Baby Shivers/Karen enjoys creating cosplays from unconventional materials and learning from the community. A standout experience was a whimsical Neverland-themed shoot. To handle complex costume discomfort, they focus on well-fitted undergarments and comfortable shoes, emphasizing the need for hydration. Their cosplay approach balances personal interpretation with character accuracy, preferring recycled materials. Positive experiences with the international cosplay community have inspired plans for attending an international convention. Social interactions drive their convention attendance, valuing time with friends. Craftsmanship is key, with a focus on quality fabrics and fit. A memorable moment was working as a Fallout cosplayer for Bethesda, highlighting cosplay’s potential for unique opportunities. They advise cosplayers to engage with the community, utilize educational resources, and be patient with complex projects to enhance their skills.
OG Nerd: What aspect of cosplay do you find most creatively fulfilling?
Baby Shivers: I absolutely love taking a bunch of loose parts, unconventional materials and scavenged items and creating beautiful cosplays out of them. I’ve been lucky enough to have learned a lot of skills from other really talented cosplayers and apply these skills to my own work. This has allowed me to let my imagination run wild and create some pretty impressive works that I never dreamed I’d be able to accomplish. It’s really creatively fulfilling to be able to create something out of nothing and to be able to bring my creations confidently to the cosplay community to be worn and shared. Given that a few short years ago, I had no experience with sewing and crafting, it’s been really fulfilling to have worked hard on my skill set to the point where I can achieve pretty highly.
OG Nerd: Can you share the story behind your favorite cosplay photo shoot?
BS: I’ve been so lucky to have been part of a lot of amazing shoots but my favourites are usually the most spur of the moment and out of the box! I was involved in a really beautiful Neverland-themed shoot with a group of friends out on a beautiful farm one sunny winter day. The photographer had created the most beautiful “sailboat” out of materials from her farm and pushed it out into the dam, where we took some amazing shots. It was such a fun and whimsical day and a great reminder that cosplay doesn’t always have to be innovative or content-driven, it can also be fun and whimsical and spontaneous with no end-game in mind. I absolutely love the photos we produced that day!
OG Nerd: How do you handle the physical demands of wearing complex costumes at events?
BS: I find that the better I get at cosplay, the more complex and uncomfortable the outfits I wear to conventions and events become. Whether it’s bodypaint, corsets or armour builds, there’s always some sort of physical obstacle to overcome. I have a very high threshold for discomfort in cosplay and I rarely hit a wall at events but I’ve developed a few strategies to help me get through long days. Having well-fitted undergarments for my cosplays has made the world of difference. A custom-made corset and hoop skirts make wearing ballgowns a walk in the park, as they distribute the immense weight of the fabric off of your hips. Having comfortable and familiar shoes and boots for my cosplays also helps to keep me on my feet the whole day, and I often reuse the same ones with boot covers so that I know they will get the job done. It’s also so important to eat and hydrate appropriately, which i am guilty of ignoring and I always regret it. Learn from my mistakes!
OG Nerd: What’s your strategy for portraying a well-known character in a unique way?
BS: When I approach making a new cosplay, my primary concern is rarely screen accuracy. I am aware of the limitations of my skills so I am learning to be more forgiving when it comes to not getting things exactly “right”. My strategy has been to approach the character design with consideration for the materials immediately available at my disposal. I would always prefer to use second-hand and recycled materials from my stash where I can, so I am willing to be flexible with the design to accommodate my materials. My second consideration is how the design of this character can be amended to suit the body I have. When we cosplay fictional characters with fictional body proportions, cosplayers need to remember how unrealistic this can be! I create my designs with my own body in mind: what I like, what I find flattering and what I find comfortable. This means that my take on the character may be a little unique and different from how others cosplay them, but I think that’s what makes them fun and interesting.
OG Nerd: What has been your experience with the international cosplay community?
BS: I’ve had really positive experiences with the international cosplay community, which has been amazing. I’ve been lucky enough to have been included in some international collaborations with various groups spanning Disney princesses to gaming and my experiences have been overwhelmingly positive. I’m excited to potentially visit an international con next year and I can’t wait to meet new cosplayers and admire their works!
OG Nerd: How do you select events or conventions to attend, and what do you look forward to most at these events?
BS: I try to attend as many conventions in a year as I can possibly manage, but I do try to limit travel to my state as much as I can. Luckily, this still gives me plenty of conventions to choose from as there are quite a lot! In the past year, I attended all of the major NSW conventions including some very small local community events and I really enjoyed them for a variety of reasons. My biggest drawcard for conventions is the social aspect: I usually attend conventions with my close friends and we often wear group cosplays, so each event is planned pretty far in advance. I met many of my close friends and loved ones through cosplay and attending conventions which has been really lovely. Conventions are usually a great opportunity to catch up with friends and that’s definitely what I look forward to the most.
OG Nerd: What role do craftsmanship and attention to detail play in your cosplays?
BS: A huge part. Although I’m happy to take liberties with designs and use what I have at my disposal, I still like to make sure my cosplays have a great presentation and this is down to a few simple concepts. I first learned to sew because I was hugely dissatisfied with cosplays I could buy online, as they were often ill-fitting and made of really cheap fabrics. Even the simplest of cosplays can be hugely improved by using high-quality and beautiful fabrics, and it makes a huge difference. Similarly, having cosplays fitted properly makes a huge difference in the overall quality and appearance of the final garments. If you have a well-fitted garment made from beautiful fabrics, it’s very easy to then embellish and add final details that elevate your cosplay overall and create a really striking and attractive result. This can really be the difference between a mediocre cosplay that’s wearable and a cosplay that’s a joy to wear.
OG Nerd: How do you balance staying true to a character while also ensuring your cosplay is comfortable and functional?
BS: I think every cosplayer has made the mistake of making something incredibly accurate to the character and then discovered that it’s incredibly impractical to wear! When creating my design for a character, I look at the restrictions of the costume and how I can possibly translate animated designs into functional garments that suit the needs of my surroundings. For example, when creating my Bloodborne cosplay for PAX in 2023, I was really keen to make a Hunter outfit which included a long coat, vest, pants, gloves, hat and many other accessories. While this outfit looks amazing in the game, I knew that this would be very tricky to wear in an Australian climate and that changes would need to be made so that I could comfortably survive a convention and photoshoots without overheating. I was able to select lightweight fabrics to lessen the weight and ensure that I stayed comfortable without having too much of an impact on the aesthetics of the cosplay.
OG Nerd: Can you describe a particularly rewarding experience you’ve had while in costume?
BS: I have been lucky enough to have enjoyed so many rewarding experiences in cosplay, ranging from volunteering in cosplay for very worthy causes to meeting some of my heroes while cosplaying from their franchises. I would have to say that a particularly rewarding experience for me was when I was selected to work for a Bethesda event as a Fallout cosplayer, which was a dream come true as a massive Fallout fan. I’ve been lucky enough to work with them again since and I can hardly believe that this funny little hobby of making costumes led me to such a fun and meaningful experience. Cosplay really can create some amazing opportunities and for that, I am very thankful!
OG Nerd: What advice would you give to cosplayers looking to elevate their skills or take on more complex projects?
BS: My advice would be to seek out other people in the community who are taking on similar projects and don’t be afraid to ask questions! Most cosplayers love talking about their creations and might be willing to share some tips and tricks. Further education is always a benefit, there are plenty of educational resources around for people who are passionate about upskilling. I would also advise to invest in resources that will make your life easier, and learn how to use them properly! Also, if a project is too ambitious or complex for your current skillset, don’t be afraid to put it down and come back to it in the future when you’re feeling more confident. Remember, no one has as high expectations for your projects as you do!
