2025 Judges
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Malindachan
Malindachan (Malinda) is an award-winning cosplayer with over 20 years of experience making costumes. Her specialties are in sewing and wig styling, and you might be familiar with the numerous tutorials she's created for Arda Wigs or the WIP build logs she shares while constructing her costumes. Thanks to her clean craftsmanship and experience as a cosplay educator, she’s been invited as a guest speaker and contest judge internationally.
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Downen Creative Studios
Beverly Downen, aka Downen Creative Studios, is a renowned creator, author, professional cosplayer, and designer from the Pacific Northwest. Known for her exceptional craftsmanship and high-quality costumes, Beverly has earned a reputation for her visually stunning EVA foam work and screen-accurate designs. In addition to her costume work, Beverly hosts workshops and lectures around the US, sharing her expertise with fans and aspiring cosplayers at conventions and events. She is passionate about educating makers of all skill levels, providing tutorials and guidance on creating props and costumes. Beverly is the author of "Cosplayer's Ultimate Guide to EVA Foam", a comprehensive how-to book on the popular cosplay material.
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Colleen Cosplay
Colleen Cosplay is a disabled cosplay Youtuber from the Pacific Northwest. On her channel, Colleen is creating cosplay tutorials, showcasing conventions, and sharing her experiences as a disabled cosplayer. She has won awards for craftmanship and adaptive dance and is published in articles covering various cosplay and disability topics. Colleen's work covers the unique intersection between cosplay and disability. She showcases ways to adapt costumes for disability through adaptive designs and mobility aid decorations.
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Hoku Props
HokuProps is a team lead by propmaker Chad Hoku and seamstress Sammy Hoku.
Chad’s background in 3D has him designing props and costumes digitally and utilizing different fabrication techniques to produce armor, props, and other costume components.
Sammy’s love for cosplay at a young age had her eventually studying fashion and costume design. She primarily works with fabric, covering all sewn requirements for cosplay projects. HokuProps is best known for their Lionhardt cosplay which won TwitchCon’s 2016 Cosplay Contest’s grand prize.
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Panterona
Panterona is an award-winning cosplayer, fashion/costume designer, artist, educator, and convention organizer from the Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago. She has been actively cosplaying for 20 years and has won multiple international costume competitions. Panterona has served as a judge for many international competitions, including the World Cosplay Summit in Japan and the Caribbean Cosplay Championships. Panterona is also the Executive Director of the largest English-speaking pop culture convention in the region, “ALIAS Entertainment Expo”, where she also conducts workshops and demos in schools on Alternative Careers in the Creative Industry.
“We are all artists, don’t let others paint the story of your life.”
- Panterona
2025 Staff
Knovice Cosplay (Co-Organizer)
Knovice (she/he/they) is a California-based performer and maker who loves to pull-back the curtain to share the secrets and joy of cosplay-performing. They create resources for skits and performances as well as sewing tips and tricks, performance panels and workshops, and more! This year they are representing the U.S. with Bird King as GICOF’s Team USA 2025.
Lutavia Cosplay (Co-Organizer)
Lutavia (they/them) is a mixed media cosplay educator with a professional technical education background. They’ve taught workshops, panels, and demos at cons across the country as well as online on Twitch and social media. They’ve created hundreds of tutorials and resources as well as worked with brands like Dharma Trading Co., CosplaySupplies, and more to bring accessible cosplay education to the community.
Bird King (All-Rounder)
Bird King (she/he/they) is a cosplay info-dumper, poofy dress aficionado, and professional designer. They’ve been cosplaying since 2011 and love to share the bits of sewing knowledge they’ve accumulated over the years through detailed build logs and very long DMs. They’ll be representing the U.S. with Knovice Cosplay at the Gyeonggi International Cosplay Festival (GICOF) this year!
Elephantbird Cosplay (All-Rounder)
Birdie (she/they) is a cosplayer of over ten years and professional embroiderer living in Brooklyn. In her professional life, she makes costumes sparkle across film, TV, and Broadway. As a cosplayer she has a love of fine needlework, touchable textures, and storytelling through materials. Through her teaching, she hopes to spread her love of embroidery and make even advanced techniques accessible to all.
KidCorvidae (Graphics)
Quinn (he/they) is a motion & web designer, photographer/videographer, and cosplayer based in Atlanta, GA. He's been cosplaying since 2013, focusing on affordable, DIY costuming & prop-making techniques. He believes documenting his cosplay process through his build logs, crafting breakdowns, and tutorials is an important part of paving the way for other cosplayers to learn & grow.
AngelInSilence Cosplay (Copywriting)
Angel (she/they) is a Colorado-based cosplayer who recently returned to the cosplay scene in 2024 after a four-year hiatus. As a novice cosplayer, she loves experimenting with new media and techniques in her costumes. Crafting and community are her favorite parts of the hobby. Outside of cosplay she's a freelance writer and veterinary assistant, and pursuing a degree in veterinary technology.
Heather (Graphics)
HeatherInHarmony (she/her) is a Louisiana-native cosplayer currently residing in the DMV-area, bringing along her passion for costume construction since 2017. She’s a graphic designer by trade with a high school STEM educator background, which has given her lifelong love for knowledge sharing and constant learning! Her cosplay crafting interests include sewing, prop-making, and making 3D printing less daunting and accessible for all!
OmgItsBarri (Logo Design)
Pikosplay (Socials)
Pike (she/her) is a west coast based cosplayer of nearly four years who has been sewing for over a decade. She focuses on sewing and 3D printing and always loves talking about crafting. She loves scrolling through tutorials of fun techniques from talented makers and is so excited to be able to see more of y'alls amazing work this year!
thecrazycyborggirl (Socials)
Cy (They/He/She) is a California-based cosplayer with a background in acting, theater, and dance. They enjoy dabbling in all sorts of skill sets, such as resin casting, 3d printing, and practical effects. They love sharing the joy of crafting, talking shop, and encouraging fellow cosplayers.
Hennie (Copywriting)
Hennie (she/they) is a cosplayer originally from the DMV but is now residing in Pittsburgh. They’ve been cosplaying since 2015 and love to focus on making big props. They also love intricate sewing projects and have a real eye for detail when it comes to putting their own spin on a canon design. When they’re not cosplaying, they’re working full-time as a mental health professional and part-time at a local makerspace!