The WonderCon Anaheim 2019 Masquerade consisted of 35 entries. The largest group entry numbered 14, and there were several mid-sized groups of 4, 5, 6, and 7, making a total of 84 costumed contestants crossing the stage. The Master of Ceremonies was the always entertaining artist and writer Phil Foglio of Studio Foglio. For intermission entertainment, the audience was treated to a Star Wars-themed 24-member performance by the Saber Guild group, followed by an amazing dance routine by several members of The Corps Dance Crew. A BIG thank you to all the contestants, to our M.C., to the guest judges, to the five companies and organizations that donated prizes of their own, and to the intermission performance groups for making our event showcasing the talents and creativity of our attendees possible.

The trophy judges this year were Max Cervantes, Andrea Davis, and Jessie Pridemore. Andrea has worked for 24 years in Hollywood in specialty wardrobe and prop-making for motion pictures and TV, and Max for 30 years as a designer and prop-maker for movies, TV, and Disneyland and Universal Studios parks. Before turning pro both Andrea and Max were winners at the San Diego Comic-Con Masquerade, and Max also won as a Master Costumer at a WorldCon. Jessie is a 20-year veteran of the cosplay world and makes costumes professionally for several video game companies. She was a competitor on the Syfy channel's Cosplay Melee TV series, and runs the costume department at the yearly Labyrinth Masquerade Ball in Los Angeles. She is also an actress and model. In addition to close-up judging of the costumes by our judges, several members of the Motion Picture Costumers Union Local 705—the professionals that make and supply costumes for Hollywood—also did close-up pre-show evaluating of the contestants’ work.

WONDERCON ANAHEIM TROPHY WINNERS

Best In Show: “Wonder My—A Sailor Moon Musical” (Re-creation from the stage musical “Le Mouvement Final: Sera Myu” from Japan.) Worn and made by the Glitter Guardians, organized by Lunar Lyn. Made with over a year of stage-accurate costume research and materials hunting, with months of pattern-making and costume construction.

Judges’ Choice: “This is Halloween” (Original design.) Worn by: Ken Hazlett, Joanne Dragich, Ally Grace, Haley Dunn, Ruzenka di Benedetto, Natalie Lawson, and Bryn Hazleh Lawson. Made by: Perdita’s Wardrobe, AllyGrace Cosplay, Rad Geeky Rose, Sunshine Lark, and That Disney Mom.

Best Re-Creation: “Caterina Sforza” (Re-creation from Trinity Blood anime and manga.) Worn and made by Nina London Cosplay.

Best Original Design: “Fuse Bead Warrior” (Original design.) Worn and made by Amy Spence.

Best Workmanship: “Eredin: King of the Wild Hunt” (Re-creation from the Witcher 3 video game.) Worn by Wesley Tarr, made by Bryn and Wesley Tarr.

Best Presentation: “Coran Presents The Paladins of Voltron” (Re-creation from Voltron: Legendary Defender TV series.) Worn and made by Drasil Vergon.

Most Humorous: “The Muses of Olympus (with Hercules & Megara)” (Re-creation from the Disney animated film Hercules.) Worn by Valentin, Liz, Ashley, Jessica, Stephany, Katherine, and Prudence. Made by Ambrose Cosplay, Ascheley Does Cosplay, The Jinx Cosplay, and PrueDuctions Cosplay.

Most Beautiful: “House of Mouse” (Re-creation from three Disney films.) Worn and made by Petah, Miku Marimon, and Michelle Marimon.

Best Young Fan: “Beware The Mothman” (Original design.) Worn and made by Sydney Hartstein (age 14).

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Honorable Mention for Workmanship: “Anastasia” (Re-creation from the animated film.) Worn and made by Brigette Green—The Green Duchess.

Honorable Mention for Presentation: “Avatar: Last Agni Kai” (Re-creation from Avatar: The Last Airbender.) Worn by Evan Dario, Amy Workman, Rachel Autumn, and Vanessa Fano, made by Natasha Endrei, Amy Workman, Vanessa Fano, Evan Dario, and Rachel Autumn.

Honorable Mention for Workmanship: “Blastoise From Pokémon” (Re-creation.) Worn and made by Fabian Jauregui.

WINNERS OF INDUSTRY AND ORGANIZATION DONATED AWARDS

Frank and Son Collectible Show: “The Perfect Boy is Gone” (Re-creation—with a twist—from the animated film Frozen.) Worn and made by Shane Chandler, was deemed Audience Favorite and received a generous $500 cash prize. Frank and Sons is a large and fun twice-a-week collector event full of vendors, autograph signings and more since 1988, in the City of Industry, California

The UCLA Jonsson Cancer Center Foundation: “Fuse Bead Warrior” (Original Design) Worn and made by Amy Spence was selected as the entry they deemed “Most Innovative” (innovation being the essence of cancer research) and she received four complimentary tickets (value $600) to their non-profit organization's big annual fundraising “Make Cancer Less Scary” Masquerade Party on October 24, set at the magnificent and historic Greystone Mansion and Gardens in Beverly Hills, CA.

Motion Picture Costumers Local #705: (Two awards.)

Best Technical Costume Construction: “Eredin: King of the Wild Hunt” (Re-creation from the Witcher 3 video game.) Worn by Wesley Tar, made by Bryn and Wesley Tar.

(Re-creation from the Witcher 3 video game.) Worn by Wesley Tar, made by Bryn and Wesley Tar. Costumer of Tomorrow: “Beware the Mothman” (Original design.) Worn and made by Sydney Hartstein, age 14.

Both received a beautiful custom trophy, plus “Eredin” was presented a $250 gift certificate to International Silks and Woolens, and “Mothman” received a large basket brimming with costume-making supplies and patterns. Both awards were for entries whose execution, creativity, and attention to detail most highlight an imaginative adaptation of the source or a custom design. Local 705 is the labor union supplying movie and TV studio costume departments, rental houses, and made-to-order costume houses with artists and craftsmen, and is part of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, AFL-CIO.

DC Comics: “Aquaman Squad” (Re-creation.) Worn by “The Real League of Justice” Victoria Ikerd-Schreiter, Braydyn Schreiter, Justin Schreiter, Chloe Williamson, and Jon-Carlo Scibetta, and made by Victoria Ikerd-Schreiter, was deemed best costume based on the DC Universe and won a very special collectable DC statuette from ShopDCEntertainment.com.

Costumer’s Guild West: “Sylvanas Windrunner” (Re-creation.) Worn and made by Alyssa Tucker (a.k.a Tuckaroon Cosplay) was deemed as “showing the most promise” and received a 1-year membership to CGW, plus a full scholarship and 2-night’s hotel stay (valued at $500) to their weekend conference Costume College, held the last weekend in July at the Warner Springs Marriott in Woodland Hills, CA. The CGW is a Southern California club for those who enjoy making historical, science-fiction, or fantasy costumes and offers workshops and seminars in all things costuming.

Join us next year for another fun-filled weekend at WonderCon Anaheim 2020, April 10-12 at the Anaheim Convention Center!