May 05 2009
An Inteview with Cosplay.com Member london2191
I have another great interview with a cosplayer for you all today! Cosplay.com’s london2191 has a ton of beautiful costumes, and I couldn’t help but stop and ask her about them. She has some advice on vendors for wigs, materials, and make-up, as well as some tips on wing construction. This is definitely a cosplayer who knows how to take it to the next level, and she has some awards under her belt to prove it!
When was your first convention, and how old were you?
london2191: My first con was Dragon*Con, an amazing popculture convention in Atlanta. I believe I was 13? I had no idea what cosplay was then and the only reason I went was so my dad could go see Mr. Sulu and so I could go see Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, haha.
How did you get into cosplay?
london2191: I don’t remember all too much about it, but I do remember there being a cosplay group down in Texas by the name of JAC (they still exist if I’m right…?) and they would make their cosplays and film funny skits. I was really inspired by it and I thought it’d be really cool to do something like it.
What was your very first costume?
london2191: Ohoho, first costume. My first was Temari from Naruto (yep, I was a Narutard). It was so ghetto–it’s rotting away in my closet as we speak, lol
Tell me about one of your favorite cosplay moments?
london2191: I enjoy any moment I’m in cosplay when I’m with my friends and we’re just having a great time. I love having photoshoots with them, entering contests with them or even just sitting around and stuffing our faces (being careful not to dirty costumes, lol).
What is your favorite costume?
london2191: I’d have to say my Amano Rydia from FFIV–it’s actually not yet completed, but I’m honestly enjoying every single moment working on it so I know I’m gonna love it in the end. My favorite completed one, though, is my Wedding Yuna. That thing is such a hassle, but I worked my booty off on it and Yuna is probably my favorite character ever.
What was your most difficult costume?
london2191: All of them are difficult! lol. From having to trim about 400 feathers for my Yuna and having to make 3 feet polystyrene wings for Suu, it’s rare that I can ever call any of my costumes not difficult.
Can you describe how you made the polystyrene wings for your Suu cosplay?
london2191: The whole thing pretty much consists of foamcore sandwiched between pieces of polystyrene that were cut and sanded with loads of paperclay. The polystyrene (also known as abs plastic) was extremely thick so my hands practically fell off after cutting all those pieces. I’d suggest using wood as a base instead of foamcore because after a freaking cold photoshoot with them, the wings started splitting from the base. They were really difficult overall and I hope to remake them to be much sturdier!
Where do you buy your fabrics, wigs, make-up and other supplies? Can you recommend any online or local stores in particular? Ones to stay away from?
london2191: I buy all my fabric from Joanne’s [Fabrics], although I do go to Walmart when I’m in a bind. Best wig sellers, I’d have to say Amphigory. They’re very personable, have great descriptions on their items and they have pretty good makeup, too. I’ve gotten some pretty nice wigs off of ebay as well and Cosworx (I’ve heard mixed reviews, though). Best place for makeup for me is definitely MAC. I love the store to death, but it’s so expensive! If you have money to splurge, go there! I’m also an avid user of makeup from Walmart, lol. Covergirl and Maybelliene are great, cheap brands.
How long do your costumes usually take to make?
london2191: I’m really lazy and I tend to procrastinate a lot so I give myself at least 5 months of making a costume in which I’ll work on it for a couple of days, do other stuff, then come back to it a week or two later. If rushed, it probably takes me about 2 months.
How much do your costumes usually cost to make?
london2191: Hah, thanks economy! It depends on the level of difficulty of the costume usually. If it’s a really easy, non-competition costume it can cost from $0 to $70-ish. If it’s one of my difficult, competition costumes, those cost…a lot, haha. Coupons are your best friend!
Are you self taught, or did you take classes (or get tutored by a relative) on sewing, etc.?
london2191: Self-taught, I suppose. I never actually looked through a sewing book or manual to learn how to sew, I just kind of did it. Although, throughout the years, the internet has been a great friend. If you research enough and read through enough tutorials, you can learn many a things.
What advice would you give to other cosplayers, who are looking to take their cosplay to the next level?
london2191: Take it easy! I see a lot of cosplayers who haven’t been cosplaying for too long and they take on extremely difficult cosplays. I think it would be better to start with easier costumes and get the accuracy, etc down to the T and then slowly progress to more difficult costumes.
Have you won any awards?
london2191: Me and my friends love making costumes to enter into contests, so we make sure to enter in every con we go to. My latest awards were Judge’s Choice with my Suu and my friend’s Oruha, an honorable mention for my Wedding Yuna and another Judge’s Choice with my Yuuko.
Thanks so much for sharing! You can see more of her amazing costumes on her Cosplay.com profile! Be sure to check out our interviews with other cosplayers!
