Tolkien Convention in Plouha: Alan, from military uniform to Witch King costume – Guingamp

You had to see them, these Tolkien universe aficionados, as soon as the Witch King of Angmar stepped into the crowd this weekend. It is not possible to take a step without asking for a photo. “During our first conventions this enthusiasm was a little scary, then I learned to appreciate this recognition of the work and the hours spent on our sets,” emphasizes Virginie, the companion of the king of darkness, dressed as an elf. .

Military by day, Witch King by night

Alan is above all a fan of costumes. Finally, cosplay and uniforms, since the week is the lattice he crosses. “Like, it’s possible to be a soldier and a nerd at the same time,” laughs the young man in his thirties, behind his black mask. To be there this weekend, the couple traveled from Rennes. Nothing unusual, for those who have already surveyed the conventions of Troyes, Niort or even Paris. “In some performances, I change my costume for a Darth Vader cosplay,” he says. Anonymity, therefore, prevails, but above all the dark side of the force.

A costume estimated at € 3,500

“I’m a big fan of quite obscure characters. Not being able to do Sauron, which would have required me ten times as much work (laughs); to be honest I fell back on the Witch King”, the passionate loosened up a bit, before underlining: “I love the character, I find him ultra-tough.” And fearless he is, to the point of supporting 33 kg for the armor of this bespoke set on this day.

Skull, under his pseudonym, he is quite proud of the result: “It took a year and a half to design this piece, essentially with my hands”, apart from two or three details, purchases of gloves or shoulder straps. “Cosplay cost me around € 1,000-1,500, mostly because of the steel. But today it is closer to € 3,500 ”, says the designer, who admits to having received several offers to buy it back. “But I refuse, I spent many hours there,” he replies.

And a first prize, one!

He, his inspiration, drew it from the last part of the trilogy “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King”. “The costume may not be 100% faithful, but I tried to stick to it as best I could,” Alan exclaims modestly.

And of course, this conference of the Terres de unique has been waiting for him for three years. “What’s better than a Witch King to represent Mordor?” “, he laughs. So, he would not have left his place as a big winner for anything in the world; and the first prize for the best adult cosplay, awarded by Déborah Perret, known for being the French voice of Galadriel, who accepts with glee , in the midst of elves, orcs and hobbits.

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