Cosplayer Spotlight: Spicythaidesign

Imagine turning your childhood love for movies into a career where you design costumes for superheroes and warriors. Now add a twist: starting your creative journey at a work Christmas party. That’s the story of Sanit Klamchanuan, better known in the cosplay and costume design world as SpicyThaiDesign.

With his enthusiasm and a knack for innovation, Sanit has gone from crafting makeshift costumes in his living room to creating jaw-dropping designs at the legendary WETA Workshop. Oh, and here’s a fun fact: he was once a monk for three weeks at the age of 21. As it turns out, his life has always been about transformation.

Sanit’s first foray into costume design was as unplanned as it was transformative. “I first got into cosplay when I had to make a costume to attend a work Christmas party,” he shares. “The theme was Heroes and Villains, so I made a Judge Dredd costume. It was made from what I could find around the house and toy shops.”

Even from the beginning, Sanit had a clear goal: to stand out. “What drew me to do my own design is to be able to stand out of the crowd—at cons and online. To be different. I didn’t want to make what everyone else is making. I want to add my own twist to everything I do.”

His first serious cosplay project came a few years later: the Thai Halo Spartan in 2013. It was a labor of love filled with learning moments. “I learned so much from this costume. But the biggest one is… not to use wood filler with EVA foam. Hahaha.”

Sanit’s love for movies, especially The Lord of the Rings, was the spark that ignited his dream of working in costume design. “When The Lord of the Rings came out, I was drawn to it. And to know it was made in my hometown was extra special. That was when I knew that I would do this for a living.”

The road to WETA Workshop wasn’t easy, but it was paved with persistence and a little serendipity. “I happened to come across a post online asking for help with a dragon sculpture. They turned out to be ex-WETA workers. After helping them out, we became friends, and I told them about my dream of working at WETA Workshop.”

With their encouragement, Sanit kept honing his craft and building a portfolio that showcased his skills. “One day, I got a phone call saying I have a four-day contract, and I’ve been there ever since. It has now been 10 years.”

Transitioning from hobbyist to professional came with its own set of challenges. “The most challenging part is not being able to do everything yourself,” Sanit explains. “At WETA, there are a lot of departments, and they all have to work together to make every work. Whereas in personal cosplay, I am a one-man band and have to do it by myself. So it was very important for me to know what the department before me did and what the department after me needed me to do.”

Sanit’s first project at WETA holds a special place in his heart. “2017 Power Rangers. This was my first ever project/film in the costume department. My role was to do prototyping. I grew up in the ’90s, and one of my favorite TV shows was MMPR. And my favorite Ranger was the Red Ranger. To my surprise, my first job was to prototype the red suit! I was super excited and was so nervous at the same time.”

Another standout moment was designing Namor’s armor for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. “The biggest compliment that I could get is when my fellow makers wanted and were willing to make the costume I worked on. It shows that we did great work and we were able to inspire people. Even those who were a bit mad at me for not telling them I worked on it while they were making it. Hahaha.”

For cosplayers dreaming of turning their passion into a career, Sanit offers some valuable advice. “Don’t just make what everyone is making. Pick something that has never been made before. Like pick a character from a comic and go through the process to turn the 2D image into a 3D wearable costume. To show off all the skills you need to work in the film industry.”

He also emphasizes the importance of perseverance and creativity. “Don’t wait! If you have friends who enjoy making, make your own film… YouTube is an amazing platform to get your work out there.”

Finally, when it comes to portfolios, Sanit says, “Don’t just have finished costumes and props photos. Have some process photos too. Explain what went well and what issues you had to overcome.”

Reflecting on his journey, Sanit is full of gratitude for the people who supported him along the way. “We had a dream, and we worked hard to get to where we are now. But we did not do it alone. We had a lot of help from our mentors. So much support from our families and friends. Now get out there and make them proud.”

From crafting costumes in his living room to shaping some of the most iconic designs in cinema, Sanit Klamchanuan’s journey is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance. His story proves that with hard work and a willingness to stand out, even the loftiest dreams can come true.

Originally written for Colin Magazine Edition 10