Trine explains why we love cosplay: "People want to feel like they're someone completely different"

The nature of gaming is one of variety. The games themselves are made by studios from dozens of countries, and the players who play them from dozens more.

This variety means that gaming conventions are equally as varied, with each country and culture celebrating the medium in their own unique way.

But of the few aspects of convention culture that are ubiquitous no matter where you go, none are as prominent as cosplay.

At last month's DreamHack Birmingham, we had the opportunity to speak with a number of guests, including actor Jason Spisak and DreamHack VP of Festivals Shahin Zarrabi, but also to Danish cosplayer Trine KN, one of the hosts for the convention's cosplay competition, about what makes a great cosplay.

"I look for really good craftsmanship," she began, "so it's a well-made cosplay, of course, but also the amount of techniques and materials that are used in creating the cosplay.

"You can completely sew cosplay, and only sew, but for me, I would like to see just a bit more. You can definitely go far by just having one skill or technique, but for me, I need something else, because otherwise it's just a bit bland."

On how she chooses her cosplays, Trine, a fan of Dark Souls, Elden Ring, The Legend of Zelda and more, acknowledged that "just seeing a character that I really like is definitely part of it," but beyond that, she also looks for an outfit that is fun to make.

"If it's a cosplay or an outfit with techniques and materials that I've used 1000 times before, and I've done it so many times, then for me, it will be kind of boring to make.

"Probably my greatest drive in cosplay is trying new things, so I usually choose cosplays that include techniques or materials that I've never tried before. That is what intrigues me."

The process of making a cosplay is a long one, and begins before Trine even gets her hands on any materials.

"I usually start finding as many reference photos as I can, because sometimes, if it's a character that appears in [multiple] games or an outfit from [multiple] games or movies, sometimes there are small differences.

"So, I find all the reference photos that I can, so I know exactly what I'm going to make, and then, depending on the design, I find a 3D model if possible, and then I import it into a [3D modelling] program called Blender, so I can scale it to my own size.

"Then, I can make patterns based off that 3D model, if necessary. Once I have the patterns, then I can start actually making it, find fabrics, find materials and all of that."

Naturally, different cosplays require vastly different timescales to complete. The Lara Croft cosplay she wore in our interview is relatively simple (well, to her, not to me), so as to be easy to bring on a plane, and put together in a hotel room.

In contrast, Trine has recently completed a true-to-size model of a Seikret, a wyvern-like beast from the Monster Hunter series, and a project that took her more than a year to complete.

I wonder if, after completing such a mammoth task, she looks for something a bit more relaxing for her next project.

"I would definitely say it's always tricky when choosing the next cosplay, because it's like, 'Okay, I want to make this, but it's super complicated, and it's going to be very uncomfortable to wear, but I want to make it.'

"And then there's the other side of me that's like, 'Oh, I should make something more simple, because otherwise it will take half a year, and that's all I will be working on, and I can't even bring it to events.'"

Having never cosplayed before in my life, I would not even know where to begin with it, so, with a professional in my midst, I ask Trine what her advice would be for a complete beginner.

"I would say that you should choose a design that really speaks to you, or a character that you really, really love, because the whole reason that we do cosplay is because we love the character, and we love the craftsmanship, or doing tech talks.

"So, just do something that you really just want to do. Not because it would be easier, or because it would be more recognisable. Do something that you are just really inspired to do, and then just go for it.

"Search for tutorials on YouTube, TikTok and Instagram to get inspiration on how to do things, and then just try it. Just go and try it and have fun with it."

Cosplay may be a near-ubiquitous part of convention culture, but just like the conventions it inhabits, cosplay is a diverse beast, and those who take part in it do so for all sorts of 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.

"As I said, for me, it's the craftsmanship, trying new techniques and materials and getting better and whatever I want to get better at. For others, it's the community and just cosplaying from the same franchise as others.

"So, it very much varies. I feel like no matter the reason, it's very personal to us, and we see ourselves in these characters that we like to portray, so I think that's why; because it's so personal, and we get different things out of it."

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