Name: Yuki
City: Rostov-on-Don, Russia
Social Media:
【WorldCosplay】: http://worldcosplay.net/member/koizumi_saeko
【Facebook】: http://www.facebook.com/YukioCosplay
【DeviantArt】: http://yukirichan.deviantart.com/
【Tumblr】: http://yukiocosplay.tumblr.com
【Ask】: http://ask.fm/yukihime549
What was your first Cosplay Experience?
My first cosplay convention, which I visited as a cosplayer was in 2010 in Rostov-on-Don. The conventioned is called Tanibata and is held every Summer in July. I didn’t take part in the convention program and came with my friend to see what a cosplay convention is, the program, the organization, other cosplayers, to take photos. The main entertainment for me was guessing the characters the cosplayers were dressed as. You might like to know what cosplay costumes I and my friend wore? We were cosplaying as Yuki (me) and Zero from anime Vampire Knight. The anime was new at the time and a big shot, so this cosplay was pretty popular and I met a lot of my “twins” wearing the same costumes. A lot of people asked to take pictures of us and with us and it was very nice. The convention left a lasting impression and I knew I would sure come again next year. That time and years after I met a lot of people who became a part of my life whether for better or worse, but I don’t regret anything as long as my life is interesting thanks to them. By the way, the first costume I ordered from the website ebay.com, I didn’t by a wig, cause my own hair fitted the character, although Yuki Cross had boots, I wore shoes. I didn’t know at the time that every detail was important in cosplay and what a disappointment it was, when I submitted my photo cosplay for the first time in Russian soc. media and got a lot of rude comments where people nagged at everything whether it was just or not. I was shocked and hurt and hadn’t submitted my photo cosplay in that soc. media till previous year. After that I started submitting my photos on DeviantArt.com and the audience there happened to be much more friendly and tactful. I’m truly thankful to everyone, who supports me with comments and adding my photos to their favorites and collections. Thank you, guys, my progress depends a lot on you!
How long have you been Cosplaying?
Now is the sixth year.
What is your favorite cosplay you have worn/created?
I can’t really choose no matter how many times I tried, I love all my cosplays equally, otherwise I wouldn’t waste time, efforts and money to make them. You know, I don’t have a talent for sewing, that’s why I usually order my costumes from a professional tailor or sometimes from ebay or aliexpress. Although there was a time when I had to sew myself due to financial problems (Cosplay is a very expensive hobby!). The only cosplay I sewed myself (with the help of a friend) was cosplay of Tomoe from Kamisama Kiss. There were some other cosplays that I started to sew… they are still waiting for me to finish them. Nevertheless, it’s not like I’m doing nothing and just wear some ready-made clothes, no! I have a lot of things to do for my cosplay. I and my friend are always doing everything together, and cosplay is no exception: we are making so-called cosplay “stuff”, that is all the craft works like swords, staffs, armors, guns and so on. Besides that, we are looking for the perfect wig (on ebay/aliexpress) and then I cut and style it myself. I’m also doing makeup for me and my friends. My friend and I do photography and retouch, but I’m still not good at them and usually take part as a model or assistant. So, as you can see, cosplay is a tiresome and complicated thing that needs diligence… and money (I’m not a rich person, I just save on everything)
If you had unlimited resources, what Cosplay would you create?
There is one cosplay in my plans, but, frankly speaking I don’t believe I’m able to make it. Maybe you know the movie The Edge of Tomorrow, starring Tom Cruise? So the movie has manga by Takeshi Obata “All you need is kill” as a basis, and I want to make a character from that manga in a battle suit. I don’t know how to make such a suit, so if I had some professionals and resources, I would like to make it.
What advice would you offer others trying to break into Cosplay?
I would advice to think carefully if you are ready to spend so much time and money on cosplay, if you are crazy for it and will spare no efforts for cosplay, because if you treat cosplay halfheartedly, you will sure be disappointed and just waste your money. One more thing: don’t listen to anybody, follow your heart, if you want to cosplay, then do it. Don’t be afraid to fail: once you fail, you start again and move forward and get better. Nothing is done perfectly from the beginning. I know one thing for sure: progress is always made by trying and doing something, not by lying on the sofa.