It’s time once more for another cosplayer interview! This next one, shared from Cosplay Blog with a Brain, is an interview with WindoftheStars! She’s a lovely gal from Nevada, who has made some absolutely amazing costumes!

WindoftheStars as Lina from Slayers Next, photo by Mike of Conpix.net

What’s your cosplay alias and why did you choose it?
WindoftheStars. The story behind this is actually really geek and dumb, but that’s okay! Back before I started cosplaying, I was really active on the Soul Calibur II forums. I was a huge Talim fan at the time, so I went by Talim’sWind, but soon realized that the name could be taken a funny way. I tried to think of a name that still related to her character, and since she is always talking about destiny and the wind gods I came up with WindoftheStars. I liked it so much that it stuck around once I began cosplaying.

How many years have you been cosplaying and what got you started?
I started cosplaying back in 2004 when the university’s anime club put on an event that encouraged it. After looking into it more I really liked the concept of creating costume for your favorite characters. Once I made my first costume and had such a blast I hooked!

What has been some of your favorite things to work with when constructing costumes and why?
For fabric parts of the costume, my favorite fabrics are stretch velvet, metallic spandex, and twills. I think the most versatile medium in costume construction is craft foam. It’s cheap and easy to get, plus you can use it for almost anything! From armor, to interfacing, to detail work, to padding, etc. Whoever made craft foam is a serious genius and I wish I was the one that invented it! I also love working with casting resins and plastics. It opens up many more possibilities on how to construct costumes if you know how to use them.

WindoftheStars as Nia from Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, photo by Ice_Man_Frost

What are you excited to be working with in the future and why?
Doing more advanced castings and body armor. I’m always looking into how the professionals make movie costumes and props, then see if I could possible use the same materials. It’s challenging and it’s a field of costuming I know still very little about. I’m learning new casting techniques all the time.

What are some of the traits you like to see in other costumes and who do you think does well in them?
I think this is a hard question to answer because everyone is at different levels in costuming; everyone has weak and strong points.

What is your view of the “cosplay scene”?
The cosplay scene for me is a love-hate relationship. I love the fact that I can creatively express my love of my favorite fandoms in the art of costumes. To be able to also enjoy that with like minded people is even better. Being able to fangirl over your favorite series or character with someone else is pretty awesome, especially in such an underground niche community. However, in the recent years a very unhealthy competitive spirit has wiggled its way into the scene. People are getting a little too wrapped up in “Who’s the Best” when we all should be supporting and helping each other. I think people forget that we are all just a bunch of nerds running around in homemade costumes! Come on that’s pretty geeky!

WindoftheStars as Eternal Sailor Moon from Sailor Moon, photo by Usagi_dumpling

What are some of the things you want to see change in the scene?
I would like to see people stop being wrapped up in constantly trying to out do everyone. I can support healthy competition in specific settings, such as designated masquerades. I can even support pushing yourself to make the best costume you can for yourself. However, if your motivation to make the best costume you can is to out do someone else, then you are doing it for the wrong reasons. I would like to see people doing this again for the fun, enjoyment, and creative expression and less trying to be the best of the best or becoming “internet famous.”

What is some advice you could give people starting to get into cosplay?
Have fun and do it because you like creating costumes. Don’t do it to become “internet famous” or anything there of. You should be costuming for your enjoyment! Also know that everything takes time to learn. I wasn’t a person that just was magically good at sewing. I got better over time with practice and many seams that were ripped out in frustration. Finally, do your research. Look up possible materials and techniques to use on making your costume. It will save you a lot of headache in the future.

What are some of your favorite conventions you’ve attended and why?
Fanime! It’s big but not big enough to where you can’t find your friends. Plus they have an AWESOME swap meet where I’ve gotten great deals on stuff. 😀

Give a random fact about one of your costumes that you’re proud of!
To date, my Zhen Ji costume has been the most time consuming, elaborate and expensive costume. I also learned how to tie Chinese knots specifically for that costume.

WindoftheStars as Zhen Ji from Dynasty Warriors 6, photo by Judith Stephens

Thanks for the interview, WindoftheStars! You can see more of her work on her website, her Deviantart, her Cosplay.com account, and her American Cosplay Paradise account!

Koi

A cosplayer for over a decade now, Yunie is a giant nerd who still pretends she’s cool. She runs several sites on her own, including Engi no Shouzoku! Cosplay, Cosplay Blog with a Brain, and her store, Yunie’s Designs. An avid fan of fellow nerds, Yunie loves attending conventions and dorking around in costumes with all types. Oh, and if there’s shenanigans, even better!

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