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Concept | ElectricThreads

5 Ws Who, What, When, Where, Why, how?

who

My sister is an avid cosplayer, and I’ve had the privilege of creating many costumes for her over the years. She uses a wheelchair and has limited mobility, which has deeply influenced how I approach costume design. Instead of working with traditional cosplay concepts—often designed with standing poses and full mobility in mind—I prioritize comfort, adaptability, and safety.

My goal is to ensure each costume allows her to comfortably shift from a relaxed, seated posture into dynamic, expressive poses that embody her favorite characters. This means rethinking conventional design elements, especially when incorporating electronics or detailed accessories.

For instance, components that could scratch or irritate the skin must be avoided entirely. Instead of embedding electronics directly into the costume, we use a bodysuit with a protective barrier underneath. This bodysuit becomes the foundation: a safer, more adaptable platform where LEDs, wiring, and other tech elements can be securely attached without compromising comfort or aesthetics.

This thoughtful approach has allowed me to create inclusive, visually compelling costumes that honor character designs while celebrating my sister’s individuality and needs.

Key Design Principles:

  • Accessible Design: Optimized for wheelchair use and seated positions.
  • Safety First: Avoids sharp or abrasive materials near the skin.
  • Smart Electronics Placement: Components are attached to a base layer rather than sewn into costume fabric.
  • Ease of Movement: Designs support smooth transitions into expressive poses.
  • Inclusive Aesthetics: Combines visual impact with function and comfort.

what

At the core of this system is a multi-functional bodysuit that serves multiple purposes. Designed to be worn underneath cosplay costumes, the bodysuit functions both as shapewear—providing a smooth, flattering silhouette—and as a structural base for electronics and costume elements.

The suit includes:

  • Integrated electronics: Using conductive thread, LEDs and sensors are embedded into the suit and directly linked to costume elements.

  • Strategically placed lights: LEDs enhance the costume with dynamic lighting effects, adding visual flair and immersion.

  • Battery pack compartment: A secure, hidden pocket to safely store and access the power source.

  • Wing/backplate support: The bodysuit is reinforced to anchor a custom backplate, ideal for large costume pieces such as wings or armor.

By combining form and function in one piece, this bodysuit simplifies costume preparation and improves wearability. It streamlines the costume-building process, enhances mobility, and improves the cosplay experience—both visually and practically.

Highlights:

  • Dual-purpose bodysuit: shapewear + tech base
  • Customizable lighting and sound features
  • Comfortable, body-secured electronic integration
  • Modular support for wings or heavy costume components
  • Washable and reusable design

when and where

These costumes are designed for cosplay competitions, stage performances, and casual wear on the Comic-Con floor—especially while navigating in a wheelchair. The design ensures that costume elements can be easily removed for comfort but reattached seamlessly for photo ops or stage appearances.

Cosplayers are often asked for photos on the fly, so the ability to quickly transform between “resting mode” and “performance mode” is key. Every design element is built with this adaptability in mind.

Applications:

  • Stage performances and cosplay contests
  • Comic-Con floors and other fan conventions
  • Photo-ready transformation while seated

Features:

  • Quick reattachment of removable costume parts
  • Maintains character authenticity and full visual impact
  • Designed with both performance and accessibility in mind

why

Traditional cosplay costumes are typically layered over shapewear, with various electronic and structural elements sewn or strapped directly to the outer costume. This method presents a number of issues—particularly for users with mobility limitations. Heavy or awkwardly placed components can create discomfort, reduce flexibility, and even pose safety risks.

To compensate, many cosplayers rely on extra belts, straps, and rigging over their base layers to support electronics and heavy features. While this works, it often leads to bulkiness and restricts natural movement.

The solution? A unified bodysuit that integrates shapewear, electronics, and structural support into a single piece. This dramatically reduces the need for additional gear while streamlining both the wearing and assembly process. By anchoring bulkier items like wings or battery packs directly to the body rather than the costume, the cosplay becomes lighter, safer, and far easier to manage.

Benefits:

  • Reduces the bulk of traditional multi-layer systems
  • Enhances freedom of movement
  • Simplifies construction and maintenance
  • Improves long-term comfort for extended wear
  • Prioritizes safety without sacrificing aesthetics

how

To bring this vision to life, I will design and fabricate a custom bodysuit tailored specifically for my sister’s needs. The process will involve several critical steps:

  • Custom Fit & Fabrication: The bodysuit will be measured and sewn to match her body exactly, with added features to enhance comfort and accommodate sitting posture.
  • Skin Tone Matching: The fabric will be dyed to her exact skin tone, ensuring a seamless, natural look under sheer or open costumes.
  • Electronics Integration: Using conductive thread, LED lights will be stitched into the fabric in specific patterns. These LEDs will be programmable, allowing for dynamic light shows, color shifts, and potentially synchronized sound effects.
  • Power Supply: A concealed compartment will house the battery pack, secured for both safety and convenience.
  • Backplate Connection: A backplate created during Fab Academy 2024 will serve as a mounting point for wings and large accessories. It will attach directly to reinforced areas on the bodysuit.
  • Washability: The suit will be designed with removable electronics or waterproofed connections to allow for easy cleaning and maintenance without damage.

This thoughtful, modular approach will result in a versatile foundation piece that enhances cosplay performance, comfort, and accessibility.