In this bold surreal photographic celebration of the fantastical beauty of cosplay 70
cosplayers leave behind their everyday existence and become heroes for a day. Whether it is
becoming a fictional character or presenting the `yoü the world sees the craft of cosplay is
everywhere. A powerful expression of individuality and diversity cosplay is a global
phenomenon that allows a large number of diverse individuals to join together in one single
chaotic but inclusive community. Cosplay allows anyone to become a hero for a day. After
attending a cosplay convention in 2018 photographer Thurstan Redding became captivated by
cosplay as a subject matter and embarked on a three-year photographic project to portray
cosplay in a way it had never been seen before. In this bold and surprising volume he captures
the transfixing world of cosplay. Brought to life through the presentation of 70 cosplayers in
the most unassuming of locations this exceptional book highlights how creativity can thrive in
the most mundane realities: Spider-Man is illuminated by the open fridge in the kitchen three
Alices wait at a bus stop in a desolate Wonderland Resistance Pilot plays dead on the gravel
driveway of a suburban housing estate. Supplemented by commentary from the cosplayers
themselves together with behind-the-scenes pages from Thurstan¿s personal diary Kids of
Cosplay is `a celebration of ... fandom and allows a glimpse into the world where people are
united by their celebration of an art which transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary¿
(The Independent). A foreword by fashion powerhouse Katie Grand an essay by writer and
performer Tom Rasmussen who discusses the social and cultural context of cosplay and an
illuminating interview with Redding by noted fashion writer Sara McAlpine complete this
compelling volume. Sometimes all it takes is to scratch the surface of our realities to reveal
the fantasy that lies beneath.
