Location: Canada
Links:
http://iladycosplayi.deviantart.com/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClPrGzzvsv2euxLqOcUC1mA
https://www.facebook.com/LadyCosplay
http://worldcosplay.net/member/161233

SMC: Why did you start cosplaying?
Lady Cosplay: Well for me it started back in highschool. It was graduation day (Prom) and my Prom dress looks almost identical to Belle from beauty and the beast and my hair was placed in the same way without even realizing it. I came in the entrance of the hotel where my prom was being held and this little girl who was visiting Ottawa from another country was walking by with her mom and little sister. If I remember she was 4 and her younger sister was 1. She called out to her mother “Look mommy there’s Belle!” and pointed to me. I was a victim of bullying and everyone was staring in dead silence as the girl called me out. The smile I saw on her face melted my heart and the tears of joy she had when she saw her princess was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen! I chatted with her and made her day. I’ll never forget that smile and the respect I gained from the bullies after seeing this. So that’s how I came to like cosplaying and a few years after when I heard there was such a thing as cosplaying I started without hesitation!

SMC: What was the first convention where you cosplayed?
Lady Cosplay: It was actually exactly a year ago now! Ottawa ComicCon 2013!

SMC: What has been your most memorable convention moment so far?
Lady Cosplay: For me it was at Ottawa PopExpo 2013. This is where I met my, now very good friends. I was dressed as Black Widow and I met 3 other people who were dressed as Loki, Captain America and Nick Furry. I met Captain America last and that’s when we both decided to go get the others and walk around together as the avengers!  At one point we were cornered by a crowd of people beside a weird garage door where people went nuts and took pictures and asked for action shots. It was amazing to come together with people you have never met before and become friends with them! I will never forget that moment.

I can’t forget to say, my most memorable moment #2 is meeting other amazing cosplayers!

SMC: What is your favorite thing about cosplaying at a convention?
Lady Cosplay: Seeing the smiles on children faces when they see their heroes/ princesses/ etc.  It’s to give the local businesses a chance at business when there are big stores out there that they have to do competition with. I support them and love to show it! Thirdly it is to do what I love and cosplay with friends and meet new people!

SMC: Related to conventions, where can fans expect to see you next? (Schedule?)
Lady Cosplay: I will be at the Otakuthon being held in Montreal. August 22-24 2014.(All three days)

SMC: What cosplayers inspire you?
Lady Cosplay: I have to say EVERY COSPLAYER inspires me. There are multiple reasons why someone could quit cosplaying and what inspires me is that no matter what, they still go on. Doing what they love and they’ll go out of their ways to accomplish that need!

If you want someone in specific then, Reika is for sure my #1 idol and of course my cosplay friends that I’m close with but really like I said it’s everyone.

SMC: Which is your favorite Cosplay you’ve created?

Lady Cosplay: Um, that’s a tough question haha.
I think for now I’ll go with my Asuna (Sword Art Online – Anime). I have made that one from scratch with no pattern and from looking at a picture of it. I really impressed myself with what I can do and worked really hard and countless hours on it and to finally say it’s done and to see that people really enjoy it. Yeah, it’s my favorite because it shows my love for cosplay when I look at it.

SMC: What cosplay are you best known for?
Lady Cosplay: Haha! Well, I THINK it’s my Black Widow from the Avengers. Not too sure, lots of people who meet me or see me in different cosplays so I’m really not sure.

SMC: If money was no object what would be your dream cosplay creation?
Lady Cosplay: I have no dream cosplays honestly, because when I want to cosplay a character I put it on my list of cosplays to do, and I do them. So far I’ve done all the cosplays that I once dreamed about making. It’s the best feeling to want to do something and actually do it and see the result!

SMC: Do you have any new cosplays currently in the works?
Lady Cosplay: Of course! When I’m not working or not in school all I do are cosplays and I normally make 3 different cosplays at once! Currently I am finishing up with Poison Ivy (Will be wearing it at the Ottawa ComicCon) and I have finished the Gohan from Dragonball Z for a friend of mine. I am also finishing up Klein from the anime (Sword Art Online) also for a friend for Ottawa ComicCon.

After that I will be working on these for the Otakuthon!:
C.C from Code Geass (Anime)
Erwin Smith from Attack on Titan (Anime and is already in the works)
Ciel Phantomhive from Black Butler (Anime)

SMC: What is something your fans may not know about you? Other hobbies?
Lady Cosplay: Hmm, good question!
I would have to say my height (I have surprised people at how short I am), age (I look crazy younger then what I actually am) and what I am studying.
Height: 5’2
Age: 23
Studying: Assistance to people in health care centers (unsure about the English name for them haha)

SMC: What part of “geekdom” is your favorite avenue of entertainment (i.e. comics,movies, video games, anime, etc?).
Lady Cosplay: Definitely Anime! I am in love with Anime!!
Without movies I’d go insane, video games are just amazing and collecting figurines of my favorite characters.

SMC: Any favorite TV shows, movies or cartoons?
Lady Cosplay: TV shows I’d say the Walking Dead, BBC’s Sherlock Holmes and Game of thrones.
Movies: I don’t have a favorite because i love every movie I come across.
Anime: I don’t have a favorite because I love all anime!

SMC: What is your gaming system of choice?
Lady Cosplay: I would say the Ps3 (Since it’s the only thing I have). Xbox 360 as well as Game cube.
They are old systems but they are the best and I love them all for having the best games ever. The newest tech to me isn’t as great as these old machines and I think they are just over doing it now.

SMC: What are you currently playing / upcoming video game releases?
Lady Cosplay: I am currently playing Bioshock infinite for the 100th time. Bishocks have always been my most top favorite games and I won’t ever stop loving them! Great graphics and design to the games. I am also playing Tomb raider on the ps3 and I love it! The Last of Us is also my next game I’m going to be playing. I’ll be busy for a while haha

SMC: Any comments or words for the fans?
Lady Cosplay: Of course!

Dear fans (Love Muffins),

For all my fans: I Love you and thank you so much for being there for me. Without you, I wouldn’t of gotten to where I am today and I truly appreciate every little amazing pieces of you. <3

For my fans who love to cosplay but are afraid of being judged or afraid their costumes aren’t good enough: Don’t you ever stop doing what you love because of criticism. There will always be people like that in your life but you just need to concentrate on what’s important and on the good criticism that can also help you become a better cosplayer! For those worried about the costumes they make, there are NO bad cosplays. Sure there may be better cosplayers with better cosplays but they have all started the same way you have! We all start small and become greater! Don’t beat yourself up over it and don’t you EVER compare yourself to top cosplayers or you will lose hope and faith in yourself.

No matter what, believe in yourself and stay positive. You can accomplish so much more then you think you can. Always love what you do and it’ll come out better then the ones who judge. If you love it, then it’s worth it!

Love you love muffins and thanks for being you!

-Lady

Photography Credits: Shaughnessy Photography, Stephane Laroche, KING Cosplay, Jose R Munoz T, Rob Olsen Photography