BASICS

Name - Kathryn
Nickname - Rynn
Birthdate - 08.26
Location - Chicago, IL
Height - 5'3
Hair - Brown
Eyes - Green
Occupation - Assistant Account Executive for a promotions agency
Relationship Status - In a relationship
Personality - Giggly, sarcastic, emotional, goofy, practical
Quirks - Allergic to everything, afraid of jellyfish, minimalist, ketchup aficionado, pro napper
Favorite Color - Turquoise
Favorite Music - Paramore, Ludo, Fall Out Boy, Panic at the Disco
Favorite Book - The Harry Potter series
Favorite TV show - 30 Rock, Arrested Development, Project Runway, HGTV
Favorite Anime - Fullmetal Alchemist, Beck, Nana, Death Note, Digimon, Madoka Magica

Q&A

How did you get into cosplay?

I stumbled upon cosplay completely by accident. I started watching anime when I was in middle school and spent a fair amount of time watching/researching my favorite shows online. One day, cosplay photos started popping up in my google searches and I thought, “Whoa - that is so cool! I want to do that!” I didn’t know how to sew at the time but, after seeing so many beautiful pictures, I knew it was something I wanted to try for myself.

Why do you cosplay?

I cosplay because it combines so many of the things I enjoy: anime, photography, theatre, art, creativity, and spending time with friends. I have been a closet nerd my entire life and have shuffled through various expressions of fandom (fanart, RPing, voice acting, etc.) but cosplay has stuck with me the longest. I think cospay is special because it's a rare form of fandom that offers the opportunity to be social and collaborate with people on a level beyond a computer screen. I have met so many wonderful people as a result of this hobby and being able to team up with friends from across the country to create and perform is one of my favorte things about cosplay.

How did you learn to sew?

I am self-taught but I learned a lot from watching my mom sew. When I first started off, sewing was so frustrating. I remember making a stitch, turning the garment inside out and thinking, “I have no idea what I’m doing but I hope this works.” 70% of the time, it didn’t. Thankfully, my 30% success rate grew with each project and my confidence developed over time. I am still learning every day.

What advice would you give to someone who is new to cosplay?

Find someone to teach you the basics of sewing, whether it’s a relative, friend, or a basic sewing class at a local Joann Fabrics. Building techniques will come with experience but a solid foundation is everything. Buy some cheap fabric and some easy patterns (usually labeled as "Easy") and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Youtube can be a great resource if you’re a visual learner. Also, experienced cosplayers can be an amazing resource for new cosplayers and will usually help when they can. Most of us started with little to no sewing experience and learned with lots of practice and the same will hold true for you.

What are your favorite conventions?

Fanime in San Jose, CA & Colossalcon in Sandusky, OH!

What was it like to participate in the World Cosplay Summit?

It was an emotional adventure. The stress and sleep deprivation leading up to the trip was unlike anything I had ever experienced. The preparation required is so overwhelming - there were times when I wanted to just curl up in a ball and cry. However, once we arrived in Japan, the joy of finally achieving our goal dwarfed any prior apprehension. We bonded instantly with the other teams and the experience felt much more like a private vacation than a competition. We were all treated like celebrities for a week, which was such a bizarre experience, I can’t put it into words. The competition itself has a lot of room for improvement but being able to perform on stage in Japan is something I will never forget. To read more about the experience, please click on the WCS link on my “Con” page.

What is your view of the cosplay community?

I truly believe that the cosplay scene is what you make of it. We are some of the most talented, artistic, resourceful and dedicated group of geeks you will ever meet. However, I think a lot of people become so wrapped up in the hobby that they forget the essence of what we are – nerds in costume. Elitism and jealously are the poison within our community and how you choose to deal with the negativity will ultimately affect your happiness as a cosplayer. In my opinion, ignorance (to a point) is bliss and it’s important to focus on the things that make you happy, whether it’s the joy of making costumes, performance, photoshoots, friends, travel or the dream of reeling in a hot cosplay boyfriend (good luck with that last one). We are all in this hobby for a reason and it’s important not to lose sight of the things that keep us coming back for more.

I have a specific question - can I contact you?

Of course! Please email any questions or comments to cheeren182@yahoo.com.