After a 2-week hiatus, “Cosplayers Around the World” is back! This issue, we talk to lovely costumer Danielle LaFleur on her cosplay creations which just yells “OMG, look at all that cloth!!”
“My name is Danielle (or Dani) and I live on the east coast of the US. Right now I’m currently working and attending school for fashion design. I’ve been sewing for about 12 years now and cosplaying for around 3 or 4. I’m planning to eventually move out to the the west coast and wiggle my way into costuming for film and TV.”
Biography
Full Name : Danielle LaFleur
Age : 21
Country you are born in : United States
Citizenship : American
Date of Birth : August 10
Zodiac Sign : Leo
Height : 4’11″…but 5 feet on a good day!
Coffee or Chocolate? : I’m not much of a coffee drinker, so chocolate!
iPhone or Android? : Gonna have to go with the Android on this one, I love when it says, “DROID” when I start up my phone!
Mac or Windows? : Windows girl. To be honest, I have such a hard time adjusting to macs!
More about Danielle
1. At what age did you start cosplaying and how long have you been cosplaying?
I started cosplaying at 18 I believe, so about 3 or 4 years now.
2. What inspired you to start cosplaying?
I started watching videos that had compiled images of cosplayers wearing the costumes that they put a lot of time and effort into and it looked really fun so I decided to join in! ^-^
3. Which is your most difficult cosplay / most memorable cosplay and why?
My most difficult project to date is probably the big orange Le Noir dress from Granado Espada. It took me a year of working and reworking the details on that baby! It was very hard to maneuver around in because it was so restricting and heavy and I was wearing very high platform heels under the dress so I wouldn’t look like the vertically challenged person that I normally am XD.
The dress was featured in a video by the very talented Ackson Lee, and can be seen around the 1:16 and 2:38 mark (watch the whole thing though because some of the other awesome cosplayers in the Cosplay Idol contest are in there too! I also made the costumes of the two standing next to me at 2:38)
4. What is your next cosplay project?
Some more big Granado Espada projects and a few more that are more recognizable like Tokyo Mew Mew, Naruto and Getsumen to Heiki Mina.
5. Tell us about some memorable experiences in your costume making.
I was entered into a costume competition but one of my group member’s outfits wasn’t done yet so I was in my hotel room sewing until (literally) the last minute and we had to run to the judging room. My group made it about two minutes late but luckily the judges had waited for us. We ended up winning 1st place in the highest category so all that stress was worth it in the end, haha.
6. What are some advice you would like to give to cosplay newbies?
#1- Have fun!
#2- When picking a character to cosplay, choose someone that you really like…even better if you resemble them!
#3- Try not to use cheapo fabrics for the majority of your costume (icky shiny satins, broadcloth, or using flimsy lining as the actual garment). They can work for some things when you’re trying to save money, but it’s best to save these for small areas on your project.
#4- Steer clear of shiny wigs, they do not photograph well.
#5- Remember to iron or steam your costume! Nobody likes wrinkles…unless you’re a puppy or something! D:
#6- Practice poses and mannerisms of your chosen character. With your awesome costume and wide variety of poses, photographers won’t be able to get enough of you!
#7- Google more advice, I cannot possibly give all of it to you on here 😛
More Cosplay photos of Danielle
