Cosplay, Community, and Confidence: Inside Luxury Leah’s World

Luxury Leah is not just a cosplayer; she’s a trailblazer, advocate, and inspiration within the cosplay community and beyond. From creating safe spaces online to stepping into the wrestling ring, Leah’s journey is a testament to the power of passion, resilience, and creativity. Here, she shares her insights on community building, cosplay, and how she’s breaking barriers while lifting others.

Leah’s Facebook group for cosplayers has become a sanctuary for creative minds. She explains how it all began:
“A year ago, I barely used Facebook. Now I have a whole community. I decided if I was going to be on there, I wanted to create a safe space. I was hoping to engage and connect with like minds and spark conversations that challenged people to think and grow.”

Her commitment to fostering a supportive environment extends to addressing tough issues. Leah shares, “I have to take responsibility as the person who organizes events and meetups to keep the creeps, bullies, and dreadful people at bay. Just like I would for my own family or my own home, if you come here, you are in my care, and I want you to feel safe at all times.”

Empowering Through Cosplay

Leah’s approach to cosplay is as inclusive as it is innovative. Reflecting on her beginnings, she recalls, “I started cosplaying at my first New York Comic Con in 2011. I came out of the gate doing original characters. I’m not traditional, so I have very little expectations of what cosplay should be. I allow people the space to grow and find their own way, like I did.”

For Leah, cosplay has been transformative. “There was a time when I felt like I could never wear certain things, but now that I’m truly confident and comfortable with myself, I could care less. Cosplay boosted my confidence, and I’ll never stop encouraging others to step out and try it.”

Using Cosplay for Good

Beyond conventions, Leah uses her craft to bring joy to others through volunteer work. Partnering with Critical Care Comics, she visits children in hospitals dressed as beloved superheroes. “Every visit is amazing. For the kids, it’s a nice surprise to see their favorite heroes walk into their hospital room bearing gifts. It’s humbling and reminds me how much I have to be grateful for.”

Leah’s volunteer efforts extend further. She’s organized coat drives, food donations, and events for domestic violence survivors. Her message is clear: “There are so many things you could do for your community, and these things will truly give your life purpose.”

Stepping Into the Wrestling World

Leah’s creative journey took an unexpected turn when she joined Project Codename: Wrestling as a manager. “Cosplay opened so many doors for me. I met Dashing Hazard, a wrestler who saw me at an event in cosplay and said, ‘Oh, I gotta put you in the show.’ I couldn’t say no. I live for stuff like that!”

She’s since cosplayed wrestling icons like Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill. Meeting them was a highlight of her journey: “Bianca asked how I made my outfit, and when I told her I created it myself, she said she loved it. That meant everything to me.”

Advice for Aspiring Creators

For newcomers, Leah’s advice is simple: “Don’t let anybody tell you how to do it, why to do it, or where to do it. Have fun, make mistakes, make memories, and enjoy the process. You are never too old, too small, too big, too Black, or too anything. There are no boundaries except for the ones you accept.”

Leah’s authenticity and dedication make her a beacon in the cosplay world, proving that creativity and kindness can change lives. With her ever-expanding list of projects, she’s just getting started. Keep an eye on Luxury Leah—she’s a force to be reckoned with.