Angi Viper Information

Cosplayer
Los Angeles, CA, USA

Biography:
I started cosplaying in 2000 in an attempt to find somewhere I belonged. As a social outcast, cosplay was my escape from the pressures of society to "conform". When I lost my job in 2011, cosplay was my motivation to get out of bed and move forward. Cosplay has affected every aspect of my life and led to finding my true calling.

In 2016, I made the terrifying decision to quit my day job and run my Etsy shop full-time and I have not regretted it a single moment. Creating costumes for others and seeing them light up as they become characters they love brings me more joy than anything else in the world.

Since starting to teach myself to sew in 2011, I have created over 50 costumes for myself and countless more for clients and friends. Eventually I became inspired to design my own lines of geek inspired fashion. I have spoken on panels encouraging newcomers to the community, run workshops teaching basic skills, judged costume contests, traveled to Europe and been awarded for my craftsmanship in multiple competitions.

I am extremely passionate about encouraging newcomers to the cosplay community and rebuilding the positive atmosphere I knew when I started. I am a firm believer that anyone can be a cosplayer - no matter your age, size, skin or skill.

Cosplaying has motivated me to develop skills like modeling and performing, leading to new opportunities and experiences. I regularly perform at children's parties and in short films and music videos and have been modeling for We Love Fine since 2016.

Who knows what the future will bring, but I am grateful to the amazing people who have pushed me to where I am and the community I've found who takes every step with me.