Stella Chuu is a cosplay designer, content creator, and master stylist, who spoke about her motivations, future plans, and being a part of the digital age.
What motivates you as a cosplay designer and content creator each day?
I’ve been doing this for 14 years, so my brain chemistry is completely wired to want to make content. I’m drawn to creative people and the zeitgeist of the content creation mentality.
My brain is always buzzing with ideas because I spend all my time thinking about what to make. It helps to be surrounded by friends who do and think the same.
here’s never a lack of cosplays from pop culture and I feel my hands tweaking when I’m not crafting.
What do your plans for the future include?
Honestly, I don’t know. I don’t think most content creators know what their retirement plans or exit strategies are. Do I have to think about it? I’m okay with living day-by-day and chasing my happiness now.
Also, I am incredibly thankful that I have a solid team behind me that works with me to strategize and align with whatever my goals may be at the time.
How does it feel to be a part of the digital age? (Now with streaming, technology and social media being so prevalent)
I’m glad I’m 36 years old making content and not sub-25. I was able to make dumb mistakes in my youth.
I see the amount of pressure younger creators go through despite their frontal lobes not having even formed yet. It’s not fair for them and I think we Millennials got off easy.
We were able to fumble without a care for judgement from the whole world. Everyone is constantly being scrutinized under a microscope and that’s a new form of stress.
What is your advice for young and aspiring cosplayers and content creators?
Collaborate. Travel. Accept that you will always learn as you go. Lean on your friends and hire people. You don’t always try to be the best but always try to be the happiest.
Were there any moments in your career that have helped define you?
I was approached by a producer at a live streaming company about 8 years ago. Her name is Chloe Shih. She wanted to sign me to the platform so I could stream with them as well as Twitch.
A year into the contract, she renewed me with a huge budget and a big show idea that would change my life. She wanted me to make cosplays for other creators and transform them live on stream, we called it Stella Transforms.
The weekly live show blew up and helped me establish myself as a maker in the Los Angeles steaming scene. I’ve been doing it ever since.
Most recently, and notably I’ve become the cosplay stylist for the rapper bbno$. I don’t think any of this would have happened if I didn’t have Chloe who believed in me.
Can you briefly tell us about the challenges and triumphs of building a career as a self-taught maker, and bringing cosplay into the mainstream?
I work way too much. If I’m awake 16 hours, then I’m working 14 hours. It’s probably not the healthiest lifestyle and my cortisol is likely too high. Also, I like to try everything and I enjoy the scent of failure.
This means I’ve had quite a few flops such as trying to make merchandise of my brand, making consistent YouTube videos, and streaming regularly.
Thankfully, none of them were financial or social failures and I’m able to let them go by the wayside.
As for my triumphs, I am one of the only cosplayers in Los Angeles with a warehouse workshop. It’s 3000 sq feet of maker space that I’m aiming to share with the cosplay community.
I build everything out of there and it’s helped me grow a lot in the last three years. There’s always cool projects going on and I’m excited to collaborate with more people.
What does the word success mean to you?
Longevity and financial success are the most important to me and are constantly on my mind. It’s the two things I don’t feel confident in.
I’ll always feel rich in friends and accomplishments. But the future is so unknown, and I want to be here for a long time.
To learn more about cosplay designer and content creator Stella Chuu, follow her on Instagram.
