The Cosplayer Feature is a series of interviews done by HappyCosplayer featuring cosplayers from around the world who would like to share their story. Two cosplayers are featured a week both here on my blog and on my Facebook pages: HappyCosplayer, JustCosplay, CosplayingCommunity
“May you be inspired by them!” -HappyCosplayer
Featured cosplayer: Closet Chloe!
Cosplay Page: Link | Country: US | Gender: Female|
Happy: When did you begin cosplaying and what got you interested in the hobby?
Chloe: I began cosplaying in 2013. My sister was cosplaying and attending conventions and it looked like a lot of fun, so I had to try it. After my first con (AnimeNEXT 2013), I immediately began thinking of ideas for cosplays that I could/wanted to do, so I was hooked after that.
Happy: What do you remember about your first day cosplaying at a convention?
Chloe: My first day at the con, I was cosplaying Brittnay Matthews from the web series Most Popular Girls in School. Being from a web series, she’s a pretty obscure character, and the con wasn’t too big, so I wasn’t expecting anyone to recognize me.
10 minutes in, however, people began coming up to me and asking, “Are you Brittnay Matthews? Are you from Most Popular Girls in School?” and started taking my picture. It was awesome! I was so proud of my little cheer uniform that I modded with duct tape and glitter.
Happy: Is their anyone who really inspires you and why?
Chloe: I’m not inspired by anyone specifically, but my favorite cosplayer is Avalon Cosplay.
Happy: Have you ever-experienced harassment or bullying while cosplaying?
Chloe: The worst I’ve ever gotten was weird looks or comments from non-congoers. Other than that, I am fortunate enough to have never been bullied or harassed for any of my cosplays (not to my face at least).
My mom, however, can be a little judgmental about the attending cons aspect. She likes the creative part of cosplay and compliments me when I make something cool, but she thinks cons are a waste of money. I tell her that it’s one of my hobbies, which I’m allowed to have, and that there are worse things I could do (guess the reference for a cookie!).
Happy: Are there things you have learned through this hobby that you never would have guessed to have learned before you started cosplaying? If so what are these new skill traits?
Chloe: The way I do it, cosplay has taught me to be resourceful. I don’t have $500 to spend on a single costume, so I’ve grown accustomed to working with what I have or can get for less than $30 each. I look at clothes differently now and have a strong eye for potential materials.
Creating a cosplay page and documenting everything has also taught me social media skills. I’ve had regular social media profiles for years, but do nothing with them but lurk, but by creating a cosplay page I’ve also gotten used to posting daily and learned how to build and reach an audience. Creating a cosplay page made the hobby more fun for me, actually, because it became more of a social experience as opposed to keeping cosplay contained to just attending a few cons a year.
Happy: A lot of people get overwhelmed or ‘brunt out’ over time with this hobby called cosplaying. Have you ever felt that way, or do you feel like you ever would? What would you say to those that maybe feeling burnt out now?
Chloe: I’m still in school for another few months, so I enjoy working on cosplays any chance I get because I’m usually busy studying. I don’t see myself feeling burnt out anytime soon.
I didn’t attend my first con until I was 18 and fresh out of high school, so I’m already a late bloomer with cosplay as it is (my sister started at 15). I’m making up for lost time at this point. To avoid feeling burnt out in any way, I would say to include other hobbies to balance out cosplay.
Happy: What is it about cosplaying that you love?
Chloe: I love the creative aspect of bringing a character to life.
I also enjoy cosplay as a performance art, as I get to take a break from myself and become someone else for a day (or weekend). Socially, cosplay is great for meeting fans of the same series and making friends.
Happy: What is it about cosplaying you dislike?
Chloe: I hate how expensive it is. Even with my methods, I still spend at least $100 to make a complete, quality costume. Cosplay is easily one of the most expensive hobbies out there.
Happy: Why do you cosplay? Why do you keep coming back to it?
Chloe: For me, cosplay is a positive creative outlet and a chance to escape the real world for a few days. Plus, wearing the finished product and getting photos taken gives me a confidence I never had growing up.
Happy: Have you ever hurt yourself accidentally or intentionally for cosplay?
Chloe: The main cosplay-related pains are accidentally (yet repeatedly) poking myself with the sewing needle and wearing heels or other tight, uncomfortable shoes. I strive for accuracy and refuse to settle for less.
Happy: Over all how would you rate the cosplay community as a whole?
Chloe: I’d like to think the cosplay community is friendly and welcoming, because that has been my experience. But I understand that there are bad eggs out there and that we can’t listen to them if we want to keep our confidence up. But I have hope that they’ll come around eventually.
Happy: What are some of your favorite cosplays you have worn?
Chloe: My first cosplay ever was Sailor Moon, who I was so excited to be because I loved the anime growing up. But that one was store bought. My favorite cosplays that I’ve put together myself are Mai Valentine and Supergirl, because I put a lot of work into them and not only was it fun, but it paid off.
Happy: Do you have a dream cosplay you would love to do someday?
Chloe: My dream cosplay will always be Princess Zelda. She is so elegant and badass at the same time. I would also love to be either Princess Serenity or Elsa, but I’m taking an alternate route with Elsa, and once I find the right base dress, Serenity will also be a future possibility.
Happy: What was an amazing experience you had in cosplay that you will never forget?
Chloe: My favorite convention experience was at Otakon 2014, where I met LittleKuriboh (the creator of Yu-Gi- Oh! Abridged) and had a poster signed by him. I just wished that I a) was wearing a better cosplay that day and b) made it into his Abridged Series panel.
Happy: What is your favorite convention right now to attend?
Chloe: I have to stick with my hometown convention, AnimeNEXT! But I also enjoyed Liberty City Anime Con.
Happy: What is a convention you would REALLY like to attend one day and why?
Chloe: My dream convention is Anime Boston. They do the best cosplay events! I watch the Deathmatch and Cosplay Chess on YouTube every year and would love to be in one or both of those events one year.
Happy: What are your future goals with cosplaying?
Chloe: Cosplay-wise, my goals are to do more professional shoots and to one day host my own panel at a con. Outside of cosplay, I want to become a screenwriter, for both film and TV.
You can find Closet Chloe at the following links! Please leave some love for them via a like/follow and so on and help continue to make the cosplaying community better by encouraging and inspiring others!
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/closetchloecosplay/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/closet_chloe
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Reblogged this on Closet Chloe and commented:
Check out my interview with HappyCosplayer! Thanks so much for the feature!
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