Cosplaying has been a booming hobby since the 1990s. It started in Japan and has made its way around the world.
Cosplaying is a portmanteau of the words “costume” and “role play” and is mostly seen at comic book and sci-fi conventions, but in recent years with the popularity of YouTube and TikTok, cosplayers of all kinds have sprung up.
For Hannah Riann of Shreveport, her passion for the craft was born out of a love for “A Nightmare on Elm Street.”
Riann’s mother introduced her to the horror movie where she became fascinated with the special effects makeup. When it was announced that Freddy Krueger actor Robert Englund would be attending a local comic book convention, Riann donned his first female Freddy costume to attend the convention with her mother.
Positive reactions from Englund and other convention attendees encouraged Riann to pursue the hobby and now, ten years later, she is earning her degree in costume design and working as an alterations specialist at David’s Bridal while attending several conventions a year. .
“I would love to make screen-accurate costumes for people,” says Riann. “The ones based on video games and TV shows, just because I do that all the time for myself and I’d love to do it for other people.”
Riann credits her little sister with helping her learn to sew, but before that, her mom made most of her costumes. At that point, Riann would stick to simpler cosplays that she could put together with thrift store finds and lots of hot glue.
Now, you can sew intricate designs and put together epic accessories to emulate your favorite characters, like Pyramid Head from the Silent Hill video game franchise.
PLUS:Can local filmmakers save the city’s film industry? Meet the man from Louisiana who’s all in
Riann begins her process by choosing a character that is really well known and popular to get the most attention against and doing extensive research. That investigation includes analyzing her character and outfit from all angles and making renderings with notes on the fabrics and possible materials needed to complete the look.
“Researching the characters and exactly what they’re wearing is so much fun and bringing that to life is the best thing,” he says.
From there, it’s a simple process: buying materials, sewing, and solving problems like fit and needing to see outside of elaborate headpieces. Riann starts thinking and starts designing costumes for specific cons a year in advance to give herself enough time to make them and allow for mishaps.
“I think anyone can cosplay, regardless of race, gender, or size,” says Riann. “The most important thing about being a cosplayer is to be creative, confident, and most importantly, kind. I try to be as kind as possible on cons.”
You can follow Hannah Riann’s cosplay journey by following her on Instagram as @HannahRiannCosplay_, on TikTok as @Hannyuh20, and on Facebook as Hannah Riann Cosplay.
Meredith G. White is the arts and culture reporter for the Shreveport Times. You can find her on Facebook as Meredith G. White, on Instagram and Twitter as @meredithgwhite and email her at mgwhite@gannett.com.