Cosplay is something you can do by yourself, or you can enjoy with friends in groups at conventions. It’s also something I like to talk about with others, and I happen to like getting other people’s opinions on it, and I’m sure you all do too which is why you’re here reading this now.
There’s a lot of stuff people talk about when it comes to cosplay; what gives them confidence, the bad side of cosplay communities, what their plans are for the next upcoming conventions and other fun sides of cosplay. It’s something everyone has a different opinion on, and it was something I was interested in this week when writing these articles. I wanted to know what my fellow Irish cosplayers thought about those very subjects, and I wanted to answer them myself and see what others thought. So here are the opinions of my cosplay brothers and sisters in the Irish cosplay community!
PIXIE STYXX
When it comes to confidence in cosplay, what do you do to boost your own?
Confidence can be a hard thing to boost on your own, even when it comes to cosplay. For me, it’s a case of testing out different things on myself. If I’m unsure of a cosplay, or don’t know if it’s going to suit me or not, I try to test it out first with a makeup test or something similar. Of course it’s not always easy to test out an actual outfit, therefore sometimes you just have to take a leap of faith. If you’re unsure about it, then book a photo shoot with a photographer you trust and believe me, when you get the right look, the right pictures back, it’s always a massive boost to your own confidence in said cosplay.
Have you ever come across cosplay bullying? How did you deal with it?
Everyone comes across some form of bullying in life at some point and unfortunately it’s the same in cosplay communities. I had some people saw awful stuff about my Honey Lemon when I first posted pictures, but I merely went back, took their comments as constructive and fixed her up to the point where I was happy to post her again. I didn’t let their awful comments stop me from being someone I loved or doing something I enjoyed. Also, if I get an awful not constructive comment, I delete it because why leave something hurtful?
What is your opinion on the cosplay scene in Ireland right now?
It’s growing, it’s much bigger then what it was only a few years ago and I personally think people are a lot braver and more outgoing with their costumes lately. From being a judge at DCC, I can honestly say that the standard of cosplay in Ireland right now is very high, it’s something I love seeing!
Are you attending Eirtakon? What are your plans? What do you love about Halloween?
I am of course attending Eirtakon in its final year! It’s an amazing convention that will be sorely missed. My plans so far are Gwenom, and a few others that I’m still up in the air about! And what I love about Halloween is the spirit of it, the spooky atmosphere, all the kids getting into the spirit of it, and of course all the costumes!
ANARCHY & CHAOS COSPLAY
When it comes to confidence in cosplay, what do you do to boost your own?
I like to wear my cosplays around the house for a bit so I can used to them. It’s not something I ever really think about, I guess I just go out and do it and try to laugh off any shyness I may have. I had to become confident in myself before I could in cosplay and that just takes some time, for everyone really.
Have you ever come across cosplay bullying? How did you deal with it?
Thankfully cosplay bullying is rare, but when it happens I just try to remind myself that I did my best and its all that matters.
What is your opinion on the cosplay scene in Ireland right now?
I love everything and everyone in the cosplay community, haven’t met anyone I don’t like. Everyone is super supportive and kind. But I would like to see a lot more cosplayers generally. I wanna see more people in cosplay !!
Are you attending Eirtakon? What are your plans? What do you love about Halloween?
I’m going to Eirtakon, as Ash, Alice Liddle, Subzero and Erza Scarlet! I love halloween even more nowadays cause i get to plan like 2-3 months ahead for halloween costumes for my sisters and I.
ARNUS COSPLAY & DESIGN
When it comes to confidence in cosplay, what do you do to boost your own?
For me confidence is a hard thing to come due to some issues but it so happens a lot of the cosplays I am working on or have worked on use masks or helmets, that sort of divide of identity and sort of distancing myself allows me to get in a better mindset of putting the outfit on. It’s sort of a slump I guess, when getting suited up I get a lot of self doubt but once I’m in the moment I’m typically good to go, I suppose the biggest part for me is staying positive until I arrive at the con, after that point I’m typically good to go.
Have you ever come across cosplay bullying? How did you deal with it?
I’ve never come across it personally but heard horror stories from a few friends who have a large following for cosplay. I suppose I’m not sure how I’d deal with it happening to me but if I saw it happening to someone else I guess I’d intervene since like normal bullying it’s unwarranted especially at events centered around having fun.
What is your opinion on the cosplay scene in Ireland right now?
My opinion is rather limited at the moment, a lot of cons I attended were in the US while I was on holiday but that’s the exciting thing I suppose. Ireland is rather small and a lot of events are usually centered in the same area so it builds on the sort of closeness as a community to have that condensed in say Dublin or such VS east coast USA or west coast.
Are you attending Eirtakon? What are your plans? What do you love about Halloween?
I’m not sure if I’m attending Eirtakon. My only con ready cosplay is Kylo Ren and that is insanely hard to carry around and since I don’t drive personally, I’d not like to get on Dublin bus dressed as Kylo!Right now I’m working on Jon Snow and Darth Revan, the latter of which I’ll be bringing to Star Wars Celebration 2017 in Orlando, Florida. Halloween? Not big on it but the idea of putting on my Kylo Ren suit and answering the door is appealing.
Be sure to check in again tomorrow for Part Two of “Chatting To Irish Cosplayers” where we will be chatting with three more talented cosplayers.
