AS DIVERSITY gains momentum in the cosplay world, meet a plus-sized Hispanic designer leading the ‘inclusion revolution.’ Cinita C is a self-taught costume designer from Brooklyn, New York whose mission is to represent plus-size women and women of colour.
The 25-year-old took matters into her own hands in 2012 when she couldn’t find costumes in her size, she began learning to first make them for herself and later for other people.
By addressing the disparity of diversity in the comic book world, Cin hopes to inspire others by creating a more inclusive space for the cosplay community.
Cin told Barcroft TV: “I feel the need to not redefine cosplay but add a broader definition to it because I need others to see that there are people like them.” After attending a comic convention in New York seven years ago, Cin noticed most comic book characters were portrayed as white.
She quickly realised cosplay options were limited for people of her shape and ethnicity.
“I fell in love with the idea of going around, dressed up as a character and taking pictures with other people dressed up.” Cin began creating costumes that were unavailable to her when she first became interested in cosplay.
The Hispanic cosplayer hopes other women of colour are inspired when they see her dress as characters often portrayed as typically white or Asian.
“When I’ve met people or spoken to them online, their biggest appreciation is that I’m a plus-size person of colour – Afro-Latina.” Although Cin comes from a family of women who sew, she didn’t start until she was 18 years old.
She received her first sewing machine for her birthday and was bitten by the bug.
“I had no choice but to learn how to sew if I wanted to dress up as my favourite characters.” Cin has a younger sister, Myya who is five years old.
She hopes to be a positive influence in her life, paving the way for the next generation of cosplayers.
“I just want to show her she can give love to the world and to herself while doing things that she enjoys.” How much the multimillion-dollar comic book industry will be prepared to change because of Cin is up for debate.
However, what can’t be disputed is the visibility of people like Cin removing barriers to future generations of cosplayers.
“I want to redefine cosplay; I want to help the cosplay community to show others that there’s so much more than one type.”