A Little About Me

Cosplay has been a big part of my life so far and thanks to you guys for voting and even getting me to the finals. I'm proud to have made it even this far. I would have never believed anyone if they told me five years ago that I'd get a handle on cosplay and even make it to the finals, I would have probably laughed until I fell over.

I have made it though and it means a lot to me. I hope you guys check out everyone elses' entries as well. They are a lot of hard working cosplayers that deserve it! I also want to send a huge thank you to Jenn as well as the rest of the Parlé Production's lot. Best luck and thanks for stopping by!

Cosplay 1

Character: Sora
Series: Kingdom Hearts

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Description: Anyone who's known me from my early cosplay days can tell you my two favorite series: Avatar and Kingdom Hearts. Unfortunately, I started making costumes recently so I can't take credit for making this, but I can, however, take credit for styling the wig. Sora was my first cosplay to involve styling a wig. I spent a massive amount of time researching and figuring out how to make Sora’s har with the punky wig I had. After research, some hard work, and a whole lot of hairspray, I finished my first wig. I first wore it for a cosplay video I did back in the day and still sits proudly in my room when not in use. As an additional note, this cosplay was also highly inspired by all the lovely people from Parle Productions who do many various web series and have inspired me greatly.

Photo credits: Baka-Tama on DeviantART

Cosplay 2

Character: Korra
Series: Legend of Korra

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Description: As I mentioned before, for those who know me they would know my two favorite series of all time are Avatar and Kingdom Hearts. I followed Avatar: The Last Airbender very close through its airing as well as brought it with me as I attended my first con in 2007. I wore my not so great attempt at clothing alteration to portray Toph Bei Fong’s Earth Kingdom attire. I had no idea what I was doing. I used tape to hem the over throw, I safety pinned the arm bands together, and even went so far as to use cardboard to hold the collar up. I was 14 and was clueless. I attended Dragon Con again, as I do every year, this year at Korra from the follow up of The Last airbender. I am proud to say that I actually sewed most of this. With my Zora Link attire, I did the armor work and pattern design. Danielle Paladino did the rest. With Korra I made the patterns for both sashes, cut them out, sewed them, made the arm bands, altered the boots, and had a fun time getting the wig to co-operate. Danielle fitted me for the shirt and pinned it. She was showing me how to add the bias tape and teaching me with that so credit goes to her for the shirt. Korra is an amazing character I can relate to at the end of the day. She’s a bit hot headed and tries to keep the issues hidden from view of the world as she struggles to make it to the best of her abilities. Just as I loved the original Avatar: The Last Airbender, I love Legend of Korra just as much.

Photo credits: Heather Creamer

Cosplay 3

Character: Sebastian Michaelis
Series: Kuroshitsuji / Black Butler

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Description: For well over a year after the Black Butler or Kuroshitsuji (depending which you know it as) fandom took off here in the US I ignored it and passed it on even after several of my friends urged me to pick up a copy and give it a read. I finally sat down and picked up the first volume and started to read. I just couldn’t get into it. A few weeks later I tried again except this time I tried the show. Instantly in that title sequence I saw something seemingly totally different than the manga. I finished season one and two in 2 days and jumped on the idea of cosplaying Sebastian Michaelis. I had less than 3 weeks till my biggest con of the year, Anime Weekend Atlanta, in Atlanta, GA. I ordered a wig from the west coast, borrowed the vest and coat from a friend (which I later purchased from him), and purchased appropriate tie, dress slacks, and tuxedo shirt. What you don’t get to see in the photo is the boots that I am wearing. I am unfortunately not tall enough for Sebby so I go through the torture of wearing boots that are 7 and ½ inches in the heel and 2 inches in the front. I’m not a fan of heels to begin with so it was very uncomfortable but worth it for the illusion of the cosplay in the end. I also wear a seal under my gloves as well as have painted nails with a sfumato black nail polish. To put it plainly, it’s a non-glossy nail polish for that demon effect. The wig was also a bit of a challenge because Sebastian has very particular hair. Though they aren’t massive spikes it’s hard to make short things like his 3 little spikes look subtle and appropriate.

Photo credits: Danielle Paladino