Belgium Beauty
Welcome back to our Cosplayer Spotlight series, where we meet the creative minds turning fandom into living, breathing art. Today, we’re stepping into the colorful world of Mimi — a craft-loving, character-bringing, mountain-dwelling cosplayer with a knack for making people smile (and occasionally braving costume mishaps in the wind). Let’s get to know her!
Getting to Know Mimi
What name do your fellow fans and cosplayers know you by?
Mimi! The one that does cosplay 🕺
Where did your story begin?
Belgium 🇧🇪
And where have your travels taken you now?
The US! In the mountains.
How many birthdays have you celebrated so far?
23! Still will order a Happy Meal though.
What’s your main gig outside of cosplay?
Currently unemployed, BUT trying to find a job.
When did you first step into the cosplay scene?
Not entirely sure which year I for sure started, but I think the first real cosplay I did must’ve been in 2014! I did take a long break from the hobby for quite some time, but finally began cosplaying again in late 2023!
Who was your first-ever cosplay character?
I don’t remember exactly but I believe it was Kate from Slender: The Arrival. Though in 2023 when I began cosplaying again it was as Jill Valentine, specifically her Resident Evil 3 Remake design 😀
Childhood & Early Creativity
What fandoms or media shaped you growing up?
I’d definitely say that video games influenced me most, ranging from silly Flash games on the family computer to my older brother Ryan playing console games in his bedroom! Though I sometimes got kicked out of the room when the game was deemed “too scary” (looking at you, Dead Space) I still was able to watch along with most and play some myself as well! Also the internet.
Were you the artsy, crafty, or performing type as a kid?
As a kid I always loved creating things; from art to making cardboard contraptions, I always was doing something creative. Part of me always wanted to get into theater and acting when I was a kid, however back then I had some extreeeme stage fright which barred that idea.
Did any particular characters or series spark your cosplay dreams?
The main thing I was obsessed with when I was younger was Creepypasta and though it wasn’t the exact reason I began cosplaying, it still served as a starting point of “ooo there’s people that dress up as fictional characters? Wicked!”
Cosplay Journey & Motivation
What first inspired you to try cosplay?
When I got more involved on the internet as a kid I found pictures of others cosplaying and I went “oh hey I wanna do that too!”. Who doesn’t want to get into the shoes of their favorite character, y’know?
What do you get from cosplay—creatively, socially, emotionally?
Personally for me cosplay is an outlet to have fun and goof off, especially because others nowadays enjoy my shenanigans too! Coming from being bullied as a kid for my interests and quirks, it’s finally nice to unapologetically be myself with people laughing with me rather than at me. Sometimes it’s also nice to be someone you’re not, y’know? Just to kind of mute whatever is going on in private life and temporarily forget about it in favor of just running around in someone else’s fictional shoes.
Do you make your costumes, tweak them, or bring in collaborators?
So far I’ve made most (but not all) of my costumes myself! My Rebecca cosplay for example is 100% Mimi-assembled by thrifting, diy’ing and sewing stuff by hand 😀 Her vest was pretty tedious to figure out at first, however using a little brainpower, elastic straps, buckles and a white tank top did absolute wonders.
One of the costumes I have which wasn’t made by me though is the Sakura Kasugano cosplay from the Street Fighter series; it was purchased second hand from someone who handmade the entire thing and lost interest once they finished it. Despite it being tailored to their own measurements, it somehow fits me like a glove 😀 (ok, minus the skirt, that thing is just a tad bit too small honestly. I’m still so sorry to those who I accidentally flashed with my red safety shorts during MCM last May when the wind started blowing…)
How long does it take you to pull a full cosplay together?
If we’re talking the initial assembly of a cosplay and making it – that could be up to a month! However when it comes to dressing myself for a con that can easily take me an hour and a half (most of which is makeup :’D). Listen, trying to make my eyeliner look the same on both sides is a NIGHTMAREEE.
Conventions & Community
Which convention popped your cosplay cherry?
I can’t recall exactly which convention I’d gone to as my first, but it definitely was either Comic Con Antwerp or FACTS – both in Belgium! The memories are super vague however they were definitely fun enough to kickstart me wanting to constantly go back to cons 😀
What makes the cosplay community special in your eyes?
I think the cosplay community is quite unique with how broad our styles and sub-communities go! Sure the community has its rotten eggs, but for the most part (in my experience at least) people have been super welcoming and friendly! Not only that but I think we’re also quite unique with our age range; from a literal baby in a stroller wearing a Grogu costume to a fierce older greying lady in full mech armor – any age is welcome and encouraged to try it out!
Have you made lasting friendships through conventions?
Absolutely. Most of the friends I have now were all made during conventions! For example I recall my first Resident Evil meetup where I was deathly nervous before meeting the two absolute sweetest people that organized it. I am still friends with them to this day and continued joining their organized meetups at every con I could go to before I left Belgium! (Dazzling and Mist, I miss u guys <3)
Favorite Characters & Styles
Which cosplay do you love wearing the most?
The one whose name starts with R and ends with Ebecca Chambers :’D Rebecca is probably THE most comfortable cosplay I own and I always have such a fun time running around as her! She’s been super well received and I also genuinely feel pretty when cosplaying her, which is a big bonus to me.
What’s your dream cosplay you haven’t done yet?
Tali’Zorah from the Mass Effect series! She’s been on my cosplan list for forever, however a little birdie told me I may or may not finally be working on her :3
Which characters are you most recognized for?
Rebecca Chambers as well as Sakura Kasugano are the two characters people seem to recognize me for most. So it’s a tie between those two!
Do you lean toward anime, games, comics, or originals?
Video game characters primarily because I don’t watch anime nor do I read comics :’D
Memorable Experiences
What’s been your most unforgettable cosplay moment?
Being recognized, specifically during MCM in May (2025)! I was extremely nervous because it was my first time being not only in the UK but at such a large scale cosplay event, but oh my gosh I got recognized literally the moment I walked in! I think I spent the majority of the first day in tears with a big goofy smile mainly because I was so overwhelmed at the fact I, a silly goober from Belgium, was being recognized by my name. Not just the character I was cosplaying – but actually being recognized as me, Mimi!
Funniest or most awkward cosplay encounter?
I remember this one time back in 2018 or something, I was at a con dressed as Georgie from IT. I was walking down one of the aisles with my friend when I suddenly heard a very despaired person cry “GEEOORGGIEE”. Next thing I know I had arms wrapped around me by a woman who I believe never quite got over Georgie’s untimely death. It was hilarious :’D especially because she patted my head after and continued on her merry way like nothing ever happened.
Any unexpected challenges while in costume?
Sooo fun fact, I’m hearing impaired! I’m deaf in my left ear and have been since 2020. In daily life I make use of a hearing aid to try and mitigate the loss of hearing, howeeever when I have a wig on my head I can’t put the hearing aid in comfortably. It’s a big hassle when trying to chat with people at cons as well as people trying to get my attention :’) luckily I am completely cool with people tapping or gently grasping me since otherwise there’s no way I’d notice them :(( So yeah, navigating around my hearing loss is still a wild challenge to this day :’)
Perspective & Advice
Has social media helped or hurt cosplay?
Honestly, both! With the rise of social media it’s easier to find cosplayers with similar interests, even better when they don’t live too far and you can head out to local cons together! Not only that but it’s never been easier to get cosplay advice as well as find full in-depth guides on how to make certain cosplays! On the other hand there’s the constant pressure I’m seeing others face online about not only numbers but also vanity, the latter being the thing I personally find worrisome in the community. Time and time again I’m seeing people edit their faces and bodies, and I’m not just talking about airbrushing away some blemishes or fixing small things in post, but actual complete facial reconstructions and bodies edited into something unachievable. My main concern is that this unhealthy trend of body dysmorphia is being exposed to impressionable younger people that might come across such posts. They’re seeing this unachievable display, might be unaware it’s been heavily altered, and start to wonder why they don’t look the same way. Let alone when a photographer takes your photo and you receive your picture back with your face completely edited without you having asked for it. This stuff will unavoidably turn into heavy body-image issues for some. It’s an extremely slippery slope 🙁
Top advice for cosplay newcomers?
COMFORT OVER ACCURACY! I promise you nobody is going to tap you on your fingers over it. Another pretty important thing, especially for those new to posting online, is try not to focus too much on numbers!! I’m dead serious when I say that you’ll lose motivation and burn-out if you fixate on numbers rather than fun. Focus on your own enjoyment first and foremost!
Also try not to feed the trolls. Some people are bitter in life and their only enjoyment comes from trying to make other people miserable for no reason. Some will actively act nasty just to try and get a reaction out of you. Don’t give them the satisfaction; simply block and move on.
What’s the biggest misconception about cosplay?
That cosplaying is inherently sexual and that all female cosplayers have OnlyFans. I seriously do not understand where that last idea came from and it’s a bit annoying honestly :’D Absolutely no hate to those that do OnlyFans, but I just wish it wasn’t a common thing that got assumed for everyone doing cosplay. It’s weird to constantly be asked when I’m making one. I’m MimiDoesCosplay, not MimiDoesNakey…
Closing Questions
Where can people find you online?
All my socials go by the same name which is MimiDoesCosplay (very creative yesyes :’D) however I have them all rounded up over on my Carrd on mimidoescosplay.carrd.co ! Makes it easier :3
What’s your next big cosplay or event?
Next event (as it currently stands) is looking to be in October! Two events actually; Pittsburgh Gaming Expo in the US as well as MCM in the UK :DD! And as for my next big cosplay project, I may or may not have hinted at a certain Quarian character in an earlier question :3
Any last words for the readers?
I’m generally a huge Wesker nerd. If u have any funny Wesker memes or edits please send them my way to keep me sane <3 And if ever you run across me at a con, please say hi!! I don’t bite and I love meeting new people ;w;
That’s a wrap!
What a fun lady! Until next time! Oh, for those unfamiliar with cosplay’s global rise, you can explore its cultural significance through resources like BBC Culture.
