Salt Lake City’s FanX celebrates artistry and connection between fans in various communities. This connection is evident in the incredible dedication of the cosplayers who bring their favorite characters to life. The intricate details of costumes and the camaraderie developed between fans make the event a hit for members of any fandom.
Cosplayers often spend months meticulously preparing their outfits, pouring time, effort and ingenuity into every stitch, prop and paint stroke. Photos do not do the cosplayers justice. At this year’s FanX, they came ready to impress and they did not disappoint.
Labors of Love
Jeanette’s Strawberry Shortcake cosplay paid close attention to detail, from the strawberry-patterned hat to her perfectly matched shoes. She shared that she’d been working on the outfit for nearly six months, tweaking it here and there to get every aspect just right. And for her, it wasn’t just about the final look. Jeanette spoke about the joy of the process, as it’s her main hobby and she loves making her costumes.
Caden, another dedicated cosplayer, showed his love for the anime “My Hero Academia.” His costume’s highlight was a pair of large red wings, which he commissioned from an Etsy business for his costume of Hawks. Made of foam, the wings were very lightweight, which allowed him to wear them comfortably throughout the convention. Caden shared that he had been attending FanX for seven years and that cosplay had become a true passion for him.
A First-Time Cosplayer’s Victory
Then, there was Skye, who took on the challenge of recreating Arbiter from “Halo.” Clad in towering armor that seemed to come straight out of a video game cutscene, his cosplay took around six months to complete. His journey wasn’t an easy one, especially considering it was his first time making a costume himself. But it was all worth it to see the reactions from fellow “Halo” fans at the convention, as people were lined up to talk to him and tell him how amazing it was.
A Year-Long Creation
Hayden dressed up as Isaac Clarke from the game “Dead Space.” He spent a year on this project, having begun right after last year’s FanX. He said there were still some minor things he wanted to fix, but even without the final tweaks, his costume was amazing. His cosplay combined 3D-printed components, leatherwork and even LED lights, making him very popular among con-goers.
Veteran Cosplayers Advocate for Accessible Costumes
Longtime friends Emily and Alex, both veteran cosplayers, dressed in finely detailed costumes inspired by their love for “The Legend of Zelda” and “Horizon Zero Dawn.” Emily’s costume took five months and 200 hours to complete, while Alex put in a similar amount of time on their own. Emily has been cosplaying for 11 years, and Alex for nine. For Emily, cosplay is about more than just looking the part — it’s about making it accessible to everyone. She hosted a panel on Thursday titled “Cosplay on the Cheap,” where she walked attendees through ways to create stunning costumes on a budget. She helped many from feeling excluded in the joy of cosplay, regardless of their resources.
Building a Supportive Community
This is what makes FanX so special. There’s a sense of belonging, whether you’re a seasoned cosplayer or a fan attending your first convention. The panels, workshops and casual conversations between attendees cultivate a nice, welcoming and supportive environment. Cosplayers swap tips, admire each other’s work, and celebrate the shared experience of stepping into another world; if only for a weekend.
It’s hard to capture the magic of FanX cosplay in words or photos alone. Each cosplay was incredible and tells a story about the person wearing it, the world they’re representing and the community they’re a part of.
If you missed this year’s event, don’t worry. FanX will be back next year. And if there’s one thing you can count on, it’s that the cosplayers will return with even more amazing creations.
