Cosplay: 2006 in Review
I promised myself I wouldn't use Vox for anything but pictures that I've taken, but let's face it; Vox deserves more of my attention. It's a kickass website. So while I still have no plans to talk in detail about my life here, I thought it would be the perfect spot to do my 2006 cosplay wrapup (essentially, pictures of all the stuff I accomplished in 2006) because it would be fresh content to this website and the interface is just sooooo good.
Here are the costuming accomplishments of last year (photo credits mostly to risingsun.net and usagichan.com, with one unknown and one by Mitylene)
Made in December 2005, perfected in February 2006. Well, as perfect as it was gonna get, heh. The big accomplishment here was getting those wings to stay; while I wouldn't call them heavy by any means, I had never made a wing harness before and the first attempt just plain broke. (A loving friend had to hold them up behind my back! <3)
Pictured here is a fully functional wing harness that suffered no ill consequences. In fact, it was quite useful when a lecherous young man tried to wrap his arm around my waist... and got a plank of wood instead =3
Alpha Chun Li: I'm cheating; I made this costume in 2005, but I wore it a lot in 2006. It makes me very happy since it's comfortable and quite accurate. The pattern I used to make the tracksuit is seriously awesome.
There's not much to say about this costume because I like it so much! From the hair extensions to the wrist guards to the shoes, I'm fairly proud of all the little details as well as the clothing itself.
Pictured here is a fully functional wing harness that suffered no ill consequences. In fact, it was quite useful when a lecherous young man tried to wrap his arm around my waist... and got a plank of wood instead =3
Mercenaries Ada Wong: As you will no doubt tell from the rest of the year, I love Ada Wong and am trying to cosplay her as many different ways as is possible. This is her second outfit from Resident Evil 4.
I hate high heels, but I love fake guns.
I hate high heels, but I love fake guns.
Alpha Chun Li: I'm cheating; I made this costume in 2005, but I wore it a lot in 2006. It makes me very happy since it's comfortable and quite accurate. The pattern I used to make the tracksuit is seriously awesome.
There's not much to say about this costume because I like it so much! From the hair extensions to the wrist guards to the shoes, I'm fairly proud of all the little details as well as the clothing itself.
Ema Skye: The costume that never ends! It took all year to get this costume accurate. I rushed it out originally in one day. Bought the lab coat, but I made the bowtie, cut out new lenses for the glasses, made all the buttons and the school girl outfit underneath. That's the type of attention Phoenix Wright cosplay demands!
Guess what: Ada wears the same dress in Resident Evil 2, so I was able to cosplay her again with very little variation. The gun is actually a custom replica of Leon's gun in RE4, made by our friend Kell.
Shampoo and Ukyo: Just thrown on for pics. Amanda sold her Shampoo costume and had to make do with random chinese clothing. The Ukyo costume is kind of funny, my grandmother made it for me many many years ago and somehow it still fits....
Bowtie Misa Amane: Well who wouldn't want to be a gothy Japanese model who kills people with words?
This is another thrown together one, my mother bought me this top and bowtie which went together so well with Misa's character. Not very accurate since the wig is actually for a different version of Misa.
This version! From the cover of Volume four. It was lots of snazzy little goth details to it. Pictured with Amanda in her Raito costume. She's never read the series I believe, so we really forced her into cosplaying from it.
Fayt Leingod: Star Ocean 3 certainly dwindled plotwise as it went along, but it had great characters with amazing character designs. This costume was also made in 2005, but for Anime Expo I went ahead and remade all the armor to be much more attractive and accurate.
One of the most complex costumes I've ever made, and possibly the only time I've dressed as a guy.
One of the most complex costumes I've ever made, and possibly the only time I've dressed as a guy.
Shion Uzuki: Xenosaga doesn't really come close to Xenogears in any fashion, but I do like scientists and Shion was a lovely character. This costume was hard, harder, and possibly the hardest. I hand dyed the lace and arranged it on the tanktop. I drafted the pants, sculpted the buttons, studded the choker. Let's not even bring up the impossible wig and the impractical jacket! Pictured with a custom shield made by Lionel Lum.
Swimsuit Ada: Just a fun idea I had since I wanted a costume swimsuit to bring to conventions and who else but Ada? Fellow cosplayer and photographer Mitylene took me and a friend to a beach for pictures. It was an amazing day, and she took such wonderful shots.
I meant to make my own swimsuit, but then I discovered this one in a Victoria's Secret catalog and it was everything I wanted. So all I did was add the black strips to the top and some accessories.
Videl from Dragonball Z. Another one made in a rush for a themed barbecue event.
She's my favorite female character for Dragonball Z, so I'm happy I made the costume, though it's kind of, well, not impressive. And my hair wasn't really right for it either.
She's my favorite female character for Dragonball Z, so I'm happy I made the costume, though it's kind of, well, not impressive. And my hair wasn't really right for it either.
I meant to make my own swimsuit, but then I discovered this one in a Victoria's Secret catalog and it was everything I wanted. So all I did was add the black strips to the top and some accessories.
Another dream costume in the bag: Here is what I was working up to, a full size Rem prop to go along with my Misa costume. If I had the body for Rem, I would have cosplayed her instead, but the reality is that no one is that emaciated and that tall. So I was determined to make this work. With my newly gained wing harness knowledge, this was not so difficult to set up as it might seem. She's also very light considering her size.
Finally, a dream for me and the rest of my cosplay group (We Go 4 Kyo!) Here are the Mario Lolita Sisters. Not technically lolitas, as I'm sure more educated Japanese fashion gurus will point out, but that's kind of the name that stuff.
We went all out making these the ultimate Nintendo Fangirl costumes, and they aren't even technically done yet... now that the Wii is out, the fan in me is on fire! To our extreme pleasure, these were very popular at Dragoncon last year.
We went all out making these the ultimate Nintendo Fangirl costumes, and they aren't even technically done yet... now that the Wii is out, the fan in me is on fire! To our extreme pleasure, these were very popular at Dragoncon last year.
Alright, now we're up to date! 2007 is already underway, so here's hoping for just as pleasant of a year!
