~g0N3Morganna

Cosplay: a hobby in which those that partake in it typically create costumes based on characters from popular media (anime/manga and video games most popular in the hobby-Star Wars, Trekkies, etc. would be in a slightly different category)

Now, that's the basic definition of the hobby, and I think most would agree on that, yes?

My personal add-on to the definition ( that I believe many seasoned cosplayers would agree with ) is that cosplay is done best and is most rewarding when you make the costume by yourself. No help. All on your own.

Of course, everybody has to start somewhere: every wave begins with a drop of water, of course- whether it's clean water or disgusting water is up to the cosplayer (ie I've seen a LOT of bad first-cosplay attempts [including myself in that category] and then there are those that are bent on doing it just right their first time)

But like most things in life, everyone has their weaknesses in something. A sculptor has trouble drawing, a 2D-artist can't take good photos, an excellent seamstress can't make props, an expert armor maker can't sew two sleeves to save their life, etc. It is then the cosplayer has two options: Learn how to master their weakness (tutorials, etc) or ask for help from those who are strong where the cosplayer in need is weak.

And there's nothing wrong with that! No shame in asking or admitting you need help with something.

Yet there does lie a certain dishonest-quality when someone gets help from another and isn't thankful for their help. It is NEVER a good thing to lie about something you didn't make. Anybody with a good conscience knows this- if somebody helps you with something, you give credit where credit is due. To lie about it and act as tho the work people praise is your own? Awful. Disgusting.

Of course, people like this can be like, "Hey! What they don't know won't hurt my image, right?". Wrong-o. Again, this is an AWFUL quality to have to your personality and the truth of the matter is is that when the truth does get out (whether you like it or not), it DOES hurt your image. What's that saying? The bigger they are, the harder they fall? Truth does this sorta thing, kinda like the Karma Alligator.

Like I said at the beginning, cosplay is the most rewarding when you make things on your own. This is a hobby that you have to WORK at to get better- one cannot get better overnight. Practice, practice, practice, as they always say.
To parade around in somebody else's work is alright, but when you claim their work as your own, that crosses the line and just makes the original creator look like the victim and that in turn makes you the enemy.


~
[don't give me drama]