THE COSPLAY: I’m not sure where to start with my Aloy build. This build has so much significance to me in so many aspects. It was challenging, emotional, sentimental and significant in ways that go much deeper than the costume itself. Aloy is from a video game called “Horizon Zero Dawn” followed by “Horizon Forbidden West.” The armor I chose to replicate is from HFW specifically and is called the “Tenakth Dragoon.” It’s a rare ceremonial armor from a coastal village you come across in game. I chose this one as the textures and details entranced me. The feather like plants for the headdress, the woven raffia, the machine parts on the chest and skirt. I really fell in love with this design and knew it was going to be my first Aloy build.

This was an incredibly challenging build though. I only gave myself two weeks to make it as I had a lot of other commitments and work to get done before Fanime. For two weeks straight, I was in my workshop spending hours upon hours trying to get every detail right. I have piles of notes and close ups of what might seem like the most insignificant parts. 

As I was sketching out my plans and trying to make sure I used up materials I had around instead of buying, I realized I was going to have to weave a lot of raffia…a horrible amount. Every strand of raffia you see on this costume was individually attached/layered and I spent the majority of those two weeks just doing that. It became exhausting quickly. It came out to 2 arm bands, under shirt, 2 bracers, headdress and belt with 2 attached panels all from hundreds of strands of raffia. I knew I wanted to be as authentic as I could so I accepted that metaphorical and physical pain.

This was also a challenge in my 3D printing skills. While I have printed full scale armor for a 6’4 man’s body, printing something to be fluid and move with you is a different type of print. I researched in any spare moment how to print on fabric and to have it be attachable to a top I pattered. After some trial and error, I found the right method for printing onto a mesh material that could then be both glued and sewn where needed. It was a great way of expanding my 3D print knowledge.

Coming to the more emotional/sentimental side of this build (as I could rant about the build process endlessly), Aloy is an incredible character with a heart breaking backstory. No spoilers I promise. You see a lot of hyper sexualizing or villian-izing of redheads through out history. Whether that be in mass media/entertainment like video game and shows, Hollywood, religion even. Redheads get a bad wrap so growing up as a redhead, I was seeing a lot of this constantly and being reminded/bullied for being one. Having Aloy as a strong, very independent woman who doesn’t feed those stereotypes is extremely signifiant and emotional.  I knew from the second the first game came out, I was obsessed with this character because I finally have a character I could look up to who was so similar to me in both appearance and mentality. I’m very grateful that Guerrilla Games in general is designing characters of every ethnicity and origin to be based off of cultural and authenticity instead of stereotypes and generalizing. 

I have many more Aloy plans and luckily this costume will be able to be recycled almost as is. A continuation of my effort to consume less and repurpose what I can, I will be able to re-color this costume to a beautiful black/purple version when I am ready. I’m going to let this version have it’s time first though.

P.S My heart if full beyond belief after Gueriila Games even complimented my work and may be featuring it in a spotlight soon. 


BIO: I grew up in a very small dirt town where everyone knew each other and as you grew up you all moved from school to school together. Meaning friend circles and groups didn’t change as you never really had to say goodbye. That being said I was always a loner. I was the awkward kid who likes anime and video games while no one else really did.

Another thing is, I was bullied constantly. I was bullied for my interests (anime, mangas, video games) as well as bullied for my home life (absolute poverty) and for my appearance with freckles/red hair. I was told my skin was dirty and then have girls try to “wash” my face to help me clean them off. Or horrible jokes would be made about my red hair and extremely pale skin. I was nicknamed Casper (like the ghost). Not to mention I was always sick thanks to health issues.

I was also considered a teacher’s pet with a high intelligence because I had nothing to do but read and do homework. Now that I’ve explained my sob story to the bare minimum. I then started to train my body. I knew I wanted to be able to dance, to run a half marathon, to go out and see the world, which I can say I can and do all of those things now.

If you have played HZD, you might see why Aloy was such an inspiration to me as I got older and the game came out. To see a red haired heroine overcoming her not so great upbringing, training for the challenges she would face and standing up for herself when others would belittle her. It made a great impact on me even after I had done a lot of my own personal growth.

COSPLAY & WORDS BY @GINGERQUEST_COSPLAY
PHOTOGRAPHY & DESIGN BY BRIAN NISHIMOTO