Introduction - What is it like being a Cosplayer?

Cosplaying has always been such a huge part of my life ever since my best friend at the time introduced me to anime when I was 12 years old, and even before that I always loved attending conventions with my mother who is a huge Sci Fi geek! It's the most exciting feeling dressing up as one of your favorite characters at a convention and having others come up and recognize you excited themselves! I have always loved standing out and expressing my creativity through my appearance, and cosplaying is truly the most epic form of dress up! I have made so many friends through cosplay and have gained so much self confidence through it as well!

What are your next goals?

My next goals are always planning what costume I'm doing next! I'm also trying to branch out on social media and really start to promote myself more -- for example I just made a facebook page and deviantart where I will be posting all my cosplays!

Cosplay Characters

Tifa Lockhart (Final Fantasy VII), [Nurse] Super Sonico, Fluttershy (My Little Pony-- I have a 'cute' variation as well as a 'pastel goth' variation for this cosplay), Luna Lovegood (Harry Potter), Misty (Pokemon), Daenerys Targaryen (Game of Thrones), Star Trek Next Gen. Mirror Universe officer, Elf from Dragon's Crown, A Snow Fairy Sugar, Inuyasha, and Azumanga Daioh!

What does Cosplay mean to you?

Cosplaying is the ultimate form of dress up-- it is the opportunity for you to be WHOEVER you want to be and be able to strut yourself! It is what has given me so much confidence and I get so incredibly excited to prepare for the next con!

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

Honestly, my biggest cosplay role models are none of the big time famous ones -- I really look up to the amazing cosplayers I see at the conventions I go to. My mother is also a huge influence because of how incredibly supportive she has always been with my cosplay!

Do you have any advice or suggestions for upcoming Cosplayers?

Totally make whatever you can for your cosplay, but also please don't let others get you down if you have very poor prop making/sewing skills like I do -- A huge part of cosplaying is making the costumes, sure, but the whole point is the fun of dressing up so do don't be ashamed to buy whatever you need to!

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

I've never faced negative reactions in person, I guess just while I was in high school a lot of my classmates thinking how weird it was, but I was already known for being that weird girl before so I was used to it and reminded myself how awesome and bad a** I am for doing what I love and rocking it!

Any final remarks or shout-outs?

If you like what you see check out my facebook (which I linked to) as well as my deviantart, instagram and model mayhem profiles! My stage name is Bunny Rose but you can find me on any of these sites by searching 'Bunnyr0se' !