Sirene

As a 17-year-old high school student, Sirene is a member of her school's competitive marching band, theatre department, and Japanese Club. She enjoys jogging, dancing, and (reluctantly) skiing. Her current place of residence is in Novi, Michigan, where she lives with her mother, father, brother, and border collie.

Sirene has been cosplaying since the summer of 2007, when she attended the Grand Hallows Ball at Borders for the release of the seventh Harry Potter book. She dressed up as Hermione. Since then, she has been absolutely addicted to costuming and sewing in general.

She and her friends regularly attend JAFAX and Youmacon, both based in Michigan, as well as ACEN in Illinois.

Sirene is also the co-founder of "Mango Sorbet Cosplay", which can be found at InnerMindTheater.com. The cosplay group has two members: CourtoonXIII and herself. They will occasionally be joined by guest cosplayers and friends, too.

What got you into cosplay?
I've always loved sewing, even though I've slacked off from it during high school. I recently picked it up again, spurred on mostly by watching (rather poor) cosplay skits on YouTube. Ever since I was a kid, I've adored dressing up and wearing costumes. Halloween is my favorite holiday for that reason! And hey, what better way to show how much you love a character than by dressing up as them?
What was your first costume and why?
My first cosplay was sort of by accident. My friends and I were going to the Grand Hallows Ball at Borders for the release of the final Harry Potter book, and they told me that I'd be dressing up as Hermione the day before. Short notice, much? I managed to throw together a costume in the nick of time, mostly by luck. It actually went pretty well, and the party itself was a blast~!
What is your favorite costume and why?
Fairy Yuna. It seemed like it was a very simple costume at first, but it was actually more of a challenge than I thought it would be! I learned a lot of new skills while making it. Wearing it at cons is also a ton of fun!
Do you have a dream costume you'd like to make?
Yuna's Berserker dress sphere. I love the design so much, and the amount of detail is so eye-catching. Also, it's an excuse to learn to make armor and giant animal paws. This is one cosplay that'll have to wait until I have better skills, but I'm so excited to make it!
What has been your most memorable cosplay experience?
ACEN '09 as the Fairy YRP! It was so much fun, seriously. We couldn't walk five feet without being stopped for pictures! And I got to spend the day with my two favorite people ever, which is always a plus!
Do you participate in masquerades?
Once, so far! Hopefully more in the future.
What was your best masquerade experience?
Talking with people backstage at the JAFAX '08 costume contest. (The fact that this was more fun than the actual contest says a lot.)
Have you won any awards for your costumes?
Not yet. Sigh sigh sigh.
Tell us a little about yourself
An avid Disney and Transformers fan, I'm an aspiring movie director who really, really needs a life (though I'm quite happy with the one I have). I've been into cosplay for about a year now, and I don't see this obsession ending any time soon! I live in Michigan with my family that consists of two parents, a brother, and one trusty canine companion who thinks he can herd SUVs as if they're giant, metallic sheep.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
I have successfully done a barrel roll into a pool without cracking my head open.
My favorite anime
Wolf's Rain. No competition. That is, by far, the greatest anime that I have seen and ever will see.
My favorite game(s)
Kingdom Hearts. The passion I have for those games is simple and clean; they are my sanctuary. I also love Final Fantasy VIII and XII, and the Silent Hill series. I roll with Pyramid Head, man.
My favorite book(s)
Stephen King = very yes plz. My goal right now is to read all of his books, as I love his writing so much. I'm reading The Stand right now, and it's absolutely amazing. My favorite book is The Talisman, which King cowrote with Peter Straub. Nothing will ever compare to that book. Nothing. My favorite genre is - obviously - horror, and I also enjoy sci-fi and fantasy.
My favorite character(s)
Emma Emmerich (MGS2), Pyramid Head (SH), Draco Malfoy (HP), Jack Sawyer (Talisman), Louis Creed (Pet Semetary), and Captain Jack Sparrow (POTC).
My favorite movies(s)
I'm a huge fan of classic Disney movies, such as Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, Hercules, etc. Mickey Mouse is my anti-drug. My absolute favorite movie, though, is Transformers. idk my BFF Bumblebee?
My favorite actors/actresses
Johnny Depp.