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| Doctor Strange Picture by @projectshowcase |
For our first cosplayer interview of 2022 I would like to introduce you all to my little sister and writer for the Daily Cosplaynet, Nayru Cosplay (pronouns she/her).
Nayru Cosplay is a nerd through and through. Ever since we were small she was always gaming, very studious, nose always in a book and literally was the real life Hermione Granger, big frizzy hair included! Since those days she may have lost the big frizzy hair but she can still be found with her nose in a book, gaming and now has even more nerdy fandoms and interests including cosplay. She has appeared at MCM London as a guest speaker and attends conventions up and down the country throughout the year. Nayru is also a huge advocate for body positivity amongst the cosplay community.
Nayru Cosplay is an Instagram sensation! Make sure to go and check out her Instagram @nayru_cosplay to check out more of her great work!
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| Esdeath Picture by @hannahlouphotos |
The first cosplay I did was Lara Croft back in 2017! Looking back it wasn’t as good as my cosplays now, and I improved that cosplay since then!
How did you get into cosplay?
By being a nerd! I’ve been a huge nerd my
whole life always been into gaming and was one of those kids queueing up at
midnight for Harry Potter book launches; I’d wanted to cosplay and go to
conventions for a while but I wasn’t really sure how to start or have someone
to go with. Then one day I just started doing it and once I started I was
hooked!
Which characters have you cosplayed?
Now that’s a question! I think I’ve done
over 50 cosplays! I’ll just list some of them – Merida, Galadriel, Tifa
Lockheart, Loki, Doctor Strange, Ram from Re:Zero, Nezuko, Misty, Toga Himiko.
There’s too many to list!
Do you have a favourite costume?
I always struggle picking a favourite! I
have so many I love and I’m always doing new ones so it’s always changing!
Do you act in costume or purely
look like the character?
I certainly pose in character, I make sure my poses and facial
expressions suit the character; and will “act” in character if I’m making a
cosplay video. Just going around con though not shooting I’m just me!
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| Harley Quinn Picture by @cosplaybypedro |
I have made some props/accessories in the past. My Nuka Cola Girl tanks, Merida bow and arrows, Princess Bubblegum crown. I just don’t really have the patience for it though and I don’t actually find that aspect enjoyable personally, my favourite part of cosplaying is actually being in the cosplay so I tend to buy or commission now!
What skills have you learnt cosplaying?
I think you have to learn to be
resourceful! Thinking of ways you can do things, how to make fixes to things
that break or aren’t working, learning to reuse parts of cosplays for different
characters to save money.
Where do you tend to shop for cosplay
costumes and accessories?
I
have a few places I use! I’ve just started getting Genshin cosplays, Uwowo
cosplay and Kasou Wig are my favourites for Genshin. Othe places are Wig Is
Fashion, Miccostumes, Aliexpress, Amazon, Ebay, Etsy. Depends on the cosplay
really!
Do you have any costume tips/tricks to share?
Use wigs/outfit pieces for multiple characters where possible as it will save money. Try and think seasonally when choosing convention cosplays – choose things that are warmer or that you could layer under for winter and cooler ones for summer conventions! A silicone wig grip is your best friend.
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| Merida Picture by @ninetythirdstreet |
I have so many favourite fandoms! My top 3 are probably Zelda, Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. I also love Genshin Impact, Fallout, Tomb Raider, Devil May Cry, Marvel, and anime like Re:Zer ad, My Hero Academia. And of course Disney!
Body positivity is a very hot topic in
cosplay at the moment. There seems to be pressure to be a certain
shape/weight/look to pull off certain characters. There can be a lot of
negativity in terms of trolling within groups based on people’s appearance. How
have you found the cosplay community personally?
The cosplay community themselves are
actually usually very supportive and positive about anyone cosplaying whatever
they want regardless of their size, shape, race, gender etc. True cosplayers
know that none of this actually matters in cosplay. I have actually hosted a
panel at MCM London in the past talking about body confidence in cosplay and
discussing these issues. Trolls online are usually actually not people in the
community, people who just like to troll anyone; but the community itself will
be supportive. It can be hard and put people off of even starting cosplaying if
they fear that they will get troll comments online, and it could happen. I’ve
certainly had it and had plenty of fat jokes as a “plus size” cosplayer. But
the support I get FAR outweighs the negative. And you have to try and remember
it’s not personal. The people who troll will find anyone to try and troll, find
anything to pick at as they get their kicks from getting a rise out of people
while they hide behind the anonymity of their screens. They would never dare
walk up to you and say it to your face. And that says far more about them than
it does about you – do you even care about the opinion of someone like that?
Have you done any charity work as a cosplayer?
Not yet but it’s definitely something I
would like to do!
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| V Picture by @wadewilson |
I’m absolutely into this! I’ve done genderbend cosplays such as my President Loki which was done as a femme style instead and I’ve done lots of cosplays where I’ve changed it to make it a more unique version. Doing screen accurate ones is fun but being creative with them and making something new that other people aren’t doing is also fun!
What is the best and worst piece of cosplay advice you’ve
received?
I can’t
actually think of any specific advice I’ve received! I feel like I’ve mostly
worked things out as I went along!
As a dab hand at attending conventions and events do you
have any advice/do and don’ts to share?
Don’t wear shoes you can’t manage in! It’s ok to forgo accuracy if
it means you can actually walk around all day. Eight hours in crazy heels if you
can’t really do that will take its toll. Do stop for breaks and make sure you
eat and drink properly! Especially longer conventions that are 3 days will be a
struggle if you don’t do that. Wear warmer cosplays at winter cons and cooler
ones at summer cons. Bring basic make up for touch ups, wig glue if you have a
glued down wig, safety pins in case of any mishaps!
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| Ram Picture by @wadewilson |
Definitely the friends I’ve made! I met my best friends through cosplay and conventions and I have some amazing friends thanks to it!
What other cosplayers do you admire? Obviously Jessica Nigri is a queen.
There’s a cosplayer I follow Seeuxiaorou who is amazing! Sayathefox, Leon
Chiro. There’s so many I follow!
Do you have any advice for people looking
to do cosplay photoshoots?
Conventions are a great way to meet photographers. Posting in con
groups on facebook and cosplay groups will help you find photographers. Try and
make sure your location suits the character! Practice your poses and facial
expressions, use reference photos if you need to.
What do you like to do when you’re not
cosplaying?
I love
gaming, at the moment I’m hooked on Genshin! I also watch anime and other shows
etc, I’m often on Playstation Party with friends.
For people wanting to get into cosplay,
what advice would you give them?
Go for it! Pick a character that’s fairly easy to do as your first
one to ease you into it, and pick a character you love because that will help
motivate you!
What are your future cosplay plans?
I’m currently working on Raiden Shogun,
Ganyu, Lisa and Ayaka from Genshin Impact as well as finalising a Princess
Zelda cosplay!
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| Toga Himiko Picture by @xantheboudoir |
Which conventions/events do you have
planned to attend this year?
Definitely MCM London! I’m also going to Secret Con next month,
and I’m *hoping* to go to Anime Expo in the states!
What are you most looking forward to for
the rest of the year?
Getting
to cosplay with my friends! It’s the best part of cosplay and conventions for
me!
Thank you to Nayru for taking the time to do this interview for us! Stay tuned for more cosplayer interviews coming soon!
Skye Fawkes
Editor In Chief and Head Writer
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