My name is Sugar Blossom Cosplay-- and my real name is Micah. I've been cosplaying since about 07 on and off and i get the same question-- over and over-- what advice would you give someone that wanted to start cosplaying. This isn't a how to sew guide, or a how to get "famous" fast guide, so if that's what you're looking for then turn away. Cosplaying isn't about all those things (okay though it does require sewing sometimes). So here's my advice for a cosplayer starting out, with some of my own life experiences.
Photographer: Rene Hwang Photography
1.) Don't worry about what people say about you.
They're going to say that you're too fat, ugly, skinny, pretty, black, white, orange, purple and everything they can say to convince you not to do a character. Just don't listen to it. You do which character you want to do. This can be based on the character's design or their attitude-- whatever the hell reason you want to cosplay the character is good enough for you.
Example:
This is me as Yuna from X-2. I was a size 0. I got so many comments from my friends about how I shouldn't wear such a sexy costume because I was too chunky, and I just didn't have the body type needed to pull the costume off. When I got to the convention-- however-- in short shorts and my stomach exposed and the middle part of my shirt cut out-- i got so many complements. Even one of the guys that gave me hell for doing such the costume, told me I looked hot after the photos came out.
Photographer: SBC
2) Don't worry about what cosplayers say about you.
Cosplayers like to talk. They're going to say that you shouldn't have done that this way, that your wigs the wrong color and your boots don't look alike enough to the character. They're going to say your shirt should be longer, your skirt should be shorter and your boobs should appear bigger. If you-- the cosplayer-- like what you're wearing-- once again tell them all to go screw themselves.
Example:
This is my Gwendolyn costume from the game Odin sphere. While making the wings I had one girl tell me that I should've made them out of real feathers, and then used fabric paint to paint the gradient like I wanted. I had another girl criticize me about my usage of paper mache underneath the feathers to give it the structure it needed. People say so many things, but they're not there. One photographer took pictures of specifically my wings because the detail work that we were able to get using the air brush on the wings, was un-comparable.
Photographer: Cozpho Photography
One thing I say about cosplaying is I learn by messing up. I learn by seem ripping with tears in my eyes three yards of fabric, and I would imagine other people learn that way too. If you've failed at making them a few times, then you soon become the expert in the field, and however you manage to do whatever magic you do is something that they can't replicate without the same process.
3) Don't use cheap materials.
Costume satin, looks like costume satin. Wigs-- look like cheap wigs. This shows up in photography, this shows up when you are walking around the convention. Jo-annes always has coupons out and you can always find them on a smart phone or an app. For wigs-- always try to get ones from Arda, amphigory or epic cosplay. If you buy a cheap ebay wig, you risk the chance of it not fitting, or tangling incredibly easy.
I'm not going to sit here and say that I've never ordered an ebay wig, and it's never worked out, because it has. But you usually can't plan on using the wig afterwards, and it's a one time do or die thing. I personally have a little bit of above average head. my head is 22.25 inches and the standard is like 22. Pre-made over styled wigs will not fit me unless they have been made around the size of my head.
Example:
v Rene Hwang Photography v
These costumes are actually identical, take out the bad photography on the one on the right and the shoes. The main difference is actually the wig and as you can see, it makes a large difference. I'm not a wig maker, and the one on the right was actually commissioned. The one on the left I was trying to save money on, and because it ended up getting so tangled, we had to wrap chord around it to keep it together.4) Don't be afraid to buy your costume.
I don't know about you guys-- but real life sometimes catches up to me. I either have something heart breaking happen in my life like a death, or I have to work like 60 hours the week before a convention. Buying things is not a bad thing and do not let other cosplayers tell you differently.
Photographer: Rene Hwang Photography (on the right)
I told you before that I'm no wig maker. I would rather commission it every time. I also don't resin cast, do fake armor, plastic work, sanding, etc. There are a couple things that I have bought and I've been really happy with. My sailor moon brooches are one of those things. I love them, but people may give me grief about having them commissioned because I didn't do it by hand. My thoughts are, if someone already has the mold made and can make it for you for cheaper and less effort then you have to put forth, then why wouldn't you just go ahead and let them do it?
My rogue jacket, I actually bought off ebay and then i altered it, and stuck the patches on it. Valkyrie cosplay actually made the belt accessories and you know what? I bought the spandex suit. I'm not ashamed. Do you see how I look up there? Judge me-- I don't care-- and that's what you really need to learn how to do.
Photographer: Hector Prieto
Even though cosplaying is becoming more and more like a business, don't be afraid to do a couple funny pictures every once and a while. Be happy. Wear what makes you happy. It really doesn't matter if your wig is a shade off, or your boots rip halfway through the convention, or your boyfriend has to carry around duct tape to duct tape your wings to you. As long as you have fun! Don't forget to have a couple drinks, sit down every once and a while, do a couple fun costumes, and make a couple silly faces.
Photographer: Rene Hwang Photography
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Photographer: Billy Tran
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I may add more to these someday-- or just make a part two-- so keep your eye out for it-- and until then...
Happy Cosplaying :D
