Wig-Wig Cosplay is an award-winning competitive cosplay duo out of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Alan and Janella, known as “WigTall” and “wigsmall” by fellow congoers, have been cosplaying together since 2012 and have enjoyed traveling the world with costumes in tow. In 2019, they were the Team USA representatives for the International Cosplay League in Madrid, Spain, where they won first place in the duo category (a first for the USA)! They are best known for their combination of leatherworking skills and entertaining performances. Alongside competing, they have been invited to conventions as guests, featured as speakers in online courses and podcasts, and printed in magazines for their work. They even wrote a cosplay leatherworking book (it’s called Leather in Cosplay, From Hide to Hero and you can check it out here)! When not wearing their “Saturday finest” on the convention floor, these two can be found assisting cosplay departments and hosting panels.
Growing up around leatherworkers, Janella was introduced to the craft via Old West reenactment, which became the gateway to costuming and eventually cosplaying. Every once in awhile, she will step out of her craft room, usually covered in paint, and enjoy buying a new board game to add to the collection or write a chapter on her fantasy novel passion project. Rivaling her love of cosplay is her enjoyment of JRPGs, K-Pop, and cats!
Through medieval reenactment and live-action role-playing, Alan began dabbling in leather projects and caught the crafting bug which led him into the wonderful world of cosplay. When not tooling away the evening at the workbench, he can be found playing games—any kind: tabletop, miniatures, board, or video! Put a game in front of him and he’ll be excited to try it out (but usually after he has been asked to read the rules and teach everyone else).
And a special member of Wig-Wig Cosplay is their cat, Peppy. There from the beginning of the “Wig-Wig” name, she’s the calico-quality-control for each mockup tried on and leather hide rolled out on the floor.
