Trine explains why we love cosplay: “People want to feel like they’re someone completely different”

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Gaming is incredibly diverse. Games are created by developers all over the world, and enjoyed by players from countless different countries.

Because gaming is so diverse, conventions around the world are too, with each country and culture putting its own spin on how to celebrate it.

No matter where you go to a convention, one thing you’ll always see is cosplay. It’s one of the most common parts of convention culture.

We recently chatted with several interesting people at DreamHack Birmingham last month. This included actor Jason Spisak, DreamHack VP of Festivals Shahin Zarrabi, and cosplayer Trine KN – who hosted the cosplay competition – to get their thoughts on what makes a truly impressive costume.

I really appreciate seeing high-quality work,” she said. “That means a cosplay isn’t just well-made, but also shows a lot of skill and uses interesting materials.

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While it’s great to be skilled at just one thing, like sewing cosplay, I personally prefer to see a bit more variety. Focusing on a single skill can take you far, but I find it feels a little incomplete without something else added to the mix.

Trine, who loves games like Dark Souls, Elden Ring, and The Legend of Zelda, says she chooses her cosplay characters partly because she simply likes them. But she also prioritizes picking outfits that will be enjoyable to create.

If a costume or outfit uses techniques and materials I’m already very familiar with – things I’ve made countless times – it doesn’t really excite me as a creative challenge anymore.

I’m most motivated by learning new skills with cosplay. I usually pick projects that let me experiment with techniques and materials I haven’t used before – that’s what really excites me.

Creating a cosplay takes a lot of time and planning, starting well before Trine actually begins working with fabrics and other supplies.

As a huge fan, when I’m planning a cosplay or just really getting into a character, the first thing I do is gather tons of reference photos. It’s amazing how even for characters or outfits that show up in a lot of different games or movies, you’ll find little details that change from version to version. I want to get everything just right, so those details matter!

I start by gathering as many reference photos as possible to get a clear idea of what I want to create. Then, if the design allows, I look for an existing 3D model. I bring that model into Blender, a 3D modeling program, so I can resize it to fit my needs.

After creating the 3D model, I can develop patterns from it if needed. Then, I can begin the construction process, sourcing fabrics and other materials.

Of course, the time it takes to finish a cosplay depends a lot on how complex it is. The Lara Croft costume she showed us was fairly simple – at least, she made it seem that way! – because she designed it to be easily packed for travel and assembled quickly in a hotel room.

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However, Trine recently finished building a life-sized model of a Seikret, a dragon-like creature from the Monster Hunter games. It was a year-long project.

After finishing such a huge project, I’m curious if she’ll choose something more relaxing to work on next.

Picking a new cosplay is always a challenge. You find a character you love and want to create, but it often involves a lot of difficult work and might not even be comfortable to wear!

I also worry that if I make something too complicated, it will take so long – maybe six months – that I’ll get stuck working on it and won’t be able to show it anywhere.

I’ve never tried cosplaying before and have no idea where to start. Luckily, I have a professional here, so I asked Trine for advice for someone completely new to it.

When choosing a cosplay, pick a design or character you’re truly passionate about. After all, we cosplay because we enjoy both expressing our love for the character and the creative process of making it happen – whether that’s through detailed crafting or technical challenges.

Simply pursue something you’re truly passionate about. Don’t choose it because it’s easy or popular – follow your inspiration and take action!

Find ideas and learn how to do things by watching tutorials on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. Then, don’t be afraid to experiment and just give it a try – have fun with the process!

Cosplay is now a common sight at conventions, but it’s incredibly varied, and people participate for many different reasons.

“For me, it’s the creativity, Trine explained, but it’s different for different people. Some people, they really want to dress up and feel like they’re someone completely different from who they usually are.

For me, it’s all about the process of making things – experimenting with new skills and materials and constantly improving. But a lot of people enjoy the social aspect and connecting with others who share their passion for the same characters and stories.

It really depends on the individual. I think we connect with characters we enjoy playing because we see parts of ourselves in them, and that personal connection is what makes it meaningful. Everyone takes something different away from the experience.

Authors

Alex RaisbeckGaming writer

Alex Raisbeck writes about video games for TopMob, covering both big-name titles and smaller independent games. He’s also contributed to well-known gaming publications like VideoGamer, GamesRadar+, PC Gamer, and PCGamesN.

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2026-04-29 14:08