It’s time once more for another cosplayer interview! This next one, shared from Cosplay Blog with a Brain, is an interview with FedericaDN! She’s a lovely cosplayer from Italy, who is quite the talented girl!

FedericaDN out of costume

What’s your cosplay alias and why did you choose it?
It’s FedericaDN… I chose this because I wanted something easy to remember, and moreover, I wanted to keep my name… So here it is, FedericaDN, name and the initials of my surname!

How many years have you been cosplaying and what got you started?
I’ve been in the cosplay world since 2005, and I think the thing that made me start was the will to realize something by myself; to be proud of something… When you see your finished work, you get a feeling of happiness and you realize that all the time you have spent was worth it. Cosplay is art and creativity, and I love this!

FedericaDN as Miyu from Vampire Princess Miyu, photo by Luca Albrigo

What has been some of your favorite things to work with when constructing costumes and why?
I love working on accessories and armor more than the dressmaking part… I love to experiment with various materials, from the plastic to the wood, its fun and relaxing when you focus on the making of something… Speaking of which, one of my favorite cosplay accessories are the V13 legs… one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done; I worked on them for about a month!

What are you excited to be working with in the future and why?
I’m currently working on more than one cosplay costumes… but I’m secretive, and I don’t want to say nothing before I complete the costumes. 😛 One thing I can say… challenges are more and more difficult!

What are some of the traits you like to see in other costumes and who do you think does well in them?
There are too many people I look forward to seeing things from, because each one of them has special skills. Who makes armor, who makes beautiful dresses, who is a genius in make up, who can style amazing wigs, who can transform himself and BE the character… Well I try to be a mix, and I try to choose different kinds of character with different traits, so I can improve!

FedericaDN as V13 from Blazblue Calamity Trigger, photo by Alessandro Casini

What is your view of the “cosplay scene”?
Actually there are pretty skilled cosplayers out here. I can speak about my country, Italy… During the years, we have seen a regular refinement in the cosplay realization: more and more difficult costumes, theatrical and carefully prepared performances, impressive scenes and choreography… Now we have a pretty high level!

What are some of the things you want to see change in the scene?
I think sometimes people tend to forget that cosplay is fun! Competitiveness is ok, but it’s important to remember that contest is not the only purpose of cosplay… Helping each other is amazing.

What is some advice you could give people starting to get into cosplay?
Remember that cosplay is fun! To win is a great satisfaction, but if you lose the joy and the happiness, everything lacks of sense… Second thing… make friends! I met a lot of people with my same passion from all over the world… It’s a rare gift!

What are some of your favorite conventions you’ve attended and why?
Lucca Comics and Games is the best one. It lasts for 5 days, and is not in a convention centre, but among the streets of this beautiful citadel in the amazing Tuscany, near Firenze. The citizens experience cosplay together with cosplayers themselves… and when the contest is over, you spend the dinner going to restaurant with your pink wig.

Give a random fact about one of your costumes that you’re proud of!
While preparing my first armor, I was really inexperienced… I had to vacuform the plastic material more than 6 times before getting a good outcome. Cosplay is suffering, and my parents were suffering with me, because I made a mess in the house. XD

FedericaDN as Silmeria from Valkyrie Profile, photo by Gionata Bottari

Thanks for the interview, FedericaDN! You can see more of her work on her Deviantart and her Facebook fan page!

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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