What is h+h americas Famoré Cutlery’s Cosplay Competition Fashion Show & Exhibition?

Famoré Cutlery is proud to host h+h americas 2nd annual Cosplay Competition Fashion Show & Exhibition! h+h americas is the place where creativity meets business, and cosplay shines brightly as a growing part of our crafting community!

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 level to showcase their designs and creativity. It is the chance for cosplayers to dazzle over 3,000 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 $10,000 worth of cash and prizes! Check out our list of 2024 winners HERE.

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.

Those who have never won an award in any costume/cosplay contest or have won 2 or less minor cosplay awards (e.g., a Judge’s Choice award, or Best Beginner Runner Up) should enter this category. At least 50% of your costume must be made by the contestant.

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.

This year we’ll have a Fantasy Textile Mages theme. You are welcome to apply regardless of the theme; however, to win Best in Show and Best in Show Runner-Up, your costume must fit the theme. You can be eligible for other awards, but Best in Show and Best in Show Runner-Up in both student and professional levels need to be on theme.

Fantasy Textile Mages – Design characters whose magic is rooted in the art of crafting. Create costumes for characters by weaving spells into enchanted garments, but their powers don’t stop at yarn and thread. They incorporate beads, buttons, quilts, recycled materials, cardboard, metals, plastics, and any other non-traditional elements to create costumes that push the boundaries of fiber arts.

Each character should embody a distinct color palette and design, inspired by a fusion of fibers, fabrics, beads, buttons, textiles, and unexpected materials. Imagine changing out Eva foam for felted wool to create an armor look, adding detail with beads and buttons, or up-cycling combinations of materials into a new design!

This theme celebrates the creative overlap between sewing, textiles, fiber arts, and non-traditional crafting techniques. It’s not just about fabric—it’s about seeing the potential in every material and turning the ordinary into the extraordinary. How will you blend and transform these diverse mediums into wearable magic?

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

Cosplay Competition Fashion Show: Thursday, May 8, 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 8, 4:00 PM Immediately following the Famoré Cutlery Cosplay Fashion Show, engage with our crafts community and build lasting connections during the 4:00 PM free cocktail hour in Hall C

1) Enter the Cosplay Competition Fashion Show – Chance to Win Cash Prizes & Products

The Cosplay Competition Fashion Show is comprised of two divisions: professional and student levels (ages 18+). Costumes should be made by competitors specifically for h+h americas show. Judges will meet artists and view costumes at 1:30 PM Thursday before the Runway Fashion Show, and final judging will take place during the Runway Show at 3:00 PM. Each competitor is required to model their garment or send a model.

a. Each competition member is required to model their garment or send a model. Competition costumes will be displayed in our permanent 3-day cosplay exhibition area when not worn in the fashion show.

2) Enter the Exhibition Only – Chance to Win Cash Prizes & Products

Show off your costume in a permanent 3-day cosplay exhibition display. Costumes should be made by competitors specifically for h+h americas show. Judges will review costumes and build books before the Fashion Show for judging.

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

Competition Prizes awarded by Judges

  • 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

  • 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

To be eligible for Famoré Cutlery’s Cosplay Competition prizes, costumes should be made by competitors specifically for h+h americas show. Explore the wide range of products to bring your cosplay vision to life at h+h americas: exhibitor list link.  

  • Fill out the entry form beginning October 1, 2024 – registration closes November 15, 2025
  • Applicants will be notified of acceptance November 22, 2024
  • If accepted, submit a rough drawing or photo 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).

  • Fill out the entry form beginning October 1, 2024 – registration closes November 15, 2025
  • Applicants will be notified of acceptance November 22, 2024
  • Garment Submission Deadline: April 26, 2024 (ship garment or bring to h+h americas event). 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.

Our team will take professional photos of your cosplay garments, as well as a video of the Fashion Show. We look forward to your hard work being celebrated on the h+h americas social media!

All entries will be displayed, when not in the fashion show, and will be considered for all prize categories. Professional photographs will be taken of your costume display, and your work will be celebrated on social media!

Don’t miss your chance to be part of this epic cosplay event! Register early, get creative, and make your cosplay dreams come true!

For more information and registration, visit www.hh-americas.com or contact Eileen Lynch.

Disclaimer: Event details and dates are subject to change. Please visit our website or contact us for the latest updates.

Professional  Division

Student Division