Philip Odango is an award-winning designer, community builder and educator whose videos have amassed over 10 million streams on YouTube and has designed costumes for celebrities such as Mindy Kaling and Danny Trejo. Philip began cosplaying in 2004 and has since been an invited guest, presenter all over the world, using his platforms to help others in discovering their creative self-expression.  As a creative coach, Philip helps artists to uncover and understand what may be preventing them from making their most authentic work. He provides them with tools to understand their creative process more effectively so they can engage in their creative activities and develop a strong, sustainable and nurturing practice. 

  

His passion for crafting was first cultivated with directing community theatre, where his love of spectacle and visual storytelling evolved into sewing over 300 costumes. Since crafting his first cosplay of Edward Scissorhands out of garbage bags and pizza boxes in 2004, Philip has designed and displayed many costumes across the world. His "cosplay your way" approach is inspired by diverse and vibrant creators, ideas, and communities he has met worldwide.  

  

With a keen eye for style and craftsmanship, Philip has proven himself as both a tastemaker and influencer continually inspiring those around him. He is highly sought-after globally for partnerships, television series, and branded collaborations. He shares valuable insights through lectures, workshops and panels with conventions, universities, and makerspaces worldwide. He has been featured by The New York Times, Star Wars Magazine, Threads Magazine, Sew Daily, Forbes, Business Insider, GQ, Marvel, DC, Disney, and SYFY. Since 2017, Philip has served as a global ambassador for SINGER™ Sewing Company and founded the "Bros Who Sew" campaign to encourage the craft of sewing. Brand collaborations include Warner HBO, Amazon, Michaels, FISKARS™, VELCRO™ Brand, IKEA, Plaid Crafts, Mehron, Kryolan Makeup, Cosplay Fabrics and JOANN Stores.  

  

Philip owns a project management and creative consultancy, and employs 20 years of marketing, theatre, event production, and community engagement experience to create the Cosplay Professional Development Series of books to help aspiring cosplayers. He completed Harvard Business School's Sustainable Business Strategy program and has obtained certifications in inclusion and diversity. He serves on many advisory boards and is a member of the National Endowment for the Arts' grant panel. His philanthropy encompasses Operation Smile and the Arts.