April Edition Live Magazine - April 2014 Issue. | Page 132

Cosplay, Faceoff and King of Nerds. There are so many cosplayers now making a living out of cosplay, some have found a niche in the market to sell their talents and merchandise like Kamui, Jessica Nigiri, Alodia Gosiengfiao and that is only naming a few people that have made it into the cosplay world. If we look at the world of modeling, some high end models are making a very good living from catwalk and magazine work, can cosplay go this way in the future or do you think it may be too niche? I say “why not”, there have been stranger things walk down a catwalk than cosplayers. But in saying that, would the cosplay industry want to open their world to the high end fashion industry, I don’t know. I don’t see it, I can see designs being influenced by it and possibly cosplayers going to modeling but I just don’t see the two worlds merging like that. Cosplayers on allot of their social media pages have had modeling photoshoots as well as being a cosplayer, so they both do go hand in hand well but I do not see cosplay on the runway. We’re seeing more and more cosplayers making their own costumes and with so many new players entering the market, can you share any tips on making costumes? Here is my top 5 tips, that has saved my fingers, my sanity and the big cosplay day. 1. Never underestimate hot glue. (My very first costume was hot glued together fabric) 2. Know your sewing machine, just don’t race in and go, I want to make a costume NOW!! Work out what each stitch is for. 3. Have at least 3 unpickers and tea/ coffee. These two items are magic items, that will get you through anything and maybe Chocolate. 4. Do your research, have as many reference photos as possible, photos of cosplayers, find tutorials, look up how much will it cost to put this costume together, right down to the buttons or zipper of the costume. 5. When going to a convention with your costume. Take an emergency repair kit, needle and thread, bandaids, body/fashion tape, eye drops (for contact lenses) and I have even brought my hot glue gun with me once. 6. I know I said 5 but this one is SUPER important. -HAVE FUN, RELAX, DRINK WATER AND MAKE FRIENDS. Photographer: Brett Greig We’re seeing more and more cosplayers making their own costumes and with so many new players entering the market, can you share any tips on making costumes? I am all over the place. Type in Jester Cosplay in most Social Media sites to find my fun adventures. Or if your a lazy bum here: www.facebook.com/jestercosplay www.twitter.com/JesterCosplay www.instagram.com/jestercosplay [email protected] “HAVE AT LEAST 3 UNPICKERS AND TEA/COFFEE. THESE TWO ITEMS ARE MAGIC ITEMS, THAT WILL GET YOU THROUGH ANYTHING AND MAYBE CHOCOLATE.”