Gallifrey One is the world’s largest and longest-running annual Doctor Who fan convention, a tradition in North American Doctor Who fandom since 1990. Yes, Gallifrey One has been running for going on thirty-two years! With the record for the longest-running Doctor Who con, it’s easy to see why the Doctor Who cosplay from Gallifrey One is some of the best in the world!
What makes the cosplay at Gallifrey One special
For many, Cosplay is a way to express themselves, be creative, and make new friends. It creates a sense of community that most grown-ups lose after high school or college. For some, it goes so far as to make them feel more confident about themselves without realizing it. Many find it was an avenue that helped them learn more about themselves. And let’s face it, it’s just fun to dress up!
Cosplay is this “special” universe where adults come together, put their egos aside, and celebrate what they geek-out over without any shame of “not acting our own age.” Anyone would be lying to themselves if they said they didn’t care to find a realm where they could be unapologetically themselves while dressed as their favorite character. This can be true of the cosplay at any convention. However, the situation at Gallifrey One gives a special license to be a little more unique. Doctor Who has over 50 years’ worth of characters and spin-offs to draw from. There are plenty of options for what you can cosplay.
Being recognized as a Doctor Who cosplayer can be tricky at most comic cons. Much of what the characters wear on the show is ordinary, (albeit very fashionable) everyday attire. Much of what is worn in the current series can be purchased at popular retail stores (we call these cosplay pieces “screen accurate”). It also makes it easy to find a suitable and affordable alternative (“alts”) outfit that look close enough to what the characters wear on the show. At a convention like San Diego Comic-Con for example, not everyone will immediately recognize your outfit as a Doctor Who cosplay, they might mistake it for just everyday attire. At Gallifrey One, even the most obscure cosplay is recognizable to someone.
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The Masquerade
Every year at this convention is the Masquerade of Mandragora. Named after the first serial of the 14th Season, it is the annual Saturday night costume competition and fashion show. Many conventions boast costume contests. At other conventions, the costumes are from a large range of fandoms. The masquerade at Gally (short for Gallifrey One) revolves around one fandom, Doctor Who. This gives children and adults who enter the competition an opportunity to turn up the creativity. Photographer David Phillips (IG: @drquien) captured the beautiful cosplay that was on display.
Cosplay Meet-Ups & Groups
Cosplay Meet-Ups happen at many different conventions. It is an opportunity for cosplayers to gather together and celebrate their shared love for a character or a fandom. Cosplay meetups can be large or intimate. No matter the size, the main purpose is to get together and take fun photos while hopefully meeting new people and celebrating fandom.
9th Doctor Meet Up
13th Doctor Meet Up
Sonic Screwdriver Group
Rory’s Stag Party
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These are far from all the meetups that happened at this convention. Most of the meetups are fan organized and happen through Facebook groups and are eventually announced in the Gallifrey One schedule. Some notable meetups that we did not get to photograph ourselves were the 10th Doctor Meet-Up usually hosted by @hairclubforten, the Pond Paradox Meet Up and the River Song Meet Up.
Cosplay Mash-Ups
Cosplay mash-ups are when two fandoms or ideas collide to make one unique cosplay! This year, there were plenty of mash-ups to be seen. From punk, pajama, and 1950s inspired Doctor Who groups to Critical Role crossovers. This convention gives Whovians (Doctor Who fans) an opportunity to mash together a lot of the things they love!
Punk Who
This group celebrated it’s second annual meet up! This came together as a group originally in 2019.
1950s Inspired Who
Harry Potter Crossover
Ghostbusters Crossover
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Pajama Party
Stranger Things Crossover
Critical Role Crossover
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Cosplay Gallery
Tickets for the Gallifrey One 2021 event go on sale on Saturday, February 29, 2020, at 12:00 pm (noon) Pacific Time. Find out more at http://www.gallifreyone.com/.
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