Get us in your inbox
🙌 Awesome, you're subscribed!
Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon!
Carrie Wink, 31, designer:
“I was 19 [when I first cosplayed]. It changed my life for the better. It was a chance for me to have a little [escape] from the world around me. I know what it’s like to have people put you down. I know what it’s like to be the odd man out. And when I look back on certain characters, they really were inspirational.”
Christopher Troy, 31, insurance analyst:
“We met at a con. She was Aerith from Final Fantasy VII, and I was Squall from Final Fantasy VIII. She was dating a friend of mine at the time, so we became friends there. A few months later we started dating, and then got married four years ago.”
“Basically, I made [the outfit] from scratch. I went to Spandex House (263 W 38th St between Seventh and Eighth Aves; 212-354-6711, spandexhouse.com) in the Garment District and purchased four-way stretch spandex in yellow, black and red. I feel like it’s a more personal experience when you make your own costume.”
“The only things that aren’t spandex are the eyes in the mask, which are [made of] this sheer material I had to double up to create a cool effect.”
“[My costume is] based off the default Spider-Woman. I mostly went by Avengers Assemble artwork, but in comics these portrayals are never consistent, so there is a lot of creative freedom.”
“She’s a very quirky character: She has a tragic background, but she didn’t become a stone-cold ice queen because of it. And she’s a smart, intelligent woman. It’s nice to play a character that has that balance.”
“This is one of my [less complex] costumes—Army-issue cargo pants, surplus military boots, Under Armour T-shirt with some felt sewn on, a wig and a regular bicycle glove.”
“Hawkeye is very down-to-earth—a flawed character. He’s not as immature as Spider-Man, but not as Boy Scouty as Captain America.”
“This is a practice bow that we got in Jersey. I’m not sure how legal it is to walk around with it, so I keep it in a big bag with towels around it to play it safe.”
“This took about a week to piece together. It’s mostly from Amazon, military surplus stores and Modell’s. I like sleek and practical looks.”
“[Beginner cosplayers] shouldn’t bite off more than they can chew. Don’t start off with Iron Man; start with something simple. If you have to just buy [a costume], there’s nothing wrong with that. [Comic Con] is a blast. Kids reacting to your costume is the coolest thing in the world. Now [some people] go to cons just to look at cosplayers.”
Aw, Avengers in love! Spouses (and cosplay vets) Carrie Wink and Christopher Troy walk us through their sweet Spider-Woman and Hawkeye outfits.
These days, Comic Con is just as much about peeping attendees wearing insanely detailed costumes as it is about running into your favorite celebs. Which is why we caught up with Comic Con regulars Carrie Wink and Christopher Troy. The husband-and-wife duo chatted with Time Out about the makings of their great ’tumes.
RECOMMENDED: New York Comic Con guide
Discover Time Out original video