By Nora Parminter

LOCAL Cosplay enthusiast Kate Bennett has qualified for South West Cosplay Championships next May.

Kate became interested in Cosplay, which originated in Japan, four years ago.

Cosplay is a performance art, in which those taking part are called cosplayers. They wear costumes and fashion accessories to represent a specific character.

The costume for Kate’s first event was made by her grandma. It was at that time that Kate realised that if she could make her own costumes she would get more points, and she asked her grandma to teach her how to sew.

Kate won her first competition in London in Februray 2014 when she dressed as Princess Zelda from the arcade game “Legend of Zelda” in an outfit where she hand-painted the fabric and made the armour from thermoplastic.

For the South West Championships Kate is making an outfit for the character of Sarah from the film, “Labyrinth” using yards and yards of satin, embroidery thread, lots of petticoats, organza for a second layer and a hoop-skirt. To get the effect of the hair Kate will use a lace-front wig. She will also be making hair bangles, white tights and her own shoes to complete the part.

Kate says that accuracy is very important and she is very fussy about it. She enjoys making the costumes and taking part in the role play and has made some costumes for commissions.