Introduction - What is it like being a Cosplayer?

Hello! My name is Zoe and I have been cosplaying for about 1 year. I have always embraced the arts and have been creating things since as long as I can remember so making the transition into cosplay was actually quite natural for me. Being a cosplayer allows me to combine a very wide array of artistic techniques and, with them, create something I can then step into and become. The real me has always been rather shy and awkward but, by becoming a certain character, I am given the rare opportunity to step into the shoes of someone else for awhile. To me cosplay has been a great gift as it has given me an enormous amount of self-confidence in both myself and the art I create.

What are your next goals?

I am actually in the process of taking my cosplay in a whole new direction which, I feel, has an incredible amount of room for growth. My new costumes will be based on fanart character versions with a focus on Neo-Victorian/Steampunk inspired designs.

Cosplay Characters

Over the past year I have cosplayed Fionna (Adventure Time), Elizabeth (Bioshock), Moxxi (Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel), Loki, Dark Phoenix (X-men), Rei Ayanami (Neon Genesis Evangelion), Black Cat (Spiderman) , Stocking (Panty and Stocking), Rainbow Dash (MLP), Catherine (Catherine), Black Widow, Super Girl, Noel Vermillion (BlazBlue), Seras Victoria (Hellsing). Needless to say, its been a busy year!

What does Cosplay mean to you?

To me cosplay is about self confidence, having a passion for the things you love, and creating art. Since there are no definitive guidelines as to the exact "how" of cosplay, it is fantastic to meet others at cons and discuss how we've each solved the many crafting challenges of the trade. I feel like this creates a very artistic community of people, not only passionate about a sub-culture, but also very dedicated to creating things around it.

Who have been your biggest influences/role models/mentors?

My biggest cosplay roll model is Eve Beauregard because shes stood out to me since the very beginning of my cosplay endeavors. Her focus was not about gaining popularity but about artistic craftsmanship and creating a community of like-minded people based around a firm foundation of respect. The internet can be a scary place sometimes but I admire her because she really strives to create a safe place for her friends and followers.

Do you have any advice or suggestions for upcoming Cosplayers?

The best advice I can give new cosplayers is to "just stick with it". Creating costumes can be difficult and will challenge you in ways you didn't expect but, in the end, its all about building your skills and having fun.

What is the most negative experience you've dealt with while cosplaying, and how did you handle it?

The most negative experience I've dealt was actually when I was announced as the winner of the Borderlands:The Pre-Sequel contest for my Moon Moxxi. Winning on its own was one of the best experiences of my life but the comments online from people about my costume and portrayal were incredibly disheartening. I realized in the end that it really didn't matter what any one else said about my costume because I poured my heart into it and was incredibly proud of what I was able to accomplish. At the end of the day its only about how YOU feel about your costume that truly matters.