Every year, fans pack convention centers around the world wearing painstakingly detailed costumes based on their favorite fictional characters, and some even turn it into a full-time job by marketing their skills on social media. This increasingly popular art form is known as cosplay, and unbeknownst to many, it has a home at the University that was established in 2023.
The Cosplay, Costuming & Crafts Club is a place where anyone is welcome, from experienced cosplayers to those with a casual interest in jewelry or prop making. Its mission is to allow student artists to explore their creative passions with no social apprehension and without facing the financial hurdles that prevent them from accessing the tools and materials they need. Link Fu, club founder and third-year College student, shared how organizations such as the University Library, Parents Program and Arts Council have helped her realize her vision.
“These resources allowed us to have the space to host workshops and pursue our mission, and [they] also offer us financial support,” Fu said.
Because of this support, club members enjoy a variety of benefits at no cost. At their regular workshops, hosts offer step-by-step instructions to craft smaller items that can be finished in a single session, such as pirate hats and dice trays. Whether or not they use these props for a larger project in the future, participants can socialize and gain experience in a fun, supportive environment.
By gathering artists of all backgrounds and skill levels, club leaders hope to destigmatize the hobby and introduce students to the communal element of cosplay culture. While some naysayers consider cosplay juvenile or lacking in practical value, many fans find it to be a fulfilling creative outlet that nurtures skills ranging from makeup to 3D modeling.
It’s also a great way to meet new people with the same taste in media or those who simply appreciate the effort of a well-done costume. Charlene Huynh, club secretary and fourth-year College student, described how her personality blossoms when she’s surrounded by likeminded fans at conventions.
“I'm personally an introvert, but at conventions, I'm a huge extrovert … I'm very happy to interact with all these sorts of people, and they're also very happy to interact with me, because there's no room for judgment,” Huynh said.
Fennec Craig, club president and second-year Engineering student, joined CCC in his first year and quickly found a sense of belonging at the Makerspace. He mentioned the importance of offering a welcoming experience to students who may be afraid of judgment or otherwise lack a supportive social circle.
“We’re trying to make it a bit more community-based this year, so then it gives a lot of people less of that fear to jump in,” Craig said. “Because now that we got rid of the financial and the skill barrier, it's like, okay, let's get rid of the social barrier.”
To help achieve this, CCC partners with conventions such as Anime USA in Arlington, Va. to offer discounted badges to members. Students also have the option to connect virtually on the club’s Discord server where almost 200 members ask for advice and post updates on their designs.
Those pursuing more complex projects can bring their ideas to life with premium materials and state-of-the-art equipment at the Scholars’ Lab Makerspace, which acts as CCC’s home base on the third floor of Shannon Library. In addition, the club offers free access to instructional books and sewing patterns from online resource hub Kamuicosplay so members can keep improving on their own time.
For more specific guidance, members can meet with club leaders during their office hours. Fu explained how these consultations help students develop their skills in a more focused setting.
“If people … want to come in to learn how to use a tool or equipment or to work on a personal project, they can come in to learn or to ask questions,” Fu said. “And I think those are also helpful if you want a dedicated space to hone your craft.”
As cosplayers themselves, club leaders and administrators also take advantage of the perks on offer. Huynh, who enjoys dressing up as Herta from the popular video game “Honkai: Star Rail,” expressed gratitude for the support she’s received for her projects.
“I'm very happy to have this club, because I get to do whatever I can for my cosplays without being anxious about finishing on time or wasting so much money on different materials,” Huynh said.
On occasion, the club hosts special guests to go more in-depth on a particular discipline. Recently, local craftsman Daniel Gilmore dropped by to show members how to create their own leather keychains, and professional cosplayer Maker Fishmeal visited in the spring to host two days of panels and workshops.
Club leaders hope that promoting artistic expression and connection will help members understand the appeal of cosplay on a deeper level. Dressing up and becoming immersed in fandom brings “joy and whimsy to a mundane life” according to Craig, and his experience proves the hobby can be transformational in more ways than one. As a transgender person, cosplay became an avenue for him to explore his gender identity before coming out and to meet others in the LGBT community for the first time.
“My first cosplay, I cosplayed a girl character, and I was like, yes, it's fun, it's whatever, but it didn't feel quite right to wear the costume,” Craig said. “But my first time wearing a male costume, I actually felt like myself … I was way more extroverted than usual, and I just had this sense of relief the whole time.”
Craig’s story demonstrates how cosplay can foster self-discovery in profound ways. By allowing members to realize their creative ambitions and interact with fellow artists on Grounds and beyond, CCC helps them achieve a type of freedom they can’t get anywhere else.
“You can make anything that you want to make, you can be whoever you want to be, and you can be in any world that's outside of this one,” Fu said.
Students interested in the Cosplay, Costuming & Crafts Club can find updates on their Instagram or visit their Linktree to join their mailing list and learn more about the resources and workshops they offer.
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