Cosplaying has been growing steadily over the last 10 years and plays a huge part in gaming events, something Stella Chuu knows all about. It has become a global phenomenon and has spawned a community of dedicated fans who celebrate the art and creativity of costume-making. Dreamhack San Diego took place over the weekend panels and a competition with a huge $3000 prize pool with some of the most talented cosplayers in attendance.
Today, we’re hearing from Stella Chuu about her experiences as a prominent cosplayer in the community!
How did you first get interested in cosplaying, and what inspired you to pursue it as a career?
I’ve always been a geek. I was the president of Anime Club in high school and college. Cosplay and attending cons were a part of club activities so it became easily intertwined with my life. It wasn’t until I graduated college that I decided to pursue a career in cosplay. This was back in 2011 when hardly anyone made a living off of Internet fame.
How do you choose which conventions or events to attend, and what factors do you consider when making those decisions?
I used to only attend conventions on the east coast because it was close to where I lived. Eventually I started travelling further to other countries around the world. Now I live in Los Angeles where there is a convention within a 4 hour drive every weekend. Despite larger conventions having the biggest draw and getting to work more closely with some of my favorite brands, I still prefer smaller conventions with a tight group of my friends.
How do you approach the process of creating a new cosplay, from choosing a character to finalizing the details of the costume?
I LOVE big builds. I used to make the craziest costumes from KDA Ahri with 9 tails to full armor builds from Overwatch. I’m always researching unique ways for my designs to stand out. In recent years, I’ve enjoyed making costumes for other people. My physical stamina can no longer handle wearing a 20+ pound cosplay for 8 hours. So I prefer clients to approach me with fun projects. I love seeing the looks on their faces when I snap them into their costumes. You can see many of them on my YouTube at youtube.com/stellachuu
How do you manage to balance your creative vision with the practical considerations of creating a cosplay that’s comfortable to wear and easy to move around in?
It takes years of experience to build cosplays for wearing at conventions. People don’t take into account how fragile and uncomfortable a handmade costume can be. Items get jostled, paint gets scratched up, and skin gets chaffed. My biggest challenge is shoes. You can only survive so long in 6 inch heels at a convention all day.
Do you have a particularly memorable fan interaction at an event like Dreamhack?
I was invited to transform Jessica DiCicco, voice of Yellow Toad from Super Mario Brothers Movies, into Yellow Toad. It was her first time cosplaying and I was super happy to make one for her. We had a great time on stage talking about her experience as a voice actor and her work on the film. She also brought her kids on stage to take pictures together!
How has the cosplay community evolved over the years, and where do you see it heading in the future?
I’m so happy that cosplay has become mainstream. It’s nice to feel validated for everything I loved growing up. It used to be a much smaller community with a stronger sense of competitiveness. However, nowadays that energy has turned into sharing of knowledge. I’m always excited to meet new cosplayers and teach them ways to improve their craft and businesses.
What was the most challenging part of creating your cosplay for Dreamhack? Are there any details you’d like to highlight?
I built a Bowser turtle shell to celebrate the new Super Mario Brothers Movie release. Together, with my team, we built the shell in about one week. It’s big and shiny. Definitely a showstopper during the convention. I accompanied the shell with a new Princess Peach costume that I made in 2 days. It was a rush to get everything done in time but I’m very satisfied with the results.
What other projects are you currently working on, and what can your fans look forward to seeing from you in the coming months and years?
I’ve been putting together a build team so that I don’t have to make everything by myself anymore haha. I also have a huge warehouse space where all my equipment and costumes live. Many creators have reached out to me for commissions and we’re excited to build for them.
How do you feel representing both the Asian and LGBTQIA+ communities has impacted your experience in cosplay?
I love this question. Honestly, I don’t think I would have been half as cultured as a person if I hadn’t been cosplaying all these years. There are so many different kinds of people from all walks of life in the community. I’ve learned so much about my own Chinese culture through cosplay and meeting cosplayers from abroad. I’ve discovered so much about my own sexuality and others through listening to people’s experiences. There’s such a mishmash in this community that you’ll always have something new to learn about yourself and other people. It makes me feel safe and I want to continue to help create a safe space for everyone.
What advice do you have for people who are interested in pursuing a career in cosplaying, and what skills and qualities do you think are most important for success in this field?
TAKE A MARKETING CLASS. And probably a business class. Making a career in cosplay is the same as starting any business. The crafting skills are important but I’m pretty sure that’s a given. Many people underestimate how much work goes into the business side.
You can find and follow Stella Chuu on all of her social media accounts including Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and more!
