Evelyn
Carnival of Masks presents DC/Baltimore based cosplayer and photographer, Evelyn Lewis, as part of our Beyond the Carnival: Interviews with Costume Folks Around the World series.
Photographed by Evelyn Lewis. Costuming and photoshoot inspired by the 2025 Dracula.
CoM: Evelyn, tell us about what you do.
EL: I’m a master level cosplayer, fashion and cosplay photographer; and traditionally trained Venetian mask maker. In addition to creating, I compete in cosplay and costume contests. And I’m a professional nerd trying to spread positivity and diversity in fandoms as a plus size, queer, disabled woman myself who hires for various fandom events. Through this work, I have met some incredible people and I do my best to be a good role model in the community.
CoM: What inspires you?
EL: I get inspiration from a wide variety of places. I particularly will go to thrift stores and buy bed sheets and curtains that speak to me. Then, I create from there. My niche the last 10 years has been Couture Costuming, where I take ideas and make them high fashion.
Photographed by Evelyn Lewis. Shoot inspired by the water levels of Legend of Zelda. Won second place at a cosplay photography competition at Baltimore Comic Con.
CoM: How did your life in costumes begin??
EL: My mom’s whole family is from New Orleans so Mardi Gras is a huge part of my life. That led to some of my earliest costuming work. My grandmother sewed most of my clothes growing up, including various costumes. At 6, she taught me to sew and we made a Cinderella gown together. I was hooked after that and by 10 I was sewing clothes and costumes all on my own. (Now, they were not very good, but it was fun.)
Fast forward to my teenage years when I had an extreme weight gain due to health issues. Costuming was what kept me sane and eventually helped me fall in love with my body again. I’ve been dedicated to the craft ever since. I even had the opportunity to train for a summer under a traditional Venetian mask maker in the city who was a friend of my godmother’s.
CoM: Do you attend costumed events?
EL: I help run several events and conventions. The two costume events I always attend are Katsucon’s Cosplay Couture Gala and Balticon’s Masquerade.
A couture gown hand beaded and modeled by Evelyn Lewis. Inspired by Nightwing from DC comics. Photographer - In the Long Run Designs.
CoM: What's your favorite thing about costumes?
EL: It’s going to sound cheesy but, the community. I’ve made some life long friends from costuming that I never would have met otherwise. I love being able to talk about different ideas and techniques, supporting and hyping each other up; enjoying the creative designs and festive atmosphere; and just having fun.
CoM: Do you have a costume related business?
EL: I’m on a small hiatus, but I have Comic Canary’s Geek Chic on Etsy where I make fashion accessories based on various fandoms.
CoM: Who do you want to give a shoutout to in the costume world?
EL: Cowbuttcrunchies is a couture cosplay duo I admire so much. They’ve created an amazing community for our small niche and have inspired me to also create a positive community of costumers and cosplayers.
Costume made and modeled by Evelyn Lewis. Photographer - her dad. Couture gown inspired by Hawkeye from Avengers.
CoM: Anything else you’d like to share with us?
EL: I like to challenge myself when I make a competition piece by always learning a new technique so that I continue to improve each time I create something.
CoM: Thanks so much, Evelyn!
WANT TO SHARE YOUR COSTUME STORY?