1) How did you get into cosplaying?
Well, I was cosplaying before I even knew what cosplay was!
I dressed up as Suicide Squad Harley Quinn for Halloween 2015, and I remember all of my friends commenting on the level of detail I’d gone into. Almost like I was a bit too keen…ha!
A friend from school (Hannah) saw my photos and suggested we go to Birmingham MCM Comic Con as Harley & The Joker. Before I knew it we were stood in the NEC, with only our hair and faces resembling Harley & Mr J…because we were too scared to fully cosplay.
It’s safe to say I felt very under-dressed and couldn’t wait to go back in full cosplay.
2) Where do you get your inspiration and ideas to cosplay from? Is it from programs you watch now or childhood programs or both?
The majority of my inspiration comes from other cosplayers and character artwork.
I’ve found that the cosplay community is full of brilliant, creative individuals who not only share amazing content, but also offer valuable advice and ideas. It’s like most things in life, I take the best out of everything I see, add a few of my own ideas, and contort it till it suits me. If ever I have an idea that I’m not sure about, or I need a bit help with something, I just ask everyone what they think.
I adore art, so I find coming across artists adaptations of characters inspires me a lot as well. I’m not opposed to adding a quirky twist to a cosplay that might not be strictly accurate to the character.
3) How do you put your outfits together are they 100% from scratch and if so what’s been your trickiest part to date?
LOTS OF GOOGLING! I guess the process can be different with a screen accurate cosplay to a character adaption. My Suicide Squad Harley Quinn cosplay is screen accurate (well meant to be!) so that cosplay involved A LOT of online research. It’s easier now to add to it now the film is out, but when I first did her it was a year before it came out. I do quite like that I started putting her together early though, as watching it develop has been fantastic. Always nice to know you’ve improved!
I source most of my cosplays online, whether it’s buying finished pieces, or buying items to customise or buying materials to make props. It’s trial and error really!
Suicide Squad Harley has been bought bit by bit over 6 months, my Belle Reve Harley Quinn cosplay is completely customised, in the respect I’ve sourced materials, dyed them and cut them up to re-style, and my Classic Harley Quinn and Deadpool cosplays are the first I’ve made props for! I made a cheesy cartoon style bomb for Harley and with the help of my friends Tom & Sam we made Deadpools back scabbard. I’m not trusted with a drill you see…
4) What’s your favourite cosplay to date?
I haven’t got many to choose from, but by far it’s got to be Harley. There is so much room for creativity with the amount of looks she has. She’s fun, weird and naughty – what’s not to love? It’s no wonder I feel so connected to her!
5) If you’ve cosplayed at a convention what was the experience like?
I have cosplayed at…1, 2, 3, 4 conventions so far! Birmingham MCM , London MCM and Amsterdam Comic Con. Each experience has been more than amazing. I’ve had awesome reactions to my cosplay each time, especially in Amsterdam. In fact Amsterdam was almost overwhelming with how beautiful the feedback was there.
I think it’s safe to say, con’s are one of the highlights of my year. It feels amazing to be able to stay in another city for the weekend, put together everything I’ve worked really hard on, spend time with one of my best friends, make lovely new friends, work with awesome photographers old and new, and party the evenings away. There is nothing else quite like it really.
6) Can we expect to see you at any conventions this year?
I’ve already done Spring Birmingham MCM, Spring London MCM, Amsterdam Comic Con and Autumn London MCM…the only one left this year is Autumn Birmingham MCM that I’ll be attending 19th & 20th November. I’m hoping to attend them all again next year! Maybe even a new one?
7) If you could cosplay as anyone and budget wasn’t an issue who would it be?
This was a really difficult question, but I keep coming back to same two answers.
It would have to be either cosplaying Ironman, in a full, badass functioning suit…THE DREAM.
Or…I’d love to do an impressive Totoro cosplay. I’m not sure whether I’d want to do a badass warrior, armoured cosplay like Jessica Nigri or a full mascot type suit? Either would be pretty cool! For now I guess I’ll stick with my Totoro onesie…
8) Do you have any words of advice for up and coming cosplayers?
Don’t be scared to be yourself and have fun – that’s what it’s all about x
9) Where can we find you online?
- Instagram – Lolita_Ward
There you go readers Lolita Ward! Don’t be shy go say hi and say ‘Skatronixxx sent me!
PHOTO CREDITS GO TO:
skatronixxx.wordpress.com 
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