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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 UK cosplayer:

Name: Mel Nurdin
(a.k.a. Freyarule)

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

I started cosplaying at the MCM London Expo in May 2008! It was a commissioned costume off Ebay and, after seeing all the awesome cosplays people had made at the Expo, I caught the bug and aspired to one day fully hand make my costumes.  So I’ve been cosplaying for more than two years now!

Q: What attracts you cosplay?
 

I really love the creativity of making a costume that you can then wear for others and yourself to enjoy.  I love bringing my favourite characters to life through it, and it's a lot of fun meeting friends and organising groups.


Q:  What has been your favourite cosplay?

 Tough question, but at the moment my favourite cosplay has been either Phoenix Wright (from the Ace Attorney series) or Yuna’s Floral Fallal dress sphere (from Final Fantasy X-2).  I’m also fond of my Lugia gijinka (from Pokemon). 

Q: Most memorable moment whilst cosplaying?

Being in a masquerade for the first time.  I was so nervous but I got such a buzz from it, now you can't get me away from it!

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

There were a few problems with my Floral Fallal cosplay, because the petal frames (made from bamboo sticks) were very fragile, so some of the joints did break during the day; I had to spend a while fixing it up, plus I had to change the silk attached to the top petal.  Other than that I haven’t had too much trouble with my cosplays!

Q: Have you ever regretted cosplaying?

 I highly doubt it.  If I have ever said I didn't want to do it I was probably having a funny five minutes!

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

I adore doing group cosplays and I always try and organise groups for photo shoots and sometimes for skits in the masquerade.  For the masquerade I organised an Ace Attorney group (MCM London Expo October 2009), a Digimon group (MCM London Expo May 2010) and I've got another Ace Attorney group happening at the MCM Expo in October 2010 for Halloween.  So I can safely say I really love being in a group.  You feel more comfortable with your cosplay plus you can have loads of fun with spack photos!
 

Q:  What cosplays are you planning?

I have too many planned!  I have Gardevoir (Pokemon) and Dee Vasque (Ace Attorney) in line for this October MCM Expo, along with my Ace Attorney OC for meet-ups with friends.  Next year I'll be attempting my first mascot with Stiltzkin (Final Fantasy IX) and some smaller cosplays such as Nausicaä (Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind), a RED Engineer (Team Fortress 2) and Molly Hale (Pokemon 3). 

Q:  Do you have a dream cosplay?

Floral Fallal was once a dream cosplay, but I've achieved that which is amazing.  Currently my hugest dream cosplay is to do Freya Crescent from Final Fantasy IX – I did an original design version of her in May 2009 when I was still getting used to sewing and making, but one day I'd love to do her properly.  With a Sir Fratley by my side!  I’m interested in making the muzzles.

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

Don't start too high too fast, start out slow and practice.  It amazed me how much my skills have developed in only a couple of years so you will be too when you've created that giant Gundam!

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

Yes, my account is Freyarule. 



(click any picture for a larger image)




Above images provided by Freyarule
 

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