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Fixy the Fox: I鈥檓 a full-time Furry

10 August 2018

People dressing up as cartoon versions of animals.

On the face of it, not the sort of thing that could present a viable career path for someone ...right?

But costume maker Fiona thought differently. She decided to use the skills she had built up working in the television industry and start a new venture crafting extravagant fursuits for people in the community who dress up as animals – known as Furries.

I'm a full time furry

Fiona makes fursuits for the furry fandom, a subculture who dress as animals for fun.

I love meeting new people 鈥� it鈥檚 just brilliant to be a part of

Fiona has her own Furry persona — Fixy the Fox. She understands why some people create larger-than-life personas when they’re in their costumes, but feels “Fixy’s just me... if I was a giant purple fox!”

Although it is seen as harmless fun by the community, some people see Furries as sexual fetishists.

“You can take anything and make it sexual. One male customer asked me if I could create breasts for his suit, but that’s just weird and wonderful: somebody expressing themselves through their character.”

Most Furries pick a character that represents who they would ideally like to be; the costumes give the wearer the potential to express all of their perfect qualities with none of the negative.

Meeting people outside of their costumes is something that Fiona often finds surprising. They can be happy-go-lucky in their costume, then quiet and reserved in everyday clothing. Fiona’s creations have wield considerable power in lifting the confidence of an individual.

There鈥檚 no judgement when you鈥檙e a Furry

Fiona believes that one of the best things about being a Furry is how free and open the community is.

The fact that you’re wearing a costume means no one judges you on your race or sexual orientation.

“The costume takes all of those things away. There’s no stigma attached to you.”

Fiona herself identifies as bisexual, but says that nobody really cares about who you are or where you come from. The only thing that matters is that someone else is into the same thing you’re are into.

Meeting other people like you

(From 2016) Lincolns, mermaids, and furries: the world of conventions

Other people who dress up for fun

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