Final Fantasy IX Garnet Cosplay

Garnet is a beautiful young woman in Final Fantasy IX, due to many of her characteristics which stirs the cosplayers’ interest to do such imitating, especially for the girls. Garnet is strong-willed and stubborn sometimes, and she is well spoken and highly educated at the same time. However, she is also shy and quite naïve because of her growing environment. Meanwhile, she is the Princess of Alexandria, so the special temperament she owns makes her stand out among the other girls in the game.
As regards Garnet cosplay which is an unusual choice for the activity of cosplay. Although it is common to carry on the gender-crossing show, most of the Garnet imitators are the female. There are different appeals that are displayed by the epigones. Some of them look cute, some are pretty and some of them are sexy in the same Garnet cosplay costume, so whatever the appearance you want to reveal, which is totally depends on you, and each of the image has its own charm. And it does no matter how you look like, as long as you are the fanatic of her, you could dress her cosplay outfit to fulfill your passion to the fullest.
Cosplaying Garnet is a wondrous cosplay for any of you to express your emotion of her and a great way to show your own styles before other participants in the activity.

Cosplay Spotlight: Hannah

Known as one of the best Harley Quinn cosplayers this side of the East Coast, Hannah sends comic book fans into a frenzy when she arrives on the convention floor. Her accurate costume combined with her bubbly attitude and striking physical resemblance leads one to believe that one of Bruce Timm's drawings has spontaneously sprung to life. I've observed Hannah at several conventions and events and witnessed the joy she brings to those around her. I'm so proud to call her my friend and have chosen her for the very first Cosplay Spotlight on my Blog. Read on to learn more about this truly amazing and talented artist who to many, is the one and only Harley Quinn.


Victoria: How long have you been cosplaying Harley Quinn and what made you decide to cosplay the character?

Hannah: I started cosplaying Harley in 2008. Some friends invited me to go to a convention with them, and they were planning on dressing up. Being that Harley is my FAVORITE comic character, it was a total no-brainer. She is spunky, creative, twisted, crazy and fun, so I totally identify with her

Victoria: Tell me about making the costume. You made it yourself, correct?

Hannah: Yes, I did make it myself. I had taken a basic sewing course in middle school and embroidered when I was a kid, but that was about the extent of my sewing experience. When I searched for information on Harley costumes that I could buy, they came up at $50 each, and were really not good quality...plus the color combination was off. I'm kind of a perfectionist, and I wasn't willing to let those things happen if I was going to spend $50 on the costume.



Victoria: How long does it take you to put the clown makeup on?

 
Hannah: It usually takes around an hour and a half to two hours. I use a powder base for the white face, which takes several layers. The mask is painted by hand using Ben Nye Aquacake. That's why the mask is slightly different each time I wear it. I prefer to use paint rather than latex for the mask, because Harley's mask acts like "eyebrows" to express her emotions. I find it more expressive to keep that a part of the look.

Victoria: Harley has sported a few different costume designs. What are your thoughts on her attire in Arkham Asylum and Arkham City and would you ever cosplay any of those outfits?

Hannah: Oy, I hate the Arkham Asylum outfit! It's like sexy nurse, middle school girl, goth, punk, grunge...all rolled up in one, un-Harleyesque outfit. Plus I don't think those things work well together. It doesn't fit well with the classy, sexy image she's had for so long.




Victoria: How do you feel about Harley's abusive relationship with the Joker?

Hannah: Harley's relationship with the Joker is really tough to manage, IMO. It's a real love/hate situation--the times when he acts sweet addicts her to him, and she sees him in "Harley-vision" as this wonderful, sweet, loving man who cares for her. Every now and then she gets moments of clarity: when Joker kicks her out of his gang, or does something terrible to her that makes her leave him. Those moments of clarity show that she can in some ways comprehend and digest the fact that he might not be the one for her. In reality, I think all she really wants is a man who she cares for, and who loves her (and makes her laugh).


Victoria: What about her close relationship with Poision Ivy?

Hannah: Harley as a character has the unique ability as a character to serve as a sidekick, partner or the leader of a gang. With Ivy, she was initially more of a sidekick, and has through time become a partner in their crime sprees. They've developed a very close relationship--often based in Ivy trying to save Harl from the Joker, Harley making somewhat of an effort, and then ending up pulled back to the Joker (or getting them landed in Arkham), thus enraging Ivy who refuses to talk to her again. It's happened a few times, most recently in a recent issue of Gotham City Sirens. We'll see how this one plays out.

 
Victoria: What other characters have you dressed as?


Hannah: I've cosplayed as a casual version of Harley Quinn, from Gotham City Sirens as well. I've also dressed as Princess Garnet/Dagger, from Final Fantasy 9, and Sailor Moon, from the first season of her show. I have two costumes of Katara from Avatar: The Last Airbender, one from the second book and the other as her Fire Nation disguise.

Victoria: Any future cosplays you have in store?

Hannah: Right now I am finishing up a Tomoe Tachibana costume, from Trauma Team, which you can see some pictures of on my Facebook. I am also working up a Harley-as-Arkham-Inmate costume for Wizard World Philly. My plan next year is to try to focus on doing Arkham City Harley.

Don't forget to check me out as Miss March at ComicBooked.com, as well as my Facebook page!
http://www.comicbooked.com/miss-march-cause-player-of-the-month/
http://www.facebook.com/hanpancosplay



Final Fantasy Paine Cosplay

Paine is one of the main characters from Final Fantasy X-2, she is Lulu in sense because this fact that they have the same faces except the clothing they wear. And cosplay Paine seems to bring the cosplayers a kind of refreshing and exhilarating experience, which is due mainly to her personal charisma.
In the aspect of Paine’ nature, she is such a girl who is rather wordless, hardhearted and can be very serious with cool appearance, which shows a strong captivation in the eyes of her fanatics. What’s more, she is very sensitive about talking about her past. It can be said that this sort of fantasy cosplay reveals a different genre of girl cosplay, generally, when speaking of the girl, the first thing we probably will think of the theme of sexiness, softness, however, as for Paine, more often than not, she doesn’t look like a girl except her sexy appearance, hence, she is so special and uncommon as a female.
Cosplaying Paine could fulfill the needs of displaying a strong, independent, cool and larruping individual. Since it is impossible for the girls to show personality freely or to be another people in the reality because of various reasons, but in the activity of Paine cosplay, any of you could achieve that. If you are a soft and timid, or you attempt to change yourself to some extent, or any other purposes, the final fantasy paine cosplay is the best choice.

The Excellent Roles in Final Fantasy X-2


More often than not, the video game Final Fantasy X-2 will be firstly chose by most of the Final Fantasy cosplayers to do the cosplay in the purpose of showing a fabulous looks in the fantasy cosplay. It is because of this fact that there are gorgeous characters and the attractive story plots in this series, such as Rikku, Yuna and Paine are the three leading roles of it, each of them possesses their respective quality.
 Actually, this final fantasy video game could clearly stand out among the other series, the characters in it contributes a lot. Final fantasy Yuna, the main protagonist of this sequel, she is compassionate, generous, and dutiful, a perfect girl in the eyes of her devoted fans. Rikku undoubtedly is an excellent and charming girl, as the sister of Yuna, she is a very happy girl at the age of 15, at the same time she is always full of energy and youth with brilliant mind. So she could bring happiness to those people who around her. She also gets sense of humor and plenty of abilities. It can be said that her smile makes Rikku in the game and deeply impresses players all the way. All in all, she is such a fictional role who full of sunshine. And Paine is a tough and hardhearted with cool appearance shows a strong charisma in the game. Meanwhile, many other roles are included in this series.
Each of the character has its own charming points which allure plenty of followers to carry on the activity of cosplay.

Kuja from Final Fantasy IX


Kuja is the main antagonist of Final Fantasy IX, who is ambitious, narcissistic and ruthless as well as a fanatical gunrunner. Kuja, as a male, it can be said that he often dresses quite strangely, so it is imaginable that his garb must be outstanding, and you will be easily recognized by others as long as you try his cosplay costumes. One of his typical outfits is composed of stand collar coat and a similar skirt, and the matching underwear has two layers with saw tooth, and the sleeves of overcoat have two parts: grape color in top mixes with white in end. Distinctive straps connect with skirt with leg covers. So by portraying him in the show, a quite different feel you would get whether you are a boy or a girl, which is totally dissimilar to your daily life or the former cosplay you did.
As the antagonist, Kuja undoubtedly possesses fascinating nature, the same as most of the bad roles; he is strong, prideful and unmerciful, at the same time, he is unique in the aspect of coquettish and neuter appearance. Moreover, his autophilia and tragic destiny, all these matters contribute him a distinctive individual. Kuja usually wears exposed clothing, and has beautiful looks which surpasses most of the female.
Kuja is indeed a peculiar character among the others in the Final Fantasy series, he could hold his own fans who are interested in the outlandish style of dress and are eager to have a try about the other way of life.

Shooting for Latina Magazine

I've been reading Latina magazine since day one. I remember my mother spotting it on the shelfs of a drug store while the family was on vacation down the Jersey Shore. Jennifer Lopez was on the cover (back in her dark haired days) promoting the movie "Money Train". This magazine was important to me and the women in my family; it was made just for us and this year, Latina (which is sold nationwide) is celebrating their 15th year in publication. I was recently asked to be part of their "Real Women" feature and this past Saturday I made my first trip to New York for a fitting at the Latina office on Madison Avenue. It was very surreal for me. I've been reading this book since I was a kid so this was a dream come true. My family was very proud of me not only for making it into a national magazine but for a book that gives our women a voice. In the office was a framed photo of the first issue with Jennifer Lopez. That was very cool for me to see!

The fitting was fun; I tried on lots of clothes, shoes and accessories for the fashion editior. When all was said and done I headed out with my ex husband to F.A.O. Schwartz before meeting my gal pal at Central Park. We all walked to the M&M store then to Times Square. After a visit to the Disney Store and grabbing lunch it was time to head home (just in time to beat the rain storm).





















So today was the shoot in Brooklyn and it went well. Biggest set I've been on (aside from being on a movie set). I loved how they did my hair and makeup and everyone was nice and professional. The fashion editior is an absolute doll. I will be in the September issue which means it will be on sale in August so mark your calendar's! My friends and family have been so damn supportive and in all honesty it was with the encouragement of one friend why I got this gig in the first place. He (a highly successful professional model himself) has complete and utter faith in me and believes in me 110%. So thanks to him and everyone else in my life. Love you! See you on the newstands!





Free Comic Book Day & New Tomb Raider cosplay

As everyone in the comic book community knows, May 7th marked national Free Comic Book Day! For some of us this is better than Christmas and is an unofficial start to the convention season. After making an appearance at the Comics and More store last year as Black Canary, I was asked to return this year as the Mistress of Magic herself, Zatanna. The crowds were huge and I caught up with friends and made some new ones along the way. Other cosplayers in attendence were some Jedi and a lady pirate! My friend Steve Morrison from the Preston and Steve show on WMMR stopped by the shop to say hello to me which was very generous. Employees and fans enjoyed taking pics with him too! It was like having a surprise guest!


Now I am embarassed to admit this because in my six years of cosplay I've never done this before but I forgot one of my accessories (granted, I didn't wear my hair piece's as Slave Leia to the Philly Comic Con last year but that's because they broke the night before and sometimes I don't wear the arm band because it slides off my arm). I realized (when it was far too late) that I forgot to pack my bow tie for my neck. I was so disappointed in myself; I strive to make my cosplays perfect but no one noticed and I still got compliments on how much fans loved my costume. Some of my Twittter follwers came out to meet me and I even helped one shop for a trade paper back. It was very cool; I have the sweetest fans and it was great to meet them. One of them made a video of the event and I'm in it. You can check it out here:




And here is my official gallery (click the images for larger versions)! At the end of the day I got the Micheal Turner Supergirl mini statue. How I love thee!





















Prior to FCBD my new Tomb Raider Legend cosplay arrived. The outfit came with the top, backpack, shorts, belt with gun holsters and boot covers. The guns were not included but I had the guns I bought a few years ago that was part of a police officer Halloween set. I have to admit, after trying it on for the first time and looking in the mirror I squealed in delight. The overall effect was just awesome. People have told me for years that I look like Angelina Jolie (or her daughter or younger sister) and the video game version of Lara. The Legend costume has a much more powerful effect than the Catsuit cosplay. I can honestly say that Lara Croft is the ONLY cosplay where I feel like I become the character and embody her spirit. With all the other characters I still feel like me; I still feel like Vicki but with Lara I feel a connection and it is deeply personal. To find out why, check out this entry: http://victoriacosplay.blogspot.com/2010/10/why-lara-croft-is-my-hero.html




Anyways, my bff and I took some shots with my camera at a local park and in less that 24 hours the debut photo made it on the site Kotaku. I sometimes find that cosplay pictures  that I take with my own camera become more popular than professional photos. I wonder why that is? The Tomb Raider gallery has also been updated on my website: http://cosplaygirl.webs.com/laracrofttombraider.htm



And right before FCBD was May 4th, national Star Wars day!  I made it onto several sites for my Slave Leia cosplay. Can we say awesome?