One Inspiring Cosplayer's Nine Year Journey

By Alanah Pearce

Nine years ago today, a Florida-based cosplayer who goes by ‘Blackflame16’ decided to sew herself a costume for the first time ever.

She wrote on her Facebook page, “I can’t believe 9 years ago I was crying in front of my sewing machine, running on 2 hours of sleep trying to finish my first cosplay…”

Now, she has dozens of characters under her cosplay belt, has won multiple awards, and has spent a lot of the past 28 days sharing the work of other black cosplayers as part of February’s #28DaysOfBlackCosplay movement.

Check out some of her cosplays in the gallery below – click right to see all the photos:

The photographers featured are Kiki Furia, Sarah Dixon, Keyaroscuro, Victorieux Photography, Figmentsmedia, and Mark Loertscher Photography.

BlackFlame16 told IGN that her Ashe (League of Legends) cosplay took two around two months to complete on its own. She said, “That was one of the first cosplays that I put a lot of effort into making… It was great because during the process I learned so many new techniques and won multiple awards including Judges Award and two Best in Shows.”

Regarding those interested in getting into cosplay for the first time, she told IGN, “Do whatever makes you happy. Whether it’s buying, commissioning, or making the cosplay yourself. You don’t have to come out of the gates making the most elaborate cosplay…

Photo from Blackflame16’s Facebook, photography by Francisco Nazario Photography.

There also will be people that will not agree with what you make or how you wear your cosplay, and sometimes just put you down. Just ignore them, keep your head held high and continue to do what you love… Because at the end of the day, if it makes you happy, that’s all that really matters.”

She wrote on Facebook, “Cosplaying has been a huge part of my life and I’ve enjoyed every moment of it. I’ve met so many people and have traveled to different states to attend conventions, it’s just been a great adventure!”

You can find Blackflame16 on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Twitch.