750 people cosplay at 2018 Gold Coast Supanova Superhero parade in Broadbeach
DOCTOR Who star Peter Capaldi has led a parade of more than 750 colourful costume wearing fans for the Gold Coast’s annual Superhero parade. And some fans went all out, spending more than $900 and nine months creating their masterpiece.
Gold Coast
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WHEN Mia Kolich went to her parents and asked them to build her a pair of enormous silver wings, they were understandably reluctant.
Nine months later, the 16-year-old from Upper Coomera is ready to show off her 1.5 metre wingspan at Australia’s biggest pop culture expo, Supanova.
Running for six years now the Supanova Parade continues to be a success.
Some retailers told the Gold Coast Bulletin their restaurants and cafes had been busier than during the Commonwealth Games.
GALLERY: ALL THE PHOTOS FROM THE 2018 PARADE
This year 750 cosplayers were watched by upwards of 8000 people, with Gold Coast Supanova the only event in the country to run the event.
Among the draw cards were Doctor Who stars Peter Capaldi and companion Pearl Mackie who rode in the original Bessie from the classic version of the show.
For Mia, who was diagnosed with autism at around six-years-old, the event is a chance to step outside her comfort zone and interact, according to mum Leanne Kolich.
“The first time she came in the cosplay people came up to her and wanted to give her a hug or a photo, and she was a bit scared,” Ms Kolich said.
“But the second day she came she was fine, she just got into character and had a great time.
“It makes her feel a bit different from her day to day where she struggles, (…) it’s been a real help.”
The costume was entirely handmade by Mia’s father Steve Kolich using several types of foam, and cost around $900, mostly paid for by Mia herself.
Both parents work regular office jobs throughout the week, and said the costume was the result of hours of free time and trial and error.
The outfit, modelled after one of Mia’s favourite anime characters, was a hit at the Supanova Parade early yesterday morning.
Despite the workload, Miss Kolich said it wasn’t that tough convincing her dad to take on the project.
“I’ve been doing cosplay for about three years, and that’s what’s really brought up my confidence,” she said.
“So I was like, ‘I want a change in costume’, and he said, ‘you know what, we’ll try it.
“I was always into anime, I liked crafting, and eventually I came to the decision that I wanted to try being someone who I’d like to be, rather than sitting in my room being shy.”
Convention representative Lionel Midford said he’s still blown away by how many people join in each year.
“I spoke to organisers and they said we were expecting a couple thousand, but when I came and saw how many people were here, I couldn’t believe it,” he said.
As for how Mia Kolich goes about choosing her costumes, her parents couldn’t offer an explanation.
“Maybe she liked how it looked, or wanted to try it on herself,” Ms Kolich said.
“Maybe it was just to make it more difficult on mum and dad.”
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