Not every cosplayer has the ways and means to create lavish costumes. Costuming can be expensive and time consuming. That doesn’t mean, however, that you can’t or shouldn’t cosplay. One cosplay alternative, for those without a lot of options, is “closet cosplay.” Closet cosplay involves creating costumes from…well…what’s in your closet.
I recently had a chat with Cosplay.com member RenzokukenXIV, who does the closet cosplay thing, and also has some costumes made from scratch as well. She was kind enough to tell me a bit about her costumes, and why cosplaying is so much fun for her.
RenzokukenXIV, when was your first convention, and how old were you?
RenzokukenXIV: My first convention was last year at Anime Boston. I had just turned 16 that January, and the convention was in March.
How did you get into cosplaying?
RenzokukenXIV: I got into cosplay mainly because I was so into anime and gaming. I had been into anime and games since I was really young, and technically my first cosplay was when I was 11 when I did Etna from Disgaea: Hour of Darkness. Of course I didn’t know it was cosplay at the time… It was about two years ago that I decided that I just had to attend a convention, and of course dress up. After Anime Boston 08, I couldnt stop thinking about cosplay, and ever since then it’s become a major hobby.
What was your most difficult costume to make? What was your easiest?
RenzokukenXIV: None of my costumes have been too difficult, the one I am working on now is though. Out of the ones I have done, I would say my Dion Rogers Rinoa was the hardest. I made it on impulse, and had a deadline for it. I didn’t have any patterns, and relied completely on a few pictures. I plan to redo it soon, hopefully a lot better. My easiest, was Raine Loire since all those clothes were in my dresser.
What are your favorite costumes that you’ve made so far?
RenzokukenXIV: My top three are; Dion Rogers Rinoa, Squall (Leon) Leonhart, and either Aerith or Classic Rinoa. Dion Rogers just works for me, I always get a thrill out of wearing it. Not because it is flashy and a bit skimpy, but because I just feel alive when I’m in it. I get to be my favorite Final Fantasy female with a sensual twist. I guess I should say I feel “just right” when I’m wearing it.
Squall, I love Squall. I have to say I am a total fangirl for him. Not to mention that was my first cosplay ever. I made it the morning I had to leave for Anime Boston and I have a lot of love for it. Crossplaying was a great experience, and I enjoyed every second of my Squall-ness.
I couldn’t decide on the final one because I love both my Aerith and Rinoa cosplay to death. I have a bigger connection with Rinoa, but I’m not proud of how it came out. It is being redone sometime next month, and if it comes out the way I want it then it will definitely be one of my favorites. Aerith, I just love her Kingdom Hearts II design. And surprisingly I looked good as her.
How do you decide which characters to cosplay as?
RenzokukenXIV: There are a few different things that help me decide on what character to make and cosplay. The first is if I have a convention coming up, if that is the case then I usually plan to do a character that I have a connection with and that has a really nice outfit that I would enjoy wearing. I always try to go as characters from animes or games that I love, it helps me to make the costume to the best of my ability. 90% of the time I am a Final Fantasy character at conventions, it’s just a habit/obsession.
Although, my next convention is when I’ll break the habit and do some Hellsing. Another way I go about choosing cosplays is slightly simpler: there is a very long list that I go through and see which costume I’m up for making. Right now I have about 45 in waiting, most of them will be made when I have nothing else to do. Only a few costumes are worn out in public or at photoshoots.
What is your favorite part of cosplay? What is your least favorite?
RenzokukenXIV: Hmm, It’s hard to say what my favorite part about cosplay is, or to put it into words. I love being someone else, it’s like an escape from normal life. I can be a whole different person, or in some cases another part of myself. It gives me the ability to be in my favorite games or shows, which is something I’ve always daydreamed about.
That’s the basic part of what I love, but I also enjoy the respect and praise it gives me. It’s rare when I am praised in the “real world”, well, at least not the same way as I am in cosplay. There is nothing that could boost self esteem better than being complimented by other cosplayers. I feel confident while cosplaying, more so than on any other day. Aside from all that, just the process of making something and being able to say I did it myself is a good feeling.
For things I dislike, there aren’t many I can think of. I have several pet peeves about cosplayers, and convention etiquette. I have to admit that I hate going to a convention in cosplay and having 5 other people wearing the same thing as me. It’s a competitive thing, but I can deal with that. I also despise criticism, people should learn to keep it to themselves unless they are asked.
How many convention do you usually attend a year?
RenzokukenXIV: I don’t have a set amount of conventions, but there are some that I will go to every year. Last year I attended 4 conventions and 1 last month. I think that’s a decent amount. I have to admit that I would love to go to even more this year. I go in costume to every convention, it’s one of the main things I look forward to. I don’t think I would be able to set food in a convention center if I wasn’t in costume, I would feel out of place and awkward.
How long does it take you to make a costume, on average?
RenzokukenXIV: The amount of time it takes to make a costume depends completely on what costume it is and if I’m wearing it to a convention. If I don’t plan on wearing it out, then it can take me less than 2 days. It wont be the best quality, but it will be complete. For the ones that will be worn outside, I take my time and look at every detail. No rushing whatsoever. That excludes my first costume though, I made that at 3:00am on the morning that the convention was being held. After that experience, I NEVER want to rush again.
About how much do your costumes cost to make?
RenzokukenXIV: Again, the cost depends on the costume. I, personally, hate spending money. I look for cheap fabrics and take the easy way out. Unless I’m aiming for perfection though, then I look for whatever will make a costume go beyond the limit of looking good.
What have been your family and friends’ responses to your love of cosplay?
RenzokukenXIV: My family is extremely supportive, they have nothing against me cosplaying. Since I’m only 17, my mother still has to pay for everything. And this hobby has a way of getting very expensive, but she knows this is what I love to do and does her best to endorse it.
My older brother loves it, and I’ve gotten him into it too. My grandmother likes it as well, she just laughs when she sees me in costume. She is a big help to me, helping with patterns and sewing, and sometimes buying accessories for costumes. She also serves as my photographer. Yeah she is 87 and has no clue how to work them, but they usually come out okay. The other part of my family helps me when I need to stay somewhere closer to a convention. Rather than traveling around, I just stay at one of their houses. Although I have to do something in return like helping with gardening.
Kids at school, their reactions vary. Some people like to hear about how I love cosplaying, and others seem to hate it. It takes me awhile to decide whether or not to say anything about it, some people might have a rude reaction that makes me depressed. I remember on one occasion, I made a friend who has been to Japan and knows the language and all that. But before I could say anything, she started talking about “Weeaboos” and how Americans look ugly in cosplay no matter what. That really upset me, and I never mention cosplay to her. I tend to take criticism to heart. My close friends like cosplay as well, none of them are as into it as I am though.
Thanks for sharing with my readers, RenzokukenXIV! You can see more pictures of her cosplay costumes on Cosplay.com! Interested in learning about other cosplayers? Take a look at our other cosplayer interviews!
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