Cosplay Chronicles: When I First Started Cosplaying, I Did Not Intend For It To Be What It Is Now

Published: May 4, 2021, 3:22 p.m.

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Cosplay, short for 'costume-play', is the practice of wearing costumes, props, and accessories to represent and embody a character. Typically, cosplay is the extension of a person\\u2019s love for a character or genre, such as science fiction and fantasy, anime and manga, comic books, and other creative media.  For cosplayers and fans, cosplay culture is mostly a space of freedom and expression. For people that don't feel the same connection, cosplay is often misunderstood and seen as just plain weird.  

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So, why do people enjoy cosplay? Why do cosplayers choose to embody certain characters? How do they feel while in costume? Does wearing a mask make them feel different?  Sarah asks these questions and more to professional cosplayer and online content creator, Jess @feministchronicles, whose craft focuses on the integration of cosplay, women\\u2019s empowerment, and body positivity. Jess is a South Florida native, has a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Women's Studies, and has been cosplaying since the summer of 2017.  

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Jess's Social Media: IG: @feministchronicles 

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Twitter: @femchronicles_ 

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Further Reading: Robin S. Rosenberg: Expressions of Fandom: Findings from a Psychological Survey of Cosplay and Costume Wear

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