss out on meeting new people they haven’t interacted with yet and that’s important to me,” said Tansey.
Lethbridge has not seen an entertainment exposition since 2015. The Lethbridge public library does hold a small annual comic con with events similar to its larger counterparts. The last event ran in May and has plans to return next year.
