Me and my boyfriend are happy to announce we will be attending again this year. I have already got my cosplays decided and even making some damn good progress this year! We will be staying at the Scarman.
I have managed to get Akari Kanzaki from Battle Athletes Victory done for LAGC February this year. Sadly I don't have many pics yet so I dont plan to do a 'Lets Cosplay' of her until I get a shoot done. She was a pretty simple one to make, with it being no more than a crop top and a leotard. Hopefully pics when the weather warms up.
Just to make it clear, I never really felt that I really fitted in into the AL events. I always felt out of place, and to be honest I felt that I belonged in the bar with double vodka in my cup more than I did on the main floor. I needed a little alcohol just to feel relaxed and from experience it seemed to attracted mostly the less experienced (and even more so lesser polite) crowd. After the recent events concerning Mike Towers I am even more so hesitant to go anywhere near the events unless some certain major changes happen.
Now, I don't enjoy being negative about events but to be honest I had more fun drinking in the hotel room in my underwear than spending several hours per day at a number of days at AL events.
A week later I was rota'd off work the following Saturday which conveniently fell on the day where Midlands Expo was happening in Telford, We both had some extra cash so we decided to go. It was much, much, much more relaxing than LAGC. We had done LadyNoir again. Not much can be said about the con itself, just a slow day relaxing and taking it easy with the one I love.
My next event would probably be Em-con, Nottingham. Being my home city I wish to have a costume that slightly obscures my face while giving Ladybug a little break unless my plans don't go ahead for whatever reason. I have recently gotten into Yuri on Ice!! and fell in love with Yurio's Allegro Appassionato costume. I am currently in the process of gathering the materials for the bodysuit (pictured) and experimenting with adding the ombre effect on scraps for the applique, Being metallic Spandex it may be easier said than done but looking at other cosplayers the suit should look stunning even without the pretty effects. I am also doing the track jacket for something comfortable to change into when I need something easier to wear.
My other big costume will be Terra from Final Fantasy 6. I have managed to tie the wig into a high ponytail and in the progress of making the hair accessories. I have a number of ways I am considering the floral design but you will have to wait and see how that turns out! I plan to debut her at Kitacon Quest.
I am also working on Asuka's yellow dress from Evangelion for something easy to wear if the weather get warm. Of course, Ladybug will be returning to Kitacon!
Wigs are defiantly something I would love to have more experience with. When I started out on cosplay I was actually terrified at the thought of even leaving a wig in the same room as a pair of scissors. All I had the guts to do was braiding, clipping in extensions and putting in hair ties.
Now one thing I have been starting to look at is what can I do to achieve certain hairstyles. I am not gonna lie, I still lack confidence to an extent with hair in general but I guess I just need to consider it with a similar mindset to working with fabrics. You just need to be careful to cut it in the right places for the right effect!
One thing I have learned over the years is that wigs are not usually ready to wear. In fact, there is a good chance you will need to give it a good trim and cut bangs as they are often around chin-length so they can be worn by different head shapes.
The base
I decided that Asuka would be a fun cosplay to put together and although the costume itself is still in the works, the wig is now done. I have ordered a 'Alex in Milkshake pink' wig from Coscraft. The bangs were cut and the sides were cut off just above the shoulders. The longer cut-off were kept to one side while I gave the wig a good spray for added volume and a slightly untidy look.
The extension
During the earlier stages, I just simply used a hair tie for the side ponytail to give me a better idea how the wig would look throughout the process. I felt that this made the wig look very flat but thankfully the cut-offs were the PERFECT length for the extension,
I looked online for various tutorials and read a large number of forum posts and decided to go for the caulking method. Sadly I don't have any process pictures but if you looks up 'Wig caulking' there will be a number of tutorials to help you out.
It is basically a process that allows you to make your own wefts. You carefully line your wig strands evenly on a line of masking tape and pop some watered-down decorator's caulk. I had made the mistake of using the type that does now clear but shush :P the hairclip covers it! I rolled them and sewed them together to create a chunk of hair.
The hairclip
This part was actually pretty simple. I began by getting some left over craft foam and shaped then cutting them into wings.I made 2 wings, 1 with the smaller part missing so they overlap and have more of a 3D feel. I took a artist license to this as the wings should have been straighter but I felt I would like to cover where the extension and clips are so thermoformed them to be rounder. I made a cup so the wefts could fit snuggly in it for extra security and scavenged a clip from a cheap child's hairpin to attach it to the rest of the wig! it is then painted white and varnished with PVA glue!
Demand for the most popular anime conventions can be surprisingly high. While less-known events can take months to sell out, it has been known for the bigger events to sell out in less than A HOUR! Thats right! 1 BLOODY HOUR!
Sadly, due to demand increasing with the community getting bigger it can be harder to attend some events. What can be done?
Consider which events you want to attend
Owwie! Thankfully you sign up online for the bigger events so no need for a stampede to get in!
DO NOT WAIT UNTIL LAST MINUTE! This step takes initiative and research. There is no point signing up and paying for a con you might not be able to make due to the high travel costs where you might end up missing out on a event closer to home. Be sure to plan ahead what are realistic destinations and look into accommodation.
Discuss with your friends which events you would like to go
Yes, disagreements may happen, some of your friends might find it too expensive to travel to some events, while some might prefer a smaller con close to home. Then we all have these friends who would rather just go to the major party cons. Dont forget you have this little cousin who is still too young to attend some of the more mature events, but hold the phone! There is a small event the whole family can enjoy in town!
Use Facebook, Twitter and anywhere you can get updates
This is a handy way of making sure you are up to date with any important announcements regarding sign-up dates and changes regarding these. If you are attending an event for the first time, the better the reputation, the faster it might sell out.
If it is a fast-seller, GET IN THERE
Be at your laptop ready and all systems go before the time comes. You might even have to cancel plans if you REALLY want to go to an event. When the form is right in front of you, you do it fast! Don't piss about, not even for a cup of tea (yes, this is coming from a British person). However...
If you don't make it, just apply for the waiting list
Not all is lost, just go onto the waiting list. There will be drop-outs as there will be people who change their minds for one reason or another, You will be contacted if there is a space available for you but remember it is first come first serve.
Paying for your entry
Don't take my word as gospel as each event would have a different set of rules but usually you have 14 days to pay for your entry through PayPal. Failure to do so would result you losing your place and you will have to sign up again. If there is a waiting list you will be placed at the bottom if you reapply.
So Kitacon has come and gone Here is my newest cosplay! I love how she turned out and was a massive learning curve.
I used my Rock Lee costume as a rough guide for the bodysuit. Once I got it all shaped I used fabric paint to paint on the details.
I added some bling by hand gluing rhinestones onto everything that has been painted. I am yet to have a proper estimation of how many there are but as a guess I think there may be well over 3000! Duchess satin and skin toned spandex were used for the finishing touches.The same were used for the sleeves.
The wings are a metal mesh base, cut to shape using strong scissors and gaffer taped on the edges for safety (they edges are really sharp!). Cardboard is used on the edged for sturdyness! Over 1000 white feathers are hand glued individually. The details were blue EVA foam cut and spraypainted gold. Polystyrene balls were painted red for the orbs. Thick elastic was used for the harness but if I have more time I would have considered using the PVC piping method.
The gold wristlets were made of Worbla thermoformed around craft foam for additional thickness. The crowd was a simple headband with a strip of feathers glued on. Shoes are on sale from Primark and I already owned the wig.
I have been dipping in and out of cosplay lately as I have been very busy. I have been balancing work, costume making and being with my boyfriend, and we all know all these take up so much time! At the moment I have been focusing on an ambitious cosplay. I have decided to try to finish Sora from Kaleido Star for Kitacon Karnival!
I have completed the paint work back last July but it felt half baked so much of my free time has been dedicated to covering then with rhinestones in the past week.
Rhinestones, you say!!!?
Thats right! Sometimes for the results you want, following just what is shown in the references doesn't always guarantee it would be enough. Sora is a fantastic example of this. There are like perhaps 3 references of a very similar costume design so it was very fun playing around with it as well as adding my own flair. Sora is naturally a very ambitious, shining character so decided to turn an already complex costume into a labor of love.
At the moment, much of the rhinestones are sized between 2-4mm. They all/will be glued onto painted Spandex (I used Dylon's fabric paints) individually by hand using tweezers and a seam ripper. I used Api's Crafters Pick Jewel bond to glue them on. Sparkly!
I have also been working on Madoka since the start of the New Year. These are the details so far;
Is everyone having fun at AmeChibi? Sadly it will be finishing for the year at the end of today but it has already been announced Amecon would be returning next year on the 29-31 July at the Warwick Arts Centre! Is everyone excited!
Today we will be going back in time a little bit and discuss one of my slightly earlier creations. Although it is defiantly far from one of my favorites it was still one of my greatest learning curves and has taught me alot of what I know about costume making today!
The base of the costume was made from Duchess Satin. Personally I am not a fan of dress satin as it is cheap and creases easily where Duchess Satin has this lovely sheen that doesnt show off every wrinkle. The top took like 4 attenpts before I got it right. In the end I have used an old T-shirt to draw on a rough patten and made a mock up. Thankfully the fabric was super cheap (£2 per metre hell yeah!!!).
The collar and apron were also made of Duchess Satin. The details on the apron were painted using Dylon fabric paint and were painted free hand. I have used hemming tape for the bias tape.
The pendant was sculpted by hand using fimo clay. I began by making the wings for it and done the feathers by hand. I made the body separate and glued them together before painting them in red and gold. The brooches were also fimo clay. The wings on the back were a pair of costume shop wings that were plucked off and reshaped using the same base. I have used wood glue to attach them and they finished so beautifully,
The shoulder poofs were hexagon-shaped bits of fabric that were shaped into pouches and have lots of tulle to poof them out. They both have elastic attached to them right across my back to slip the wings through, functioning as a harness for them as well as parts of the costume.
I hope everyone is having a great day with movies and chocolate! Today I have decided to give my beloved sewing machine a break and enjoy my day day in front of the TV and take it easy.
I have decided that it is time to start putting my work up more often. What better way to start than to show off my most recent work?
'Lets cosplay!' is pretty much an idea derived from the 'Lets plays' that has stormed Youtube but instead of gaming I will give you a run through of my favorite costumes every once in a while.
I have attended Em-Con a few weeks ago in my hometown. Em-con is a annual convention in Nottingham that focuses of Sci-fi and fantasy as opposed to anime. There you can meet various actors from popular series such as Red Dwarf and Game of Thrones. There were also many dealers and artists around. It was a fantastic family event, with tiny Cybermen and little Jedis.
I was expecting it to be a crowded event so I opted for a costume of a character that is well loved, easy to wear and practical to move in when I need to retreat to a quieter place. Rock Lee was planned for Kitacon 2015 but because I was making fast progress with him I thought I'd budge him up ahead.
The weekend was a cold one and it was a chilled out event so we didnt have time to do a 'serious' photoshoot so much of the photos taken were us just messing about.
Several years ago I have brought the legwarmers on Ebay. I didn't have any plans to make the costume at the time but being a Rock Lee fan I had brought them for myself for a little joke and a nod to one of my favorite characters. I became more confident with wearing shorter wigs some time later so there we go!
The bodysuit was just a roll of blue Spandex that I was given for free a year ago. I have decided to make use of it by throwing it in 2 dye baths to achieve the colour. The first bath was by using Jacquards iDye (recommended by my good friend FishyFins) in green and another bath using Dark green Dylon dye. Jacquard's was by far effective but the Dylon gave it a slightly 'greener' hue. I have used my (Knight of Zero) Suzaku costume to help pattern the costume out and a simple green zipper rolls down the back. The collar has been replaced since being worn to Em-con.
The Chunin jacket was by far the most difficult part of the costume. I have adapted the beginning of it from a fleece jacket pattern my friend Katie have copied for me a few years back from Hinata. Though technically relatively simple, measurements were of prime importance getting the proportions right. The fabric was dyed white cotton using Dark Green Dylon fabric paint (same time as the bath for the bodysuit) and wadding was placed around the shoulders, collar and bottom hem. The red spiral was some leftover red PVC from Hikaru and appliqued onto the back.
The wig and forhead protector were also Ebayed. The wig had a ponytail that was cut off and tidied. The forehead protector plate was salvaged from a very cheap one and put onto a strip on polycotton. The eyebrows were coated with eyeliner.
Revisions are underway. I plan to make some new shoes for Kitacon!
I apologise for the lack of activity as life has been pretty hectic lately. It was a jumble of volunteering, costume making, attending Em-con and stuff. Hopefully pretty soon things will settle when I get a job and I can post more again.
Warning: This is written way past midnight so forgive me if any of this sounds like gibberish.
While I have been on-topic a common question that cosplayers ever ask themselves is: is it ever okay to put 'cosplay' on my CV?
What is the purpose of a CV (the UK equivalent to an American resume) is to give an employer an insight to who you are as a worker. This will include you personal details, work history and education and is often a first step for employers to determine your suitability for the role.
We are talking serious business here but at the same time you want to show that you do more in your life than watch Jeremy Kyle and drinking cheap ciders on street corners. As a cosplayer that may be the unlikely case but for someone to just know you on paper they may be unaware that your life is far more exciting that that.
On the flip side, many outsiders are very unaware of the nerdy side to this. Not aware of the many hours you have spent behind the sewing machine getting the seams right or the hours of emboldening they might only see cosplay as a childish and unprofessional hobby. The media shows mixed and sometimes even distorted views on the hobby so watch out!
There is no definite right or wrong answer to this, and the decision varies from person to person. However if you do decide to proceed with it you may want to consider the following:
Be smart! What exactly are you applying for?
Consider how it fits into the job description. If you are going for a seamstress job, theatrical costume designer or a haberdashery/fabric shop then YES!!! However, if you are going for something more serious and reputable like Law or Science then that might be another case.
How would you word it?
One common idea concerning this is that you should avoid using the word 'cosplay' and use something more universally understood such as 'sewing', 'dressmaking' and 'theatrical costume design'. 'Cosplay', to someone who is unaware of the hobby, might sound ludicrous or even a fetish scene so it could be off putting to some potential employers considering that the term is not widely used and understood.
Would you feel comfortable explaining it?
You might be asked to elaborate on that hobby at an interview at some point. While I like to tell my none anime-fan friends that it is simply 'the recreation of attire sourced from fiction', the way I would word it elsewhere may vary depending on how comfortable I am with that person. I often say that 'I do a lot of sewing so I am familiar with different types of fabrics and textures' at an interview for shops that sell soft furnishings or clothing.
Cosplay involves the following:
Careful planning and initiative; ability to plan ahead, budgeting, research and working interdependently.
The drive to meet deadlines, priorotisation, concentration and working under pressure.
Problem solving and creativity.
Ability to use various tools and materials.
Ambition, challenges and confidence.
Willingness and confidence to be around people, especially strangers.
Mathematics.
Actually many jobs will require most, if not all, of the above skills!
With caution cosplay can show that one can be a promising and determined employee. Cosplayers come from all walks of life, many are students and many work too. I'd strongly advise that playing around the terminology and thinking about how you can make sewing sound as if it is in a professional light.
Anyone who knows me well will know that I love entering masquerades!
Being backstage can be very daunting but don't let
it put you off from doing a good show!
At any anime convention you will expect a stage event where cosplayers volunteer to show off their work on stage. Depending on the event some masquerades are competitive where others tend to just be just a little fun. There is alot to them so here is a little guide to help you make the most of them.
A common misconception is that masquerades are only for the best cosplayers. This is, in fact, not true at all. While some cosplayers go to show off their best efforts, entrants often join in for the thrill of it or to simply work on their confidence.
Please not that this guide is aimed for the UK convention scene and many events may have different variations to what may be expected. On YouTube it seems that some countries use the word 'Masquerade' to what we Brits call 'Skits' or the 'Omake'. To avoid any confusion,please read the guidelines for your chosen event.
Pre-registration
Not only they are popular to watch, but they are popular to enter. Naturally there may be a limited number of slots to allow the event to not drag too long (think of the entrants near the back and those behind the mics).
At a certain time before the event there may be a application form you may fill in. Nothing drastic, they just want to know a few details such as your name, character and sometimes even your choice of music. Entrants would often enter their best costume they bring to the con. It would be an absolute waste to wear a PE uniform on stage while you plan to wear this amazing ball gown on the floor. Get a group together if you wish.
Changes and special requirements
If you decide to opt out for any reason or have a new costume planned at any point then please e-mail or inform the event organisers as soon as possible. If you have any special requirements such as wanting to be near friends in the que, health issues or wearing a costume with limited visibility/mobility then it will be a good idea to let them know these things and they will do their best to help you out, such as getting a helper to guide you on-stage if you are unable to see properly.
The atmosphere
Masquerades are often performed on stage in front of a large number of attendees.Being a staple event, expect the majority of the con to be rooting for you! You would often get lined up in a certain order so the person calling your name to get called onto the stage will know exactly who will be on the stage next and you too will be aware of when to be strutting your stuff.
Before the masquerade you will be asked to attend a briefing. They allow the organisers to register who has turned up. You will be given the opportunity to ask any questions at this point aswell and to make changes (I will advise you to email the organisers for anything major). Use this opportunity to soak up the atmosplhere and try to visualise what poses would look great on stage.
The set up varies depending on the event itself; MCM Expos and Alcon have the main stage, Kitacon is well remembered from its glorious catwalk, FushiCon (videotaped below) had the box and AmeCon relays across several rooms. You will always be informed by the set-up by the organisers so be sure to listen to it during the briefing.
Lets make the most of it!
Arriving on-time
On the day you arrive make you read the schedule carefully as there will be what is known as what will be along the lines of 'masquerade preparation'. You MUST make sure you arrive before the designated time. You may be disqualified from the event if you fail to attend. Some event might make exceptions only for those who have entered events in the past but it would help alot if you attend. You are not expected to have you conbags or conbadges at this point so make sure you allow a friend to take care of your stuff for you. It should be just you and your costumes.
At this point there will be a register roll and your names will be called out. This just makes sure that everyone who should be there are present and cross off the non-attendees. You will be given instructions on how and where to pose and be given the opportunity to ask questions. Your names will be called out again to get in line for the que so the names of the participants will be parallel to the names listed when they get called out when you are ready to go onstage!
It is highly recommended that you are dressed ready for the event at this point too bar some quick make-up touches. Is this a judged event?
Remember not all masquerades are judged while sometimes are combined with the contest. Some people have a competitive streak while some just like being on stage. Check with the convention to see if they are the same event or if they are separate. You can even take part in both if you wish!
Staying in character
This is important if you are going to be serious about this. It is generally acceptable to enter just for fun but many of the best photos tend to show personality. If you are dressed up as Guy-sensei, show off some awesome kicks, if you are Princess Tutu and ballet trained, do some lovely ballet poses (or do some good research to get the stances right but please do not go en-pointe if you have not been trained properly!). They do not all have to be signature poses but doing the right poses, walk, expressions and stuff are all signs that you are well connected to the character.
Mess around backstage and make friends
The other entrants will be just as nervous backstage so it is a good time to mingle with other cosplayers and share the joy to help yourself (and others) to calm down. Do Darlek impressions with the electric fans, laugh, joke around and make a mustache using your hair/wig. It may make a massive difference for the good to the girl on the brink of tears (or even nausea). It is a good time to get to know others, which helps distract you from the anxiety.
Even veterans get nervous
Sometimes you will be nervous but there will be times where you are more excited. Sometimes it could be a mix of both so don't let nerves put you off from future events.
Walk with confidence!
This is perhaps the most important thing! You would not slump when you get photographed on the con floor so why should you when you get shot my dozens, if not hundreds of photographers at once? Keep your back straight, strut, keep your chin up! You'll look fabulous so don't let bad posture ruin a good photography opportunity! If you are nervous, fake confidence! The rest of the convention will be behind you cheering and you will get a lot of respect for your guts.
POSING!!!!
To avoid looking like a dork, be sure to plan ahead and have some idea how to pose. This is especially important if you are in a group but if you are going solo you can improvise. This is the opportunity to show that you know the character and doing this properly can get you some extra brownie points from the fans.
Due to the lighting of the room chances are you will look more washed out than usual. To avoid looking like a ghost be sure to tone up your make-up to further promote your finer features. Use plenty of foundation, keep natural looking tones for your eye-shadow and add some warmth to your cheeks too! Food! Glorious food!
Be sure to do this at all times during the con but it is especially important in the masq! With the briefing, wait for the event to start, wait to get up on stage and watching the other entrants it may take a few hours and you will be hungry/dying for a beer by the end of it. The lighting here will be more intense than in the halls so to minimise poor skin showing and the risk of passing out be sure to have a light meal before the event.
Be sure to have a light meal before the briefing. I like to take my time while getting dressed and drinking tea to help calm me down. It will be handy to have a light snack in your room at this case but be sure to eat before getting into costume. It helps to take your time to apply make-up and getting the wig right so it helps stretching the time it takes to get ready. If you don't take care of yourself it will show!
Take your time
Not everyone has fast cameras and some people will be using their smartphones so it is a good idea not to rush if you want the crowd to fully appreciate your work. My favourite way around this is to keep on moving while having poses in between movements. Make a performance out of it, freeze for 5 seconds, show your grace and repeat. The photographers will be grateful for it, the videographers will have some nice footage and you will be happier with the results.
Avoid speaking/shouting unless you are Goku shouting 'KAMEHAMEHA!!!!!!!'
This is more of my opinion than anything. You are unlikely to be given a microphone so your voice will be washed out by the background noise and music. Masquerades are an opportunity to show off your costume and is often seen more as a visual art. You may want to enter the omake instead if you plan to have any dialogue.
It is a quiet Friday night. You have just finished gaming
and nothing exciting is happening on Facebook when you suddenly get a
hypercreative brainplosion when you realize you have some leftover cardboard
tubes, a toy gun and some glue. The convention is not until like 6 months later
but it would be nice to get that rifle out of the way before you advance onto
the sewing.
Later on you have managed to get all of your costumes done
so the last few weeks before the con is going to be a breeze…that is until you
suddenly you realize that not everything will fit in the suitcase! Your clothes
fit in fine, and the same with your costumes. You have managed to put your
toiletries into your rucksack. It is just your rifle you are having trouble
fitting. For starters, it is too big, and even if you can fit it in it would be
far too delicate to stay in such cramped conditions.
Oh dear! You haven’t finished your driving lessons yet so
that is a major no-no and none of your friends are willing to pay the
extortionate parking fees so using a car is out of the question. It is a real
shame as this would actually be the easiest option as you can go straight to
the convention and just leave your stuff in the boot while you travel. You have
decided to go by train. However, you have done such a fantastic job on your
rifle to the point that it could stir up some panic if seen. Many cosplayers
have come across this problem in the past, and there is always a huge number
that will. It is a wonder that so many props make it to the convention in one
piece.
If it is a staff or looks especially harmless (and not
easily broken) you can just carry it by hand assuming you have light luggage.
If this is not the case it would help to pop your prop in a bin liner. You can
consider using bubble-wrap to give it extra protection. Sadly, you lose a hand
to carry the rest of your luggage so either have a friend to help you can
consider packing light to make the journey a pleasant one. Props that are
sheathed onto your back can be carried the same as you would in costume as long
as they would not interfere with you moving about.
If you are transporting something much bigger (like Halo armour
for example), extremely fragile or a specifically styled wig then the practical
option would be to put them into boxes. Smaller boxes can be put into suitcases
so you get the best of both worlds of safety and convenience. It can be a good
idea to play Tetris with parts of costumes and T-shirts to help cushion your
work while at the same time free up space in your normal luggage.
Alternatively, you can make them in a way you can collapse them so they would
be much easier to manage. From experience, I have found that using a clear plastic
bag (particularly the zipped ones where car parts are sold in) is really useful
as not only you can make sure the props are intact, but it also shows other
commuters that there are some fragile objects that they need to watch out for!
Things you might need to consider:
How much walking do I need to do?
How can I make carrying all my stuff more conformable?
Can I handle all the weight throughout the whole time?
How busy would public transport be?
No matter how well you transport your props and regardless
if they survive or not there is also the issue of them breaking during the
weekend. It would be helpful to bring super glue and extra repair supplies in
case such accidents happen. As a last resort you can always ask a family member
to give you a lift if you don’t live too far away.
Cosplay is certainly not without the odd bit of suffering,
whether it is wearing high heels, needles jamming right into your foot and the
odd uncomfortable journey but do not allow that to ruin your chances of having
a good challenge. You’ll arrive and people will see all the work you have put
into everything and you will forget the rage you had to endure.
Please be aware of the rules the convention may hold for props and weapons. Chances are that there will be a size limit and materials will be taken into consideration, and such props may only be allowed for masquerades, competitions and certain photoshoots. Please read the rules before you begin making your weapons (SRS BSNS!!!)
Sometimes you need time to decide on your next costume. Considering time, money and resources it can be at times quite a difficult choice. Their may be numerous costumes you would like to attempt but at times you may need to weigh up the pros and cons of making a costume, such as learning curves and what features of your body you are willing to show.
The good old Sailor Scout uniforms are
excellent examples
Some costumes, while they may seem beautiful on the character, might be a challenge in itself trying to figure out how to make them look good on yourself. Most of us of this world are not born with long and slender legs, eyes the size of dinnerplates and completely flawless skin so if we strive for perfection there are many challenges that we must consider to make the costume look best on yourself.
Despite all of that a common misconception is that a perfect cosplay is in perfect proportions to the character. That on the other hand this is not quite the case as we are born with many body shapes and sizes so it is up to us to decide what looks best for us as we are the ones wearing the costume. If it is the case that the'one size fits all' rule applies strictly on costuming then lots of opportunities to make a costume look even better for yourself becomes wasted, or even not attempted as 'visual perfection' would not be possible in the 3D world.
If you are cosplaying a character that shows leg or stomach and don't with to put these on show as much then you are more than welcome to add a few more inches onto your clothes to better cover problem areas.
Revealing costumes don't just apply to those that are showy on the skin; they can include skin-hugging costumes too. Although they may mimic your own natural body shape it is often pretty easy to wear some foundation garments under the costume to prevent unwanted jiggling and panty-lines. Some fabrics may be more flattering to certain body types. For example, T-shirt fabric might be a possible alternative for spandex for those who are not quite as confident with their bodies as it is thicker but still has a nice stretch. Make sure you don't make anything too tight as fat would bulge, and if they are too loose then the costume would look unfinished.
Now we have gotten the types of costumes I wanted to take a look at, the number one rule rocking any costume is to be confident! If you don't feel comfortable with what you are wearing then it would show and affect your posture and mood, making you appear worse than you feel. Confidence and generally feeling good about yourself would often make any costume look (or at least give the illusion of it)better where slouching and generally being unhappy would make even the most well made of costumes look bad. Don't stress yourself and certainly do not be afraid to challenge yourself every now and then, bring back ups when in doubt and wait until you feel more at ease if you need extra time for weight loss or confidence.
From experience I find, although very uncomfortable, that heels are often a great asset to making a costume more visually appealing. This creates an illusion that the legs appears longer than it seems, making them appear slimmer. However, I suggest that unless you often wear them that they should only be worn for short periods at a time or changed to flats regularly/while going for long walks. Most people will understand if you need to change back into them for photos. Consider putting some time aside that night to pamper your feet as they deserve a break and they would most likely ache that time. Gel cushions work wonders so be sure to prep some before to go to the event! Pantyhose/tights will give your legs a nice sheer and will also give your legs support and hide away imperfections.
At the end of the day, costume making is basically your own interpretation of the design. It is your creation, a result of your own hard work. In other words, be happy with what you do!
OK serious business is done! Time for a happier post where I dont have to be serious. My brain is fried XD
2014 is near it's end! Coming soon will be a new year of cosplay fun! Although Kitacon is not until simmer, there will be a gruelling battle for places on the 1st January! I will be there the minute they open! I will also be attending Em-con, the NAMSOC regional social and maybe Midlands Expo if I am up to it.
I have some ideas for 2015 already but with months before the con and a number of local events coming up they are subject to change. I will defiantly be rewaring Hikaru and I have made a start on a number of projects already.
The first costume I have made a start on for next year is Rock Lee from Naruto Shippuuden. I was in 2 minds at first but I have some blue lycra to use up so I dyed it in green dye for the bodysuit.It was one of those stove dyes but I didnt have one big enough so I threw boiling water into a bucket and it still worked pretty well. I still have some finishing up for it and the wig is already styled. I will be using the flak jacket for Forth Shinobi War Hinata too, who is also well on her way. I also intend to make her Last movie attire. Her wig arrived last week and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!
I also have plans to cosplay Ladybug to go with a friend and zentais are really cheap so I can get her done quickly, and Amy from Suisei no Gargantia, who should be appropiate for the summer heat. I wanna do some more thermoforming so Mushra from Mushrambo is pretty tempting. The anime is a childhood favourite so im looking forward to this one.
I have no idea when, but I would love to being Sailor Jupiter out too. She was on a temporary hiatus due to the gloves being missing but thanks to a good tidy in my room I found them!
I have Justin (Grandia), Rider (Fate/Stay night), a Ranma Saotome remake and bunny-girl Mikuru (Haruhi) half completed in my sewing box so I wonder if I should bring any of these out from the dead?
Everyone is familiar with Naruto, Evangelion, Hetalia and Final Fantasy. Even if you haven't gotten into any of these you can tell who they are from miles away. After all the hard work you have put into your costume you are sure to be recognised and pounced on for photos left, right and centre.
What would you like to get out of cosplay? Do you want recognition or are you just simply masquerading as your favourite character? It is quite natural to think that in order for everyone to notice you maybe choosing a character everyone knows might get everyone's eyes on you and go 'Hey, You are 'X' from 'Lorem Ipsum!' We are all attention seekers to an extent so dont worry, you are not alone!
Every year there will be cosplayers being characters from sources that are 'big in season', recent examples being Frozen and Attack on Titan. 'The more people who know the anime/game/film, the more will recognise me, and the more recognition I'd get the more popular I will be right?'
Surprising it does not always work that way. There can be rivalry among doubles or triples and you may not stand out as much, or it can start friendships depending on how you take it since cosplay on the floor can be quite competitive for the more seasoned lot. For the more easygoing, doubles can provide this sense of relief and joy as you obvious share a love with someone and you can totally geek out at your favourite characters among yourselves. If you are being that character for fun there is absolutely no problem but perhaps standing out from the crowd would help you become noticed. On the plus side, photo opportunities with others from the series are just around the corner.
On the other side of the spectrum there is the option of cosplaying as a character that is little known. Animes such as Slayers, Gargantia on the Verduous planet, Kaleido Star and Sabre Marionette J all have characters with gorgeous and unique costumes. Sadly sometimes cosplayers plan costumes they genuinely would like to do by choosing a character they like but later drop it out of fear for not being recognised. As a result a lot of fantastic costume opportunities become wasted. In fact, my more obscure costumes happened to be the ones with the best reception!
Many experienced cosplayers will be aware that it takes guts and effort to make costumes. They wait for the cosplay contest to start and look at yours in awe, regardless they know the character or no, a fantastic costume IS a fantastic costume. In fact, a lot of costumes I love the best happen to be detailed lesser known ones! 80's and 90's anime have all kinds of themes and lots of detail.
At the end of the day cosplay isnt a popularity contest. You dont have to be the best Mikasa, or have full golden armour. Just do what makes YOU happy.
Before going into cosplay myself I had never imagined it to have such an impact in my life. My life pretty much resolved around the arts back then and now it made me realise that it is pretty much my lifestyle too, not just a phase. I always enjoyed Graphic design, gaming and drawing, and before I knew it I have gotten into costume making and crafts. Now it branched into fashion, game design and make-up too!
Back in late 2007 all I wanted was a friend that I felt could relate to me over my love of art and anime. Thankfully back in the early-mid 00's I was an active member of the AZ:UK forum, a close knit on-line anime community back in the day where anime was relativity unknown to most people in the UK. I have made lots of friends at the time so I was overwhelmed to find out I was not the only one. Although there were plenty of my own species in the virtual world it wasn't until much later where I had found others in my own home town. Sadly living in a small Nottinghamshire village made it very difficult to be myself at times and even when I was in my last job recently there was no way I can be my dorky, silly self without people thinking I am some sort of weirdo.
Thankfully years ago I have found out about AmeCon 08. Like the reckless dumbass I was back then I registered and paid for my space but there was one problem; I still didn't know any anime fans! I have always been a forum nut (still no different today!) so I have spent countless hours getting to know what others and out of a blue found out there was a local cosplay event happening. To make it even better there were a number of people going to Amecon!
May 27th, 2008 just a few minutes after 7PM...that was a the start of meeting some of the best friends I have ever made and 6 years later I still meet a lot of them, at the same place at the same time every week.
I was always socially awkward to the max. I still am pretty shy now but back then much of my life was either at home or at school trying to keep up with my A-levels. As soon as I have gotten to know these people I begun going into town, having cinema trips, helping to organise picnics and even attending other anime conventions during the day. It was a massive leap and looking back I genuinely wonder how I managed to muster up all this courage to meet all these people. Maybe because we have all these geeky things in common I no longer feel like a foreigner in my own country. I now can deal with public transport on my own, go around town without feeling judged and I even had a few retail jobs; that in particular I thought I would NEVER do.
Breaking this social barrier was only the start. It was only the start of the battle to fight against something much greater; my own self esteem!
I was happy with my social life, I attended my first convention and I felt that I am becoming much more independent but I had never realised that being in the convention could be such a double-edged sword.In a way my anxiety levels around people were still an issue. I am bad with crowds and I have begun questioning my sewing skills as most people outside my own circle seem to have been in the scene for years. Being a timid newcomer surrounded by many veterans can be scary for some. Maybe that is what driven me to make this blog as I knew all along I would be completely lost without my friends. I remember watching the masquerade and being in awe as every single entrant looked like they belonged to that stage. No chance I would be able to show off my work with such confidence.
I carried on attending smaller conventions with friends that were more relaxing. As time went, so did my social anxiety and began to feel more comfortable in crowds. I began talking to more people, made some friends from outside my home town, and been inspired by a close friend to begin entering masquerades myself. I never thought that being on stage would feel so...so fantastic! My name gets called and the stage...no, the world becomes my own! People cheering for me, camera flashing everywhere! Oh my goodness I feel like a celebrity! Everyone can see the hours I put into this costume and the cheers completely any negativity in the room. It is wonderful!
Friends, check! Learn to manage social awkwardness, check!
What more can I do? Ah yes! Learn to love myself!
Strangely enough, that was the part that was the most difficult to motivate myself to do, but seem to have the fastest progress once I got into the zone. Much of my previous insecurities was due to my low self esteem. How does one raise their self esteem? Is there a globally agreed way of doing it or is it just simply a result of always doing your best in life.
I began becoming more ambitious with my cosplays, dedicated more time and effort to get things right and even been taking make-up into account. In fact learning cosplay make-up has taught me to become more fashionable in my everyday life and begun experimenting and explored my feminine side. Now I have learned to love myself, my body, my personality. It is very empowering and I am starting to struggle with deciding what would be my next move.
A week later I was rota'd off work the following Saturday which conveniently fell on the day where Midlands Expo was happening in Telford, We both had some extra cash so we decided to go. It was much, much, much more relaxing than LAGC. We had done LadyNoir again. Not much can be said about the con itself, just a slow day relaxing and taking it easy with the one I love.
My other big costume will be Terra from Final Fantasy 6. I have managed to tie the wig into a high ponytail and in the progress of making the hair accessories. I have a number of ways I am considering the floral design but you will have to wait and see how that turns out! I plan to debut her at Kitacon Quest.
