Limited Opportunity! Only 25 spots available—Register Early to Secure Yours!

Calling All Costume Artists and Cosplayers!

Get ready to unleash your creativity and step into the spotlight—h+h americas is thrilled to announce the 3rd annual Cosplay Competition Fashion Show & Exhibition presented by Famoré Cutlery! This is your moment to shine, showcase your skills, and wow the crowd with your incredible designs.

h+h americas is proud to host their 3rd annual Cosplay Competition Fashion Show & Exhibition presented by Famoré Cutlery! h+h americas Cosplay Competition is a unique, one-of-a-kind event connecting the crafting industry with the vibrant, global cosplay community! It brings together creators and industry partners from around the globe.

h+h americas recognizes the significant role cosplay designers play as creators within the crafting community. Cosplayers are multi-media artists and are essential artisans who invest in a wide array of products to bring their imaginative garments to life, thus holding a vital position in the crafting industry.

This competition is an opportunity for cosplayers of all skill levels to showcase their designs and creativity. It is an opportunity for cosplayers to dazzle over 5,000 international attendees and exhibitors by displaying their work at our 3-day event, the opportunity to walk the runway in costume at our Cosplay Fashion Show, and a chance to compete for BIG prizes from our sponsors to continue their crafting journey.

Last year’s winners took home over $16,000 worth of cash and prizes from these amazing sponsors: Famoré Cutlery, Oliso, Janome America, Wonderful Specialty Threads, Valdani Inc., Cherrywood Hand Dyed Fabric, DIME by OESD, FanPowered Press, Hilos Iris, and Hobbs Bonded Fibers!

Past Winners

Check out our 2025 participants and winners HERE.

Check out our list of 2024 winners HERE.

Level

All contestants will be asked to select their skill level. This ensures that each participant is judged fairly among those in their same skill level.

Student Category:
Professional:

Student Category:

Enter the Student Division if you are new to Cosplay or costume making, or if you have won 2 or less minor awards in any costume/cosplay contest. You should also enter the Student Category if your costume is a little “roughly made” and you are new to sewing or costume construction, meaning you’ve made five (5) or fewer costumes. At least 50% of your costume must be made by the contestant.

Professional:

Enter the Professional Division if you have won a Cosplay contest or if you have years of experience sewing and constructing costumes. Designers who have won 2 or more major awards in any costume/cosplay contest, convention cosplay contest, or someone who has income exceeding $10,000 per year from costuming, cosplay, stage performance, sewing, prop construction, wig construction/styling, or any other costume/cosplay-related field should enter this category. At least 75% of your costume must be made by the contestant.

Judges

Costumes will be judged by 3-5 high-level cosplay industry professionals; to be announced.

Cosplay Schedule

Cosplay Competition Fashion Show: Join us in person with free admission, Thursday, May 7, 2025, 3:00 – 4:00 PM on h+h americas Main Stage at the Donald E. Stephens Convention & Conference Center in Rosemont, IL

Cosplay Maker Meetup: Thursday, May 7, 4:00 PM Immediately following h+h americas Cosplay Fashion Show presented by Famoré Cutlery, engage with our crafts community and build lasting connections during the 4:00 PM free cocktail hour in Hall D

Costume Exhibition Schedule:

Costume Drop-off: Tuesday, May 5, 2026, 8 AM–6 PM

Costume Pick-up: Friday, May 8, 2026, at 3 PM (Exhibit hall teardown begins at 3 PM; arrive on time to safeguard your costume).

Trophy Categories & Prizes

Costumes will be judged by 3-5 high-level cosplay industry professionals; to be announced.

Professional Division Prizes:

Best in Show: $500 cash prize + product* (including custom engraved Famoré Cutlery scissors)
Best in Show Runner-Up: $300 cash prize + product*
Judges Choice Award for Favorite Garment: $150 cash prize + product*
Special Sponsor Named Prizes: product presented by sponsoring company
🏆NEW International Theme Award: Costumes that incorporate a technique, or material, originating from outside the United States, will be entered to win a separate international theme award. (This does not exclude you from winning top awards)

Student Division Prizes:

Best in Show: $250 cash prize + product*
Judges Choice Award for Favorite Garment: $100 cash prize + product*
Special Sponsor Named Prizes: product presented by sponsoring company
🏆NEW International Theme Award: Costumes that incorporate a technique, or material, originating from outside the United States, will be entered to win a separate international theme award. (This does not exclude you from winning top awards)

Bring Your Creativity to Life with h+h americas

Discover an incredible range of products, materials, and resources from our exhibitors to help you craft the ultimate cosplay design. You are encouraged to utilize products, materials and resources, which can be sourced from vendors found at h+h americas. Explore the wide range of products to bring your cosplay vision to life at h+h americas here: exhibitor list link.

How to Enter Cosplay Competition Fashion Show

Fill out the entry form beginning November 24, 2025 – registration closes February 18, 2025
- With the application, submit a rough drawing or photo for your acceptance consideration.
Applicants will be notified of acceptance March 2, 2026
- If accepted, submit an updated photo or drawings by January 15, 2025
Create your cosplay masterpiece with at least 25% products that can be sourced at h-h americas. Make social media posts tagging #hhamericasCosplay and #hhamericas at least once leading up to show. Tagging exhibitors whose products are used is suggested as well. Join us in person with free show entry to model (or send a representative).