Cosplayer Interview: Rina

So this week it's Cosplayer Interview time with my friend Rina! I met her at Sakura-con 2012 at a Sailor Moon photo gathering. I saw her Small Lady and Super Sailor Moon cosplays there. I really love her work and she was super nice! We took photos in our princess dresses and now she shall always and forever be Chibi Usa in my mind. Haha. But she's done many other awesome cosplays that I can't wait to share with you guys! So, I'd best get on with it then!

Your name or Cosplay Name:

Katarina (Rina) Love

Photo by Riamux Creations

Age:
20

How long have you been cosplaying?

Since October 2009, so 3-4 years. Sakura Con 2013 marks my fourth year there!

What was your first cosplay?

Sailor Mini Moon! Halloween 2009. I went full out and dyed my hair pink and spray painted heel boots. We were going to a show/concert, but decided to bail because it was way too boring.

Chibi Usa (I love this one a whole lot~Edward)
Photo by Sarah Homeyer

Do you make your cosplays, buy them pre-made online, or have them commissioned?

I make most of mine, sometimes with friends help. I also thrift/shop around for items if it’s a casual outfit/look so I don’t have to make it from scratch! It saves me money.

Why do you cosplay?

Why not? I like attention, I like being creative, and I don’t mind being in front of a camera. I gained so many friends from cosplay that I cannot imagine my life without conventions these days! I started off modeling before cosplay, so with costuming I really got to put my sewing talents to the test and I’m constantly learning new traits. I love the challenges that new costumes can bring.

What is you favorite part about cosplay?

Hanging out with my friends and working on our costumes (or procrastinating on them).
Taking photos and feeling pretty, strong, evil, or however my character acts
Creating the costume and shopping for materials and doing the research.

What is your least favorite part?

Not having time to finish things or getting stressed out and a major break out RIGHT BEFORE CON. UGH. I hate acne. Also, getting ready the day of Con and having everyone else bother me and wanting my help to get them ready too. I am not your mother.

Lara Croft
Photo by Riamux Creations

Who is your favorite character to cosplay?

Lara Croft and Usagi/Chibiusa Tsukino! Those are my top three currently.

What is your favorite cosplay to wear?

Favorite?? Oh goodness. I really enjoy being Usagi Tsukino/Sailor Moon, but I also really enjoy being Lara Croft and getting dirty. I get to really show off my vulnerable and strong side. I love wearing boots and skirts.
WonderGirl is also super comfy, so I won’t be retiring that any time soon.

Wondergirl
Photo by Kindra

What is your least favorite cosplay to wear?

I made a costume for a friend that I only wore for 30 minutes and we never got photos together. I’m not sure I’ll bring it out ever again either. So I guess it would be Mana Ouma. 

What was the most complicated cosplay you’ve worked on?

So far I think Princess Serenity tops the charts on complicated. Oh man… Princess dresses just are so much fun but a pain in the ass. I also learned how to use boning, buttons as closures and it’s a no zipper dress. Lots of hand sewing was involved, and I styled the wig entirely by myself, as well as made the hair pearls. Wearing the wig and dress is also a monster, so I can’t wear it for long sadly.

Princess Serenity
Photo by Estelia Photography

What was the least complicated?

Sookie Stackhouse. It was basically put together by itself. As well as WonderGirl. Leggings and a tank top? YES!

What group cosplays have you been a part of?

Well I am currently a part of a Young Justice group, which is a lot of fun! Everyone is really nice, and they really care about the quality of their costumes. You can follow them on facebook at The Breakers Cosplay.
And I love being a part of really well put together groups without doubles. I also adore my X-Men group that I’m a part of, and we did that for ECCC 2013. 2014 will be even better! :D

What group cosplays would like to be part of?

It would be cool to have a giant functioning Disney group too at some point. As well as a FULL Sailor Moon group without doubles, I really hate doubles. 

Winter Tinker Bell
Photo by Fearless Photoworks

Who are some characters you plan to cosplay in the future?

Time for a list!
Eternal Sailor Chibi Moon and Moon
Angewoman
Gatoman
Super Girl
Nightwing (Genderbent)
Garret (THIEF)
Tinkerbell (all of her cute outfits!)
Megara
Oliver Queen-Green Arrow
Cinderella, and plenty more

What crossplay characters have you done or would like to do?

I did a semi-feminized version of Link for Halloween last year. I wouldn’t mind re-doing him for a convention though. But I tend to genderbend the characters without sexifying them instead of straight up crossplay. I just am not a fan of the whole flattening my boobs to look like a boy thing, and I have a booty!
I plan to do Oliver Queen from Green Arrow genderbent though! I’m really excited for that.

Who is a character people say you should cosplay, but you aren’t sure about?

I have gotten Saria from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and Ivy from Soul Calibur 4. Neither of these characters appeals to me, so the chances of me cosplaying them are never.

What is your dream cosplay?

Super Sailor Chibi Moon, It’s not even hard, I just haven’t made it yet!
Otherwise I should probably look through my list and figure out who my dream costume is afterwards. ;D

Hope Summers
Photo by Fearless Photoworks

What is a cosplay you would love to do, but don’t feel you could pull off?

It’s not a matter of not being able to pull it off, as it is the funds to pull it off.
So Big Daddy (Bio Shock), Toothania (Rise of the Gaurdians), anything mascot related I just can not do!

In your opinion, what makes a great cosplay?

A great attitude, a well made costume, and making sure the costume is fit to your body. (Not overly tight or loose!)

At which conventions are we likely to see you?

Sakura-Con, PAX Prime, Emerald City Comic Con, Jet City Comic Show, and probably some others! ;)

Princess Small Lady (Forever my Chibi Usa~Edward)
Photo by Darkain Multimedia

Any advice to other cosplayers?

Don’t treat your cosplay friends like they owe you something or they’re your servants. The first few times they may be okay with letting you know tips, or helping, but don’t be a user. Don’t expect people to make things for you. Actually learn things for yourself and USE THE INTERNET. Google is your best friend.
Don’t have time to learn a new trade? Ebay and thrift shops can offer a plethora of finds if you’re willing to alter things!
When someone offers you a quote on a commission, be kind and respond with “Thank you”, if you decide to NOT go with them, be courteous and say “Thank you for your time, but currently I won’t be needing your services”. 

What are some other hobbies you have, other than cosplaying?

Hitting the gym, thrift shopping, dying my hair, and sometimes I game. I also love modeling and styling for photoshoots and being outdoors during the summer.

Magik
Photo by Darkain Multimedia

Favorite anime/tv shows?

I am a huge ARROW (CW) fan girl. So that’s one of my favorites. Sailor Moon is my favorite anime of all time, so that really doesn’t need to be said.
I also enjoy: Firefly, Supernatural, Adventure Time, and Regular Show, Digimon Adventure. And I watch way too much Disney!

Favorite movie?

Fifth Element. Cinderella, TinkerBell (series), The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. 

Favorite books/manga?

Manga: Sailor Moon. I don’t read much manga anymore aside from this. I read comics, so Uncanny X-Force, Uncanny Avengers, Old Man Logan (Wolverine), Cable and Deadpool. Fables. 30 days of Night. Can you tell I love Marvel?
Books: I haven’t read any in a while, but I really enjoyed the UGLIES series by Scott Westerfield.

Super Sailor Moon
Photo By Darkain Multimedia

Favorite video games?

Tomb Raider (series), Ratchet and Clank (series), The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Dance Central

Favorite color?

My favorite color is pink, but I also like blues!

Favorite food?

This is a hard one since I love a variety of foods! Cream of Spinach Soup and Broccoli and Cheese soup are amazing, and a grilled cheese. I also grew up on cheeseburgers, and love my father’s cooking!

Favorite desert?

Cookies. Seriously. These are my weakness!

Favorite curse word?

Fuck. It’s blunt and honest, just like me.

What are some websites where we can see more of you?

You can follow me on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RinaMeowsir or on deviantArt under Tarinalove. I update facebook before my other websites though!

Bonus pic of Rina and I as Small Lady and Serenity. ^_^

Yay!! See, she does lots more than moonie cosplays. But Small Lady will always by my personal favorite! I hope you guys enjoyed getting to know Rina! Next week is her Cosplay Showcase! And then maybe the week after I'll do an update. But the truth is.... I haven't been doing much cosplay stuff lately.
 But I'll tell you all about that in a couple weeks!


~Edward