Shiya Wind

What got you into cosplay?
My best friend of 8 years introduced me into cosplay at Otakon, and since then I've been stuck on it. ^^; It is now my new passion (Fashion and Costume design)
What was your first costume and why?
I can't tell you how embarassing it was for me... because I use to hate sewing so much. I use to think it was really boring. Seeing my best friend sew her own costumes made me want to join her, and so I tried learning on a very old sewing machine my grandmother gave me. My first was Gunner Yuna to go along with her Rikku. What a horrible costume, but a lot of people liked it back then. I think it was awful! @__@
What is your favorite costume and why?
I think I am in love with my Wedding Shino... but it's hard to decide. I love Shino/.hack//G.U. so much. She is a character I really admire and wish to be more like (even though she isn't real haha ^^;) but cosplaying as her was so much fun. It was also my first time making a wide gown, and I had never worked with beading before that. The crown was also a little bit of a challenge. In the game, it just floats in mid air... but that wasn't really easy to replicate.. XD
Do you have a dream costume you'd like to make?
I have several. I think Pixy Misa (Pretty Samy 2005) is probably one of them. Pretty Samy is my favorite anime, and I love Pixy Misa's humor and character. I'd love to pull her off some day. I would also love to create Anastasia's gown (The one with the huge silver crown) and do a photoshoot in a grand ballroom some day. ^^
What has been your most memorable cosplay experience?
I wish I could name them all...but my memory is stuck in the mud. TT I think one of them would have to be Anime Expo 2006. Others would be Katsucon 2006, Fanime 2008, Ani-Magic 2006 + 2007, and Anime LA 2006. Maybe 2006 was the best year for me. :3
Do you participate in masquerades?
I really want to give it a try, but I do not have the guts to get on stage, even if it's just a walk-on. T__T I have terrible terrible stage fright.. and so I make costumes, do photoshoots in them, wear them in public, but never enter any contests with them. I really should though.
What was your best masquerade experience?
Well... The only time I've ever really participated in masquerade was to be someone's back up character... Like 'Kairi the Reporter' in a DNAngel skit...made no sense, and it was embarassing for a first experience. @___@ The second one was part of a Pirates skit for Ani-magic... I last minute played damsel in distress (Kairi again haha) and eventually get rescued by Sora. It was so last minute that I pretended I knew what I was doing. ^^;;
Have you won any awards for your costumes?
I won first place in the kairi look-a-like contest on cosplaylab. I won best of show with Berserker yuna. That's all. xD I also won hall cosplay ribbons for Subaru and Halloween Town Kairi... maybe more but I am not really sure. I never enter my costumes into anything. It's always random or luck? @_@;
Tell us a little about yourself
I am in a University. I work there part time and I go to school there. I currently live in Los Angeles for school, but on weekends, I am home with my parents in Fontana.. So being in two different homes all the time kind of pulls me down, especially since I don't have a car. ^^; I spend a lot of time sewing too. It's something that really makes me feel a lot better. I love traveling too. I've made a lot of friends in this hobby, and I've become very close to a few. I love when we get together to do photoshoots and events. It makes going to conventions even more enjoyable. ^^
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Blah. I'm not sure. ^^; I guess if you want to know more about me, you can go to my LJ? I am an open book there.
My favorite anime
Pretty Samy, Vampire Princess Miyu, Pita Ten
My favorite game(s)
Kingdom Hearts, .hack//G.U....I'd have more, but I haven't made time to play anything lately :(
My favorite character(s)
Kairi, Shino, Sakura, Pixy Misa....I guess all the characters I cosplay? XD
My favorite movies(s)
Anastasia (1997)