Hey Jenna, I’m going through the images, and saw yours again and I wonder about your outfit. Can you tell me more about it ? How long did it take ?I don’t think I saw one as detail as yours so interested to find out more info !
The costume is from an MMO called Granado Espada. My character is a musketeer.
Putting the costume together took about 8 months. Though the planning and arranging took about three months before that. Its funny, I had started sewing the costume about two years ago but half way through I decided it looked awful and I needed to start all over. So I did, and I am glad of it. I learned from the mistakes I had made with the first attempt at the costume and ended up with something I am much more proud of.
The costume is made up of cotton fabric, poly satin, wonderflex, corset boning, model magik, lace and time.
I made the entire costume sewed from scratch from head to toe apart from the wig and the 6” leather boots.
When I began on the costume I had only made two others, and they are both very plain and simple. Not a lot of detail. Robin Sena from Witch hunter Robin and Toph from Avatar. So this time I wanted to go all out and push what I could do to the limit. I am very pleased with how it turned out. The next step on the cosume is to make her duel weilded golded guns, and her black feathered wings. Exciting!
I’m always impressed with cosplayer who devote so much into their creations. I take it you’ve cosplay for a number of years already ? And curious how you got into the scene.
Actually, I have only been cosplaying for about four years. All four of those years however I have been making my own costumes. Every convention I premiere a new costume. I am currently working on a dark elf costume from an MMO called Rohan. I hope to improve my skills with every new cosplay I do.
I started watching anime when I was really young. So I have always been intrigued by the fantasy worlds protrayed in the different anime series’ as well as many video games. I am a gamerchik to the end. When I hit college I befriended some other people who shared the same interests. A few of those new friends happened to be cosplayers. When they first explained the idea of cosplaying to me I have to say I was pessimistic, the concept sounded silly. But I quickly warmed up to the idea and began my first cosplay: Robin Sena from Witch Hunter Robin. And from there I went on to do Toph Bei fong from Avatar, Sniper Wolf from MGS, and a musketeer from Granado Espada
I could tell there’s a lot of detail in your outfit….oh, funny thing, I found a photo of you from the previous day and didn’t recognized you until I looked at the names….makes me realized maybe I DON’T even know what the cosplayers I photograph even look like !
Okay, next question, I have to admit, your outfit looks like it takes a lot of work and it looks dang professional to me. What did you do to get to where you are today ? I mean, were you always good with your hands ?
I know! Its crazy how different a Cosplayer can look from costume to costume.
Yes, there is a lot of detailing my Granada Espada costume. The costume took a lot of planning and like I said before…I messed up a lot before I got anything right.
I would make something, like the blue corset that slips under the top layer of the tunic. I messed up on that numerous amounts of times. But each step of the way if I wasn’t completely happy, I would seam-rip and do it again. The tunic and the capri pants were the only things that I didnt mess up on too much. But everything else, the armour, the gloves, the greives, the corset. I did plenty of tweaking until I was satisfied.
As far as being good with my hands, yes. I have lots of hobbies that involve the use of my hands. Along with costumeing I do some art on the side. Drawing and painting, fantasy and anime mostly. I hope to have my own booth at conventions within the next two years. I am also bi-lingual. I know you’re thinking what does being bi-lingual have anything to do with my hands. Sign language has been a big part of my life for at least seven years. I actually was going to school to become an Interpreter for the Deaf before I decided on a diferent path.
I have only been sewing for about 4 years but I picked up on the skills and techiniques quickly. Now I make anything from cosplay costumes to halloween outfits to rennisance garb.
So what does cosplay mean to you and do you have any future costume plans ?
I love to be creative. Sewing new costumes and premiering those costumes with thousands of other people who appreciate and love it as much I do is phenomonal. I love going to the conventions and snapping pictures of all the other Cosplayers. From my favorite characters to some costumes I don’t recognize. Especially if they are done well!
My future costumes include the a dark elf from the MMO Rohan and the new Harley Quinn from the new batman video game. Beyond that I am putting together a costume based off of a completly original print. After that, who knows. I am always looking for new, interesting costumes to create. I am very excited for my next convention!
Thanks Jenna !