Tell me about the outfit you are wearing – who are you cosplaying and how did you decide to pick this particular character ?
Shana from Legend of Dragoon. I’ve always loved the game and Shana’s Dragoon armor had been a dream costume of mine since I started cosplaying. A friend asked me if I wanted to make the costume with her for Otakon 2009, so I did.
Tell me about the process of making your outfit – was it easier or tougher than you imagine it to be ?
The armor is made from craft foam sheets and detailed using hot glue. It was a really interesting process, and I like how all the raised details came out on all the armor pieces. I used metallic Aqua acrylic paint for the green sections, and a multi-toned Pearlescent paint for the main portions of the armor. Everything is fastened using magnets and lacing. I still need to get the wings together (my first pair were too heavy for the harness I had made). But, I managed to get it all together in just 2 weeks – I was working really really fast!
Any interesting stories from people’s reaction to your outfit at the con ? ^^
My friend and I were being mobbed for pictures just about everywhere we went!
How did you get started cosplaying and what got you interested ?
In 2004, my college friend suggested that I go to a convention and when I did some research, I found that people dressed up as different anime/game characters. I was in theater in high school, so it was a perfect creative outlet for me to start making costumes.
What are the con did you first attended and what’s your favorite con that you’ve attended so far and why ?
My first convention was Ushicon 2005. The best convention I’ve attended so far was AnimeUSA 2009. I ran into so many friends and debuted three new costumes that everyone (and myself) really enjoyed.
What does cosplay mean to you ?
It’s a way for me to display my skill and creativity. It allows me to continually challenge myself in terms of traditional sewing and teaches me new skills and methods. It also allows me to be a great big dork along with my friends, and to show my love for the games I play and shows I watch.
If you had unlimited funds/technology/time, what is your dream cosplay ?
I would love to make the “Just Breathe” gown from Ever After (a movie starring Drew Barrymore). Or if I could learn to forge my own metal armor and make it accurately, Lenneth Valkyrie from Valkyrie Profile (which I’m going to make anyway, just out of craft foam instead).