Introduction - What is it like being a Cosplayer?

My name is Piff. I'm 21 and I've been making an assortment of different types of costumes since I can remember that span throughout my elementary to high school years. My first anime convention was Youmacon in Detroit, MI which was a lot of fun, though I work both Youmacon in Detroit and Anime Central in Chicago, and I attended my first Chicago Comic Con this year as a con-goer rather than staffer. I do dance hoop and I'm about to graduate with my associates in graphic design in the Spring of 2015 which I'm very excited about. Having completed my first official cosplay as Dryad Soraka for Chicago Comic Con in a little under 3 weeks, I really got the cosplayer's experience. Though I was not happy with some aspects of my cosplay, as I'm sure many regular cosplayers have, overall it was a big success. Maybe people stopped me after having to chase me down, due to not being able to hear through the elf ears I had on, and asked for a photo, mentioning they loved my cosplay. It's a stressful, painful process, but in the end it is so worth the effort to have people tell you that your hard work and effort was worth it.

What are your next goals?

To complete the current list of cosplay outfits on my list, the next one being C.2. from Code Geass and Envy from Full Metal Alchemist.

Cosplay Characters

As I mentioned, Dryad Soraka was my first official cosplay, but my have done many outfits that don't represent any particular characters. I do, however, have a long line up of future cosplays to come, most of which are fairly simple compared to my Soraka cosplay.

What does Cosplay mean to you?

Cosplay to me is a way to bring your favorite characters to life. It's a great deal of fun to see other cosplayers who have poured their sweat and effort into creating a character, building an outfit from the base up, and the countless curse words thrown out along the way when something messes up. Some of my favorite types of cosplays are crossplays because you're bringing two characters together to create a whole new person and a new personality. It's amazing and is truly an art form.

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

I wouldn't say I have any specific but I follow a few on both Facebook and Tumblr that are certainly inspiring. One I follow on Facebook is Larina. Her style is amazing and super adorable. I also follow Mythos Creations, which is a small group of hardcore cosplayers out of Oklahoma. They do some amazing cosplays and I certainly use them for inspiration.

Do you have any advice or suggestions for upcoming Cosplayers?

Buy things well in advance if you can, and buy more than you think you'll need. Not only can you return what you don't use (uncut craft foam, jewels, etc.), but you can also save yourself a trip back to the store. Use your imagination to make it work. And whatever you do, for the love of all things cosplay, try to make your weapon/prop as light as you can! My Soraka staff was made from expanding foam, paper mache, and pvc pipe for the base. The top was heavier than it should have been, but it was also thicker than I wanted it, and I couldn't hold it properly having to constantly rest it against my shoulder as to not bread the head off. And one more thing. bring a "fixer-up kit" with some of anything you will need to fix anything you have on your cosplay. I used a hot glue gun on parts of my staff, so I brought my hot glue gun and a few glue sticks, as well as scissors, pins, thread, and so on. Always be prepared for anything that could potentially go wrong.

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

I can't say I've had any, at least that I can think of.

Any final remarks or shout-outs?

Give it your best and never give up. You only get better with practice. And when someone asks you for advice/help, always pass on your knowledge of the cosplay world.