2016’s Comic-Con Masquerade, once again generously sponsored by HBO, filled most of Ballroom 20 and much of the overflow rooms and Sails Pavilion, totaling an audience of about 6,000. It featured 35 entries, ranging from solo costumes to groups of 9,10, and 11, with the largest group consisting of 14 members, and a grand total of 109 costumes crossing the stage for the competition. Our Masters of Ceremonies were once again the talented and amusing artists and writers Phil Foglio and Kaja Foglio of Studio Foglio. An impressive 20-person dance show was the main feature during the judging intermission, performed by the amazing and talented fan organization The Corps Dance Crew. The audience was also treated to several special film previews.

2016 Comic-Con Masquerade Trophy Winners List (see photos below)

Best Young Fan: “Supergirl 2016”

Worn by Amber Bates, designed and made by Diane Bates.

Most Beautiful: “Cleopatra”

(re-creation from the 1963 Elizabeth Taylor film) Worn and made by Devon Jopling.

Most Humorous: “Addams Extended Family”

Worn and made by the 14-member group “The Descendants.”

Best Workmanship: “Captain America”

Worn by Allan Lavigne, David Haley, Tim Hurles, and Joseph Bergandine. Made by Allan Lavigne.

Best Original Design: “The Angel From Hell”

Worn, designed, and made by Jake Webber.

Best Re-Creation: “Lex Luthor” (in battle armor)

Worn and made by Trevor Kaihoi, with the amazing support of his fantastic wife Steph.

Judges’ Choice: “Lumiere from Beauty and the Beast”

Worn and made by Jose Davalos.

Best in Show: “Queen Amidala Senate Gown”

Worn and made by Tonia Antilla.

All the winners above also received complimentary 4-day badges to next year’s 2017 San Diego Comic-Con International (up to 4 memberships per winning group), our extra thank-you for all the hard work, talent, and dedication!

In addition, the judges awarded the following Honorable Mentions:

Honorable Mention for Most Humorous, “Geralt of Rivia”

Worn by Andrew Tarr and Wesley Tarr. Made by Bryn Tarr and Wesley Tarr.

Honorable Mention for Re-Creation, “Guts in Berserk Armor”

Worn and made by Edgar Mayoral.

Honorable Mention for Judges Choice, “Fidget”

Worn by Kayla Moore. Made by Kayla Moore, Marco Torriani and Mev Talundzic.

Company and Organization Prize Winners

DC Comics

Best DC Universe entry a special limited edition collectible from ShopDCEntertainment.com—which by marvelous coincidence was a large statuette of the very costume he was wearin—to “Lex Luthor” (in battle armor), worn and made by Trevor Kaihoi, with the amazing support of his fantastic wife, Steph.

Lucasfilm

Best Star Wars entry a huge gift basket of limited edition items from the Lucasfilm Archives to: “Your Father's Lightsaber,” worn and made by Brandon Hillock, Frankie Desmond, Justen Asher, Rusty Locke, Lonny Sapikowski, Mike Whitney, William Miyamoto, Nikki Miyamoto, Zoe Miyamoto, Kayla Miyamoto, and Kelly Russo, with construction help from Amanda Hosier.

Anime Pavilion

Best Anime entry: $200 credit at their Exhibit Hall booth to “Kronos Finds the Missing Unit (Guyver Dark Hero),” worn by Vinnie Lamborn and Fernando Navarro, made by Vinnie Lamborn. And for Best Young Fan Anime, $50 credit to: “I'm the Real Supergirl,” worn by Alyssa Morales. Designed and made by Amy Morales, Chris Morales and Alyssa Morales.

Sideshow Collectibles

Costume with the Biggest Wow Factor a $350 gift card to the Sideshow Collectibles website to “Queen Amidala Senate Gown,” worn and made by Tonia Antilla.

The Costumer's Guild West

Most promising costumer award: a full scholarship to Costume College and one night's hotel, valued at $300, to “Lumiere from Beauty and the Beast,” worn and made by Jose Davalos. Costume College is held annually in July at the Warner Center Marriott in Woodland Hills, CA.

The David C. Copley Award for Most Innovative Costume

The favorite entry of the UCLA David C. Copley Center for the Study of Costume Design received a $1,000 gift card to Amazon.com, plus a copy of Copley Center Director Deborah Nadoolman Landis' beautifully illustrated book: Dressed: A Century of Hollywood Costume Design to “Hysteria,” worn and made by Hannah Tawashy.

The Costume Designers Guild, IATSE Local 892

Custom trophy provided by Legacy Effects, a $1,000 gift certificate to International Silks and Woolens, a full year’s subscription to Costume Designer magazine, and other items from their sponsors to “Lumiere from Beauty and the Beast,” worn and made by Jose Davalos.

Motion Picture Costumers Union, IATSE Local 705

Presented for skillful execution, creativity, and attention to detail highlighting an imaginative adaptation of a source, an impressive original trophy designed by members of the union, a $1,000 gift certificate to New York Elegant Fabrics, plus many generous prizes from their other sponsors in the costuming industry to “Queen Amidala Senate Gown,” worn and made by Tonia Antilla.

The Will Eisner Spirit of Storytelling Award

The Will Eisner Foundation’s best storytelling award of $250 in Amazon.com gift cards plus 5 limited-edition Will Eisner lithographs went to “Best Mashup Ever!!!,” worn by Noah Wayne, Sean Safken, Catherine Fisher, Maya Rich, Allison Fulster, Jason Soares, and Carla Brown. Designed and made by Catherine Fisher and Noah Wayne. At its peak, Will Eisner’s The Spirit newspaper section reached 5 million readers and was known for its imaginative stories, creative artwork, and eye- catching splash pages.

Frank & Sons Collectible Show

Audience favorite award $1,000 in cash, plus a beautiful crystal trophy to “Kylo Ren and Rey, From Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” worn by Robert Monroe and Aly, made by Robert Monroe. Likely to come in handy for their upcoming wedding.

Comic-Con International gives a hearty thanks to HBO, to all the contestants who participated in the show, to all the companies and organizations that generously donated prizes, to Phil and Kaja, the Corps Dance Crew, and to all the volunteers behind the scenes that made this event possible.

2016 Photo Gallery

Photos are arranged by order of appearance in the Masquerade. Click on the photos to see them larger on your screen and in slideshow mode!