It’s time to flex those sewing skills, Supa-Fans; the first ever Cosplay Connection Competition is now underway!
Proudly presented by Singer and Supanova, this purely online competition is the perfect opportunity for individuals and families to show off their costumes from the comfort of their own homes – with the chance to win some awesome prizes to boot!
To be in with a shot at the Cosplay CP6355M sewing machine for Best in Show, or the Heavy Duty 4411 for Best Family/Group Cosplay, entrants will need to impress an expert panel of judges, all sensational cosplayers in their own right. Meet the judges who hold the fate of the Cosplay Connection Competition in their hands: Giorgia Costumes, ANDYCAMCosplay and Zeldrath Cosplay!
Giorgia Costumes
Photo by Steven Yee
A prolific seamstress and award-winning costumier, Supa-Fans will recognise Giorgia Costumes as one of Supanova’s Cosplay Ambassadors. Cosplaying since 2004, Giorgia has combined her love of crafting and nerdy things into one all-consuming passion.
A graduate of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) in costume, Giorgia has won several cosplay competitions at a national level and was even the Australian Representative at the World Cosplay Summit in Nagoya, Japan in 2018.
Giorgia has MC-d events, and held panels and workshops, but believes she will probably never complete her ever-growing cosplay list (we, however, believe in her!).
When asked what she looks for when judging cosplay competitions, Giorgia revealed that sometimes less really is more.
“For craftsmanship awards, I look for techniques done well and the accuracy of a costume compared to the reference image provided. Although it’s always tempting to throw as many different techniques into a build as possible, I usually find that fewer techniques but done very well work significantly better than tons of techniques done poorly. In terms of embellishments, I look for detail that makes the costume come to life in a realistic manner but doesn’t detract from the original design, and make it look completely different to the source material.”
ANDYCAMcosplay
Photo by Ewan Ly
With over a decade of experience, ANDYCAMcosplay is an active member of the cosplay community, as well as a former Supanova Cosplay Ambassador. Since beginning in 2008, he has amassed an army of more than 170 cosplays and won over 60 awards for his trouble.
Photo by Jayden Ashworth
ANDYCAM loves combining as many different materials and methods of crafting together as possible, so he looks forward to seeing all the techniques other cosplayers can showcase when judging contests.
To enter the Cosplay Connection Competition, cosplayers must submit a short video showcasing their costumes. ANDYCAM’s advice for entrants?
“When doing a cosplay skit, make sure to keep the audience entertained. Also keep in mind that not everyone will know the character/series you are cosplaying from, so be clear and concise [so] that everyone can enjoy the performance and possibly even use your cosplay as a motivator to learn more about the character. Also make sure to highlight any special parts of your costume and props, movement makes a big emphasis on some piece!”
Zeldrath Cosplay
Photo by Steamkittens
Sewing and gaming since she was approximately seven years old, before going on to study costuming at university at 19, Zeldrath has been making and maintaining her own clothing for the last 20 years and wonders why she only started cosplaying four years ago.
Photo by Ewan Ly
It was all down-hill after the first time she cosplayed in Sydney in 2016, winning the Best in Show that day and feeling that maybe she should retire 100% unbeaten. But it was too late and the bug had bitten!
Zeldrath has since gone on to win multiple awards, including Best in Show at last year’s Supanova in Melbourne.
For cosplayers just starting out, Zeldrath had the following advice to offer:
“Love the character you want to portray; your enthusiasm will shine through. Pockets, comfy shoes, water. Even if you never get into sewing or crafting, learn how to properly store and/or press the costume, nothing worse than unnecessary wrinkles.”
Entries for the Cosplay Connection Competition close 3pm AEST Friday, 25 September 2020, so make use of these judges’ words of hand-woven wisdom and get in quick for your chance to win!
Lead Image: Zeldrath Cosplay photo by Euan Roberts Photography, ANDYCAMcosplay photo by Will Cook, and Giorgia Costumes photo by Adamantiumloz.
