Therèsa M. Winge is Associate Professor in Apparel and Textile Design at Michigan State University, USA. She is the author of Body Style (Bloomsbury Academic, 2012), an avid fan of Cosplay, and has judged Cosplay competitions and participated in Cosplay costume panels.
Engages with a variety of issues seated within the realm of cosplay ... Costuming Cosplay celebrates the creative power of cosplay, illustrating the significant effects of play and fun. * Journal of Folklore Research * [A] must-read for scholars of dress and culture or anyone interested in the complex world of cosplay and fandom. Winge's first-hand accounts and analysis of cosplay costume are insightful and engaging. The book provides a holistic background on cosplay and simultaneously investigates the nuances of the cosplay way of life. Especially intriguing are the detailed discussions on the construction and negotiation of archetype character identities through costume and body modification. Winge's insider role, as a fan of fandom and as a past judge of Cosplay competitions, contributes authenticity to this valuable guide to understanding the Cosplay subculture and the intimate meanings of their 'looks' or costume.