13. Implications and applications¶

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.

A better approach is integrating shapewear with electronics and structural components into a single suit. This eliminates the need for external straps, improving comfort, mobility, and practicality.

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

Traditional cosplay costumes attach elements directly, causing weight and mobility issues.
Belts and straps over shapewear often make costumes restrictive and bulky.
Integrating shapewear with electronics creates a lighter, more comfortable design.
Attaching items directly to a bodysuit improves mobility and simplifies construction.
Cosplayer Svetlana Quindt integrates shapewear into her costumes, but her designs, like most, are meant for standing poses, making sitting and movement difficult.

Websites Research & References

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.

Slide show¶

Embed your presentation

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.