#philipodango

[cosplayinamerica]

Kidagakash from Atlantis @treatzcosplay // photo : @r2_cosplay

When we arrived at the Con and stepped out of the car my heart immediately sank. It was cold, windy, and I was wearing almost no clothing. As we walked past the crowds to get to our first panel I could feel the eyes staring and I began to regret this awful choice that I had made. Then, while standing in the line for the panel, another cosplayer I didn't know came up to me and asked if I was Kida from Atlantis.

When I said yes she got so excited, told me she loved it, and took my photo. It was like all of the weight was lifted off of my shoulders because I was able to make one person smile, but then another person came up to me, and another, and another. Soon enough I realized that I didn't look as foolish as I felt I did leading up to the Con. People really supported me through this cosplay and it meant the world to me!

Initially I was trying to choose a cosplay that would signify more than just a love for a fandom, I was searching for a "Coming Out" cosplay; a costume that would help me show my family, friends, and rest of the world, the person I had been hiding away for so long.

Unknown to this motive, my friends, along with myself, came up with the idea to do a genderbent Disney group for our next project, it was then when it was suggested that I watch Atlantis The Lost Empire. Princess Kidagakash was strong, beautiful, and confident with nothing to hide. She was everything I wanted to be. It was not a very big or overly exciting costume in my mind, but I knew this cosplay would not only help to show others my true self, but also help me to accept myself for the first time in such a long time.

Photo: calgaryexpo

My life has changed a lot in the last four years since my last interview! My Kida cosplay opened up a whole new world to me, one filled with confidence in my own skin as well as confidence in my skills. This pushed me to enter my first cosplay competition the following Spring where I entered an original design for a male Viera from Final Fantasy. I was shocked to be awarded Best Craftsmanship in my category, but what was more rewarding was the network of incredible makers I gained through the competition, both fellow competitors and judges. This network led to amazing opportunities such as being interviewed by Bill Doran (@chinbeard) of Punished Props, hosting panels on sewing at my local con, being asked to join group cosplays by amazing cosplayers in other countries, and even being part of sponsored cosplay projects!

Photo: fanexpocanada

Most recently I hit a new goal in my competition career by competing in my first international competition, The North American Masters of Cosplay Grand Prix hosted by Fan Expo. I was so proud to represent my country as the only Canadian in the finals! I also created a dream cosplay for this competition, a Sakizo (@sakizoillustrator) design. My Gentleman Peridot won Best in Show in the finals and I still have no words to explain how unbelievable the feeling was meeting, let alone being acknowledged by some of the biggest names in cosplay!

Although this last year has been long and dark for us all, I've still been able to stay positive thanks to some wonderful opportunities that my cosplaying provided. This included my first opportunity to judge a cosplay competition that was organized by @nerdcaliber and @thecovinator. It was a wonderful experience that allowed me to connect with the community in a time when we were all forced apart. I was also asked to be part of an amazing virtual cosplay group with the incredible @philipodango and @tranquil_ashes! We cosplayed from the Disney Pixar movie Onward and the project was sponsored by Mehron Makeup (@mehronmakeup). I was so honoured to work with (and to just be associated with) these two insanely talented artists!

Overall, Cosplay still continues to be a huge positive force in my life! It keeps my mind creative and allows me to continue learning new techniques with every new project. I can't wait to see where it takes me when the world is back to some form of normalcy and we can all finally see each other in person again!

[thehipsterzombiejointexperience]

It’s time for an all new @hipsterexp #cosplayspotlight for 1/14/21! Check out the full post at HipsterZOMBIEJointExperience.com now to see even more cosplay creations! This week’s featured cosplayers include: @lasvegashawkeye @natsumi_cosplay @may.b.cosplay @philipodango @ashnadia ⁣ .⁣ .⁣ .⁣ .⁣ .⁣ #videogamecosplay #cosplayersofinstagram #cosplaymodel #blackcosplayer #cosplayofcolor #doitforcosplay #curvycosplayselfie #trapcosplay #disneycosplay #cosplayprops #overwatchcosplay #cosplaygoals #cosplay #cosplayer #cosplaywip https://www.instagram.com/p/CKCo__sjlDc/?igshid=14hwtgedxwtc8

[rvamag]

👋 Cosplay is a combination of 'costume' and 'play'👋 Local Tara Dighe (@tarabletimes) goes to @galaxyconrichmond and give us a rundown on con culture then chats with award winning designer and cosplayer Phillip Odango (@philipodango) on why cosplay is super fun and open to everyone. Enjoy! • • s/o @thegiancarloesposito 💪💪 • • #conventionculture #cosplay #canvascosplay #galaxycon #philipodango #rvaart #richmondshows #richmondlife #rva #rvamag #thingstodoinrva #visitrichmond #visitvirginia #richmond #richmondmusic #rvamusic #richmondva #rvanews #richmondgrid #richmondmag #rvaexperience #richmondexperience #thervalife #virginiaisforlovers #visitva #virginialiving #richmondliving #rvaadventures #loverva #loveva (at GalaxyCon Richmond) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ced3NxnO54a/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[cosplayinamerica]

Gentleman Peridot : treatzcosplay // photo: fanexpocanada

My life has changed a lot in the last four years since my last interview! My Kida cosplay opened up a whole new world to me, one filled with confidence in my own skin as well as confidence in my skills. This pushed me to enter my first cosplay competition the following Spring where I entered an original design for a male Viera from Final Fantasy. I was shocked to be awarded Best Craftsmanship in my category, but what was more rewarding was the network of incredible makers I gained through the competition, both fellow competitors and judges. This network led to amazing opportunities such as being interviewed by Bill Doran(@chinbeard) of Punished Props, hosting panels on sewing at my local con, being asked to join group cosplays by amazing cosplayers in other countries, and even being part of sponsored cosplay projects!

I hit a new goal in my competition career by competing in my first international competition, The North American Masters of Cosplay Grand Prix hosted by Fan Expo. I was so proud to represent my country as the only Canadian in the finals! I also created a dream cosplay for this competition, Gentleman Peridot, a Sakizo (@sakizoillustrator) design. It was the biggest endeavour of my cosplay career, taking 15 months from start to finish. It was an ensemble I would have never believed I could ever make when I first started cosplaying. I spent three months alone just sourcing the perfect fabrics and learning about historical garment construction.

Through the process I both learned and built on various techniques such as pattern drafting, couture sewing, embroidery, beading, jewelry making, leather work, foam and worbla smithing and resin casting. When it was finally done and I was able to wear it for the first time at the qualifying competition, I was overwhelmed with a feeling of pride for what I had created. I did not care if I would win or not because just finishing this cosplay was huge win for me already! When I did win the Qualifier competition I was dumbfounded and overjoyed, but nervous about what the next stage would bring! Would I be good enough, would I pale in comparison to the other finalists?

Upon arrival to the finals I quickly learned that, A) I did pale in comparison in my opinion! The other finalists' creations were so amazing I couldn't even stand next to them, and B) That I was ok with that because they all turned out to be the kindest most wonderful people I have ever been lucky enough to meet! We quickly became a family that weekend of the finals, every one of us rooting for the others to win! I can't say enough about how positive this whole competition was for me! My Gentleman Peridot won Best in Show in the finals and I still have no words to explain how unbelievable the feeling was meeting, let alone being acknowledged by some of the biggest names in cosplay!

Although this last year has been long and dark for us all, I've still been able to stay positive thanks to some wonderful opportunities that my cosplaying provided. This included my first opportunity to judge a cosplay competition that was organized by @nerdcaliber and @thecovinator. It was a wonderful experience that allowed me to connect with the community in a time when we were all forced apart. I was also asked to be part of an amazing virtual cosplay group with the incredible @philipodango and @tranquil_ashes! We cosplayed from the Disney Pixar movie Onward and the project was sponsored by Mehron Makeup (@mehronmakeup). I was so honoured to work with (and to just be associated with) these two insanely talented artists!

Overall, Cosplay still continues to be a huge positive force in my life! It keeps my mind creative and allows me to continue learning new techniques with every new project. I can't wait to see where it takes me when the world is back to some form of normalcy and we can all finally see each other in person again!