I am pleased to present the first ever cosplay interview. While this is the first, it definitely won’t be the last so keep checking in for my weekly series of interviews!
This weeks interview is with the wonderful and beautiful Etaru! She has created about 35 costumes including Mireille from Noir, Alexiel from Angel Sactuary, Asuka from Evangelion (my most favorite character EVER) and the award winning Emeraude from Magic Knight Rayearth. You can find all of these wonderful cosplays on her DeviantArt page, Cosplay.com page or on the page of the cosplay group Engi no Shouzoku (links are embedded in the respective website name).
Without further ado, I present to you the full interview. Enjoy!
Me: So let’s start with some basics, you were born and grew up in Russia correct? at what age did u move to the US?
Etaru: I moved to the US when I was turning 7, it was such an interesting event for me as a young child, I don’t think I had yet realized that we were actually moving away for good, but that gave it an air of….excitement?
Me: That must’ve been pretty exciting moving to a new place. Did u have any idea of what Anime or cosplay was when you were that young and in Russia?
Etaru: Not at all. I saw my first anime on Toonami when I was 7 or 8, which was Sailor Moon! I immediately started drawing anime and the shows I saw, but “cosplaying”, even in its roughest forms, didn’t come about probably until I wanted to do Princess Serenity around the age 11 or 12.
Me: Oh cool! So ur first brush with anime was here in the US with toonami (probably just like most ppl, including me ^_^). So i’m assuming Princess Serenity was your first cosplay. What drew u to cosplaying Princess Serenity?
Etaru: Her elegance, and maturity that was suggested Sailor Moon/Usagi would eventually possess, haha!
Me: What was the first con you wore it at?
Etaru: I never wore it to a con actually, it was done for one Halloween and quickly retired. My first con was Nan Desu Kan in 2005, when I got to go for 1 day miraculously while we were in Denver.
Me: Ah, I see. Did u cosplay at that con, and if so, what did u go as?
Etaru: I went as Mireille Bouquet from Noir, it was pretty much pieced together overnight, haha!
Me: Well that means they can only get better from there! So what kept you coming back to cosplay and cons? What was it that drew you in and got u hooked?
Etaru: Going with my friends, and the prospect of getting better and making more complicated costumes and the fun of wearing them.
Me: They definitely just keep becoming more and more complicated ^_^. When searching for a new cosplay to create, what do u look for in a character? what aspects of their personality or costume design draw u in the most?
Etaru: Depends on the character, haha! if it’s one I’m familiar with, and I like the costume, there’s no question that I absolutely look into their personality and see if it’s a challenge for me to portray. I love sultry, intelligent, deep, mysterious, or heroic personas. Most importantly I look to if I can relate to that character or not. On the other hand, I do often look to costumes and make a judgment call on whether I can give the design justice or not.
Me: Very cool. The deep, intelligent, heroic persona definitely comes through in your Motoko Kusanagi from Ghost in the Shell cosplay. What is your favorite part of the choosing, designing, constructing and wearing process?
Etaru: My most favorite is always the wearing process! The most enjoyable part of making a costume for me is gathering the fabrics and supplies, researching the art, and how others have attempted to make it. Starting the costume – the first seam, the first cut, is always the most difficult part, but I’d like to think that usually it goes downhill from there.
Me: Hahaha! do u ever get nervous making that first seam or cut? thinking “oh no, if i mess this up, that’s set the tone for the rest of the costume!”
Etaru: Absolutely! I’m always thinking in monetary thoughts though, like “If I mess up this pattern, dang that’s $XX of bridal satin down the drain!” lol I usually try to cure that out with mock patterns or first trying it with muslin or a cheap fabric.
Me: That’s definitely what i think goes thru a lot of cosplayer’s minds, money! Do u have a least favorite part of cosplaying? What would it be? (i have a feeling it has to do with money, haha).
Etaru: Good point actually, it often does cost a pretty penny. My least favorite part would probably have to be the lack of time and money to do every character I’d ideally like to.
Me: If you had unlimited time and money, is there a dream costume you’d like to make?
Etaru: Too many! Haha! Maybe “The Missing Year” version of KOS-MOS, or Cecil and Kain with my boy.
Me: EPIC! Couples cosplay is always wonderful too! Does “your boy” make his own stuff or do u do it for him? ^_^
Etaru: He doesn’t cosplay, he’s a photographer, but I’d love to stick him in a costume one of these days, lol!
Me: Us photographers are notoriously difficult to get into a costume, haha. We like to hide behind the camera (at least i do! haha). Is there a character or type of character that u would NEVER consider doing?
Etaru: Maybe someone extremely timid, or airheaded. I just can’t portray that very well.
Me: Haha, no Azumanga Daioh, huh? What, if any benefits has cosplay had on your life outside of the hobby? Are there any plans to use these skills in a career?
Etaru: Not in a career, my post-college plans have very little to do with costuming actually. Cosplay has had its benefits though, I’ve improved my knowledge of crafts and sewing, so I’m able to do more projects around the house to challenge myself. I’ve also met so many incredible people in this hobby, and made some very valuable friends and links
definitely.
Me: It sounds like it’s had a very positive impact on you life. Is there ever a time that u think you’ll become “too old” for cosplay or is being “too old” for cosplay even a possibility?
Etaru: Physically, I’m not sure. Mentally, I think there’s definitely a block that everyone will have to eventually hit when they realize that it’s no longer such an important aspect of their life to contribute time and money into.
Me: Do u think that when the time comes, u will “ignore” the block and just keep going or do u see yourself retiring at that point in your life?
Etaru: I can’t really say at this point, since I’m still really tied into cosplay and the community. I’m sure there will be a time in the distant future when I lose interest in it in favor of a professional career or other interests.
Me: Makes sense. Things come and go but at least the friends you’ve made and skills you’ve learned will always stick with you. Alright, so last question, have u ever entered into a masquerade? Ever been interested if no and if yes, have there been any awards you’ve won?
Etaru: Yep, I’ve entered in a couple. The biggest award I’ve won is Best of Division: Master Group Craftsmanship with a group of friends at Fanime doing Rayearth. Masquerades are fun, but they get a little tiring sometimes, and require a large commitment of time out of the con.
I would like to thank Etaru so very much for participating in the interview. Please note that these pictures were NOT taken by me, they were very graciously provided by Etaru and downloaded from either DeviantArt or Cosplay.com. Please visit Etaru’s photo galleries to see full photographer credits.
Again, thanks so much to Etaru and please keep a look out for next weeks interview!
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
You”ll cosplay just perfect, I like it very much…