Black Cosplayer Breaks Boundaries with Diverse Array of Creative Costumes

black cosplay from #28daysofblackcosplay

Hermione From Harry Potter

There are many ways to celebrate Black History Month, and some cosplayers are doing so with #28DaysofBlackCosplay. The hashtag was originally created in 2015 by fellow cosplayer Chaka Cumberbatch with the goal of promoting inclusion and breaking down racism in the cosplay community. She explained to BuzzFeed, “It began as a way for us as Black cosplayers to celebrate and showcase our own work in the midst of a subculture where we often felt passed over and ignored.”

One woman also participating in this black cosplay challenge—and rocking the cosplay world in general—is a 21-year-old who goes by the name Kiera Please. The Virginia native transforms herself into a myriad of characters that range from cartoons to books to animated films. Some of the looks are elaborate, with fur garments and full bodysuits to match the persona she’s emulating. Other cosplay characters, like Sadness from the Pixar film Inside Out, are makeup intensive and feature a skillfully applied layer of blue face paint—with a bright wig to match.

But no matter the outfit, the essence of these characters is reflected in Kiera’s costume and poses. We’re looking forward to what she comes up with for the rest of #28DaysofBlackCosplay—follow along on her Instagram.

Check out some of Kiera’s best looks, from #28DaysofBlackCosplay and beyond.

black cosplayer

Louise Belcher From Bob's Burgers

black cosplay

Lottie Person From Snotgirl

black cosplay from #28daysofblackcosplay

Kida Nedakh From Atlantis: The Lost Empire

black cosplay from #28daysofblackcosplay

Kim from Kimpossible

black cosplay

Sadness From Inside Out

black cosplay from #28daysofblackcosplay

Penny Proud From The Proud Family

black cosplay

Beret Girl From An Extremely Goofy Movie

black cosplay

Stevonnie From Steven Universe

black cosplay

Tip Tucci from Home

black cosplay

Korra From The Legend Of Korra

black cosplay from #28daysofblackcosplay

Melpomene From Hercules

black cosplay

Juuzou Suzuya From Tokyo Ghoul

black cosplay

Chel From The Road To El Dorado

black cosplay from #28daysofblackcosplay

Garnet From Steven Universe

black cosplay from #28daysofblackcosplay

Penny Proud From The Proud Family

Kiera Please: Instagram | YouTube | Facebook
h/t: [Bored Panda]

All images via Kiera Please.

Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes is a Staff Editor at My Modern Met, Manager of My Modern Met Store, and co-host of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. As an illustrator and writer living in Seattle, she chronicles illustration, embroidery, and beyond through her blog Brown Paper Bag and Instagram @brwnpaperbag. She wrote a book about embroidery artist Sarah K. Benning titled 'Embroidered Life' that was published by Chronicle Books in 2019. Sara is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art. She earned her BFA in Illustration in 2008 and MFA in Illustration Practice in 2013.
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