Cosplayers Around the World Feature : Julia Laurant Teo from Singapore
This issue of “Cosplayers Around the World” takes a look at the lovely Singapore cosplayer who has cosplayed across continents from Asia to Europe.
Julia Laurant Teo is the World Cosplay Summit 2006 Singaporean Representative and hails from Sunny Singapore in the middle of South East Asia, where she first started cosplaying.
Julia is currently pursuing her studies in England, but hasn’t given up on cosplaying. On the contrary, she is quite the regular face at most of the conventions in that region. Julia will also be part of the Guest Judging Panel for this year’s European Cosplay Gathering (ECG) Finals in Japan Expo, Paris. She also returns to her homeland to cosplay every summer break.
Julia is currently a contestant in the Otaku House Cosplay Idol 2011 Asia category.
“A big hi to Cosplayers from ’round the world! I’m Julia Laurant, currently a major in Costume Design at the London College of Fashion in London, UK.
I’m born in Singapore but made a move to the UK in 2008, and have since been active in promoting European Cosplay here. Should you find yourself attending conventions/events in Spain, Holland, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany & England – Feel free to come round & say hi! and let’s take photos together! (^3^)~”
Biography
Full Name : Julia Laurant Teo
Age : 20+
Gender : Female
Country : Singapore
Citizenship : Singaporean
Date of Birth : 14 July
Zodiac Sign : Cancer
Height : 161cm
Sheryl Nome or Ranka Lee? : Sheryl Nome ftw!
Fave Anime? : Spice & Wolf
Cosplay Judge of:
Hyper Japan London
Animecon Netherlands
Jpopcon Denmark
Japan Expo Paris
More about Julia
1. At what age did you start cosplaying and how long have you been cosplaying?
I have been cosplaying for close to 7 years now… and have been doing so upon leaving formal school. As for my exact age? That’s up to you to guess! (^_~)
2. What inspired you to start cosplaying?
In the beginning, I was taken in by the beauty & details within anime artworks. Lacus Clyne’s dress designs in “Gundam SEED” caught my eye & her demure character was simply awesome. The notion of being able to be “like her” – someone amazing, someone beautiful, took over my mind. I absolutely love acting since I was a child. Cosplay provided the perfect channel in which I was able to recreate 2D fantasies into 3D reality along with full character re-enactment: You know for that moment that you are in a costume – you can be any character you longed to be!
3. What are some difficulties you met in your cosplaying?
In those initial few years, Singaporean Cosplayers had to cope with difficulties in obtaining resources: wigs, makeup, fabrics… Everything seemed so very foreign, and supplies to Singapore were very limited! As popularity of Cosplay grew drastically, this issue passed with time.
Perhaps the greatest difficulty that has endured all these years is: having one too many characters on your “wish-list” all the time, and not having enough time, money and resources to complete them all! OTL (-n- )
4. What is your most memorable cosplay and why?
My most memorable Cosplay till date is Sheryl Nome’s “Diamond Crevasse” gown from “Macross Frontier”. I was offered the opportunity to walk down the Grand Staircase of the Barbican Theatre in London with my 5m long train trailing behind me. The public crowds flanked the sides of the catwalk, their cameras flashed ceaselessly – In those few fleeting moments, I truly felt like Sheryl Nome in the limelight!
5. What is your next cosplay project?
One of my next projects is a massive gown from “GOSICK” featuring its main heroine, Victorique. I have yet to put my 18th Century French patterns to good use & this project is proving to be very challenging!
6. Tell us about some memorable experiences in your costume or prop making.
One of the most memorable making experiences is constructing the shoes for Nouhime from “Samurai Warriors 2”. It’s a 4” flat wedge heel that is pretty much deemed impossible to walk on. I made it – wore it – fell on it over 20 times before eventually mastering walking in them!
The next best making experience will have to be hand-sewing 300+ Swarovski crystals to my Sheryl Nome “Diamond Crevasse” gown one by one, as well as hand-sewing over 10m worth of frills and lace to my “Cantarella” Hatsune Miku gown. Drastic Cosplays calls for drastic measures!
7. What are some advice you would like to give to cosplay newbies?
Don’t be afraid to fail. You cannot expect to attain 100% on your very first Cosplay attempt. Of course you will have to try your best, but just do not insist/impose – especially if you are seeking help from other more experienced Cosplayers.
Give yourself ample time, and above all – complete it 100%! Don’t rush something beyond your ability, and eventually turning up with something half-hearted!
That said, do not try and attempt a crazy ‘dream’ Cosplay as your first Cosplay either. Setting awesome goals are important, but being practical is still the key to success. First learning how to make a simple armguard will eventually led you finally being able to create a full set of Halo armour. ;]
Above all….Have fun! Keep your passion going!
At the end of the day, it’s still a hobby!
What’s the point of a hobby if you ain’t enjoying it? xDD~
