Cosplayer Interviews-Ashley

Today I’ m glad to have Ashley here and attend our cosplayers interview! Ashley, an outgoing girl, loves to hang out with friends and make some cosplay stuff. To her, role playing is not just a hobby. During her cosplay time, many things have been learned. Let’s share her fantastic cosplay world together! Ok, welcome Ashley.

1.Please Introduce yourself first?
Hello my name is Ashley. I go by rinchansflower and sometimes Ukraine.

2.What does cosplay mean to you?
Dressing up in fun costumes and hanging out with my friends. Cons are the few times during the year when I can see my friends from all over. We all get to express our love for our favorite series and catch up. I love getting the chance to make and create these outfits.

Ashley as Kotobuki Tsumugi

3.What was your first cosplay?
My very first cosplay was Yuki Cross from Vampire Knight. I didn’t make the costume, I had it commissioned. But after that it sort of ignited my love of cosplay and it made me want to learn to sew myself.

4. Does your family supports your cosplay?
My parents are wonderful, supportive people who love me. They don’t really get the whole cosplay aspect of my life, it’s a different world for them. While they’re not crazy about cosplay, they love and support me and that’s what matters.

5. What is your most memorable cosplay experience?
Probably some of the gatherings that I’ve been to. I can’t really name one in particular, but the best part about cosplaying is meeting other people who love the same series you do. Getting the chance to take photos with them, re-enacing some of your favorite scenes from it. I’ve met some close friends from gatherings.

6. What are your 2011 cosplay plans?
Right now I only have Claudia Auditore from Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood and Kamila from Ghost Trick planned. I’m not sure what con I’ll go to after Otakon, my list is way too big to narrow down right now. So I’ll just focus on those two for now.

Ashley as Kamila

7. Have checked your etsy shop, Honekoneko is really cute, so why you wanna make it,any special reason?
I just finished watched Panty & Stocking at the time, and I realized I had all the material sitting around. So I just ended up making a few of them. I have one for myself that I keep, whenever I make a plush I always make the first copy for myself and then whatever extra I might have I’ll sell off. But the doll in the series was so cute and I like having cute plushes!

8. Any other cosplayers you like?
Some of the cosplayers I love to death are Tofu, Leesers, HayabusaKnight.
Some of the cosplayers that really inspire me are Avi, Flowery and Miri.

9. Do some changes happen to you after cosplay?
I’ve learned how to sew, which is a major plus. But it’s given me the chance to meet so many amazing people and learn a whole new craft, while still continually learning more about it.

10. Any advices you wanna share with cosplay newbies?
Your first costume may not turn out to be the best, but that’s okay. It’s not about having the most amazing costume. You put your work into it, and you get better and better with each one. Find a good group of level headed friends to hang out with. They really help make your cosplay experience good.

Cosplayer Interviews-Alita

Today, we are honored to have Alita attend Cosplayer interviews program. In 2003, Alita cosplayed Son Pan from Dragonball GT and begun her cosplay life. For her, cosplay does not just mean a fantastic costume. An awesome skit is required. Ok, let’s welcome Alita and start our interview.

1.Please Introduce yourself first?
Hi! My name is Alita and I’m an cosplayer based in Sydney, Australia who’s been creating costumes for around 8 years now. I strive to make bigger and better costumes each year, usually with the help of my cosplay partner Ailee. I love to test the boundaries of costume making, by always wanting to present something that few people, or no one at all, has been able to achieve whether it’s the technical aspect of a complicated costume, or the entertainment factor of a good skit.

2.What does cosplay mean to you?
It’s bringing to life the imagination. Alita doesn’t believe that it’s enough to only have a fantastic costume, you need to make an awesome skit to go with it, cosplay should be stage production and to steal a slice of life from your chosen universe. A cosplayer’s duty is to bring to life something otherwise unattainable, to drag it into reality and make it their own. Most of all though, it should be fun.

3.What was your first cosplay?
Back in 2003 I dressed as Son Pan from Dragonball GT and did what everyone did when they first cosplayed, cut my own hair like her…. used no make up… store bought some pants and some belts, and modified a small red shirt. It wasn’t really tragic as it was a simple costume, but looking back it’s amazing how far the cosplay scene in Australia has come since then.

4. Does your family supports your cosplay?
Tolerate would be the correct term, but I keep it strictly as a hobby, school and work always came first for me.

5. What is your most memorable cosplay experience?
Last year I planned a trip for Japan where at Fuji-Q theme park there had been announced an SCALE VERSION of the hanger bay of Evangelion (link here) and the entry plug in a magical place called Evangelion world (http://www.fujiq.jp/eva/). As Neon Genesis Evangelion is one of my favourite animes, I decided this was the time for me to attempt the Evangelion Shinji plug suit and I would then drag it all the way to Japan so I could sit in that entry plug and fulfill my life’s dream of ultimately, being the first cosplayer to have a perfect Shinji plugsuit cosplay. So I carried the 3 kg plug suit all the way to Fuji-Q japan, got there at ridiculous-o-clock-9AM (the theme park opened at 8:30), and beat all the crowds to get into that area.

The entry plug itself is an awesome bit if furniture which you had to pay 1000 yen ( $12) to get ONE photo with from one specific angle. The Japanese treated it almost like a hazard as it was surrounded by crash mats, had handlebars for the TWO STEPS that it took to board it and it generally looked pretty dopey in real life. I thought it was the coolest thing ever. My complete non-anime-fan friend who was with me had to live with the shame of a me getting into cosplay striding around this theme park attraction in my plug suit, then had to watch me haggle with the photographer to see if she would allow me to take my own pictures with the entry plug. She agreed in a manner which said,”do not encourage the freaks” and waved me on. And I proceeded to fulfill my life on dream. The results of which are here. It was like a pilgrimage to the heartland of cosplay.

6. What are your 2011 cosplay plans?
This year I’ve already completed a light-up version of Quorra from Tron Legacy using EL wire and eva skin foam pictured here. But I also have a few costumes lined up. Psylocke from X-men in which I shall be draglicious, give myself tons of fake boobs from chicken fillets and pad my ass like a drag queen in order to look toon-fresh. The pilot from Interstellar 5555, and later in the year, myself and Ailee will do our third Ghibli cosplay where we shall cosplay characters from Ponyo and I will be Fujimoto the wizard of the sea.

7. Notice you made Sephiroth cosplay,amazing! So share more details about this cosplay :o)
Sephiroth was an endurance cosplay, made within two months. I was very particular about getting the details of this costume correct as many cosplayers have done it, but there would always be one element slightly off. I also made the costume with the intention of reusing the wings we had previously made for Howl’s Moving Castle for Sephiroth’s one wing, so the coat itself had to be installed with a invisible zipper so I could slot in the wing when it was needed. I made from scratch almost every piece in this costume surprisingly. The ‘armour pauldrons’ we made out of toy helmets (I am blessed with tiny shoulders) which were re-carved and resprayed. The other armour was made with eva-foam. The buckles of Seph’s coat were made out of sculpey painstakingly to match. I adore the coat I made as it was fully finished, lined and the collar is 100% accurate.

The biggest mistake I think, for this costume, was that I left buying the boots until the very last minute. And then, ingeniously (or tragically) decided I could simply make the boots despite the fact I only had two days left. But I did. I carved out platforms out of foam. Sewed together boot covers for thigh high boots and the belts for them in under 8 hours and glued on the rubber bottom etc. I’m still not sure what kind of high I was on to finish them in such a short time.

8. Any other cosplayers you like?
I think the Australian cosplay scene has thrown out some great cosplayers in recent years. I of course think the highest of my cosplay partner as she’s been dragged into cosplay by me and constantly impresses me. Her Darl Howl cosplay: alita-b-angel.deviantart.com and her Siren costume from Tron Legacy beethy.deviantart.com are both stunning. My fellow deviants Queencattabby: queencattabby.deviantart.com, Amenokitarou: amenokitarou.deviantart.com and K, Aly, Glorflindel, Sierra, Jill: cescat.deviantart.com to name a few are a great testament to the strength of Aussie cosplay.

9. Do some changes happen to you after cosplay?
Every cosplay is a new set of challenges and I always learn something new. I now know how to rewire electricity, make a wolf puppet, craft wings and gigantic robots. It’s taught me you’re only limited to your imagination.

10. Any advices you wanna share with cosplay newbies?
Use each costume to teach yourself something, nothing is unachievable if you give it your all. Cosplay should be couture, you’re making a one of a kind costume fitted only to you, it should be be perfect and special. But even if it isn’t it , have a laugh wear your mistakes because you know, it should still be fun.

How to Crossplay (Male to Female)?

Male-to-female crossplay requires males to dress up as female characters. But this is unequal to easily put on a woman’s dress. To make up to cover male features like joint, shoulder breadth and facial form is necessary. Substantial items are needed to help males seem more beautiful. Also, attire and makeup are essential. Males who plan to crossplay don’t need to be pretty and slim. Here I list some tips, just grasp those tips.

pic from: deviantart

Tip 1: decrease differences between males and females’ physiques.

1. Body silhouettes between men and women are different. Females’ faces and body outlines seem curvilinear. But silhouettes on males are straight. To fit into women’s wear, fat males need to lose weight firstly. Besides, men can make their waists much slimmer and asses as protruding as women’s by exercise.

2. Women have less body hair than men. Exuberant body hair will damage the beautiful sense. It’s a must to deal with body hair on some exposed parts and especially beards.

3. Hair is a symbol for females. It’s often said to be life for females. Long hair is a symbol for femininity. Men can remain long hair or put on a cosplay wig to accent the feminine sense.

Tip 2: choose the costume.

1. Select the underwear. Even though underwear can’t be seen when clothes are put on, males are asked to wear a bra to show up the shape of chest. Thus, undergarment becomes a must-have item in women’s wear. Males can fill something into the cup to make their chest as plump as they want. But an extremely large breast will seem unnatural. Cup C is okay. Silk stockings can make legs seem more slender and wearers will also seem much sexier. In this case, you don’t need to unhair too.

Tips: You may need the quick start tutorial on how to make fake big boobs.

pic from: cosplay.com

2. Select clothes to conceal males’ body outlines.

i. Make wide shoulders seem narrower. Avoid wearing skinny jeans or dresses. Choose dresses with ribbon or lace clothes that seem lightsome and dreamlike. A harmonious volume between the waistline and shoulders will help you seem better.

“Alice transsexuals group” from China

ii. Hide knees and ankles. Males’ features are easily discovered on knees and ankles. In any case, men’s knees and ankles will seem stouter. It’s of great necessity to hide them while wearing women’s wear. The simplest way is to wear trousers like jeans. Besides, wear shoes that make ankles less obvious, like tall boots. Knees will be seen anyhow while wearing dresses. Just put on stockings.

iii. Hide the shape of hands. Gloves are the best method. If the cosplay role doesn’t wear gloves, you can wear a large bracelet, which helps your hands seem smaller.

iv. Select the cosplay wig. Men with lanky face shapes will make their faces seem rather long if using long wig. Thus, they should choose middle or short wig that reaches to the shoulder. If the wig color is bright, the volume of hair will become much bigger. Thus, choose wig with less hair.

Tip 3: Make up.

Huge transformations can be made by cosmetics, which will totally change people’s images. To make the facial silhouette more obvious or to make men with dark skin tones seem more feminine, making-up is a must. Below is a frequently used cosmetic checklist. Make sure you have already gotten them ready first of all.

Mirror
Eyebrow tweezers
Eyebrow cut
Makeup cotton
Facial tissues
Cosmetics case
Facial cleanser
Makeup remover
Freshener
Color corrector
Foundation make-up
Concealer
Sponge
Lipstick
Lip brush
Lip liner
Lip gloss
Eyeliner
Eye shadow
Eye black
Eyebrow pencil
Blush
Blusher
Nail polish

How to use these cosmetics can be learned from make-up forums. Then, pay special attention to these points:

1. More obvious edges can be seen on males’ faces. To emphasize these edges while making up will make the appearance more chiseled.

2. Foundation make-up can help the complexion seem whiter. But don’t make it so white that a big difference forms among face, neck and shoulders. This won’t seem natural.

3. Spots and pockmark on face can be hidden by concealer.

4. Men’s eyebrows are thicker and darker than women’s. To tweeze or draw the eyebrows by eyebrow pencil to be thinner is better.

Tip 4: Notice the gesture while going out.

Gender can be distinguished not only by face, but also by figure, attire, hairstyle, movement and gesture. That is to say, even though you are rather masculine and tall, you can well dissimulate and become rather feminine.

1. Make your body shape feminine. Bra and filler can make a plump chest. Corrective underwear can help the hip seem perfectly round. Corset can make the waist more slender. Underskirt can be used to hide the hipline.

2. Make your gesture feminine. Stretch the waist and look at the front horizontally. Don’t split your legs to be too wide. Walk slowly and lightly. Keep legs together while standing and sitting.

3. Take photos. Hide defective parts while taking a photo, such as shoulder width, elbow, knees, hands and height. Keep arms on the back and lean on the wall; you can hide your arms. When the picture is taken with camera placed around your knees, you will seem rather slim and shoulders will seem much narrower. Like this picture below.

A book named “Wanna be a pretty girl!” and a program called “Josou Paradise” in Japan show us useful tips on male-to-female crossplay.

Follow Miccostumes Blog you can get more about cosplay like 10 Cosplay Ideas to Stand out in 2020, 5 Cool Couple Cosplay Ideas for Valentine’s Day, Nezuko makeup tutorial, Greg teapot hat tutorial, etc.