Post by Deleted on Mar 13, 2019 19:19:30 GMT
Hey guys!
Now, you'll have to bear with me because introductions aren't really my strong point.
So, I'm Leigh and I still consider myself to be a newbie when it comes to cosplay. I first started cosplaying in 2015 when I attended Wales Comic Con for the first time. I went for a pretty simple costume - Trubel from the TV series Grimm. The costume mainly required me sourcing items of clothing, weathering and ageing them as well as bloodying them up. Although a very simple costume, it was recognised by a few fans of the show and I had a lot of fun.
After that, my next cosplays were Marvel's Black Widow and Z Nation's Addy Carver. Addy is one of my favourite characters and she was a lot of fun to create. I sourced and weathered the clothing and made the dreadlocks to go into the wig. I edited the necklace and made her signature weapon - the Z Whacker - a modified metal baseball bat from a bat and some thick wax crayons. The prop made the cosplay recognisable and I had a brilliant time as her. Unfortunately, as the bat is metal, it's no longer cosplay safe so I'm currently working on rebuilding it from foam to bring to a future convention.
My next cosplay came on my 21st birthday when I held a costume party. I created my Sarah Sanderson from Hocus Pocus from scratch. I sourced all the materials and made the skirt, the corset and the cloak. I unfortunately have never worn this costume to a con, however, once I've finished editing the skirt to a more screen accurate standard, I definitely intend to.
In the last few years, I've been attending more cons and so have ended up with many more costumes. Just before my 22nd birthday, a close friend made me my Heath Ledger's Joker costume from the Nolanverse Batman movies. As she made the jacket, the shirt and the skirt for me, all I had left to source was a waist coat, the tie and the stockings. The screen accurate tie was incredibly difficult to find, but I eventually found one. The stockings have still elluded me to this day, so I plan on making them - as well as sourcing a much more accurate wig. Along with all my props, I love wearing this costume. I enjoy building the prosthetic pieces each time and working with the face paint as I never get the same scars or makeup twice. It allows me to be as messy and creative as I like.
My other Joker varient is a punk rock version I made for a group cosplay at MCM Manchester in 2017. This costume is probably one I'm most proud of as I made the jacket from scratch. I sourced an old, black leather jacket and went from there. I painted it, studded it, detailed it and added spikes, buttons and patches fitting of the character. I put a lot of effort into it and I think it definitely shows. I added more to it and repainted it to a much higher standard for Chester Comic Con in 2018 and I'm now much happier with it. I have so much fun in that costume.
I've also spent the last few years consistantly remaking my cosplay of WWE's Lita. Growing up, Lita was always my favourite wrestler so perfecting this costume has meant the world to me. It's taken me two years to perfect, but I've had the honour of meeting Lita whilst cosplaying as her and received high praise for the costume which meant the world to me. I have even managed to source an original replica of the original WWE Women's Championship for the costume.
Horror is my all time favourite genre. In 2017 I debuted my American Horror Story cosplay. When season 5's Hotel came out in 2015, I fell in love with Sarah Paulson's character - "Hypodermic" Sally McKenna. I spent a long time sourcing all the items for the cosplay - eventually having to make the dress as I wasn't satisfied with any of the premade ones and struggled to find a screen accurate one. I managed to source most of the accessories and made the necklace myself. The hardest part of the costume was the wig. As it was impossible to find an accurate wig online, I had to make one myself. I purchased a long blonde wig, cut it to shape and styled it to the standard I wanted. Altogether, the costume ended up looking incredible and I've also worn it to Sheffield Horror Con and For the Love of Horror. I've also created a cosplay of the character Aki from the show Blood Drive to accompany my partner's Julian Slink costume. I'm currently in the process of remaking this into a much more professional and screen accurate version.
My current project is Silent Hill's Lisa Garland from the original game to accompany my partner's Silent Hill Nurse. I've sourced all the items and I'm in the middle of preparing it for Wales Comic Con in 2019.
I look forward to (hopefully!) getting to work with you guys in the future!