Burdened with Glorious Cosplay: Cosplay Spotlight: Cosplaypeigi

For this week's spotlight, we're taking a hop across the pond to talk to UK cosplayer, Cosplaypeigi!

How and when did you get into cosplay?

I began cosplaying around August 2015. I started as I was invited to a convention by friends and felt like it would be fun to go in cosplay.

What was the first cosplay you did?

The first costume I did was Clementine from The Walking Dead Game, I still have it hanging in my wardrobe!

What’s your approach to building a cosplay?

I usually plan my costumes far in advance. I’ll typically spend 1-2 months researching, looking for references, gathering samples, reading up on others who have made the same costume and get a general idea of how much I’m spending. Then I will then start to pattern out the costume, making sure to cross-reference it (sometimes I’ll even ask friends to check if my pattern looks right). After patterning I’ll actually begin the construction process, this usually takes (what feels like) forever; I’ll develop and change the pattern, things will go wrong and sometimes I’ll take short-cuts.

I usually enter a project open minded, however, sometimes I do get frustrated when I can’t get right or my machine isn’t working. But often I’ll get over whatever issue I’m having after I walk away for a couple of hours.

It’s really hard to pick just one favorite cosplay, and I know for me it depends a lot on the situation, so I have a few different categories:

What is your favorite cosplay to wear to cons?

My favorite costume to wear at conventions would be Satine or Rey. I love the reaction people get when I wear Satine as people are happy that I’ve made a costume for a character that is slightly more niche. Rey is easy to wear and there isn’t hours of kitting up and putting on makeup.

What is your favorite cosplay to wear for photoshoots?
Satine, I can get to pose in regally. I like the way the colours within the costume are complemented by more neutral backgrounds, making locations easier to find, especially at conventions. Lastly, I like the way that the headpiece surrounds my face and the detailing within the costume makes closeups look nice.

I do prefer wearing Rey for location shoots as the costume is really good for action shots, loactios with Rey are also easier to access as I live near forests and areas that fit with the scenes in ‘The Force Awakens.’

What was your favorite cosplay to make?

My favorite costume to make was Satine. It was the first big costume I made completely from scratch and was a huge learning experience, from the pattern drafting to working with worbla and corset making.

If you can choose, what is your favorite cosplay in general?

My favorite costume has to be Satine! I’m so proud of the costume and all I’ve learned from making it; as well as being able to portray a character that means so much to me.

Favorite fandom to cosplay from?

Star Wars!

Favorite con/cosplay moment?

Meeting one of my best friends who has taught me so much as well as meeting many other people who are some of my closest friends. I also love being able to be part of a community that is bigger than me; and have a sense of belonging amongst like minded people.

What is your dream cosplay (or cosplays plural, if there’s more than one)?

Ohh, I have loads! I would love to do Phasma as well as actually finishing Hux. But it changes all the time!

Your favorite cosplay photo
I have two.