Introduction - What is it like being a Cosplayer?

I'm Ginger! I

What are your next goals?

I've been working on both of Queen Elsa's outfits for the past year, so I'd really like to finish those up. I also plan to make Codex (from the Guild) for Magfest in January next year. Beyond that, it's anyone's guess. Who I cosplay depends on several factors such as the difficulty of the cosplay, the time I have before the convention, the theme of the convention, friends I plan to meet up with, and more.

Cosplay Characters

Avatar Kyoshi (Avatar: The Last Airbender) Lust (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood) Queen Regina (Once Upon a Time) Princess Luna (My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic) Catwoman (DC Comics) Penny (Dr Horrible's Sing Along Blog)

What does Cosplay mean to you?

Cosplay is a way for me to express an appreciation of the characters I love most. It gives me a way to be someone else for a day. It's an addictive hobby that I spend way too much money on. It's being so frustrated with a costume piece that I yell at it. It's meeting new people who share the same interests as you. It's spending the weekend at a convention coming back too tired to work the next day. It's learning how to gracefully accept compliments on your handiwork. It's taking care of yourself so you look as fantastic as your costume does. It's travelling and getting to see new places. It's... slowly taking over my life. In the best way.

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

There are so many that I can't keep track. I draw inspiration from so many different cosplayers. In particular, though, I'd say that Stella Chuu is one of my main inspirations. She's down-to-earth and forward, doesn't make apologize for being herself, and makes incredibly beautiful cosplays.

Do you have any advice or suggestions for upcoming Cosplayers?

Don't be discouraged. Try everything. If you don't know how to do it, Google it. Figure it out. Plan ahead. Give yourself more time than you think you need. When it comes down to it, cosplay is about having fun. Do it how you want to. If that means poring over tons of reference photos to get the clothes screen-accurate, do it. If you prefer to do a closet cosplay, more power to you. Want to cosplay a character as steampunk, post-apocalyptic, an original redesign? Perfect. Find out how you like to cosplay and do it.

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

I've been very fortunate in that I've never had anyone insult, degrade, or harass me, but I've seen it done to others. This past weekend, I was wandering around a convention with a friend dressed as Black Cat. A guy came up to her and asked for a picture, "inadvertently" putting his hands near her chest for them, and hung around afterwards asking her if she was single and where she lived. She was visually uncomfortable, so I pulled her away to look at some of the merchandise on sale and thankfully that was the end of it. It's important for everyone to step in if they see a cosplayer in the middle of an uncomfortable situation. I always will.