Inside the cosplay life of a lifelong Star Wars superfan

A mum of three vividly remembers becoming “hooked” on Star Wars when she first saw the characters on the big screen more than 45 years ago, and since then her passion has only grown.

Star Wars fanatic Kelly MJ Wicks-Preshaw cosplays Princess Leia from the planet Endor. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Kelly Wicks-Preshaw vividly remembers the first time she saw Star Wars – A New Hope on the big screen in 1977 when she was 13-years-old.

Sitting in the back row of the cinemas at the former Greater Union complex in Melbourne’s CBD, Ms Wicks-Preshaw, 60, from Sunbury, says she recalls the moment she first saw the wedge-shaped Star Destroyer ship on the screen.

“It was absolutely mind-blowing,” she says.

“You were so immersed in the film because you thought the ship was coming from behind you.”

Star Wars fanatic Kelly MJ Wicks-Preshaw has been a lifelong superfan and makes all of her own costumes. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

As the day all Star Wars fans mark in the calendar – May the Fourth — approached, the mum-of-three, who is now retired, told V Weekend she became an immediate lifelong Star Wars superfan from that moment.

“I ended up seeing the first film at least 10 times, I was hooked,” she says.

“I immediately fell in love with Luke Skywalker and then I saw all the movies as they came out.

“To end on a cliffhanger in The Empire Strikes Back, I remember that being one of the first major cliffhangers in a film series.

“As the franchise progressed, the Emperor’s Royal Guard costume became one of my favourites.”

Ms Wicks-Preshaw continued her childhood passion in recent years by joining two Star Wars fan clubs and dressing up in various character costumes.

“I’m part of three costume groups including 501st Legion Knightfall Garrison, Rebel Legion Hoth Base and Melbourne Costume Group.

Kelly cosplays a Jawa. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

“I make all of my own costumes, it can take me months. Boushh took me two years because of the thought process.

“The Mandorlian costume I’m currently making has taken me seven months and they take time because you need to source the right fabric and trial the costume to make any adjustments.

“I have created 15 Star Wars costumes including four different types of Jawa characters.”

May the Fourth – a play on the catchphrase “May the Force be with you” – is known as “Star Wars Day”, where fans of the beloved films celebrate their obsession with the franchise.

“May the Fourth has given Star Wars fans a day to celebrate. It takes you back to when you first saw the films and how the first screening made you feel.

“I think what draws fans in so much is the camaraderie. I went to New Zealand with my husband and we had Star Wars luggage and three employees including customs stopped us to ask where we got our luggage from.”

Kelly as a Boushh, the costume for which took her two years to make. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Ms Wicks-Preshaw says she regularly attends pop-culture events including Oz Comic Con and Supanova decked out in costumes.

“I love when I’m dressed up as a Jawa from the original trilogy and I have a soft spot for my Offworld Jawa, which I accurately created.

“I enjoy making someone’s day when they get a photo with me and it’s great seeing a child’s parents get so excited too.

“I also do charity work for the Royal Children’s Hospital, Starlight Foundation and the Good Friday Appeal. It’s really important to our group when we put a smile on someone’s face.”

She says the film franchise will continue to appeal to fans for years to come.

“A lot of people dream of being their favourite character and they can. If you want to be a character from Star Wars, you can do it.

“The Star Wars community is supportive, they are from all walks of life and it’s clear the next generation of fans will secure the love and legacy of the franchise.”