It’s time once more for another cosplayer interview! This next one, shared from Cosplay Blog with a Brain, is an interview with Lady Integra! She’s a stupendous cosplayer from Belarus, who is amazingly talented!

Lady Integra as Doll from Kuroshitsuji, photo by Anton Timofeev

What’s your cosplay alias and why did you choose it?
My nickname is Lady Integra (or Integral Hellsing). It’s the name of the amazing woman Lady Hellsing, the character of my favorite manga “Hellsing”. I think I have much in common with her. I’ve been using this name for 10 years. 😀

How many years have you been cosplaying and what got you started?
I did my first cosplay in 2006. Of course, my first works were rather weak. >.< My first deliberate cosplay was for Anime Festival Higan in 2007. It was the first anime convention in my country (Belarus)! I cosplayed Belldandy from Oh! My Goddess! I became interested in Japan, anime and manga as a child, so it is not surprising that over time I start to cosplay. I really enjoy making costumes, get used to the image, and play on stage.

Lady Integra as Yu~ki from Malice Mizer, photo by Kseniya Luchkova

What has been some of your favorite things to work with when constructing costumes and why?
I love to work with small details and love to decorate costumes with beads. I love detailing costumes very much! But in general, I like working on completely different costumes. I like to discover new materials and learn to work with them.

What are you excited to be working with in the future and why?
I primarily sew, so I want to craft. First of all, I want to try out using rubber and plastic. However, in my country, I limited resources.

What are some of the traits you like to see in other costumes and who do you think does well in them?
I love when costumes look really fantastic! I really like costumes of Russian cosplayers, such as Astarohime and Gnus Inc. I love works of Asian cosplayers, especially their embodiment of life in their fandom, like Saint Seiya. When I look at such staggering work, I understand how much more I must to learn.

What is your view of the “cosplay scene”?
People in the cosplay scene are amazing. They are actors, seamstresses, hairdressers, dancers and singers rolled into one! And so cosplay is an amazing and impressive show.

Lady Integra as Black Cat from Spider-Man, photo by Anton Timofeev

What are some of the things you want to see change in the scene?
I think sometimes people forget that cosplay is a hobby and it is should firstly bring joy. Also cosplay allows you to chat and get acquainted with many people. But some people forget about this and make it so the cosplay is only a competition, where the main thing is to win at the festival. It’s really sad.

What is some advice you could give people starting to get into cosplay?
Please, guys, approach to the creation of costumes with all responsibility, don’t make mistakes in the details. And believe in yourself, try to do your best – and you’ll be the best! And the most important thing – fun! Enjoy what you do! ^^

What are some of your favorite conventions you’ve attended and why?
I was just at the Belarusian and Russian festivals. I always visit Higan, and love M.ani Fest in St. Petersburg.

Give a random fact about one of your costumes that you’re proud of!
I sewed on the dress for Queen Esther more than 10,000 beads, each separately. It was hard, but I’m proud of the work. However, now I sew much more complicated costumes. XD

Lady Integra as Queen Esther from Trinity Blood, photo by Kseniya Luchkova

Thanks for the interview, Lady Integra! You can see more of her work on her Deviantart, her Cosplay.com account, and her Cure 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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