As Latinas, proven pioneers and trendsetters of style, there’s no doubting the fact that the ’90s was a decade of true exploration for us. But just in case you need it, here’s the proof:
1. You pulled specialty designs through your hair part because YAS.
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The bigger the zig-zag, the better.
2. Your weekend vibe was all about a bandana tied with a cute peasant knot.
3. You wore brown lip liner to give your admirers something to think about.
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Forget the haters who said you looked like you’d just eaten Oreos. You’d do this look again if you could just get your hands on the right burgundy liner and some Carmex.
4. Crimped hair was your go-to “it girl” look.
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And, girl, you looked muy linda.
5. Butterfly clips with a flat twist kept you grounded.
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If you’re not doing this look when you’re putting your makeup on for a night out, you’re not doing makeup right.
6. That side-swept bang you wore because it was super chic.
Even if your hairs threatened to cut up your eyeball, you rocked this look with pride and confidence. #beautyisdangerous
7. Your bumped bangs were nothing short of bumpin’.
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When your bangs got flipped turned upside down you knew it was about to go down.
8. Bejeweled tops were your ultimate statement piece.
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Talk to the hand, boo. The top speaks for itself.
9. Speaking of tops, tube tops were forever.
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IF you could get out of the house without mama setting her sights on your hombros descubiertos.
10. And, finally, you lovingly embraced and squeezed right into those no-back pocket Colombian jeans.
At comic conventions, fans from all over gather to celebrate comics, movies and TV shows. Between their special guest stars and exclusive content, comic conventions are like a wonderland to the millions of devoted fans who visit them. At these cons, the most creative ways to show your fandom some love is to cosplay.
However, you don’t have to wait for a convention to get into the cosplay goodness. Halloween and other small events are a great opportunity to get into character. Here are 20 muses to give you inspo for your next costume.
Latina artist, seamstress and cosplayer, Momo Kurumi lives by the philosophy that cosplay is for everyone. The award-winning designer has participated in cosplay since 2007 and has done over 100 looks. Most of these costumes are completely self-made. Momo range is incredible; cosplaying anime characters, comic heroines, and Disney princesses. However, it’s her Chel cosplay — the South American native from “The Road To El Dorado” — that is especially giving us life.
It seems like there isn’t any look that this Afro-Latina cosplayer can’t pull off. A self-proclaimed nerd, Nerdtastic Mel serves looks ranging from adorable Pokémon and beautiful Disney Princesses to a spot on Hermonie Granger and creepy cute Wednesday Adams. Be sure to check out her 90s cartoon looks as well for a shot of nostalgia.
Cosplayer Art by Renna — real name Amanda — is just as comfortable in sexy looks as she is in her sweeter ones. If you catch her at a comic convention, she could be anyone from Mary Jane Watson to Maleficent. However, cosplay isn’t the only place she’s confident. Amanda is also a boudoir and lingerie model.
Iced Coffee Mel is a Columbian cosplayer practicing her craft in Toronto, Canada. Whether she’s working anime or comic characters, she completely transforms into her roles with impressive authenticity. Check out her quirky Mina Asido, her sultry Black Cat or her amazingly cool Sombra to get a feel of Mel’s versatility.
Peruvian-Canadian cosplayer Jennocide is a queen of the head-to-toe look. Besides making sure her costuming is always on point, her attention to prop and accessory fabrication takes her looks to another level. Additionally, Jennocide is a master of makeup. Her Vemon, Gamora and Scar makeups are works of art. If that isn’t enough, her take on Zatanna is more than magical.
Cosplayer and costume creator Moxxi Shenanigans’ looks are as diverse as they are creative. If you’re looking for inspo for your video game cosplay or are just curious to see a really impressive Gizmo costume, her Insta is a must-see. Besides well-known characters, she also creates her own — like her “Stars War” inspired Jedi Ariel.
New York-based cosplayer Joanna Mari specializes in both Sci-Fi and Fantasy. A skilled prop fabricator, her expertise comes in handy for characters ranging from Wonder Woman to Raven from “Teen Titans.” Her reimaginings of sweet cartoon characters like “Pokémon,” “My Little Pony” and “Carebears” into knights, warriors and mages is a thing of beauty.
Chicago cosplayer Stephanie X Moon likes to bring some sex appeal and a healthy dose of horror to her costuming. An alternative model, her pin-up looks reimagine scary movie creators like Chucky and the Bride of Frankenstein. In addition to her spooky styles, she also gets inspiration from comic books; bringing to life characters like Scarlet Witch and Cat Woman.
As her name suggests, Chicago Princess Sarah is an Illinois-based cosplayer. A singer and artist, she works with the other talented character actresses at Chicago Princess Parties, a company that provides magical experiences for Disney lovers. Besides looking like a princess, she has to embody that character’s personality and vibe. Sarah has played everyone from Belle to Esmeralda but we’re partial to her Elena of Avalor — Disney’s first Latina princess.
Cosplayer Adonia GameGoddess is a Puerto Rican jack of all trades. Costume designer, prop maker, gamer and otaku, she brings her passion and talent to her looks. A regular guest at comic conventions around the nation, Adonia is at home whether she’s playing Green Lantern Jessica Cruz or Bunny Bulma from “Dragon Ball Z.”
Body positive cosplayer Cin’Von Quinzel is a self-taught costume maker from New York City. The Puerto Rican model and performer isn’t afraid to flaunt her curves in her unique takes on characters like Mercy from “Overwatch” or the Pokémon Vaporeon. As a plus-sized Afro-Latina, Cin’Von represents two marginalized groups in the cosplay community. Still, with looks like her impressive Hela cosplay, there’s no doubt about why she’s made a name for herself.
Though she calls herself a “cosplayer in training,” Ivvy Dream’s collection of characters is already very impressive. The Puerto Rican and Nicaraguan artist mostly works with inspiration she finds from Japanese anime. You’ll find a Poison Ivy and Elmyra in her reprutoir, but she also seamlessly encapsulates Diane from “The Seven Deadly Sins.”
Lover of all things anime and manga, body positive cosplayer Surely Shirley is a crafty member of the cosplay community. Costumes like her take on Amethyst from “Steven Universe” and her Hinata from the “Naturo” series are spot on. However, it’s looks like her Bowsette (a female Bowser) that will really make an impression on you.
With over 300k Instagram followers, Ivy Doomkitty is one of the most popular Latina cosplayers in the world. Based out of LA, the international model is also a content creator, a pin-up model and an advocate for body positivity. If you check out her previous looks, you’ll find sexy cosplays like her Ms. Marvel and Jessica Rabbit. However, her Bison from “Street Fighter” proves that Ivy has her costuming down, head to toe.
Atlanta cosplayer and self-proclaimed “anime trash,” Gabi Rupee’s cosplay looks are just as animated as her interests. The Brazilian-American gaming video creator draws on her love for Japanese animation to craft creative looks like her Captain Deku — a mashup of “Captain America” and “My Hero Academia.” As imaginative as that look is, we can’t help feeling that her Faye Valentine of “Cowboy Bebop” fame is positively spot on.
Whether you love anime, video games or Disney characters, cosplayer Julia Rose has a look for you. Her adaptation of Pajama Party Ariel from “Ralph Breaks The Internet” is too precious for words. Her Princess Serenity from “Sailor Moon” is more than ethereal. Also, Julia’s playful Disneybound looks — like Edna from “The Incredibles” — are just as creative as her full costumes.
Phoenix Skye is a LGBT Dominicana that embodies that cosplay is for everyone. A body-positive advocate, she documented her substantial weight loss through cosplay. She shows that no matter the size, she could rock her costumes. Check out her Gender-bent Joker for a real taste of her talent but we also can’t get enough of this gorgeous Moana look.
“Teen Titans,” “Space Jam,” “My Hero Academia” and “Steve Universe.” These just a few of the fandoms multi-talented cosplayer Yani Luv has explored. The Afro-Latina Boricua utilizes both self-fabricated props and impressive body painting skills to embody her characters. While Yani cosplays plenty of human characters, we’re partial to her absolutely adorable take on Retsuko from Sanrio’s “Aggretsuko.”
Fashion design student Iza Ragnhildr should get extra points for practical application. Whether she’s cosplaying each and every favorite video game protagonist, the Cuban-Mexican artist fully transforms herself. A great example of this is her killer take on steampunk Poison Ivy.
Video games and anime are usually Theophania’s go-to when it comes to cosplay. Besides her cute cosplays, the Houston-based Mexican-Puerto Rican is a part of the Jammingers — a live-action movie about a team of music-based superheroes. Her human Judy Hwa wazopps will also make you want to check out her incredible Disney cosplays.
It’s hard not to look at Cardi B and absolutely revel in her career evolution. In the pace of four years, the Dominican-Trinidadian rapper has transformed herself from a learning-as-she-goes newbie to Queen Cardi B. While for most celebrities such a glow-up has led to changes in the way they choose to present themselves stylistically, this Bronx-born and raised Latina has used her style to affirm that she plans on remaining true to herself.
Here’s a look at Cardi B’s style evolution.
Early on, the hip-hop star followed the footpath of iconic female rappers.
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In September 2015, Cardi B attended The Blondes show in New York at Milk Studios for New York Fashion Week’s The Shows.
The Bronx-born Latina embraced her curves with simple looks.
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In February 2016, Cardi attended Bronner Brothers as a TV personality for the International Beauty Show.
Two years have passed since she sported a revealing dress and baseball cap at the Georgia World Congress Center, still, it’s easy to imagine the rapper wearing a similar outfit today, just with a bit more flare.
Belcalis Almanzar soon started showing her success by flashing labels.
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In February 12, 2017, Cardi wore a white fur coat and a Gypsy dressy for Gypsy Show at New York Fashion Week.
Longtime fans of Cardi B know that the rapper has always had a love for labels. We didn’t need Bodak Yellow to learn that. Similar to Lil’ Kim’s looks and other Black female artists in her genre, Cardi B has come to show off her success and her own embrace of her sexuality with luxurious style flexing. The photo of her in a white fur coat came just a few days after she had signed a major record deal with Atlantic Records.
Then, she started upping the glitz and showed no plans of slowing down the showstopping.
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In March 2017, Cardi attended the Make Trap Great Again showcase at Stubb’s Bar-B-Que for the 2017 SXSW Conference And Festivals in Austin, Texas.
Just a month after nailing her big record deal with Atlantic Records, Cardi stepped out at SXSW festival wearing a low-cut gold dress. The revealing look is something Cardi B has shown no signs of backing away from, even now as she explores her passion for design and looks from different decades.
Once red carpet season was in full swing, Cardi established that she knows how to clean up.
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In September 14, 2017, Cardi B stunned in an off-shoulder Christian Siriano ball gown for Rihanna’s 3rd Annual Diamond Ball at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City.
Fans watching Cardi B’s major Cinderella red carpet moment were quite literally stunned by the rapper’s transformation. The look rolled out a new understanding of her fashion diversity to fans and showed designers that there was more to her style than the BX street looks she’s famous for. The diamond-colored, conservative, floor-length gown played a stark contrast to the styles we’d come to know the artist for in previous years. The appearance was an alert to fashion designers around the world that the Latina’s eccentricity could give even royal’s a run for their money.
But she didn’t leave behind her signature money-moving and street swag.
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On October 6, 2017, Cardi performed during the BET Hip Hop Awards 2017 at The Fillmore Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theater in Miami Beach, Florida.
She may have started from the bottom but one thing she’s not changing on her way to the top is her trendy hair.
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On December 29, 2017, Cardi performed at The Joy Theater in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Wearing a sheer leotard and blue locks, the rapper put on quite a show for fans at a performance in New Orleans. The ‘Velvet Blue Mink Full Lace Unit’ that flowed past Cardi’s shoulders were styled by Atlanta hairstylist Arrogant Tae.
Then Queen Cardi emerged to show us what regular, degular, shmegular looks like when it meets shwanky.
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On January 28, 2018, Cardi B attended the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
In another gorgeous look, Cardi B revealed that the rapper life can be just as a graceful and elegant as a hip-hop artist wants to be.
When stepping out, the Latina rapper doesn’t shy away from her pelitos.
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On February 3, 2018, Cardi B attended the 2018 MAXIM party produced By Karma International in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Sporting a look that plenty of Latinas know well, Cardi B stepped on to the red carpet of a Maxim party rocking a high ponytail and baby hairs. Once again proving that while her label game might have been elevated, Cardi B’s glow up is more about glam and career power and not at all about losing her roots.
She has continued her path of becoming an icon while showing up The Icons.
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On February 10, 2018, Cardi B sat front and center in a row with Whoopi Goldberg, Meg Ryan, Molly Shannon, Brad Walsh, Jaimie Alexander and Sarah Rafferty while attending the Christian Siriano fashion show for New York Fashion Week.
Sitting among a row of some of the entertainment’s industry’s most famous style veterans, Cardi B stood out at the Christian Siriano fashion show while sporting a fur coat and sunnies, looking equal parts fly and opulent.
She has proved herself to be the ultimate award winner and fashion maven.
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On March 11, 2018, Cardi B accepts her award for Best New Artist onstage during the 2018 iHeartRadio Music Awards in Inglewood, California.
Having quickly proven herself to be a fashion favorite for Christian Siriano, the rapper wore a burgundy tulle dress by the designer from his fall 2018 collection just weeks before the drop of her debut album. The playful dress turned out to be a perfect match for her exuberant acceptance speech and perhaps one of her most talked-about looks while rumors of her pregnancy were further stirred online.
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During the 2018 Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival Cardi B tore up the festival during her performance. But it was 90s R&B feels that truly caught our attention. Her slick all-white outfit paired with baggy pants and exquisite rizos was a look to vibe to.
Cardi B’s MET Gala outfit could literally inspire a new religion.
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For the 2018 Met Gala theme, “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination,” Cardi B showed up to the event looking bold and bodacious. The Dominican-Trinidadian Latina dove headfirst into the event’s theme with a dress by Jeremy Scott and a jeweled encrusted crown to match.
Cardi is proving to be one of fashion’s top players. We can’t wait to see what other fashion rules she continues to break and what other labels will fight to dress the Latina rapper from The Bronx.
