The feminine & graceful One Piece Kalifa Cosplay done by Elisa Cosplay was found by us half a month ago. Today, this pretty Italian girl accepts our interview. We do feel lucky to be allowed to know more information from this professional cosplayer. She is also known as GothicLolita88 at Deviantart.com. Being interested in anime, cosplay, etc, she shows us many stunning works in her gallery. Some of them are picked out and displayed below. Take a look now.
1. Please introduce yourself first.
Hi, my name’s Elisa, I come from Italy, and I study foreign languages and literatures (English and Japanese) at university. I have been a cosplayer since 2008.
2. What does cosplay mean to you?
First of all, cosplay means having fun. Because becoming your favorite character for a day is great, and also, when you go to cosplay conventions you can meet new people, and friends you don’t see so often because they live far from you. Last but not least, making your costumes improves your fantasy and skills, and wearing them strengthens your confidence and self-esteem.
3. What and when was your first cosplay?
My first cosplay was Misa Amane from Death Note and I wore it at Fumettopoli (a comic convention in Milan, Italy) in february 2008. It was a very easy cosplay, since I had the same hair and already owned very similar outfits.
4. What is your most memorable cosplay experience?
The first time I cosplayed together with my cosplay group. We lived together for three days, finishing our costumes, practicing our skit, taking funny pictures and videos.
5. What’s your favorite photo shoot?
The Kuroshitsuji photo shoot taken at the monumental cemetery in Ravenna (Italy).
6. What’s your favorite anime/manga/game character to cosplay as?
Sebastian from Kuroshitsuji. I have already made 5 versions and I intend to make a lot more (from anime, manga, illustrations, etc.)
7. Any cosplay plan in future?
My cosplay wishlist is quite long, I have already planned almost all my cosplays for next year.
8. Do you make your costumes yourself or buy them?
I make them myself. My grandma taught me how to sew, I still ask for her advice sometimes, but I try to make everything on my own. Same goes for the accessories: sometimes my grandpa helps me out, but I try to make as much as possible myself.
9. Any other cosplayers you like?
I don’t have a favorite cosplayer. Basically, I like a cosplayer when he/she makes a very good cosplay of a character I like, putting a lot of effort in making the costume and accuracy into the details (even if the costume is simple), because I love details.
10. Do some changes happen to you after cosplay?
Yes, after I started cosplaying, I became more open and less shy, and I developed a great self-confidence.
11. Any advice you wanna share with cosplay newbies?
Always cosplay characters you know and you like, because it’s a lot more fun. Start with something simple but always pay attention to the costume’s details, and also to the wig and make-up, because they are very important for the cosplay’s first impression.
