A Doll Invited To Anthrocon

Just a tiny clarification:

"Invited guest" usually implies that an official invitation to attend the convention has been extended by the board of directors. This invitation comes from folks who, while Anthrocon members, are not authorized to issue official guest invitations.

Madame Bekki,

First, welcome to AnthroCon, I hope that you find the experience an enjoyable diversion, perhaps educational as well as entertaining.

There is a sort of misconception that Furry Fans all wear Fursuits. Actually, only a small portion of us are costumers, and not all of those actually make and/or wear fursuits. It is perfectly acceptable to come to AnthroCon in casual streetwear, or a business suit, or even a tuxedo or formal gown. If you have ever been to a Science Fiction or Fantasy convention, you will be familiar with "Hall Costumes", representing popular characters from books or films; it is not unusual to see Beetlejuice or Cap'n Jack Sparrow (of late, a number of Jack Sparrows, actually), or even a Dread Pirate Roberts (Franchises available!) or two. Potter clones, Dumbledores, Professors McGonagall, and Hagrids abound, and even Anime "CosPlayers" can be seen.

At a Furry Convention, the costuming is primarily the Fursuits, and some CosPlay costumes (These are usually people trying to represent specific, recognisable characters from Anime or Manga series). While there is a large body of Anthropomorphic Cinema and Literature, relatively few Fursuiters try to fabricate costumes based on these specific characters. This may be due to fear of copyright or trademark violations, or the lack of illustrated works for reference, in the case of books and stories. Most of the fursuits represent individual characters role-played in a computer or network environment, like FurryMUCK or Second Life. Many are of no particular persona at all, but represent a specific species or combination of species.

I will admit that a lifesized rubber doll might feel a bit out of place here, but then so would a Raggedy Ann and Andy combination, or even a Gumby and Pokie couple. You won't see Barbarella, Ming the Merciless, or Conan the Barbarian here, or any incarnation of Doctor Who - but if you wish to explore and perform the costuming and masque aspect - particularly the performance part, I'm sure that the costumers here will find a way to help you fit in and feel welcome.

Please understand, though - the aim and focus here is on Animals with human attributes, yet still displaying and acting in their animal context; we try to avoid the "People with Animal Heads and Tails" trap, the goal is for our foxes to have foxy qualities about them, for our wolves to radiate a wolvishness, for our lions to be leonine, for our badgers to act - well, badger-like (badgery?). It is something more than just looking the part, in fact "looking the part" is sometimes the simplest part of the thing. That is (one of) the goal(s), anyway - and we (I) aren't (am not) judging anybody.

If you go the route of a themed mask with your bodysuit - say, for instance, a cat - then you will need to think cat, to be cat. Mysterious, aloof, independent, yet by turns both curious and indifferent. Lithe, sinewy, slinky, graceful, poised - and with a touch of the Regal - for every cat, whether tiger or housecat, feels entitled to royal treatment.

Think Claws.
Think Fangs.
Think Prrrowl.
Think Huntress!
Think A Nap on the couch, where the sunshine comes in through the window.
Think Wiskers brushing the surface of a saucer of cream.

...If you can do that and feel that, then you will have no problems here, and you will find yourself among a lot of friends.