- by Anne Finlay-Stewart

A giant head in the corner and some oversize blue sneakers with built-in socks. Those were a few of the clues to what the Pumpkin Coach was about to become - “Grey/Bruce's source of premium cosplay, dress-up and theatre supplies”.

When I visited Jean (Bell) Versava as the store was taking shape, she claimed she was starting the business so she didn't have to get a “real job”. But just because she may have one of the most fun shops in town, doesn't mean she isn't working hard.

The fastest growing social hobby in the world, cosplay is recreating something in pop culture in real life. Jean says that making a costume is all part of bringing a character to life. “Planning it out – finding the materials – figuring out how to make it – are all part of the fun,” she says. “And then there are the challenges for the human inside. Will it be durable? See-through? Can you get through doorways? Or go to the bathroom?!”

The Pumpkin Coach is more than a store – a source for patterns, makeup, wig-making and modelling materials,Worbla and TeeTurtle products – although it will be all of that and more. It will be a place to learn, with Jean giving sewing lessons for individuals, small groups and parents with their kids. Do you have an idea or a picture and want to know how to put yourself inside it? The Pumpkin Coach will be your go-to. You can even rent the sewing room during store hours to work on your project.

People may want to dress up in character specifically to model for photo shots – or to make visits to hospitals or public spaces to give people a smile. The Victorian era, recreated frequently in our own Billy Bishop House and Museum, is at the heart of steampunk – a popular style that blends the historical with the mechanical. Other re-creations might include medieval, pirate, classical or pioneer times.

Jean would love to work with the Owen Sound Little Theatre, Sandcastle and the Roxy Young Company, and any other amateur or school drama productions to help them create whatever they need.

Jean has already held her first Cosplay 101 workshop - “Just getting started? Burning with curiosity? Trying to pull your friends into it? Trying to explain it to your family? Trying to understand what your kid is talking about? This is the right event for you!”

It's personal for Jean, and she has a secret to share about cosplay. “It's a fantastic social hobby for the socially awkward, inept and anxious. I'm not a social person by nature but one of the things I love about cosplay and cosplay events is spotting someone dressed as a character I know and love, because that tells me that they have something in common with me and it opens a dialogue. Of course, the first thing that came out of my mouth on most of these occasions was "I love this _____. Did you make it yourself? How long did it take you to build the _____? How did you attach the _____ to the ______?!"

I've met some incredible people who I never would have dared speak to if not for cosplay.”

And now, I've met Jean.

The Pumpkin Coach is across the parking lot from the Metro in downtown Owen Sound, and its ribbon will be cut at 10:00 Saturday, September 23 but the cake will be there while it lasts!