So I figured I’d end this series with my own answers! I don’t know if that’s vain but I thought maybe some people out there might be curious. I’d like to thank all my cosplayer friends that helped me with this series! I look up to all of you and you all inspire me to become better at my craft!
Ash
Age: 27
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Current city: Bend, OR
Q: How long have you’ve been cosplaying?
A: If you count since I knew the term “cosplay,” 10 years. If you count since my first ever cosplay attempt before I knew there was a word for it, 16 years. But it’s on and off.
Q: What was your first ever cosplay and how old were you?
A: I got my mom to buy me a jean jacket, white long-sleeve shirt, and jean skirt back when I was about 10-11 so I could cosplay Android 18 from DBZ. I thought I was so cool. After that, my next cosplay wasn’t till I was maybe 16 when I cosplayed Edward Elric from Full Metal Alchemist. I unfortunately don’t have any pictures of either cosplays to show off.
Q: What was the first con you ever attended?
A: A-kon 16 in Dallas, TX. At least I think it was A-kon 16? It was some time in high school.
Q: Who or what introduced you to cosplay?
A: In high school during a club fair, my assigned “big sister” was running around in a jedi cosplay and I learned two things: 1) I had such a cool big sister. 2) Other people wear costumes like me! It was quite the eye-opening experience. And I definitely joined the club she was promoting, the sci-fi club, my nerdy home away from home.
Q: What is your favorite cosplay you’ve ever made?
A: Ugh that’s tough. I have a tendency to love the latest one I worked on, which in this case would be Sylveon Bard. But I actually think right now that Korra is my favorite. I don’t have my hair cut accurate yet but I love that every single piece of it was made from scratch. And I’m so glad that I redid a few parts to improve them (belt, pants). I’m entering into my first ever cosplay contest with Korra so I hope the judges love it as much as I do!
Q: What cosplay was the most difficult to make? What new techniques did you learn from it?
A: My immediate answer would be Sylveon, just cause all that time-consuming hand-stitching for the beads is still fresh in my mind. But really I think my answer would also have to go to Korra. I really made an effort to make it as accurate as possible while also making it as clean as possible.
Q: What cosplays are you currently working on? When will you be debuting it/them?
A: I’m done with all my cosplays for Kumoricon with the exception of curling the wig for Blake and getting my hair cut for Korra. Earlier I was working on a SFW version of Sylveon for our office Halloween party, but it turns out the party is on the 28th. I’ll already be in Portland by then for Kumo so I’ll be missing the party! womp womp
Q: What’s your one dream cosplay if budget/time/skill weren’t an issue?
A: Hmmm… there’s gotta be something deep from within my childhood that I have wanted to do but have long forgotten. Most of my cosplans are relatively within reach so coming up with that one big dream cosplay is difficult. I’d probably say Anastasia’s ball gown (before it gets all torn up). That and also her yellow dress from that flashback. The super glittery and glowy one!
Q: What do you like/dislike about the cosplay community?
A: I love how freakin’ talented everyone is! There are so many times I look at a cosplay and think they must be a wizard cause how the heck did they make that with their own bare hands. I still have so much to learn about sewing and propmaking and what’s wonderful is I have a wealth of knowledge at my disposal online. I also love how friendly (most of) the community is. We’re all just a bunch of nerds who like to run around in costume.
Much like what other cosplayers have mentioned, I dislike the hate that’s seeped into the community. Fat shaming, racism, inappropriate actions at conventions, it’s all disgusting and I really wish I could do something to stop it. I joined the community because it was a safe space to be and I’m worried that there may be people out there that are too scared to join because of a few bad eggs.
Q: Who are your cosplay idols?
A: Kamui Cosplay, Gladzykei, Malinda-chan and Ex-shadow (such a power couple!) just to name a few. I’ve only had the pleasure of meeting Malinda-chan during a couple Pokemon photo shoots at Animefest, but she has to be one of the humblest online celebrities around. I was nervous meeting her thinking she would be kind of arrogant given how popular all her cosplays were (and continue to be) but she is far from that. She’s soft-spoken, sweet, and very welcoming. I felt so included during our Pokemon shoot. It’s still to this day one of my all-time favorite cosplay memories.
Q: Have you entered any contests? If so, how did you do? Would you do it again?
A: Not yet, but I’m officially signed up for the Kumoricon one in October. Super nervous!
Q: When you’re not working on a cosplay, what do you do with your free time?
A: My day job as a graphic designer takes up most of my free time. The rest of that is spent binge-watching Netflix, playing video games very poorly, updating this blog, and napping. Oh and eating. And I guess I work out occasionally. Jason also got me into F1 so I’m usually catching up on the races the Sunday/Monday following the race.
Q: If you could give one tip to new cosplayers, what would it be?
A: You gotta start somewhere. You’re never going to improve if you don’t allow yourself those first few crappy cosplays. I mean, your first ones may not even turn out as crappy as you thought! Every single cosplayer you see online had to make that first cosplay and it’s scary but it can be done. Take your time, use the internet as a resource, BUDGET, and have fun with it! Who cares how accurate it is. Make it to your standards and make it because it makes you happy. Not someone else.
This is the part where I link you to all my other social media accounts but you’re already on my site so use the sidebar! Just kidding, here you go. Lazy bums.
Ashweez Cosplay 
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