No longer confined to conventions, an increasing number of Australian cosplayers are gathering for casual meet-ups, and making friends along the way
Willow* and her friends know they are always the first to be spotted in a crowd. They don’t mind the stares.
Sitting at the steps of Sydney’s town hall, the trio are an island of pastel pink, lavender and fiery red, the intensity of their wigs matched by the extravagance of their makeup. Willow’s face is artfully made up, her eyes embellished with bright blue eyeshadow, thick winged eyeliner and spiky false lashes. A pair of platform Converse lifts her an extra 5cm above ground.