Cosplay and the Dressing of Identity
By (Author) Vivian Asimos
Reaktion Books
Reaktion Books
1st January 2025
1st September 2024
United Kingdom
General
Non Fiction
Performing arts: costume / props
Fashion and textile design
Social groups, communities and identities
792.026
Hardback
224
Width 138mm, Height 216mm
Cosplay, born from the fusion of 'costume' and 'play', transcends mere dress-up by transforming enthusiasts of TV shows, movies, books or video games into living embodiments of their cherished characters. This book is a close exploration of the vibrant world of cosplay, showing what makes it so captivating for so many. The book frames cosplay as an enactment and embodiment of mythology, revealing its inherent complexity, and providing valuable insight into cosplayers' experiences. Exploring cosplay performances, the skills involved and its community, the book shows how cosplayers build a strong connection to the characters and stories they treasure, and ultimately how they are constructing their own identities.
Vivian Asimos lives in Salisbury, UK, and is the author of Digital Monsters (2020) and Digital Mythology and the Internets Monster: The Slender Man (2021). She explores nerd culture and fandom in her podcast Im A Fan of That!.