Name: Megan Sora
A part of Sora’s Silly Styles
Associated with Team Darugaru and Harlot’s Virtue Pirate Crew
City: Can I just say north-east Ohio?? Haha
Social Media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SorasSillyStyles/
Tumblr: http://megan-sora.tumblr.com/
What was your first Cosplay Experience?:
My first con I went to (Colossalcon when it was back in independence), I just heard that everyone dressed up so I dressed as a catgirl haha. I was 12. But whenever we pulled up, I saw this awesome Vash the Stampede cosplay and all these people in these colorful outfits and I was completely floored. I met some people from Kentucky that I still keep in touch with and just had the doe-eyed look of someone that stumbled into something amazing. After that I really wanted to go to more conventions. My next convention was Ohayocon and I saw this AMAZING Twilight Princess Zelda cosplayer with a fur suit Wolf Link. They were amazing. I talked to her for maybe ten minutes and I feel like I didn’t know what to ask her or what to say. But after that I walked away going “I wanna do that”. And I did. And I became Twilight Princess Zelda.
How long have you been Cosplaying?:
I want to say I’ve been Cosplaying since I was 12, but that’s not really true. When I was young I loved Halloween Costumes and dressing up, but I didn’t really get into the Cosplay community until I was about 15/16. Around then was also when I started dabbling in making my own outfits and at first I was HORRIBLE haha. But I think I’ve gotten better since then.
What is your favorite cosplay you have worn/created?
I feel like trying to pick a favorite cosplay is kind of like trying to pick a favorite child; it’s almost impossible to do. There are some that I have worn more than others (Yang, Black Cat, Zelda, etc) and some I’ve gotten rid of (Chrysalis, Tsukiyama, Attack on Titan Sasha), but they all have a special place in my heart because of the time that I took on them and the memories that I made in them.
If you had unlimited resources, what Cosplay would you create?:
I would create all the Cosplays, obviously, haha. But I’m a design freak. It’s a huge part of who I am. Seeing beautiful designs and going “THAT ONE I NEED TO MAKE THAT ONE I NEED IT IN MY LIFE” is what drives me, so I’m never completely fulfilled by just one cosplay. I’m in a constant state of ideas and creating, which is why cosplay is so ideal for me. I’d probably attempt something psychotic like Margaery Tyrell’s Rose Wedding Dress or Liara from Mass Effect or a full on Samus Aran outfit or something with a gigantic back piece and head piece and huge wig and a bunch of detailing and beading and ugh just all of it.
What advice would you offer others trying to break into Cosplay?:
-Don’t let the haters get you down. SHAKE IT OFF! 😀
-It’s a time and/or money sink. There are cheaper ways to do it, but it’s always going to cost some form of time/money.
-Buying cosplays is definitely something you can do (and it’s totally fine to do), but if you’re very artistic, try making your cosplays or aspects of your cosplays at least once. You might surprise yourself and find that you really like it.
-Don’t cosplay because someone wants you to. Cosplay for yourself.
-Some people get rich and famous via cosplay, but don’t strive for it. Don’t make this into something that makes you miserable because you’re not making money off of it and you’re not popular enough.
-TIME. MANAGEMENT. LEARN ABOUT IT.
-Know your limits.
-Know your boundaries
-Go to photoshoots
-Book photoshoots with private photographers
-If you have a huge prop, make it collapsible
-Make yourself a cosplay repair kit
-If your cosplay breaks at a con, don’t panic, someone will help you if you ask
-Expand upon your talents and your materials. Perfecting something is great, but branching out and finding new materials and new things you’re good at is wonderful.
-Always look up references
-Do research on a character
-Try not to cosplay something you don’t know. Learn about that character and see if you like them 🙂
-Don’t feed the trolls.
-If you have followers, tell them not to feed the trolls. Sticking up for someone is great but drawing more attention to negativity can be bad in the long run
-A serger is great and can save you a lot of time
-There is nothing to be ashamed of with asking for help or borrowing tools and materials.
-Cosplay with your friends or SO. And if you don’t have any friends to cosplay with, make new friends.
-If you want to, crossplay.
-I dont care what your body type, skin color, sex, or anything else is, cosplay what you wanna cosplay.
-If you’re not having fun, stop doing it.
