Cosplay interviews! A new regular feature on Animetion where we talk to UK cosplayers on what motivates them.  Here we talk to Tab of Khaos Komix on his cosplays:

Name:  Tab Kimpton

Q: When did you start cosplaying and how long for?

Proper cosplay, with the intention of making a character... November last year.  Which means we've only been doing this 10 months, and that's scary as hell.  First one I made was one Vegeta from Dragon Ball Z with a full body suit for my friend Christian.  Yeah, we didn't start small.  At all.

Q: What attracts you cosplay?

My first convention there was a guy there dressed as Cloud (from Final Fantasy VII -ed), who kicked everyone's ass in the cosplay competition (I was only in lolita then).  The next convention we were back with Vegeta again, though the bastard still won as Vincent Valentine.  So a sense of competition definitely helped me get really into it.
 

Sorry, that was more about how I got into it than anything.  What attracts me though is that sewing/making things is something that I'd never been able to show off like how other people who can play an instrument or do a sport can.  Cosplay gives me a chance to do this, and I've made a lot of friends that way.  (Though the week before the con I become a total shit and all my friends leave me alone as much as possible.  I don't get much sleep during that time.)

Q:  What has been your favourite cosplay?

One that I've worn myself?  Ivy (from Soul Calibur - ed), hands down.  Mainly because it's the latest one I've done, and therefore the best so far, so I feel really good in it.  As for the favourite of all time... It's got to be Vegeta worn by the delightful Christian.  Nothing beats the prince of the Saiyans, especially as we used his actual hair for the costume.  And he can do his voice.

Q: Most memorable moment whilst cosplaying?

OH GOD, so many! Most memorable would be the first time we won a competition, which was our first ever skit, at our first ever convention, which was Minamicon. The entire audience saw my underwear, but that was half way intentional.

As for funny moments, well, for local conventions we get the bus to them because taxis are rubbish when you have big props, and bus drivers don't care. I've gotten on the bus as Chii, with two saiyans, and with a huge harkonnen cannon as Seras, and in my full glory as Ivy. Best thing is, people are so weirded out they just ignore you.

I've also ridden on the tube with the harkonnen cannon, and got it stuck while the doors. It was in a giant ski case, so we kept shouting "Right don't forget the gun- I MEAN SKIS" Because I really didn't want to get shot by policemen.

Making the costumes is also memorable, especially the amount of times I scalded Christian whilst making Vegeta. Or just general pissing about with the fat suit when making it.

Q:  Have you had any cosplays go wrong/encountered problems whilst making cosplays?

Fell down the stairs as Ivy at Alcon.  Also, every time I've preformed as her the sword has broken on me.  It's not too bad a thing because people don't notice, but it really annoys me. 

Q:  Have you ever regretted cosplaying?

Ha! My bank account says yes!  This tax year I've spent over a grand on cosplay and cosplay events.  Though because I do sell costumes to my friends I'm registered as self employed, and so I can reclaim a couple hundred back from the tax man.  (I work in an accountancy firm in case you didn't realise)

Also, I don't get free time.  I'm the main maker of costumes, so I don't get out much.  I also run a web comic and have a full time job, so that leaves no extra social life time.  I'm really lucky to have friends who cosplay with me though, so they tolerate coming over my house and chatting to me while I sew and glue.

Q:  Have you ever done group cosplay? If so how did you find that experience?

I always aim for group cosplay.  I find that when a group of friends do different cosplays you tend to drift apart from each other during the day.  Group cosplays mean that you get hauled in together for group photos (which are fun!) and you can make coherent skits up, that aren't just a bunch of your friends doing caramelldansen.  Our last Skit was “Soul Calibur - The Movie” featuring Dr Eggman (from Sonic the Hedgehog -ed).

Q:  What cosplays are you planning?

Next project is a big steampunk thing which could set my back by about... Another grand.  (I'm on MIN WAGE GODDAMMIT).  We also had something about Pokémon in mind (first ever fur suit... YAY), maybe a come back for Vegeta, something Naruto when it becomes less popular... and maybe Vash (from Trigun -ed) at some point.

Too many ideas, so little time (AND MONEY).  We always like to plan cosplays around skit ideas, because there aren't many people who do skits, and sure our costumes may be awesome, but if you don't have fun and entertain people, then there's no point.

Q:  Do you have a dream cosplay?

Did it.  It was made of real purple leather. 

Q:  Do you have one piece of advice that you would give to cosplay virgins?

DO NOT TOUCH THE SATIN.

SATIN IS A BAD SHINY FABRIC THAT WILL DESTROY EVERY COSTUME YOU EVER ATTEMPT.

Unless it's really high quality duchess satin, but even then it's still iffy.  And very hard to sew. 
Oh, and pick a costume that ACTUALLY suits you.  I was Chii (from Chobits -ed) once.  Not fun.

Q:  Do you have an account with the website cosplay island?

Nope.