Cosplayer Interview: LolaInProgress

Welcome to another Cosplayer Interview post. This week we have the wonderful pleasure of talking with LolaInProgress.

What caught my eye was that she called herself 'The Cosplay Barbie'. You will find out more about this in the interview. I couldn't find Barbie, but I found a plethora of other characters. Not only are the cosplays fantastic, but some of the photo editing really takes her to the next level.

If you want to know the cosplay that made me stop in my tracks, it would have to be Twilight Princess Midna. You will see a couple shots below and I am sure you will agree with me.

Time to move forward and get into our interview.

What is your name, where do you reside and what is your age?

LolaInProgress - Australia - 23

What first started you on the road to cosplay?

I pretty much have the same story as most cosplayers, as a kid I had these characters in media who I idolised to the point of wanting to be them.

For me that was Catwoman and Rogue from X-Men. When I got older I discovered a culture of other people chasing the same dream. Stupidly enough though I've yet to do my dream cosplays, I suspect I won't do them till I am 100% assured in my abilities.

How do you choose which characters you will Cosplay?

I have a somewhat lazy method, I sarcastically call myself "The Cosplay Barbie" because I have a habit of doing whatever cosplays my friends suggest. Of course I don't just do anything, no questions asked, I have to love the design (or be doing it as a group/favor).

Out of all your cosplays, which one did you think was going to be easy, but turned to be difficult and why?

I feel like saying all of them? Each cosplay always has an aspect that I think will be easy but I then discover....not so much. For example when I did Velvet from Odin Sphere, I found the details on her sleeves where not so simple. I couldn't find a pattern for it anywhere and had to make it up.

I also found I had issue with the skirts on Velvet and Midna from Twilight Princess - In theory the skirts are very simple, basically rectangles. I however find that if you approach it that way, you end up with a skirt that has no movement, has no life. So I had to find ways to make them more then just shapeless and lifeless. More then a bit of fabric on my hips.

I read that you had an issue with your ‘Midna from Twilight Princess’ cosplay makeup. Can you review what happened for our Readers as I am sure they want to not have the same thing happen?

Ahh that was 100% my fault. I met a special effects artist who swore by a certain makeup brand.

I was so rushed trying to complete the cosplay that I bought it and never tested it, as such on the day it started flaking off. I don't know if it was the brand or I got a dodgy bottle (I suspect brand though) but it was really terrible stuff! I've since gone out and tested new makeup that I will wear for next time! (Mehron Pallet )

I see that you recently did a (Super) Sailor Moon cosplay. Why do you think this series is still so popular even today?

I think it comes back to the question of what gets you started in cosplay. So many of us grew up on Sailor Moon and I challenge you to find a cosplayer who doesn't have a favourite scout. For me it was Sailor Moon and Sailor Neptune, while I personally think I make a terrible Moon it was nice to do something as a kid I always dreamed of doing.

When I was in costume at Supanova GC 2012 I had many young children be delighted and believe I was Sailor Moon, one even wanted me to fight off a "Monster" (my friend in armour) before she would stop hiding. That was one of the best moments in cosplay for me and made the hours of work worth it!

We continue to see more extravagant cosplays as each convention passes by. In your words, how do you think the art of cosplay is evolving in Australia?

There are so many amazing costume designs out there and to be frank you need a higher level of skill to even start them. I think that what we are seeing is the scene here becoming more talented and thus challenging themselves with more intricate outfits.

When not cosplaying, what do you do?

I'm a big Science fiction fan, when not sewing I'll often be watching related shows or reading related Books. I spend a large amount of time reading. #thuglife

For any aspiring cosplayers a little shy, what words of wisdom do you have for them to get started?

Considering I'm pretty sure everything I learned I did it the wrong way and the stupidest way, taking my advice on the matter, not a great idea!

However the one thing that started me on the track to not screwing up all the time was online tutorials. Youtube and the cosplay.com forums are gems of knowledge, before you buy anything, before you make anything, watch a few tutorials.

Also plan, most things need to be bought online, you simply can't leave them to the last minute, make a list of everything you need and buy it first, not as you need it, because it wont arrive in time or will be sold out the day before the con. Every single time

Where can we catch more of your Cosplay at?

TOO MANY SITES, My main one if Facebook and DA though :)

deviantART | Tumblr | Facebook | Cure | Cosplay.com

Here is a Shout Out to our Photographers: 

fiathriel  |  pireze  |  strawdoll  |  Panda Photography  |  ugene1981  |  shiroin   |  SnapSniper  |  ArcanePrototype  |  hexlord  |  e3Studios  |  Andy Wana  |  shiroang  |  zerartul  | Nikk
 

More Cosplay Photos

by e3Studios

by e3Studios

 

 

 

 

 

I want to thank LolaInProgress for taking the time to write to me and to the Photographers for the great photos that you get to see here today.

Want to be my next interviewed COSPLAY STAR? Drop me a line a bluedrakon (at) gmail (dot) com!