Tell me about the outfit you are wearing – who are you cosplaying and how did you decide to pick this particular character ?
The character I’m cosplaying is Haaarrrr-ley Quinn [Harley Quinn] from Batman: The Animated Series. Harl’ is one of my favorite characters ever and I’ve wanted to cosplay her for a couple years now but never got around to it, because I felt my skills weren’t up-to-par. Batman is one of my biggest fandoms and was a big part of my childhood, so I’m happy to pay respect to that, and to Harley’s character in general.
Tell me about the process of making your outfit – was it easier or tougher than you imagine it to be ?
I actually made this on a whim, and it seems I do my best work on whims! The costume is constructed out of 4-way stretch lycra, which really is the best stuff to use for form-fitting bodysuits, and super-hero costumes in general.
It also came in super handy for this costume because of the hood/mask thingy; just slips right over my head with ease! I don’t use official patterns so everything I did as I went along and with some trial and error. The gloves I made my own pattern for so I can nail the pointy-fingers that all of Bruce Timm’s women seem to have. Same goes for the shoes. The diamonds were first painted on, but I hand-sewed red diamonds on because the paint didn’t look very nice. The hardest part of this costume was getting the back of the costume to line up, while having a zipper thrown in there. The mallet, one of the few props I’ve made, is made entirely out of the cardboard box the fabric came in! It’s a lotta fun to bonk people on the head
I’m STUNNED the costume came out as well as it did, especially the hood. Easily my favorite costume.
Any interesting stories from people’s reaction to your outfit at the con ? ^^
Oh I freak people out all the time when I do Harley’s voice. If you knew me, you’d know I LOVE doing voice mimicry and when I wear this costume, her voice just comes out naturally ! People always ask me, “Where’s Mistah J?” and I respond (in character), “Oh Mistah J’s on vacay!”. Commence the fanboy/girl squeals. But I love it. It just means they love this character as much as I do!
How did you get started cosplaying and what got you interested ?
Ya know, I don’t recall when I first found out about cosplay. But I always loved dressing up as characters and acting stuff out on my own, so I was gonna end up in all this eventually haha.
My first “costume” was awful and sadly, there is evidence of it, haha. My first “big” con was Otakon 2004 and from then on, I was hooked on the hobby. My first few costumes were all handsewn- learned from my grandma- and the first time I sewed something via machine was for Katsucon 2005.
What are the con did you first attended and what’s your favorite con that you’ve attended so far and why ?
My first con was AXNY back in 2002. My favorite con? Hmm, I think that’d be AnimeNEXT! It’s always a fun con for me and since it’s close to home, it’s not very stressful like other cons. Mostly, all I do at that con is goof off with my other NJ/NY-pals (who I have met thru this hobby and I’m grateful for), so that’s A+ in my book!
What does cosplay mean to you ?
What does cosplay mean to me…(geeze why do I feel like this is a pagent question?) Cosplay to me, plain and simple, is just a dorky little hobby where people play dress up. Whether they choose to do it for fun or to be famous is totally their choice, but for me, I do it for fun. I could really care less about the “proper” construction of my costume or whatever; so long as I’m having a good time and I’m not having wardrobe malfunctions, I’m hap-pay.
I still feel like a 4-year old wrapping rainbow construction-paper strips around my limbs and thinking I’m Sillywhim!
If you had unlimited funds/technology/time, what is your dream cosplay ?
Oh boy…being obscure here, but that would have to be one of the fireflies or Spectromen from the Walt Disney World parade “Spectromagic”. That parade means the world to me and has the power to turn me into a 5 year old upon listening to just the music. TON of lights all over the costumes and the construction on both is insane.
