Serephita

What got you into cosplay?
If you want to get technical...then I would say my 12 years of ballet, tap, jazz and modern/hip-hop dancing. lol I used to love the costumes every year, and actually used a couple for Halloween! Also, growing up I had the best trunk of play dress-up clothes, and used to pretend that I was a pretty princess a lot (hey, I was like 5 okay?!) I always had fun dressing up as the characters I would see on TV shows and in cartoons, so I guess cosplay is really just...a natural part of who I am. If that doesn't count, then it was when I first heard of Final Fantasy -- in 2004. I immediately fell in love with Aerith's looks, and her costume (pink does happen to be my favorite color) and that pulled me into video gaming, and cosplay. I began to think about how I would make the outfit if I was to wear it for myself, not even realizing there was an actual term for it! I was fascinated by random images I kept finding of people cosplaying, and asked my roommate at the time what it was, and she explained it to me, and then showed me some cosplayers websites. I was hooked, then kind of lost interest in the shuffle of life for a few years but now well...obviously, I'm back! Also, TristenCitrine, Tess and Kate. They're all really really amazing people and phenomenal cosplayers!! Everything they do just is so original and gorgeous. Plus, they show that you don't have to be a size 00 in order to be a good cosplayer. \o/ It's really something that I find is good to aspire to.
What was your first costume and why?
A Slytherin cloak for Harry Potter! Armed with the knowledge my friend had of sewing (she had already made a few costumes for herself) and my knowledge from 6th grade sewing class (yeah, it had been that long since I had sewn anything!) we made ourselves cloaks for the 7th book party release. And of course since the pattern didn't have a lining, we had to make 2 of each cloak and sew them together. Mine is currently falling apart since it was done very hastily, but right now I don't really want to take the time to go back and fix it. lol
What is your favorite costume and why?
My KH2 costume for Aerith! It's honestly the most comfortable costume I have made yet, and I love the skirt, it kinda swishes when I walk.
Do you have a dream costume you'd like to make?
Anna Rochefort from Le Chevalier D'eon's purple dress from the end of the series.
What has been your most memorable cosplay experience?
AnimeBoston 2009, or Another Anime Con 2009. Both were epic and wonderful for entirely their own reasons, and I wouldn't trade them for anything in the world. <3
Do you participate in masquerades?
Yes
What was your best masquerade experience?
Ummm...shaking my butt at the audience at AAC '09 in the Masquerade, and winning Top Model for Blastoid? xD
Have you won any awards for your costumes?
Top Model at AAC 2009 for "Sexy Blastoid" -- I didn't make it, I only wore it! Also, a Finalist in the Next Top Model contest at AAC 2009 with my Sheryl Nome Costume -- which I *did* make myself. Very proud!
Tell us a little about yourself
I'm completely addicted to cosplay, it just seems to be in my blood, part of who I am. I love my job, I'm surrounded by books and music and people all day (well, sometimes it would be better minus the people, but most of the time it's not bad).
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Little known fact about me (until now, obviously): When I first played FFVII, I hated Aeris. With a passion. I was a total hardcore Tifa fan. lol I played 3-4 times before I actually began to like her, and now she's my favorite character.
My favorite anime
Le Chevalier D'eon, Gilgamesh, ParaKiss
My favorite game(s)
Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy IX, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII
My favorite book(s)
The Dark is Rising Sequence, His Dark Materials, The Phantom of the Opera, Lord of the Rings Trilogy
My favorite character(s)
Aerith, Winry Rockbell, Edward Elric, Buffy Summers, Kaylee Frye, Zack Fair, Jayne Cobb, Tsubaki from Soul Eater
My favorite movies(s)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Princess Bride, The Women, The Wizard of Oz, Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty, The Phantom of the Opera