Iowa State Cosplay Club Hosted Weekly Session

The student organization gathered in Ames to foster community and share cosplay skills.

Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Comic Books

Bold vector illustration of a craft workbench with spools of thread, a sewing needle, and a foam mask, representing a cosplay workshop. — Students at Iowa State University gathered this week in Ames for the Cosplay Club's weekly session to share costume-design expertise and community. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Iowa State University Cosplay Club met this week for a session attended by approximately 25 students. Based in the Student Innovation Center, the group focuses on connecting students across all fandoms.

Why it matters

The club offers a dedicated space for students to socialize through shared interests in cosplay and fandom culture. By removing the requirement to create costumes by hand, the organization makes hobbyist participation more accessible to the student body.

Meetings occur in room 2221 of the Student Innovation Center. The organization supports all fandoms and does not mandate that members craft their own costumes.

The players

Ryn Smith

Ryn Smith serves as the president of the Iowa State University Cosplay Club and has been involved in the hobby for 10 years.

Faye Smollen

Faye Smollen is the vice president of the Iowa State University Cosplay Club.

The details

The club holds weekly sessions to teach cosplay skills to its members. Participants actively recruit new students to grow the community and encourage broader involvement in local campus activities.

The club held a session with 25 students on Monday.
A bake sale is scheduled to take place at Parks Library on Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Culture Shift

The rise of campus-based fandom and hobbyist organizations reflects a broader shift toward inclusive social spaces that prioritize shared interests over specific skill mastery. This environment allows students to connect through casual engagement rather than the formal demands of traditional craft guilds.

Students in Ames can visit room 2221 of the Student Innovation Center to join weekly sessions without needing prior experience in costume fabrication. Those looking to support the club can purchase items at their bake sale held at Parks Library.

The takeaway

Engaging in student organizations like the Cosplay Club provides a low-barrier entry point for social connection on campus. Beginners are encouraged to participate regardless of their ability to craft costumes by hand.