CosplayX Summer School at Xcenter
Creative Costume Workshop for Ages 14+
Jul 6 - Jul 10, 2026
10:00 - 15:00
Delpinova 20, 5000 Nova Gorica, Nova Gorica
Join the CosplayX Summer School at Xcenter and create your own unique cosplay costume under the guidance of fashion designer Ines Ferdinanda Drole (Nanda) — from the first idea to the final creation. Places are limited, so secure your spot in a week filled with creativity, sewing, and fantasy characters.
About the Event
Create an original costume inspired by anime, manga, video games, or fantasy cinema
From July 6 to 10, 2026, Xcenter in Nova Gorica will host the exclusive CosplayX Creative Summer School, a high-profile educational and workshop program designed for young participants aged 14 and older. This immersive five-day experience is part of the GO! 2025 European Capital of Culture program, celebrating the borderless creativity shared between Nova Gorica and Gorizia.
The initiative, limited to a maximum of eight students, will allow each participant to design and craft an original costume inspired by the worlds of anime, manga, Japanese culture, video games, or fantasy cinema — guiding them through the entire creative cycle from the initial conceptual idea to the final finished piece.
Meet Your Instructor: Ines Ferdinanda Drole (Nanda)
Ines Ferdinanda Drole brings decades of fashion and costume design expertise to the workshop
The educational curriculum will be coordinated by renowned fashion and costume designer Ines Ferdinanda Drole, known professionally as Nanda — an active professional in the creative design and fashion industry based in Nova Gorica, Slovenia.
Ines Drole Nanda graduated from the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology in Ljubljana in 1987 and obtained the title of independent fashion designer in 1992. She expresses herself through various mediums, and her innovative creative approach encourages a liberating spirit in the creative process itself. She finds inspiration for her works in nature, fantasy worlds, and the rich cultural heritage of the border region.
Through her brand NANDA — Art to Wear, she designs personalized unique textile creations that blend harmoniously with the personality of the wearer, the occasion, and the surrounding ambience. Her works have been exhibited internationally, including at the BIEN Textile Art Biennale, GONG Gallery Nova Gorica, exhibitions in Venice, Bologna, Las Vegas, and even the Seattle Erotic Festival. Her signature approach combines hand-sewing techniques, synthetic organza, decorative accents, and pearls to create ethereal textile sculptures.
Nanda describes her creative philosophy as finding "the message behind the creative process — sometimes questions, sometimes answers, and always love." This spirit of passionate artistic discovery makes her the perfect mentor for aspiring cosplay creators.
Workshop Program & Daily Schedule
Hands-on sewing and construction sessions run daily from 10:00 to 15:00
Workshops will take place daily from 10:00 to 15:00, with a lunch break scheduled between 12:00 and 13:00. The carefully structured curriculum ensures every participant progresses from concept to completion:
| Day | Focus Area | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 — Concept & Character Study | Research & Design | Character selection, reference image analysis, sketching your costume concept, material planning |
| Day 2 — Pattern & Cutting | Technical Foundation | Creating patterns, fabric selection, cutting techniques, measuring and fitting |
| Day 3 — Sewing & Construction | Building the Costume | Machine and hand-sewing, garment assembly, structural elements |
| Day 4 — Details & Accessories | Accessorizing | Prop making, jewelry and embellishments, accessory styling, finishing techniques |
| Day 5 — Final Assembly & Showcase | Completion & Presentation | Final touches, fitting adjustments, preparation for the showcase event |
Core Activities
- Character Study — Deep analysis of your chosen character's visual identity, color palette, and distinctive features
- Cutting and Sewing — Hands-on instruction in both machine and hand-sewing techniques
- Material Processing — Working with fabrics, foam, thermoplastics, and mixed media
- Accessory Styling — Creating complementary props, jewelry, and detailed embellishments
Venue: Xcenter — The Heart of Creative Innovation
Xcenter gallery and makerspace — the creative hub of GO! 2025 in Nova Gorica
Xcenter, located at Delpinova 20 in Nova Gorica, serves as the central makerspace of the GO! 2025 European Capital of Culture. This cutting-edge creative hub is home to:
- The Xmakers workshop — a fully equipped maker lab with tools for fabrication, prototyping, and creative production
- The Laboratory for the Future of Food Bio/n — exploring innovation at the intersection of biology and nutrition
- An intermedia gallery showcasing works by internationally acclaimed Slovenian and foreign artists
- Dedicated workshop spaces for sewing, crafting, and collaborative creation
Xcenter operates at the crossroads of education, research, entrepreneurship, art, and culture, dedicated to cultivating the talents of the future. It hosts a vibrant calendar of festivals, lectures, educational workshops, artistic interventions, and performances. The venue is fully wheelchair accessible and equipped with modern facilities including toilets and climate-controlled workshop rooms.
Xcenter's Creative Community
Nova Gorica — a young, creative city at the heart of the cross-border GO! 2025 region
Xcenter unites young people and adults through diverse initiatives including CosplayX, the Anima Manga X Club, and PlayX intergenerational board game activities. The venue brings together key creative figures of the region, including Mojca Stubelj Ars, Matej Vidmar, Uroš Brezavšček, Benjamin Gruner, and Alice Leblanc.
Established in 2021 as one of the major infrastructure projects of the European Capital of Culture GO! Borderless 2025, Xcenter has rapidly become a beacon of creative innovation in the cross-border region. Using concepts of do-it-yourself, do-it-together, learning-by-playing, and fail-better, Xcenter develops modern values to meet the challenges of the future.
Practical Information
A collaborative makerspace environment for creative production and learning
When
July 6–10, 2026
Monday – Friday
10:00 – 15:00 daily
Where
Xcenter
Delpinova 20
5000 Nova Gorica, Slovenia
Who
Ages 14+
Maximum 8 participants
Languages: SL, IT, EN
Fee
€100
Remaining costs co-funded by GO! 2025
Limited availability
What to Bring
- Basic sewing knowledge is recommended for optimal workflow
- A personal sewing machine is encouraged (Xcenter provides a limited number of additional units)
- Your chosen character reference image (submitted upon registration)
- Optional: personal fabrics or decorative elements you wish to incorporate
- Enthusiasm, creativity, and a passion for bringing characters to life
What's Included
- All basic materials supplied by Xcenter
- Expert instruction and personalized mentorship from Ines Ferdinanda Drole
- Access to professional maker lab facilities
- Daily creative workspace from 10:00 to 15:00
- A dedicated showcase event at the end of the week to present your finished costume
What is Cosplay? Understanding the Art
Cosplay combines fashion design, craft, theater, and self-expression
Cosplay — a portmanteau of "costume" and "play" — is the art of dressing up as a character from a movie, book, video game, or other form of media. Originating in Japan and now a global cultural phenomenon, cosplay combines skills from fashion design, theater, visual arts, and craftsmanship into a unique form of self-expression.
Worlds That Inspire Cosplay
- Anime & Manga — Japanese animation and comic book characters
- Video Games — From classic arcade heroes to modern RPG protagonists
- Fantasy Cinema — Characters from beloved fantasy and science fiction films
- Japanese Culture — Traditional and contemporary Japanese aesthetic influences
Creating a cosplay costume from scratch is a deeply rewarding process that teaches patience, attention to detail, creative problem-solving, and technical sewing skills — all while bringing a beloved character to life in three-dimensional form.
The Grand Finale: Costume Showcase
The week concludes with a celebratory showcase of each participant's finished costume
At the end of the week, the completed costumes will remain the property of their creators and will be officially showcased during a dedicated event. This celebratory presentation gives each participant the opportunity to display their craftsmanship, walk in their creation, and share the story of their character with family, friends, and the local creative community.
The showcase is more than just a presentation — it is a moment of pride, a celebration of creativity, and an inspiration for future projects. Whether your costume represents a fierce warrior, a magical being, or a beloved anime protagonist, this is your moment to shine.
Please note: The course will be activated upon reaching a minimum threshold of seven registered participants. Early registration is strongly encouraged to secure your place and ensure the program proceeds.
GO! 2025: European Capital of Culture
GO! 2025 — the first borderless European Capital of Culture, shared by Nova Gorica and Gorizia
The CosplayX Summer School is proudly presented as part of GO! 2025, the European Capital of Culture shared between Nova Gorica, Slovenia and Gorizia, Italy. As the first borderless European Capital of Culture, GO! 2025 celebrates the unique spirit of a region where two nations meet, blend, and create together.
Nova Gorica and Gorizia share the same commitment: being the first European Capital of Borderless Culture, where creativity knows no borders and artistic expression bridges communities. Xcenter stands as a physical manifestation of this vision — a space where Slovenian and Italian creative communities converge.
Registration
Ready to bring your favorite character to life? Here is how to register:
- Submit your application promptly — places are strictly limited to 8 participants
- State your chosen character and submit a reference image
- Confirm your participation by completing the registration and fee payment
Contact Xcenter
Contact Xcenter directly for registration details and any questions:
Address: Delpinova 20, 5000 Nova Gorica, Slovenia
Website: www.xcenter.si
Do not miss this unique opportunity to learn from a master designer, work in a state-of-the-art makerspace, and create something truly extraordinary. Your cosplay journey starts here.