Get to know Alston Stephanus and Eren Schifferling
One look at their pictures and it’s clear: Alston Stephanus and Eren Schifferling have a thing for the eccentric, morbid, and bizarre. The catch is they pull off whatever theme you throw at them to the upteenth degree.
From sculpting their own home into a space any Victorian-era power couple would envy, all the way to their kaleidoscopic wardrobe, their vintage lifestyle is an instant eye-catcher. Focusing on mid to late Victorian and Edwardian fashion, the couple painstakingly restore each antique gown and suit they acquire to their former high-class glory.
Dapper couple
Alston is the Creative Director for A5 Accessories, a luxury accessories company founded in 2005, while Eren is an established sketch artist and painter. Together, the couple handcrafts and selects every detail of their lifestyle together.
Love for their Victorian and Edwardian aesthetic transfers into their passion for cosplay, incorporating a distinct style from any vintage era and adding whimsy into their designs. Cosplay styles include 1920s Manny and Gypsy from A Bug’s Life, Lumiere and Babette from Beauty and the Beast.
According to Alston and Eren, their vintage-inspired lifestyle is not so much about idealizing the past but celebrating the timeless nostalgia that inspires them and contributing to a community that is inclusive, diverse, and body positive.
In their own words, “We chose 1850-1915 to be our living aesthetic, from home interior to fashion, we love it all, but we leave the values of that era in the past. By elaborating on the best this age has to offer, we feel we are keeping something special alive.”
International living
As one would imagine, Halloween is nothing less than prime time for the couple. In the past, they have outfitted themselves in textbook precise Mojo Jojo, HIM, and Gomez and Morticia Addams attire with makeup to match. This year, the couple plan to dress up as characters from one of their favorite Tim Burton films, Beetlejuice and Lydia.
The sight of a Victorian era enthusiast in 2021 is a head-turner anywhere outside of a Sherlock Holmes film set. To see two enthusiasts, in Indonesia of all places has made for an adventurous existence for the couple and their animals.
In their own words, their obsession does not hold them back from daily life while wearing their antique or historically accurate replica designs. They live with their dogs, cats, rats, reptiles, fowls, and insects. As plant enthusiasts, Eren collects succulents and cacti while Alston feeds his carnivorous plants and tropical ferns.
Get to know Alston Stephanus and Eren Schifferling
Alston Stephanus and Eren Schifferling are Indonesian cosplayers who have built recognition through precision, character fidelity, and a strong visual understanding of pop culture performance. Operating within Southeast Asia’s rapidly expanding cosplay scene, both are known for treating cosplay not as casual dress-up, but as a hybrid of costume design, character study, and visual storytelling.
Indonesia has become one of the most active cosplay hubs in Asia, fueled by anime, manga, gaming, K-drama, and Western franchise fandoms. Within this environment, standing out requires more than enthusiasm. Craft quality, accuracy, presence, and consistency matter. Stephanus and Schifferling have earned attention by meeting those standards repeatedly, both at conventions and through online platforms where cosplay now lives far beyond the event floor.
Alston Stephanus is recognized for clean execution and disciplined character interpretation. His cosplay work often emphasizes sharp silhouettes, accurate materials, and controlled posing. Rather than relying on excess or gimmicks, Stephanus focuses on visual coherence—ensuring that costume, makeup, posture, and expression align with the source character. This restraint gives his work a polished, editorial quality that translates well to photography and digital presentation.
Stephanus is particularly attentive to detail. Armor builds, tailoring, and prop finishes are handled with care, avoiding shortcuts that can undermine credibility. His approach reflects a respect for source material and for the craft itself, which resonates strongly within serious cosplay communities. Whether portraying anime protagonists, game characters, or darker anti-hero roles, his work maintains consistency in tone and execution.
Eren Schifferling brings a complementary energy rooted in performance and presence. While equally committed to costume accuracy, Schifferling leans more visibly into character embodiment. Facial expression, movement, and attitude play a central role in his cosplay style. His work often feels cinematic, as if extracted from a scene rather than a static pose. This makes his cosplays especially effective in photoshoots and short-form video.
Schifferling’s strength lies in transformation. He is known for disappearing into characters, using body language and expression to sell the illusion. This performative edge adds depth to familiar designs and helps his work stand out in crowded convention spaces. His cosplays frequently balance intensity with control, avoiding exaggeration while still delivering impact.
Together, Stephanus and Schifferling represent two complementary philosophies within cosplay: precision and performance. Both approaches require discipline, planning, and a deep understanding of character. Their success reflects how cosplay has matured into a serious creative practice, particularly in Indonesia, where competition is high and audiences are increasingly discerning.
Social media plays a critical role in their visibility. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok allow Indonesian cosplayers to reach global audiences, bypassing geographic limits. Stephanus and Schifferling curate their presence carefully, favoring strong visuals over volume. This selective approach reinforces their reputations as cosplayers focused on quality rather than constant output.
Their work also reflects cosplay’s evolution into a broader creative economy. Professional photography, brand collaborations, convention appearances, and sponsored content are now common pathways. Cosplayers like Stephanus and Schifferling operate at this intersection—where fandom meets creative labor—without losing credibility within the community.
What makes them notable is consistency. Trends shift quickly, but disciplined execution remains visible. By prioritizing craft, character integrity, and visual clarity, both have positioned themselves as reliable, recognizable figures within Indonesia’s cosplay scene.
Alston Stephanus and Eren Schifferling are not defined by a single character or franchise. They are defined by approach—measured, intentional, and grounded in respect for the art form.
