Comic book culture creates company
The cult hobby of Cosplay - with fans dressing up as characters of their favourite fictional character led to a new career for Stephen Gosling.
When the former Royal Navy Aircraft engineer, left the force he was already interested in the comic book world and in particular making the fantastical costumes.
He set up Cosplay Forge with his partner, still serving in the Navy, from his home in Telford.
And their engineering expertise has enabled them to fill a gap in the market for providing either custom made costumes or the materials for Cosplayers to create their own.
Mr Gosling said: "“We're taking it upon ourselves to make life easier for everyone in the Cosplay community, by bringing as much as we can into one useful location.”
"It is an international culture with fans really going to town on their costumes for Comic Con events."
He said the company used and sold high quality, cutting edge materials such as Cosplayflex, flexipaint and foams.
"Cosplayers want their costumes and accessories to be light and flexible as they will be wearing them all day. The results can be spectacular," he said.
The Cosplay Forge has the support of Shropshire Youth Support Trust and recently took over the "Pop up Shrop" unit for a couple of weeks at the British Ironwork Centre just outside Oswestry.
Chairman of The British Ironwork Centre, Clive Knowles said: "It’s been truly inspiring to see how Cosplay Forge operates and getting a close up insight into what is a very niche and rapidly growing market. We like the company's proactive approach in getting its name and services noticed and have offered advice and support in helping it to grow.”
