13. Implications and applications¶

Reimagining Cosplay Through Accessible, Integrated Wearable Design¶

Research & Inspiration¶

In traditional cosplay design, costumes are often layered over shapewear, with accessories, props, or electronic components attached externally using belts, straps, or harnesses. While this method can work visually, it often results in:

Bulky, uncomfortable builds
Restricted movement
Pressure points or friction that may lead to discomfort or even injury with extended wear
Challenging seated mobility, especially for wheelchair users

This layering method also complicates the dressing process and limits the functionality of wearable tech within a costume.

For instance, renowned cosplayer Svetlana Quindt (Kamui Cosplay) frequently integrates shapewear into her builds. However, her designs, like most mainstream cosplay constructions, are tailored for standing poses or photo ops—making them difficult to sit or move comfortably in. This is a widespread issue in the cosplay community, where aesthetic often overrides ergonomic design.

Websites Research & References

A New Approach: The Smart Bodysuit¶

Inspired by these limitations, I set out to redesign the foundation of cosplay costumes by creating a smart bodysuit that combines:

Shapewear functionality (to enhance costume fit)
Electronic integration (LEDs, sensors, audio)
Structural support (for wings or props)
Comfort and accessibility, especially for performers who sit or move for extended periods

Instead of relying on external attachments, the bodysuit serves as a central chassis where electronics, lighting, and structural elements can be securely and discreetly integrated.

The Personal “Why” – Designing for My Sister¶

My sister is a passionate cosplayer, and I’ve been creating costumes for her for years. She also uses a wheelchair, so mobility, comfort, and safety are my top design priorities.

Designing for seated use comes with unique challenges:

Traditional armor and costume components can dig into the body when sitting.
Even minor pressure points or exposed seams can lead to skin irritation or sores.
Ease of wear and reattachment becomes essential for costume changes or photoshoots.

I design all her costumes to be practical, safe, and aesthetically aligned with her characters. This means adapting not just the look of a costume, but its construction and behavior when worn for long periods or while in motion.

When & Where – Practical Use Scenarios¶

These bodysuits are designed for on-stage cosplay competitions, where functionality is just as important as flair, as well as for navigating convention floors, meeting fans, and posing for photos.

At events like Comic-Con, it’s common for attendees to stop and ask for photos. For wheelchair users, costume elements that are removed for comfort while seated must be quickly reattached or adjusted to maintain a polished look for pictures. The modular design of the bodysuit supports this need by keeping essential electronics and supports close to the body and ready to be reconfigured on the fly.

What It Is – A Modular Cosplay Base Layer¶

This cosplay-enhancing bodysuit is more than just a costume base—it functions as:

Shapewear, to improve silhouette and fit
A mounting surface for props like wings or armor
A wearable circuit, integrating LEDs and conductive thread
A foundation for accessibility, making costume dressing and mobility smoother

It improves:

Comfort: no straps digging into the body
Aesthetics: no visible wires or seams
Functionality: embedded electronics, discreet control systems
Mobility: designed with seated wear in mind

How It Works – Materials, Methods, and Integration¶

Skin-Tone Dyeing: The bodysuit is dyed to match the wearer’s skin tone, making the base nearly invisible under the costume.
LED Integration: Conductive thread is used to sew LEDs directly into the suit, allowing for customizable lighting patterns that move with the wearer.
Sound Effects: Optional sound components can be embedded for dramatic effect or character-specific audio.
Backplate & Wings: The suit connects to a custom backplate (developed during Fab Academy 2024), which acts as a structural mount for larger costume elements like wings.
Electronics Hub: A battery pack is integrated into the suit—tucked into a low-profile pocket or back panel.
Washable Design: One of the most important features is maintaining washability, allowing the costume to be cleaned without damaging the embedded electronics.

Why It Matters¶

Despite the rise of wearable tech, few cosplay makers are exploring body-integrated systems that support both aesthetics and comfort—especially for disabled or seated performers. This project offers a new model for:

Inclusive cosplay design
Function-first wearable integration
Creative reuse and modular electronics

By focusing on invisible integration, the final costume appears seamless from the outside, while remaining highly functional under the surface.

Conclusion – Expanding Possibilities¶

This smart bodysuit prototype demonstrates that cosplay—and wearable tech more broadly—can be reimagined for greater accessibility, comfort, and performance. It’s not just about adding tech to costumes, but about embedding it intelligently, with the user’s body and experience at the center.

Whether it’s for my sister, a performer on stage, or a creator at Comic-Con, this project aims to redefine what it means to embody a character through wearable technology, blending function with form in a way that’s inclusive, expressive, and future-facing.

Slide show¶

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speech¶

My name is Gabriella and I intend to make a bodysuit designed for cosplay, combining functionality and style.

What¶

It doubles as shapewear, enhancing the costume's fit and appearance while integrating electronics like built-in lights for added flair.

This streamlined design improves comfort, mobility, and convenience, making it a must-have for cosplayers.

Research & Inspiration¶

Traditionally, cosplay costumes are worn over shapewear, with elements attached directly to the costume.

This can create discomfort and limit movement, especially with heavier components. Many cosplayers use belts or straps to secure items, but this often results in bulky, restrictive designs.

Cosplayer Svetlana, for example, integrates shapewear into her costumes, but like most designs, they are primarily suited for standing poses, making sitting and movement challenging.

Who - Sister¶

My sister loves cosplay, and I’ve created many costumes for her over the years. Since she uses a wheelchair, I focus on making her costumes functional, comfortable, and well-suited for seated use.

Comfort and safety are always my priorities. I avoid anything that could scratch or harm her skin, as even small injuries can pose risks.

When and Where¶

The costumes are designed to be worn during cosplay competitions on stage, fully embodying the character, as well as while navigating the Comic-Con floor in a wheelchair.

Since it's common for attendees to request photos with the character, it is essential that any costume elements removed while seated can be easily reattached and adjusted for photographs.

Why¶

I haven’t found any cosplay makers who use a bodysuit to attach items underneath the costume.

My focus has been on hiding the stitching of electronics from the visible side of the costume to maintain a polished appearance.

This process required a significant amount of time spent on hand-stitching to ensure that no visible seams disrupted the costume's aesthetic.

How¶

The suit will be dyed to match her skin tone for a natural look, with a battery pack integrated to power electronic components.

Making the bodysuit washable is a key focus, ensuring it can be rinsed without damaging the electronics.

LED lights will be placed directly on the bodysuit using conductive thread. LEDs will allow customizable lighting patterns and optional sound effects for added impact.

The electronics will connect to a backplate I designed during Fab Academy 2024, which will serve as the base for the wings and attach securely to the bodysuit.

COMMENTS¶

OSCAR¶

Inspiration for a bodysuit.https://www.by-wire.net/vibe/ Good that you start small and slowly build from it. Start the collaboration with your sister from day one.

CLAUDIA¶

Co-creating with your sister a costume will be important for the success of the project. Try to think modular, i imagine the project being tailor made for her through grasshopper and adjustable, to accomodate different needs but also aesthetically speaking. You can have different materials play a role in the costume.

NURIA¶

Hi Gabriella,

It’s so lovely that you’re continuing this project so your sister can wear it beautifully, comfortably, and safely. Lighting up is usually simpler than controlling motors, which you’ve already tackled before.

Now, it’s important to decide where exactly you want to place all those LEDs on the sleeve you’re going to create first. I’m excited to see your progress alongside you!

RICO¶

Gabriele...it is so beautiful that you will make something for your sister. Look into the Adafruit Feather M4 microcontroller board as the basis for electronics control...as it has built in electronics to manage both lights and sound. Here is an example of it used in cosplay...https://learn.adafruit.com/animatronic-cosplay-wings/overview. And also...neopixel lights are sold in different sizes...some can be very small (but more expensive) which can be better integrated into costumes.