Tell us about your first cosplay experience. Who, what, when, where, and how did it go?

My first cosplay was in 1994. Some guys from school took me to the arcades to play “Street fighter II”…and to laugh at me because I was the nerd of the class. They didn’t know that I’d always liked videogames, so they were very surprised when I could beat them. ^_^ I was so excited, that I said very loud: “I want to be like that character. Who’s that girl?” They answered: “Are you kidding? She’s Chun Li, and you are NEVER going to be like her!” I kept that moment in my mind many days, and since my mother died, I was looking for a female model to follow; a strong & pretty woman: Chun Li was the answer. I wanted to be like her so badly that I started to make my costume without help and without knowing a single thing about sewing clothes. I also invited others to make a “Street Fighter disguise group” for the next Halloween, but no one took me seriously, and I appeared alone. My first Chun Li suit was ugly, but many people liked it at the first conventions in Mexico, and I started to win several contests with it. One thing led to another, and I worked as Chun Li for Nintendo and Capcom (I remade my suit several times.) to promote their videogames with the announcement: “Meet Chun Li in person.” The icing on the cake came when one of those school guys asked me for my autograph and realized in the very last moment that it was me: the shy nerd who played arcade games with them a couple years before…

Of the many different types of costumes you have, which is the easiest to make? (anime, video game, movie, comic book, lolita) The most difficult? Which is your favorite type to wear?

The easiest: Those which you can get enough images and information about so you can make them almost perfect.

The most difficult: Those which you can’t find images or information because then you have to imagine the details and maybe you’ll go wrong in many areas.

My favorite: Those with a deep & strong meaning to me. For example:

Chun Li; Zelda, Sheik and Malon (to fulfill my dream of being part of my biggest passion: Link’s world, I LOVE LINK!!); Asuka (the biggest challenge to conquer a person); Minmay and Hitomi (to fulfill somebody’s dream)…

When you choose a character to cosplay, what attracts you more: the appearance of the clothes, the personality and deeds of the character, or the possible audience reaction?

The three elements are important, and their combination is the best way to choose a character, but if I need to order them: 1st, appearance of the clothes; 2nd, the personality and deeds of the character; 3rd, possible audience reaction.

You often style your own hair when you cosplay. Do you keep it a certain length and style so you can continue having a natural hairstyle for your costumes?

Yes, I keep my hair long and style it for many characters, (It would be easier to cut it shorter.) and it takes time and money. But I prefer that than to buy more wigs. (My “cosplay room” is almost full; I need more space!)

To sew your costumes, do you use pre-made patterns, or do you draw your own?

I draw my own patterns. It’s very difficult to find pre-made patterns for the costumes I like (and they are expensive here). It takes more time, but you can draw exactly what you want.

What's your favorite "tool of the trade?" --the item that helps you the most when constructing outfits.

My most beloved tool for making outfits is my ruler. I can modify anything to the correct length with it. I’ve heard that in the past, women used to measure with her hands and fingers …I couldn’t do that!

Can you share some tips to help people take better photos of their own costumes?

Here are a few ideas:

-Think about you as the character: What would he or she do?

-Check the background to fit with your character (if possible)

-Keep in mind that the image is for cosplay, not for your passport! (Smile, play, be expressive!)

-And remember, have fun when doing it!

Does cosplay go well with your career choice?

Not really, but I try to make both go together. I recently graduated as a lawyer at the National University of Mexico, and I got my degree thanks to cosplay!! I made an investigation about legal aspects of cosplay around the world (as a hobby and as a job). It is the first serious research about it! For the entire degree test, I talked about my experience, mainly working as Chun Li for Nintendo and Capcom, and I took several outfits to show them at the enclosure during the test. I’m so proud of it!

The humor in your personal comics (you koma) shows that you're really having fun with cosplay. What advice can you give people who may be getting stuck in a rut or who are starting to get a poor attitude (such as being snobbish or too competitive)?

I think the best way to do it is for having fun (even when it’s your job). You can make a big effort to get better and better, but don’t let it eat you. You can keep some special tricks for your costumes, but it’s cool to share some others with people. You’ll win more than a contest: you’ll win valuable friendships. And don’t pay attention to envious or close-minded people.

[Visit the Art section of http://inglaterra.ya.st/ to enjoy cosplay follies. ^_^ —Ed.]

Cosplay: a force for good or for evil? Explain.

It depends of the cosplayer’s heart. Some people use it to feel important over others who may be less fortunate or to bother a rival so he or she can’t enjoy the con because they choose the same character and made it better (or so they think). On the other hand, there are cool cosplayers that enjoy being the character and fulfill the dreams of the fans. Each person has to choose their destiny here.

Here's your chance for additional comments and to dispel rumors.

Happy comment :
Cosplay is a way to live! I like it so much, and it’s a very important part of my life. I like to fulfill people’s dreams and, of course, fulfill my own. I can understand people when they are excited for taking a photo or getting my autograph because I feel the same when I find somebody cosplaying very well my favorite character: Link (Legend of Zelda videogame). Every time I see a cool cosplay of Link (good outfit, big resemblance, acting like him…), I just feel like a pilgrim before her saint. The best part comes when I find they are as big a fan of the Zelda videogames as I am!! I was in love with the Link character since the first Nintendo game!! (It’s crazy, I know, but I’m happy that way). I have a lot of anecdotes about this.

Sad comment:

There are people who like my artwork while others just don’t (many times because of racism & envy). I’ve found there are horrible rumors about me. Please, first meet me and give yourself the chance to know the way I really am. The same with other cosplayers: before you judge them, try to know a little bit more about them than the words of those who can’t stand the success of others.

see more of Inglaterra's costumes here

You have a great attitude about cosplay and a heart for the art of costuming. It's all about having fun and getting out of it what you put in. Bringing a character to life for others to enjoy is one aspect of cosplay that people can't appreciate until they've tried it. Here's to your continued success both in cosplay and your publishing. Keep your stellar smile shining as you follow your dreams.

Garry