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Meet Trailblazer Ann Mossy

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Ann Mossy.

Ann, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My job and career focus primarily centers around the world of cosplay and costume designing. I started cosplaying about three years ago when I attended my first convention, Dragon Con, here in Atlanta, Georgia. I had no idea what I was doing or how vast the cosplay community was, but I was immediately enthralled by everything around me the moment I set foot in the building. I remember one of my first cosplays was a thrown together Spider-Gwen costume that I had bought online, complete with my natural hair and some bangs that I cut myself the night before just to try and match the character! Thankfully, I’ve learned a thing or two about costuming since then.

From there, I honed my craft and grew into the cosplayer and businesswoman that I am now. I was able to study Fashion Design & Costuming with a minor in Business and Entrepreneurship at the Savannah College of Art and Design, which helped me tremendously grow as a cosplayer. Another thing that helped me grow exponentially is the incredible people I have met and connected with. I have learned so much more about what cosplay is and how to turn what I love into a growing business through many friendships and guidance. The people I have met have helped me overcome so many hardships and have become somewhat of a family for me. I wouldn’t be anywhere without their kindness, love, and advice.

Over the past three years, I have been able to develop my brand and my skills in a company and profit from what I love doing. My company work primarily consists mostly of costume designing, prop making, wig design, and commission work. I absolutely love what I do, and I still consider myself new to the community though. I know that I still have so much learned, and I cannot wait to see where the future takes me from here!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Honestly, the road has been anything but smooth! Thankfully, it has calmed down somewhat in recent months, but the past few years have been a very hectic and bumpy road!

When I first got started with cosplaying as a career path, I was diagnosed with a very painful disease called Endometriosis; and had to receive immediate surgery. The recovery process wasn’t too bad, but it did cause me to have to skip what would have been my first Momo Con back in 2017. My support system at the time was essentially non-existent, plus I was in an abusive relationship. My life around me felt very bleak and I truly felt hopeless inside. It wasn’t until the following year, in Spring of 2018 when I finally was able to escape that abusive environment. I felt comfortable in my own skin again and started to build positive, healthy relationships with people.

That year (2018), I was able to focus more on cosplaying, develop my skills as a costume designer, and branch out of my comfort zone. I cosplayed new and exciting things and even started doing more group cosplays with my friends. I made so many more wonderful connections! Through 2018 and into this current year, I’ve relearned how to love and respect myself as a person, and I have a wonderful partner and friends who only help encourage that.

As far as advice to other people in the community, I would say don’t be afraid to do what you love and don’t be afraid to try new things. Cosplay is a difficult and time-consuming hobby; it’s full of negativity and can be an incredibly intimidating world to try and jump in to. It takes more work than most people realize, but don’t let it stop you from doing what you want to do! The community is also filled with some of the most loving, inspiring, and talented people I have ever met and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

We’d love to hear more about Ann Mossy Cosplay.
My line of work is rooted in costume design, sewing, wig design, but I specialize most in prop making. My target audience is the cosplay community, which I also use to market myself to new clients. Through the costumes that I make, I’m able to attend conventions and make new connections and grow my brand! One of the things I’m most proud of in my brand is how much my marketing skills have grown over the years.

Something that sets me apart from others is that I try to remain open-minded and positive towards everyone I meet in the community. You never know who you’re going to meet and what incredible people you’ll encounter. Being open-minded and friendly toward everyone definitely makes for a more positive experience!

So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well-positioned for?
A lot of media coverage is definitely focused around the challenges women face today, but I don’t think that’s a negative thing. While women have overcome MANY hardships over the decades, there are still so many that remain. I don’t think it’s bad to shed light on those negative aspects that still need changing. In the cosplay community, I definitely see a lot of these hardships firsthand and have even experienced some of them myself.

Sexual harassment is one of the biggest issues in the community. So often, myself included, women have been groped, verbally harassed, and taken advantage of solely because of the costume that they are wearing. Women and other cosplayers are treated as nothing but an object or aren’t even viewed as a real person based on their choice to wear a revealing costume. One of my favorite quotes to use in this community is that “cosplay is NOT consent”. A woman should never be judged or harassed because of their clothes.

Don’t get me wrong, women have overcome many obstacles over the decades that should definitely be recognized and appreciated, but there is still so much more to do. I think that women are particularly positioned for any career in any industry that they want. Women can accomplish anything that they set their sights too.

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Image Credit:
Court Carmody, Geeky Mermaid Productions, Vesk Blue Photography

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