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Cosplay interviews! A weekly feature on Animetion where we talk to cosplayers on what motivates them, plus a cool gallery showcasing their cosplays.  Here we talk to English cosplayer:

Name: Faye Edwards 
(a.k.a. fayebelline)

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

I first cosplayed in Feburay 2006.  I cosplayed as Miaka from Fushigi Yugi at Collectormania in Manchester, while my friend cosplayed as evil Tamahome.  We were the only people in the whole place who were in cosplay.

Q: What attracts you cosplay?

I love getting attention from people.  Every time I decide on a cosplay I sit and think "how much will people be impressed by this?" I love being able to show off two things I'm really passionate about: Japanese culture and sewing. 

Q:  What has been your favourite cosplay?

I loved cosplaying as Misha in her pyjama's from Pita-Ten.  I did a double cosplay with my best friend, with her dressed as Shia.  It was so comfortable to wear, I mean, I spent the day walking around in a fleece dress and fluffy slippers.  Also, we looked so adorable together.  We got 15 photo's taken of us in one day... Yeah... We counted.

Q: Most memorable moment whilst cosplaying?

Oh god, there are so many.  I think any cosplayer will have hundereds of memories... Hm... My favourite is probably at Collectormania when I (dressed as Miaka), my friend (dressed as Tamahome) and my other friend, who wasn't cosplaying went to see Robert Pattinson (Cedric Diggory from Harry Potter).  Because we were the only cosplayers I don't think he knew what to make of us.  We spent ages trying to explain what Fushigi Yugi was to him.

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

There was one cosplay that never actually made it out... and probably never will.  It was Usada Hikaru (Rabi En Rose) from Di Gi Charat.  I was trying to make it for Japan Ex back in July 2007 and I basically made it up as I went along.  The night before, I still hadn't finished, I kept breaking the needle on my sewing machine because there were too many layers of fabric.  At one point, I threw myself to the floor sobbing "I CAN'T SEW! I CAN'T SEW!" into my failure of a skirt.  It was about 3am, when my mom pointed out that I was nowhere near finished and I had a train to catch at 6am.  The remains of that now sit under my bed, at the bottom of a box.

Q:  Have you ever regretted cosplaying?

Oh god, no! Maybe... On the second day of Japan Ex... I was horribly hungover and attempted to wear my Misha pyjama's again... I quickly found myself getting too hot and feeling too sick to thank people who complimented me.

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

I've only ever done couple cosplays with my cosplay partner.  I really enjoy doing a cosplay with another person as there is twice as much chance of getting noticed and you get someone to share the enjoyment with.

I keep trying to do group cosplays...but it's so hard to get a group of people together who like the same series and are going to the same event.

Q:  What cosplays are you planning?

I want to do cosplays that involve armour.  I would love to do a samurai outfit at some point in the future.  Recently I've gone off doing anime cosplays and I've become more interested in doing historical figures.  Although at the moment I don't have any specific plans, seeing as I won't be in the country for a year.

Q:  Do you have a dream cosplay?

I'm not sure I have a dream cosplay as such...although I would love to crossplay as Tsugiri from Alichino.  He wears the most intricate outfits and is beautiful... Plus, I love him... Although I would also love to cosplay as Myobi from the same series... For the same reasons... ^^

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

Plan to cosplay as a character you love.  Plan well in advance.  Start making it early.  Ask people for advice all the time.  Try on your cosplay as soon as you can so you know early on if there are any problems.  Remember, you'll be walking around (and possibly dancing) in it all day.  Oh, and iron it! A cosplay is ruined the moment it's covered in crinkles.  Wait... That wasn't one piece of advice...

Q:  Do you have an account with the website Cosplay island/other social networking sites?

Probably... I went through a phase of opening hundereds of accounts on various dressmaking and cosplay websites.  Then got bored of them so stopped going on.



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