Matthew Barry
Costume Maker & Cosplayer
ABOUT ME!
I am Matthew, and I am a competitive Cosplayer & costume judge from the UK. I became most well known for winning the crown world championship in April 2024 at C2E2.
My greatest passions are leather work and metal work, but I boast strong fundamentals in all key areas. But, where I really thrive is experimentation and figuring out new mediums to help push the creative community forward; the best example being my Worbla electroplating technique!
Within the community I like spending time getting to know and encourage people. I strongly believe that everyone can get better with the right mindset and truly hope to push people towards their goals. While it's for others to say how successful I am in that regard, I do feel an overwhelming sense of pride to have a front row seat watching people grow and succeed.
MY Crafting focus
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Leatherwork
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Metalwork
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Shoemaking (cordwaining)
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Prop construction
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Breakdown & weathering
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Needlework
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Foamcraft
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SFX make up & prosthetics
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Wig styling
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Electronics & basic programming
Panel & Workshop Topics
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'Crowning Moments' - a reflection on the journey to the global championship and the emotional road back to claim it.
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'Winning Pages' ~ a guide on buildbooks, tips and tricks
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'Cosplay Critiques' ~ how to give and receive feedback​
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'Giving it your Awl' ~ leatherwork 101 panel guide
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'Cosplaying cross continents' - travelling with costume guide
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'Cosplay without limits' - a discussion on accessibility within cosplay as a person with chronic health issues.
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'Leather 101 - Keep your pants on' Workshop - learn the basics of leatherwork by making your first belt!
Awards
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C2E2 - Global Crown Champion 2024
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Kitacon - Creative Heart award 2024
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MCM Birmingham - UK Crown Champion 2024
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MCM Birmingham - UK Crown Champion 2023
Past Events
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AnimeBoston, Boston, United States (May '25) ~ Craftsmanship Judge, Guesting, Panelling.
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AnimeConNL, Rijswijk, Netherlands (May '25) ~ Judge: Solo, Group, ECG, GICOF, TOC, WCS, Panelling, Guesting.
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FACTS Convention, Ghent, Belgium (April '25) ~ ECG Qualifer Judge.
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Holiday Matsuri, Orlando, United States (Dec '24) ~ Winter Cosplay Championship Judge: NCC, GICOF, ECG, Cultural Exchange Programme, Solo + Duo, Panelling
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​MCM Comic Con, Birmingham, UK - UK Crown Qualifier judge, Masquerade judge, Panelling​
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Comic Con Africa, South Africa (Sept '24) ~ South Africa Crown Qualifier judge, panelling
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Japanweekend, Madrid, Spain (Sept '24) ~ Spain Crown Qualifier judge, catwalk judge, panelling
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UniCon Latvia (Aug '24) ~ Baltic State Crown Qualifier judge, TOC qualifier and performance comps judge
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Kitacon, Coventry, UK (Aug '24) ~ Craftsmanship competition & talent show judge, paneling
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Hyperjapan, London, UK (July '24) ~ Craftsmanship & performance comp judge
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Cosplay Con Scotland (July '24) ~ Contest judge & paneling
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MCM London May '24 ~ Showcase & Paneling
Media Appearances & Industry Work
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Points West Spotlight Interview, BBC One, (May 2024)
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Cosplay Contest Research Interview, Kyknet (Sept 2024)
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BBC.com: 'Wiltshire cosplayer 'ecstatic' to win world championships' (May 2024)
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The Cosplay Crunch podcast, episode 11 (Nov 2024)
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Popverse.com: 'And the winner of the 2024 Cosplay Central Crown Championships' Global Finals is...' (April 2024)
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Popverse.com: 'Meet Matthew Barry' (Feb 2023)
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Black Raven Armory: Freelance leatherwork (2023)
