Student seeks to make cosplay hobby a way of life

October; the month that conjures up images of pumpkins, candy, and costumes. Most of us probably have fond memories of selecting Halloween outfits to dress up in for a night of trick or treating. 

Costumes, however, can be used for more than just one month out of the year. 

Samantha Proffit, a psychology major, spends most of her waking hours dreaming up creations to use in “cosplay” or costume play. 

“My head is always working on costumes,” Proffit said. “If I could just sew all the time I would be very happy.” 

She has many places from which she draws inspiration. Her well-organized notebook has intricate lists of over 80 characters from anime, pop culture, video games and manga that will ultimately be cosplayed by Proffit. 

“There are characters that I either love, or characters I want to improve,” she said. 

The real passion for cosplay stemmed from her favorite anime series: Karas. 

“I wanted to be Yurine,” Proffit said. “She was my first costume, and I just redid her last year.” 

Currently working on well over a dozen costumes, the time it takes to create the characters can often average around 3 weeks, spending up to 4 hours a day working on the details. Due to a broken sewing machine, most of the time is spent hand sewing these pieces. 

Cosplay can be an expensive hobby, but Proffit has been resourceful and found cheaper ways to create her characters. 

“I did a claw for one outfit that was made from an old, black evening gown glove, wonderflex, and those fake nails that you can find anywhere,” Proffit said. “It’s so much fun. I love it.” 

Proffit has high ambitions for herself. 

Aside from an upcoming transfer to the Dallas Art Institute to pursue an associate’s degree in fashion design, she also has ideas for a future business. 

“I really want to have my own store one day,” Proffit said. “Start online, getting my name out there and then eventually opening somewhere. I know I’m pretty much going to be broke after college, but if I get to do something I love, it will be worth it.”