This is super duper still under construction, but I've been slowly building my own cosplay archive website! I really only have 2023's cosplays up so far along with a couple others, but I'm really proud to have been able to code even this much.
I'd like to give it a snazzier layout in the future, maybe one with some pixel art flair, but I'm happy to say I have a little place of my own for the moment!
Wow... I was like 'wait I know these photos' anf reading about their source it makes sense. I visited that Dilandau shrine back in the day :D
Escaflowne cosplayers from the 90s/early 2000s!
These (and a few other thumbnails that were unfortunately not archived) were taken from The Burning Fortress*The Lair of Dilandau Albatou, a Dilandau fansite/shrine by Syrena. It was listed on Anipike (now defunct) and accessed through the Wayback Machine.
Lionboogy or @lumlionel might hold the record for longest active cosplay photographer in the States. If you check his website usagichan2.com you’ll see cosplay photos (and coverage) from the first Anime Expo 1992. His latest photos? Anime Los Angeles 2023 from last weekend!
Previously to 1999, Fanime was a college con for five years. The 1999 edition was held at Wyndham Hotel and by 2000 they’ve moved to Santa Clara convention center until 2004. Currently Fanime is held at San Jose convention center.
Please check his site for more photos and coverage from more cons. usagichan2.com as well as his page on @acosplayparadise
(photos digital enhanced for enlargement)
Funny enough, I first discovered Jay Kay Klein's photography from TriCon 1966 here on Tumblr.I was searching for fandom history and came across a girl in a Star Trek uniform, that lead me to research the convention and discovered Gene Roddenberry was at TriCon along with pilot episodes, costumes and models. I also discovered the TV premiere was 3 days from the last day of the con.
I feel a connection to these images. While they were taken 57 years ago, the scenes within these photographs are familiar.
This is registration for the convention and this is a familiar sight. I'm assuming there is a long line and folks are tired and just want to be registered so they can get on with the convention. My worst linecon was probably around 2011 or 2012 where Fanime computers failed.
This photo really made he connection. I thought of folks hanging out on the floor in hallway was sort of a generational trait. I didn't realized some 60 years ago, other generations would be doing exactly the same stuff we did except they dressed nicer back then, tie and coat. There was another photo that I gravitated to - a young man sleeping in the hallway. I just imagine how long it would be before con security ,wanders by and wakes the man up! Folks in 1966 are just like us, I thought laughing inside.
It is comforting to see even as times change, conventions have taken some concept from the magazine and run their own zines.