A-Kon® 23! Dallas, Texas June 1-3, 2012

Meredith Placko, known to many in the fandom world as Ana Aesthetic, is a journalist with a passion for cosplay. She has been indulging in her hobby for over a decade, even going so far as to earn a degree in Fashion Design. While she eventually returned to the world of TV news (and works as a producer/booker by day), Meredith uses the skills learned in school and from trial and error to create her often elaborate, many times exhausting, but always fun costumes.

While she considers herself a hobbiest, Meredith has had the pleasure of being an invited guest, judge and panelist to over 50 conventions across the US. She speaks not only on costume design and consurtcion, but the sociolgy behind the hobby and how it has helped her to grow both in her professional world and as a better person. One day, when she conquers her fear of flying, she hopes to travel across the world sharing her love for cosplay.

As Ana Aesthetic, she has been featured in the New York Times, Maxim, Star Wars Insider, Cosmode and across the world (and web!) for her variety of costumes from anime to American comic books, sci-fi films and original creations. While not one to compete, Meredith did win "Hottest Cosplayer of the Year" on some website and got a tee-shirt. She believes cosplay is about having fun and making new friends, and enjoys working behind the scenes at costume contests as a judge or emcee so she can offer up encouragement and cheer on the cosplayers who worked diligently on their own costumes.

By day she works for NBC News and writes for Geeks Are Sexy. Meredith lives in Atlanta with her hipster roommate, five cats, beta fish, pair of snails and a moss ball called Dr. Kreiger with his virtual, hot pink plant, girlfriend.

Tags: artist, cosplay, industry