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Tell us about your first cosplay experience. Who, what, where, when, and how did it go?
It was in April 2000 at Cartoonist Toulon. My friends Judi and Ariah told to me what cosplay was, and we were making a film so I had my Lara Croft costume. At the event, a few people said to me, “Oh, it’s Lara,” so I suppose that my costume wasn’t bad, and I entered the contest!! I was so scared and was so bad on stage, but I loved being Lara Croft for a day so I have to continue cosplaying, to be the heroine of a video game one day in a year. I chose Lara because Tomb Raider is one of my favorite games, and my mom helped me with the costume because I had never touched a needle before that day.
At events in France, do cosplayers prefer to perform skits on the stage, or would they rather just pose like a fashion show?
I think that everybody prefers to perform on stage! But now, some events are too big, and when you are an individual cosplayer, you haven’t time to make a performance, and you can just pose. But for the group, you can always perform on the stage, and I think that it’s the better time in cosplay!! |
You often cosplay in a group. When you and your friends plan a group, do you work together to make costumes, or does each person work on his own and then everyone comes together at the end?
Sometimes, I work with my friends, but I have cosplay friends all over France so sometimes, we make our costumes on our own and surprise each other at the event.^^ But thanks to the internet and the forum, it’s a very good place to organize a group.^^
Please share some suggestions for organizing and conducting a successful group.
The only group I have organized [where I was the leader] was my Attacker Yu group. The thing I remember most is the rehearsal near my house with everybody the day before the event. My neighbors had a good laugh. It was one of my best cosplay moments: the performance on stage was great, and making a group with friends was the best!!
When you choose a character to portray, do you like to go with the trend of what’s popular?
I choose characters I love like Lara or characters with beautiful outfits like Yuna. Final Fantasy is popular, and it’s fun when many people recognize you, but I cosplay what I love so even if it’s not popular, I still do it!!
You have a massive variety of costumes made with all different materials. What’s your favorite fabric to use and why?
For clothes, I love cotton (a classic fabric) and taffeta (easy to sew and amazing) and vinyl (so classy and sexy). For the armor, it must be cornflakes boxes. I love them because they’re really light, and I love using cola and soda bottles!! I use vinyl for armor too and a lot of double-sided tape! |
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Although you like to challenge yourself with complicated costumes, have you ever started a project that became so difficult that you wanted to quit? How did you motivate yourself to finish it?
Yes, with Silmeria from Valkyrie Profile, I had a lot of problems with the armor, and I hated the result. I motivated myself by thinking of my friends in the group, and I asked for support from my mother. Although she couldn’t make armor, she kept me company during the fabrication, and it’s easier to make a costume with somebody to chat and relax you. (That’s why I prefer making costumes with friends in a group!) And for a costume like Fran (Final Fantasy 12) that takes a really long time and isn’t so easy, I try to think of the result and say to myself, “You can be great! Go, go, go.”^^ My boyfriend helps me a lot during this time by telling to me what looks good or bad.
What do you do to stay happy even if situations around you are depressing or angry?
I take a break. I try to relax with an episode of Friends, and I play music.^^ During an event, I try to be always happy, and thank my friends who helped me.^^ |
You’re chosen to design the next dress-sphere for Yuna in a new Final Fantasy game. What will you create for her to wear?
I don’t know… probably a long dress, with a corset, in red or black because they are my favorite colors, and a lot of details as always on Final Fantasy design!!
Do your career and cosplay go well together?
Yes!! I’m a nurse, and everybody at my job (at the hospital) knows that I am a cosplayer, and they try to help me. They do things like finding some belts for Lulu’s cosplay or drinking cola to give me the bottles. Cosplay is so funny: I lend my costumes to co-workers for Christmas party or birthdays!
If you could go to any convention in the world, which one would you choose and why?
Easy question. I have 3 sister sites linked on my own site so I want to cosplay with them in Italy, Mexico, and Germany! I really have a lot of respect for them because they are great and have a lot of talent!! I’d want to visit USA too because there are a lot of cosplayers in events, and I love your work! |
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What’s something that you think would make cosplay better or more fun for everyone?
I’m not a real fan of contests so more cosplay without competing is a better idea, I think!!
Here is your space for additional comments or the dispelling of rumors.
Just saying thank you to my boyfriend, my parents (mom for the sewing help and dad for props), my sister, my cosplay friends. I can’t say all the names because I might forget someone, and it would be a really big mistake. Thank you for all the groups we’ve made and your friendship.
see more of Elaïse's costumes here
Elaïse, you are a model cosplayer and you've reminded me how diversity can be a good thing. Cosplay in France is different than cosplay in Australia, and Canada, and Brazil, but it is the heart of cosplay, I call it "cosplay spirit", that transcends nationality and language. Everyone may cosplay for different reasons, but it is the friendships and fun we nurture when the focus is more on helping each other rather than ourselves. You have exemplified that aspect and we recognize your great effort. We also wish you continued success as your love for this hobby grows and inspires future generations.
Garry aka Prof |
