Kean Alumni Turned Master Cosplayer Within a Year I Published November 11

By Taylor Fleming

In a world where imagination knows no bounds and creativity takes on tangible form, fictional characters leap out of the screen and onto the stage of reality. Within this realm lies Allison, known as Goose Fangs, a Kean alumni and master-class cosplayer whose artistry surpasses recreation. With meticulous attention to detail and dedication to the craft, she breathes life into characters.

Cosplay is a performance art in which performers, known as cosplayers, portray characters from various media, celebrating creativity, craftsmanship, and community. Allison is a New Jersey-based cosplayer known for paying close attention to detail and fully making her costumes, including the shoes.

 While she started cosplay at 22, she only stepped into the competitive cosplay arena in 2022 during her senior year as a Kean student. She secured her inaugural first-place award in her first competition appearance at Derpycon in New Brunswick.

“Don’t expect perfection on the first try. It’s a journey. Not everything is going to be perfect on the first try, and that’s okay,” said Allison in a soft-spoken tone when asked to advise those who aspire to be like her. She spoke as if she wished someone had told her that when she started her cosplay journey.

From that moment on she embraced the spotlight and wanted to continue showcasing her skills and learn new ways to improve her craft. Since then she has amassed three prestigious “best-in-show” awards from multiple conventions such as Castle Point Anime Convention and Derpycon, a testament to what raised her to master-class status within a year. Receiving a “Best in Show” award is the cosplay equivalent of receiving an Oscar in the film industry.

Inspiration takes on many forms for Allison. Whether it be video games such as “Skyrim” or comforting shows like “Adventure Time,” Allison honors these source materials by spending hours upon hours to make sure the details are both accurate and high quality. Each stitch and every brushstroke is infused with her reverence for the designs, resulting in cosplays that pay homage to the source material but also resonate with authenticity and artistic integrity.

“I have found that I just love to learn new hobbies because I have found that I just love learning new skills and making things and it’s cool that I can be able to be recognized for that,” said Allison. Her animated gestures underscored her excitement as she elaborated on her projects, expressing her passion for gaining new skills and learning.

She continues to inspire those who are enthusiastic enough to take on the journey of competitive cosplay for themselves. Since graduating in the Fall of 2022, she currently works as an art teacher at Randolf High School where she can not only raise the funds she needs to pursue her passions but can also pass on the knowledge she gained when she started cosplay.

“In the end, we’re all just nerds playing dress up,” Goose said with a playful smile, that reflected her appreciation for the craft and the passion and creativity it takes.

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