Cosplay is a chance to pay homage to characters that you admire or relate to on some level. It also allows you the opportunity to place a different guise than your everyday self. Personally the most important part about cosplay is
the play. You need to play your character, interact with your audience, and enjoy ever moment that comes your way.

How do you choose what characters to portray?

There are several thoughts that go through my mind before choosing a character. First, I have love the character or at least admire them in someway. Secondly, I want to believably portray that character. Being that I’m very petite try to stick with smaller body types, even at the expense of not cosplaying characters I love. I don’t feel that I can do them enough justice, so step back and allow someone else to take my place. Thirdly, I want to make sure my seamstress skills are ready and able for the challenge. I’m not a master seamstress and everything I know is self-taught, I try to stick with stuff that is eye-catchy but also not insane for me to complete. Lastly, I want to be able to act out my character well enough. I love when pictures come out completely in character, whether it’s silly, serious, or sad, it is truly important to make all photos memorable.

Do you have any advice for young or less experienced cosplayers who are getting involved in cosplay?

My biggest piece of advice would be to have fun. No matter what happens, if you’re losing your mind about a masquerade idea, your costume isn’t the way you wanted it to look, the outcome of your photo shoot wasn’t stellar, or no one who you’re cosplaying remember to have fun. Ever moment in cosplay is a moment meant to be remembered.

Now this will sound silly but read, research, and ask questions. I didn’t go to school to learn how to sew, but everything I know right now is because of those three things. I was lucky enough to acquire certain skills rather
quickly because I’m crafty and a research hound. I love to read so I immediately I started to look for books and I have the bible Vogue Sewing which I refer to often. I feel this is a bit of advice even for more advance cosplayers; it never hurts to pick up a book or ask a question. In fact it will only make you stronger and more informed.

What’s your favorite costume and why?

My favorite costume is easily Sohma Momiji. Momiji is very happy-go-lucky and affectionate, but he also deals with some dark, depressing issues. He shows this face of happiness all the time because he doesn’t want his friends to get sad. He truly is a character that speaks completely to me.

Aside from his characteristics this was the first costume that I constructed completely. I made the shorts, top, and even the hat. I was very proud that I was able to complete something from simple strips of fabric and spools of
thread.

What the hardest part of being a cosplayer?

One of the hardest things about being a cosplayer is the planning and time management. I have a very demanding job, which takes away a lot of my time. I usually find myself rushing often to complete costumes and after this year
I have completely decided it is time to change. I need to start things earlier and earlier, to keep myself happy and sane.

What is the funniest thing that ever happened to you while cosplaying?

The funniest thing happened during Otakon this year while I was wearing Haruno Sakura from Naruto. I was walking around the streets after getting some lunch with a friend. As we were walking a SUV with about four guys
passed by and they started to check me out. I was taken aback, because I was wearing Sakura for Pete’s sake it wasn’t my most alluring costume, and these guys were really trying to flirt with me. They were telling me that I had an interesting outfit and what was going on, all of which I ignored. Finally they were holding up traffic and I simply told them to keep on with the flow of traffic and have a nice day. They laughed and shook my head in absolute
disbelief. Afterwards I really began to wonder why Sakura because some of my costumes were considered sexier, but in cosplay nothing ever makes sense.