by, Erin Schneider

Back in May, your out-going MNSoC President (Laura Ulak) and your incoming MNSoC President (Me) attended the International Costumer’s Guild (ICG) Costume Convention in Tempe, Arizona.

Laura and I, in our crazy 18th Century dresses

 

What the heck is Costume Con, and why does it matter to you?  Well, for starters, the ICG is the guild of which MNSoC is a chapter.  And Costume Con is the ICG’s yearly bash, put on by a different chapter each year.  (Yes, this means we, the members of MNSoC, could host Costume Con some year.  Preferably AFTER I’m done being President…)  In other words, it’s an event dedicated to  you and your fellow costuming peeps.

Look! A whole table full of peeps in costume!

 

What will you find at a typical Costume Con?  Well, no Con is typical.  But what I’ve found at the last two Cons I’ve attended (Milwaukee in 2010, Tempe in 2012) are as follows:

1.  An awesome vendor’s room, where you can shop for costuming goodness – like patterns and hats and fabric and trims and so forth.

2.  Classes, demonstrations, and panel discussions about your favorite costuming topics.  This year, Laura and I attended a discussion on how to grow your guild.  Since MNSoC is the LARGEST CHAPTER OF THE GUILD, WOOT! we thought we should attend.

3.  Not one, but TWO Masquarades – one for Sci Fi/Fantasty, one for Historical.  Laura and I, plus fellow MNSoC’er Laura Vetter, plus a bunch of out-of-state costuming buddies, entered the Sci Fi/Fantasy Masq.  We won Judges’ Choice:

All the Whos in Whoville! Yes, I am dressed as the world’s largest toddler – Cindy Lou Who. And yes, one of our Doctors is missing from that photo.

 

But the very best part of attending Costume Con is meeting likeminded, friendly costumers and seeing ALL THE PRETTY.  Behold the costuming GLORY:

Titanic! Janet Wilson Anderson shows us how the MASTERS do it.

 

Renaissance Justice League of America!

 

USO Girls from Captain America!

 

Awesome professional costumers who aren’t afraid to be silly!

 

And some random chick in Green Bay Packer…

 

So the next time you ask yourself, “Self?  Is it worth my while to attend Costume Con?” the answer should be a resounding YES.  The people are fantastic, and you get to plan at least 5 wardrobe changes.  WEAR ALL THE COSTUMES!  Plus, you get a sense of the larger costuming community you belong to as a member of the ICG.

Wanna go to Con next year in Denver?  Here are the deets! http://cc31denver.com/