COSPLAY, SEWING, & DESIGN

Biography​

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Momo Kariño Cosplay (formerly known as Momo Kurumi) is a veteran cosplayer, seamstress, artist, and designer,

who strives to spread happiness and inspiration to all! Initially starting off in cosplay by buying her first few costumes, she later learned to craft her own, and went on to earn a Bachelor's of Science in Apparel Design. Her experience

as a seamstress ranges from theater, to fashion, parades, theme parks, alterations, commissions, manufacturing, and even bridal! She also has worked as an illustrator, graphic artist, technical designer, and lead pattern maker.

Momo has won numerous awards for her creations, and has served as a craftsmanship judge at several cons like Anime Central, Anime St. Louis, and more! She has also worked with brands such as Funimation, Viz Media, and Purple Plum Wigs. Additionally, her experience working at Disney brings a world-class level of engaging, upbeat interaction, which she still practices in her professional and personal life.

Professional Philosophy​

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Momo became closely involved with conventions as a way to give back to a community that has shown her over a decade's worth of valuable lessons. A believer in "cosplay is for everyone", she advocates for diversity, acceptance, and positivity in the cosplay community and beyond. Through exciting and educational panels, she has spoken to thousands of cosplayers and attendees across the U.S. to inform and entertain on a variety of topics.

Through the years, Momo has sought to celebrate and reward the passion that cosplayers have for their craft and characters, and make cosplay a fun time for all!  Be it through conventions or online, she is always eager to collaborate with those that share the same goal.

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Momo subscribes to five core values, and infuses these ideals into every aspect of her life. They are to:

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Lead by Example, Embody Kindness, Advocate Positivity, Fight for Diversity, and Support the Community

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Basic Info

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•Momo started going to cons and cosplaying in 2007

•She has been cosplaying for 13 years

•Graduated in 2016 with a Bachelor's in Apparel Design

•Has been entering cosplay competitions for 11 years

•Has competed in 40+ contests and won 30+ awards!

•Has done 100+ cosplays, and made over 80 of them

•Developed and presented 10+ new panels since 2017

•Guested at 10+ unique conventions since 2017

Audience Demographics

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•55% male, 45% female

•65% ages 21-29, 18% ages 20 and under, 17% ages 30+

•80% based in USA, 10% based in UK, Canada, & Mexico

•Top 5 US states: California, Texas, Ohio, Illinois, New York

•46% income $30k-$50k, 35% income <$30k, 19% >$50k

•Occupations: artists, students, writers, designers, musicians

•Likes/Interests: gaming, comics, tech, anime, film, fantasy

•Brand affinities: Marvel, Playstation, Disney, Nintendo

Guest & Contest Judge-

Animatic Con 2019

Available Services

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•Convention guest appearances

•Cosplay contest judge, emcee, and director

•Convention panels and workshops host

•In-character appearances and "meet and greets"

•Booth attendant, booth cosplay model/mascot

•Social media brand promotion, brand ambassador

•Product reviews, sponsored posts, blog posts

•Media appearances and interviews

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Rates vary per project, email me at

 for business inquiries!

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Convention Guesting & Staff History​

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•OhayoCon 2020: Cosplay Guest

•A-Kon 2019: Cosplay Guest

•Anime Central 2017-2019: Hall Cosplay Contest Judge

•Animatic Con 2019: Cosplay Guest, Cosplay Contest Judge

•OhayoCon 2019: Cosplay Guest, Fashion Show Judge

•LibCon West 2019: Cosplay Guest

•Indy PopCon 2018: Contest Judge

•EvilleCon 2018: Cosplay Guest, Contest Judge

•Wizard World St. Louis 2018: Cosplay Guest, Contest Judge

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•KentokyoCon North 2018: Cosplay Guest

•Cincinnati Comic Expo 2017: Cosplay Guest

•KentokyoCon 2017: Cosplay Guest, Contest Judge

•SoyCon 2017: Cosplay Guest

•Anime St. Louis 2017: Cosplay Guest, Contest Judge

•GojotekiCon 2017: Cosplay Guest, Contest Judge

•AnimaticCon 2017: Cosplay Guest

•IkasuCon 2014: Contest Judge

•RamenCon 2011-2013: Masquerade Director

Booth & Event Experience​

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•Pokemon Night 2019 at Florence Freedom UC Health Stadium: Played Officer Jenny, participated in crafts, games, & songs

•Juleps and Jockeys 2019 with Louisville Tourism: Blogger/Influencer guest appearance, live event posting to social media

•Viz Media at Anime Expo 2016: Official Sailor Mars Cosplayer for launch of Sailor Moon S

•Funimation at Anime Boston 2013: Booth Ambassador, Official Michiko Cosplayer for U.S. premiere of Michiko to Hatchin

•Funimation at Anime Central 2013: Cosplayer & Booth Ambassador

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Pokemon Night 2019 at Florence Freedom-

UC Health Stadium

Viz Media at Anime Expo 2016

Photo by Cospix

Juleps and Jockeys 2019 at Pinecroft Estate-

Hosted by Louisville Tourism

Michiko to Hatchin U.S. Premiere at

Anime Boston 2013

Panels & Workshops

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•Fake It 'Til You Make It: Cosplay Hacks and Tricks

•Lesser Known Cosplay Materials and Tools

•Intro to Competitive Cosplay Contests

•Diversity in Cosplay

•Building a Cosplay Brand

•Intro to Fabrics for Cosplay

•Intro to Resin Casting for Cosplay

•Working at the Most Magical Place on Earth

•Time Management for the Cos-Procrastinator

•Con Horror Stories

To see full descriptions and info for each panel,

be sure to visit my Panels & Workshops page!

RamenCon 2013

Photo by CosIT Photography

Social Media Promotion​

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•Doss Direct - Doss Genie 2019: created Instagram posts in cosplay and at conventions for the Doss Genie wireless speaker

•Warner Brothers - Detective Pikachu 2019: participated in the #pikapika hashtag on Instagram and Twitter

•Marvel - Avengers Endgame 2019: Instagram post of my "Endgame Look" as Scarlet Witch and Black Widow

•Viz Media - Sailor Moon S 2018: cosplayed Sailor Chibi Moon for a product post on Instagram

•Keikii Arts - Monster Girl Enamel Pins 2018: brought awareness to Keikii Arts' enamel pins Kickstarter

•Viz Media - Sailor Moon Crystal 2017: cosplayed Sailor Pluto for a product post on Instagram

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Brand Ambassador Experience​

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•Purple Plum Inc. 2018-2019: Cosplay Wig Brand Ambassador

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Purple Plum Inc. Cosplay Wig

Brand Ambassador

Purple Plum Inc. Cosplay Wig

Brand Ambassador

Examples of Event Promotion

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A-Kon 2019

A-Kon 2019

Wizard World St. Louis 2018

OhayoCon 2019

Media Appearances

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•Cosplay Realm 2020: cosplay featured in Cosplay Realm Magazine's June 2020 Final Fantasy issue (CRM No.39)

•Cosplay Realm 2020: cosplay featured in Cosplay Realm Magazine's May 2020 Galactic issue (CRM No.38)

•Cosplay Art & Photography 2019: featured on the cover and in the pages of of CAP's July 2019  (Issue #3)

•Cosplay Realm 2019: cosplay featured in two pages of Cosplay Realm Magazine's June 2019 Pride issue (CRM No.27)

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Cosplay Art & Photography Magazine

July 2019 "The Cos Days of Summer" (Issue #3)

Cosplay Art & Photography Magazine

July 2019 "The Cos Days of Summer" (Issue #3)

Cosplay Art & Photography Magazine

July 2019 "The Cos Days of Summer" (Issue #3)

Cosplay Realm Magazine

June 2019 Pride Issue

Notable Awards 🏆​

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•Louisville SuperCon: Best in Show for Psylocke

•Lexington CTC: Best Needlework for Princess Anna

•Anime Crossroads: Best Masters for Princess Belle

•OhayoCon: Best Masters for Sailor Neptune

•KabochaCon: First Place for Mizore Shirayuki

•MatsuriCon: Best Masters for Sailor Mars (Version 2)

•Long Beach Comic Expo: Best Construction for Aurora

•MatsuriCon: Best Masters for Space Faerie

•KollisionCon: Best Craftsmanship for Yoko Littner

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Click on the purple links to go to each costume's info page.

To see all of my awards, visit my Awards & Honors page!

Skills & Abilities

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•machine sewing, hand sewing, alterations

•draping, flat patterning, pattern grading

•illustration, drawing, sketching, design

•Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop

•video recording and editing

•basic DSLR portrait photography

•public speaking, presenting panels, emceeing

•wig styling and dyeing

•prop building and fabrication

•brand development and promotional partner