Photo by @cosnapagraphy
Cosplayers Michelle Waffle and Jordan Olsen wanted to create and promote diversity in the cosplay community with the Hellfire Gala Walk, and they succeeded and may have created a new con tradition.
The Hellfire Gala Walk is a sort of Cosplay fashion show where cosplayers apply to participate, and they work on their cosplay. All of the cosplays featured are either an official, or fan design version of an X-men Hellfire Gala gown or suit.
There is usually a limited number of spaces for the walks. Applicants that are accepted are added to a group chat to discuss and share their ideas and progress. But what makes the Hellfire Gala Walk special is that the walk centers on, and highly values diversity in its applicants.
“Something that Jordan and I believed in early on was that we wanted this to be a very inclusive and diverse event. It didn’t matter your skill level, identity, follower count – everyone was allowed a chance to participate,” Waffle said, “We definitely made an effort to include as many POC and LGBTQIA+ folks as possible though because representation matters.”
One of the ways the women have fostered community and diversity with the walk is with the group chat.
“A key ingredient in the walk is cosplayer rapport,” Olsen said. “And that happens in the cast group chat that starts as soon as everyone’s announced. They get to exchange ideas, a lot of memes, and encouragement. There’s no ego, no snide remarks, just a lot of love and care.”
I had the opportunity to participate in the Hellfire Gala walk for three seasons. The walks usually take place during WonderCon in the spring in Anaheim, and Los Angeles Comic Con in the fall.
X-men fans have loved the idea so much, a group in London had their first walk this past spring.
Cosplay as elevated art form
Over the past couple of years cosplay has seen a surge in the pop-culture zeitgeist. We have seen television shows make references to cosplay, like in the recent Doctor Who episode Rogue.
And we’ve even seen famed Grammy award winning rapper Megan Thee Stallion don multiple cosplays.
It’s easy for people wanting to enter the world of cosplay to feel discouraged or overwhelmed because of the amazing cosplays that exist. And oftentimes cosplayers don’t get the opportunity to share their work or feel intimidated to enter a competition. But it is also an art form, and like any art form the best way to get better is by practicing.
The Hellfire Gala Walk has provided a space and opportunity for cosplayers to tap into their creativity and grow and that is what Waffle and Olsen wanted.
“I love seeing the creativity cosplayers bring to the walk. I have seen looks brought to life that seemed complicated on paper. It’s also been a real treat seeing photographers so interested in shooting with our walkers. I have seen stunning photos of our participants from these events and I’m glad they get to experience those types of moments,” Waffle said.
The cosplayers also get the opportunity to show their work in a non-competitive inclusive environment.
The future of the Hellfire Gal Walk
The Hellfire Gala Walk has had four seasons. Each season has become an even bigger event than the last season.
“I think the show has evolved in a sense that it’s an event that participants and con-goers look forward to,” Waffle said. “Our very first one we reached out to cosplayers to participate. A lot of people hadn’t heard about these looks or weren’t attempting them yet.”
The Hellfire Gala Walk has grown.
It has become a well viewed event, and has even gotten the attention from some of the designers of the costumes. Famed designers like Russ Dutterman, and Luciano Vecchio have liked and shared Gala Walk cosplayer’s looks.
People have even tried to interfere with the walk. During the winter 2023 LACC a dance-flashmob promoting the film Mooned (a spin-off of Despicable me) crashed the event by storming onto the center of the stage where the cosplayers were about to do their final walk and group photo. But Olsen and Waffle weren’t having it. The women led the walkers in front of the Despicable pranksters and got the entire LA Comic Con lobby to chant “mutant and proud.”
But with the ending of the Krakoan age in X-men, there are a lot of questions on whether or not there will be a season 5 of the walk.
“Fortunately there’s a lot of gala looks from the last three books plus the countless fan arts and interpretations. If there’s a want and need for a season 5, there’s plenty of references to pull from. The question is do we have the energy to put together another one and will a convention give us our dream walk on the mainstage,” Olsen said.
Olsen said so far no one has taken them up on their offer and no invite has been given to do a walk on the mainstage. But there is hope.
“Jordan and I have gone back and forth on this a lot. Do we have the time or energy to do just one more? We’ll see. We’re talking. There’s an idea we’re floating,” Waffle said.
Although the Krakoan age is done, the community and love for the art form is obvious.
Olsen said the Hellfire Club always had an annual gala. There is also the easter egg of the Hellfire Gala reference in the hugely popular X-Men 97’ animated series on Disney plus.
“I’m interested in a 90’s themed X-Men Walk so we’ll see.,” Olsen said.