Introduction - What is it like being a Cosplayer?

Hi guys! My name is Shelby. I'm a cosplayer in Edmonton, Alberta. I'm a receptionist during working hours, but in my leisure I'm a gamer, anime geek, and music addict. What its like to be a cosplayer.. one part clothing-freedom, one part McGuyver'esque "challenge accepted", a generous dash of "They really like my outfit! So many pictures!!", and garnish with playful escapism.

What are your next goals?

Well, I finally picked up a real sewing machine, so learning how to sew with patterns is next.

Cosplay Characters

Well, my first anime con was Animethon 11, 10 years ago, so ive got quite a list: Sakura (Naruto) Eureka (Eureka Seven) Yuki Nagato (Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya) Hatsune Miku (Vocaloid) Random catgirl Mizore Shirayuki (Rosario+Vampire) Touko (Pokemon Black/White) Reimu (Touhou Project) Yakui (Futaba mascot) Ayano (Kagerou Project) Konata (Lucky star - though sadly no pics exist) and last but my absolute favourite, BEN DROWNED (Majoras Mask creepypasta)

What does Cosplay mean to you?

Cosplay is a freedom of expression for me. Sadly, the usual backstory for a lot of cosplayers is bullying and exclusion, and I'm no exception. The first con I went to all weekend and cosplayed, I met so many new friends and like-minded individuals. I played games and talked about my interests for the FIRST time with strangers - peers - and felt what it might be like to have friends. Then, it was an escape for one or two weekends a year to be with geeks like me. But now that I've grown up (Now 22), its entirely evolved in its meaning to me. Now it's hanging out with friends, making Coool outfits, and volunteering at my cons so other new fans can enjoy it the way I did. I have very basic sewing skills and don't like spending a ton of money, so it's a lot of rigging together pieces and home made scraps into something that looks alot better than I thought possible, haha. I learn from each cosplay, and think "well if I managed That, what if I could somehow make This too..". It's a neverending war between my meager skills and my stubbornness :p. And each year, a new cosplay gets more pictures taken than the last, and it's exhilirating - that even someone half-assing it like me can be good at this!

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

I think my very first influence would be Amy Lee from the band Evanescence. She makes most of her outfits for her shows, and I thought that was So cool. Then a friend Denise, who really introduced me to anime further than Sailor Moon and Pokemon. She helped with my first cosplays too, pretty much made them for me. She was very novice as well, so while I will always appreciate her hard work for me, it got me thinking "I wonder if I'd be able to make it look just a bit better". Fast forward to now, my inspiration are two fellow cosplayers, Morgan and Isis. Morgan has always aspired to be a model, despite not fitting the usual model appearances, and she started her portfolio with a lot of cosplaying. She's well known for her Lightning (Final Fantasy) cosplay, and her determination has opened doors for her, both on the con scene and in the modeling industry. Please check her out: https://www.facebook.com/MorganLynnCosplay Isis is a very talented friend of mind who not only churns out stunning cosplays, but she's so kind and encouraging to cosplayers of all skill levels. She made a Ran (Touhou) cosplay with the fluffiest tails I'd ever seen, and the dress was so well done. Compared to my.. not so detailed Reimu outfit, I would have felt out of my league if it were anybody but her. She's had her fair share of not-so-kind critiquing on some very hard outfits, and while it did hurt, it didn't stop her from cosplaying. She just comes back with something so top-notch.. haters gonna hate.

Do you have any advice or suggestions for upcoming Cosplayers?

If you have the means and enthusiasm, sky is the limit. But if you're anything like I was, slow and steady, ok? Nothing like picking a hard project, and at the last minute finally admitting you have no idea or time left to do it. Aah, the dreaded Ouka (.Hack Twilight) cosplay that never came to be T-T. Ask for help, and start simple. I learned all I know from trial and error, googling and asking for advice.

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

Oh, probably the Ouka cosplay that never saw the light of day. So, its a 2 day con. It's noon on day 1, and I'm still in my hotel trying to salvage what I can of this stupid bodice I have no idea what I'm doing with. After enough stress and not enough sleep, I gave up, rather than wasting my time sewing and growling and missing the short time I have to enjoy the con.So I begrudgingly threw on my backup yukata and went to the con, expecting to be brooding and blah all day. But really, when it comes down to it, I'm there to enjoy the event, pretty new cosplay or not. Friends and shopping and performances, theres no staying cranky through all that. I knew I'd regret it much more if I wasted time with my outfit and missed more of the event.

Any final remarks or shout-outs?

Shoutout to Aka Maple photography, my Animethon staff and minions, Isis and Morgan, and though I doubt they will ever see this, thankyou to my supportive parents.