Aura Of Dreams

What got you into cosplay?
I'd have to say Anime and Video games in general. I'd see a character that I liked and would decide that I wanted to dress up as them. Sailor Moon was my first ever Anime and I'd have to say I was addicted. As for Video games, I was introduced to Sonic the Hedgehog, Earthbound and Legend of Zelda from an early age. Over all, both of this influences caused me to want to start a journey. I wanted to become something more than I am, more than perhaps I'll be able to become. Cosplaying has been a way for me to show admiration for the characters I love, as well as allowence for me to step inside that character, and become something a little bit more. Or perhaps bring out parts of myself that they share in personality. It's also been a great chance to make new friends and improve my sewing and acting skills.
What was your first costume and why?
My first costume..you're going to laugh, but Kirby! I was a big tomboy when I was young and wasn't much into dresses so I wanted a halloween costume I could wear with pants, and still resemble a character I loved. Thus the Kirby costume. I was about 9 at the time, so I can't say it was well made, but I drew the face onto soft pink felt, and then my grandmother helped me stitch it in. I had to wear a helmet and a pillow on my head underneath the face hood, and it was extremely hot, but I'd have to say that Halloween was the best I'd had.
What is your favorite costume and why?
My favorite costume would have to be my Aeris Gainsborough costume, no contest. She's so sweet and amazing, and I found many qualities within myself that matched her, causing my feeling of closeness to her, to increase. I made the original version when I was about 13 after Final Fantasy VII had come out, and I had already fell in love with the character. Unfortunatly that version had been drastically off in color and the worksmanship was a bit lacking for a proper cosplay, so I've redone it this year and you can find it in my Costumes section!
Do you have a dream costume you'd like to make?
I have a few ^_^; First is Aeris' Advent Children outfit, completed with proper color contacts to go with it. Maybe even a Cloud <.< *kidding* Second would be Suu's white dress from the CLAMP Clover manga. I love the thick brace belt she wears around her abdomen. Last would be Belldandy's Goddess outfit. It's so whimsical..beautiful. Who knows, one day maybe I'll be able to make them.
What has been your most memorable cosplay experience?
Going to my first anime convention (Animazement 2003) Dressed as Chii and singing Karaoke. I'd never done it before, and I was so nervous..I also didn't know any of the music that they had as a selection..except for the Pocahantas soundtrack. The head DJ is fortunatly a really nice guy and went up to introduce me himself, explaining that this was my first and that I'd be singing "Colors of the Wind". That it ::Is:: from an animated movie and would be accepted. Just..standing up there and to see everyone look at me while I sang, have them yell out things from chobits, or sing along. That was really special to me to find such acceptance underneath such a spotlight. My secondary one would be three boys having approched me in my Aeris costume at Nan desu Kan and hugging me, telling me how they were so depressed when I died and that one of them threw his t.v. out the window. *laughs* It was funny and yet memorable o.o;
Do you participate in masquerades?
I'd love to but I can't say I ever have.
Have you won any awards for your costumes?
Not yet, but maybe as my sewing get's better^_^;
Tell us a little about yourself
Well, for starters my name is Sarah (though everyone calls me Jeri). I'm 5'3 1/2 and am a homeschooled Senior in Highschool. I work at a Theater and come home smelling of popcorn on the weekends, but all in all, I like my job. I'm working torwards getting and Art and maybe a language major in college, I hope to reach them! My hobbies include Gardening, Reading, listening to music, drawing, singing, writing poetry, making costumes, Role Playing, Talking to my friends, Watching Anime and Video Games of many sorts and Ragnarok Online.
My favorite anime
Full Metal Alchemist, Chobits, Love Hina, Ah! My Goddess, Fruits Basket, Sailor Moon, Digimon, Tsubasa, .Hack
My favorite game(s)
Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy X, Final Fantasy VI, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Quest 64, Harvest Moon 64, Earthbound, Sonic 3 & Knuckles
My favorite book(s)
Eternity, The Unicorn Chronicles, The Chronicles of Narnia, Lord of The Rings, Animorphs, The Lost Years of Merlin, Harry Potter
My favorite character(s)
Aeris/Aerith Gainsborough, Tifa Lockhart, Cloud Strife,Vincent Valentine (FFVII), Terra Branford (FFVI), Link, Saria, Princess Zelda (Legend of Zelda), Chii (Chobits), Amalthea (The Last Unicorn), Aura (.hack), Yuki Sohma, Momiji Sohma, Kyo Sohma, Tohru Honda (Fruits Basket), Jeri Katou, Renamon (Digimon), Belldandy (Ah! My Goddess)
My favorite movies(s)
Advent Children, Spirited Away, Lord of The Rings, Artifical Intelligence, The Matrix, The Last Unicorn, Beauty and The Beast, Tomb Raider
My favorite actors/actresses
Liv Tyler, Nichole Kiddman, Johnny Depp, Haley Joel Osment, Angelina Jolie, and assorted voice actors.