While rushing from the Hyatt on Thursday afternoon, I saw something that stopped me in my tracks—two attendees, Ayla and Jacob Craft, cosplaying my favorite characters from The Fall, Tarsem Singh’s 2006 artistic triumph. Their outfits were so striking, so beautifully done, that I had to stop and ask for a photo. They obliged with the delight so many cosplayers seem to feel when their characters are recognized and appreciated. I didn’t have time to talk, but they kindly agreed to meet me during a later photo shoot at the Hilton. To my delight, I managed not only to find them but also to see them in a completely different set of costumes.
Ayla had given me her card, which says, “Cosplayer, sewist, and maker of weird things.” Between the two of them, this intrepid couple will change into an amazing total of 17 different costumes during this year’s 40th Dragon Con celebration. Ayla and Jacob began cosplaying in 2014, and although they’ve missed a year here and there, they’ve been doing it ever since.
Jacob’s first foray was portraying Harry Dresden. At the time, he thought no one would know who the character was. He was wrong. Dragon Con attendees are great at recognizing characters. He participated in his first photo shoot, which was an eye-opening experience for him. “I have found my people,” he said. He’s always been a fan of Halloween. “We got married on Halloween,” he added with a smile. He loves not having to wait for that one time of year to wear a costume.
Ayla says they are both craftsmen, sometimes making things from scratch, sometimes buying things. Two of their 17 costumes are purchased, but the others are head-to-toe handcrafted artistry of their own. Ayla doesn’t make costumes for others. “This is my hobby…my joy,” she said. She doesn’t want it to become a job with the attendant deadlines and expectations. This way, it’s all fun and no stress.
Ayla and Jacob are both amazed at the variety of cosplay on display at Dragon Con—and that it had already started on Wednesday this year. At the “Welcome Home Dance & Countdown!” party in the Marriott Atrium Ballroom Wednesday night, they were astonished by how many people were in costume. Jacob said he went to sleep with a sore face from smiling and laughing so much.
Thank you, Ayla and Jacob, for sharing the joy and helping to make Dragon Con such a visual treat for all of us!
