The SCG Blog

Don't Get in the Mystery Machine: Gina B. Cosplay on CONsent

2013-05-15T19:09:00.000+01:00

The CONsent campaign is no stranger to criticism or controversy. Many cosplayers and cosplay enthusiasts feel strongly about this topic. It is our hope at SCG to inform the cosplay community with the thoughts and perspectives of cosplayers themselves. We plan on introducing a variety of opinions for your consideration. To this end, we chatted with Gina B. Cosplay about her views on CONsent.

Rom Rom: So you recently made a post on your youtube channel about CONsent. Why do you feel so strongly about this issue facing the cosplay community?
Gina B. Cosplay: Yes, this has been something floating around a great deal lately, alongside many other "issues" such as respect in the community, females not claiming their boyfriends, whorebashing, as well as general negativity in the community. This has recently lead to a huge flux of articles and video responses of a general feeling of "enough is enough, stop complaining about everything". I am of that school of thought.

RR: When and why do you think this trend started?
GBC: We as cosplayers from before the marketing of cosplay through facebook have been putting this rose colored lens on what cosplay used to be, and keep trying to point out how it used to be, and are discontent with where we have come as a community. Those who are new to it, I feel are getting caught up in the facebook aspect of it and are feeling overly judged or what have you with the harsh world we have created in cosplay.

Credit: Ron Gejon Photography

Personally, I think all these "issues" stem from the idea that most think they can become "famous" as a cosplayer. They all think they can be the next Yaya Han. But many fail to realize that she is so unique in how she raised herself up over a number of years and built up what she is a small block at a time. I have so much respect for Yaya simply because she is able to enjoy what she does. She was successfully able to make money out of her passion but even she has a part time job to supplement things when it comes to cosplay. [Yaya Han] is a well-known cosplayer but that doesn't mean she is equally well-known outside of the community. She may be invited as a guest at cons, but she still runs a booth in the dealers room to gain revenue.

RR: Where do you feel the drive to become cosplay famous comes from? Do you think that cosplay attracts a certain type of person in this regard?

Credit: Yenra Photography

GBC: Where does the drive come from? Because we are simply human probably. I mean think about it... I am dressing up as a fantasy character to fulfill my fantasy about being able to have those qualities, while I myself may be fulfilling the fantasy for others to see that character in real life, etc. Other than the core of it being attention, cosplay is all about fantasy life. It is only natural then, that we fantasize about being famous. As a kid, I would fantasize about being on the red carpet, or being a hero in a situation. We all do it. So to follow through that we could possibly become well known or famous or idolized for cosplay makes sense I think. But the difference is knowing it's a fantasy dream, and changing who you are as a person to fit a mold of what you think will make it big. I know so many people who may have been sweet and quiet when I first met them at cons years ago, who are now at the fore in slandering, self-promoting on channels such as 4chan and reddit, and are incredibly elitist when it comes to their costumes -- all for the sake of their fan page number.

RR: How do you view the CONsent movement?

GBC: I am not trying to say that this whole Cosplay =/= Consent campaign is wrong because it isn't. I believed in the core idea that we should have more respect and shouldn't tolerate being harassed for our outfits. My video was based on the fact that many are taking the concept too far for their own agendas, and that is why this campaign is getting out of hand.

RR: So how would you recommend that the CONsent campaign fall more in line with the core ideals you do agree with?
GBC: The original article that spurred the whole CONsent deal, was when Meagan Marie spoke out regarding being blatantly disrespected in an interview during a panel event at a convention. I agree that what she encountered was entirely that man crossing the boundary of respect. I agree that in an ideal world we shouldn't have to worry about being sexually harassed as cosplayers whether it is verbally or physically. Unfortunately, that ideal can only be an ideal.

In response articles, the idea that you can walk into a strip club, and there is an existing policy of "do not touch the strippers" and that "strippers need to be respected" was an argument that was brought up in parallel to the idea that when you walk into a con there should be a blanket understanding of "do not touch the cosplayers" and "cosplayers need to be respected". However, strip clubs have bouncers there to enforce the rules -- convention staff and security may not be as ready as an enforcer. The bouncer is also being paid to sit there and is anticipating trouble....whereas the con gofer is meandering about doing whatever task was appointed to them for the moment.

Credit: Animaze Guy-photosnxs

Furthermore, what really made me angry about the bastardization of the original intent of the CONsent article, was that it morphed into the idea that "all females are being harassed and are delicate flowers that others need to learn how to respect, and its men who are the issue". This is in fact quite false. Many men get sexualized and harassed at cons as well. Its not just the women who are encountering these "issues". We as female cosplayers cannot just attack the male community when it is going both ways.

RR: In regards to your stated views on CONsent I'm sure you encountered some very strong feelings from the community. What do you identify as being the most misunderstood aspect of your thoughts?
GBC: Oh boy, haha! Well, many who didn't watch my full video felt that I am feeding into rape culture, and saying that women need to learn how to "deal with it" when it comes to protecting themselves at cons and what happens. What I find funny is that it is in the following line that I state exactly how to deal with it: Travel with groups of people. Don't go off alone with photographers you don't know or trust. If you feel uncomfortable, don't worry about screaming and shouting or causing a scene, because there are many who will step in once they see what is going on.

If you feel you don't have the confidence to stand up for yourself, feel free to go to courses offered by martial arts facilities or even NRA courses. They always love to teach how to build confidence, and how to have self respect and how to defend yourself. My biggest point is: JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE COSPLAYING A DAMSEL IN DISTRESS DOESN'T MEAN YOU ARE ONE. Don't let people take advantage of you because you are worried that you will lose fans. What do we really have to lose if we say no to someone?

Credit: Elysiam Entertainment

I was also attacked saying that not everyone has the confidence or skills to protect themselves/ say no, etc.... but people also fail to realize that its not everyone who dresses this way. Most shy people chose to dress in the more school girl or full body costume route, not the sexy thongs and giant guns direction. This "issue" is applying to such a small faction of cosplayers, and is being applied to a convention as a whole. Why are we doing this?

RR: If someone wanted to learn more about your views, or look at some of your cosplay, where should they go?
GBC: I really recommend my facebook, as that is really what I update the most. I also have all my videos posted there that I post weekly, and encourage fans to ask me questions for as well as supply topics. I post all my random thoughts and progress photos then to twitter, and if you are a fan of deviantart, I also upload photos there. =]

RR: SCG appreciates your time. Thanks so much for letting the readers get to know you better.
GBC: I am so happy that you dropped in and even cared enough to hear what I had to say! I just hope everyone can start to be themselves and stop getting so worried about our fan pages. Take the precautionary measures to keep themselves safe at cons, and enjoy their hobby!

[Interview conducted exclusively for SCG. The views expressed in this interview are not necessarily those of SCG or any of its sister-sites.]
[Follow Rom Rom on Twitter!]

Common Sense Please: Abby Dark-Star on CONsent

2013-05-08T11:00:00.000+01:00

Photo: Jimmy Dugger

Rom Rom: In your recent post you raised a distinction between CONsent and Cos-Sense. Was this purely tongue-in-cheek?
Abby DarkStar: My post was about Cos-Sense. In reading several peoples blogs, statuses and comments it occurred to me that there was a recurring theme about common sense being necessary for the hobby. Many people were either speaking out about it or having an opinion [on the issue]. [I felt] the original concept was getting buried -- almost like a bill in Congress. Everything was getting heaped on. When really, it seemed simpler. At least to me it did.

RR: What exactly about it seemed simpler to you?
ADS: I noticed that people were beginning to say "You can't take candid photos...you can't do this...you need to ask before you take a photo..." etc. These rules were being added to the movement which was originally to me, "Just treat others with respect no matter what they are wearing, or aren't." Which included touching, even if they are in costume. I felt it important that people understand that putting on a costume meant we bear certain responsibilities towards ourselves.

When anyone puts on a costume and buys a badge they are giving permission to be photographed. That is not my opinion, that is actually what it says in almost all convention badge agreements. Yes, it is polite to ask for a photo. Yes, it is respectful to the person being photographed that they know what you are taking (i.e. candids) but that isn't always feasible.

RR: So do you see this as more a matter of etiquette rather than a social issue?
ADS: In some ways, yes. That is more a universal social commentary for me though. I think in the world today much of what I (and others) were raised with, isn't exactly taught anymore. Even now my parents would probably slap me if I didn't behave politely towards someone (whether online or in person).

I think education is important on this issue which is why I agree that something had to be said. There has to be a balance between understanding the issue - cosplayers wanting to be respected and treated accordingly - and then knowing what to do about it. Having a certain degree of social acumen is necessary in my opinion.

Photo: SGH PhotoArt

The balance between the two led me to my statement about common sense. Some [of my page followers] said to me, "Common sense isn't common" but here is my take on that. If someone can recognize that common sense isn't common, then it's safe to say that they have common sense and can help others to understand what to do.

RR: What would you suggest a cosplayer or convention attendee do to help another person in this way?
ADS: Something as simple as "Dude, if you just ask her to turn around in costume, I'm sure she'll let you take a picture," instead of allowing them to take ninja butt shots. (But I guess that depends on the cosplayer though, haha!)

RR: Do you feel that consensus is an important aspect of approaching the CONsent controversy? How important is it for cosplayers and cosplay enthusiasts to get on the same page about this issue?
ADS: Before I posted [my Cos-Sense picture], I checked with one of the girls who originated the CONsent movement and asked her thoughts. When she told me she loved it, I went ahead and posted it. I also checked with several of my friends who are known for their level heads, like Meg Turney, Vampy Bit Me and Meagan Marie.

If CONsent is a movement that people want to subscribe to, it generally needs to be universally understood. I think that the message, to some degree, got lost in [all the] opinions.

RR: In regards to harassment, would you say that conventions have become more or less friendly places since you started cosplaying?
ADS: For me, I think that conventions have endeavored to encourage and create positive environments for costumers. Running a convention is hard work and I know they can't do everything.

I have to say that in the years I've been cosplaying/costuming I've experienced very little harassment. I've had my share of ass-grabbing, ninja upskirt shots, and so on, but I've addressed it each time. I've had friends look out for me, but I haven't been bothered by [the inappropriate behavior]. I understood that some people who attend conventions don't have the same ideals as me in regards to how they behave. So I tailor my actions accordingly.

Photo: BGZ Studios

RR: What in your personality helps you to shrug off this kind of behavior? Do you feel your attitudes and experiences are common among other cosplayers you know?
ADS: I think it started with my parents telling me to be aware of what I put out there and how I'd get different reactions based on my choices. Then being involved in theater and being in the education field, I try to understand people. My Mom always told me to give people the benefit of the doubt. I don't know what someone has been through, or what their lives are like. Who am I to treat someone unkindly?

Ultimately, I think I was exposed to a lot of social situations. I made my blunders and knew that sometimes the best thing I could do is handle these situations politely but firmly. I think that many people have a similar attitude, I'm judging this by how people reacted to my post about Cos-Sense.

RR: In navigating CONsent, or any issue within the cosplay community, how would you describe the evolution of the cosplay community? That is to say, do you feel the community itself is enriched by the discourse?
ADS: I think that this hobby has grown a lot since I first became aware of it. It has changed in a lot of ways and I think it's an ongoing creative process in itself. I think that as it changes and expands, important discussions need to happen. I think having people talk about issues that interest them or voicing their concerns allows us to get to know each other better and support one another. In the end, nothing is going to change my love of this hobby and why I do it, so I deal with what I have to and costume on! :)

Photo: Slim Summers

RR: If someone wanted to learn more about your thoughts on cosplay or check out your coscraft, where should they go?
ADS: My facebook page is the one I update most often, but I also have other social media like tumblr and twitter. My husband and I also have a build page on facebook called KeAbtium :)

RR: I'm sure SCG fans will want to check it out. Thank you so much for your time Abby.
ADS: My pleasure! :)

[Interview conducted 04.27.2013 for SCG. The views expressed in this interview are not necessarily those of SCG or any of its sister-sites.]
[Follow Rom Rom on Twitter]

Half the Battle: Vicious Cosplay on CONsent

2013-05-01T11:00:00.000+01:00

Photo: Octomobiki Convention/Event Coverage

The CONsent campaign is no stranger to criticism or controversy. Many cosplayers feel strongly about this topic. It is our hope at SCG to inform the cosplay community with the thoughts of cosplayers themselves. We plan on introducing a variety of perspectives for your consideration. To this end, we chatted with Vicious Cosplay about her views on CONsent.

Rom Rom: Do you feel that there are significant misconceptions about the CONsent campaign?
Vicious Cosplay: I wouldn't call them misconceptions. I think that there is a significant amount of information and topics that are not being talked about or not being heard. But like any social movement there are the radicals on both sides and that's, sadly, to be expected.

RR: What are some of the issues you would like to see addressed in the CONsent discourse?
VC: Harassment in cosplay isn't just of the sexual and slut-shaming kind. There is fat-shaming, racism, and fandom hatred galore. I also see the harassment between cosplayers like that of craftsman vs store-bought or the cos-famous vs not-cos-famous.

RR: Why do you feel the concentration is on the sexual harassment aspect of CONsent rather than these other facets?
VC: I think it is due to changes in contemporary Western culture. Feminism and rape culture are big topics here in the United States (where I see most of the CONsent movement going). With an educated guestimate of 5:1 female cosplayer to male cosplayer, misogyny and sexism are the easiest and most relatable topics to talk about. The cosplay community is also still coming out of the 'fake nerd girl' wave from the Tony Harris controversy, so misogyny in cosplay has been a topic since at least January.

Photo: Octomobiki Convention/Event Coverage

At the same time, I've learned some of the more popular female cosplayers are more often than not victims of sexual harassment. So it not only becomes the most relatable topic but it has a higher soapbox than the rest due to the larger social media reach of reader and viewership by these cosplayers.

RR: So you see the CONsent movement, and the issues it collectively represents, as a microcosm of what's going on in mainstream American culture?
VC: Precisely. Which is what I find so amazing about the movement. We're taking the current social issues developing more broadly in American culture, and then taking steps to possibly change the views in our cosplay gemeinschaft.

RR: Do you see any issues within this controversy that are distinctly cosplay? That is to say, is any part of CONsent solely specific to the subculture as opposed to just mirroring what's going on more broadly in society?
VC: One that I can think of is the idea that wearing a particular character's costume does not mean that the cosplayer should be treated as if they are that character at all times. It does not mean the cosplayer is dressed up in order to be someone's 'real life wet dream' or that they can blatantly hit on a cosplayer and expect a certain reaction because of that cosplayer's character.

Photo: NaterPix

For instance, a cosplay companion of mine was cosplaying a Bible Black character. She was in a hotel hallway walking back to her room when she was cornered and asked by a male if she'd like to be raped. After declaring no and telling him to back off, he specifically told her that her choice in costume meant she was a fan of rape hentai and therefore wanted to be raped. Luckily, a nearby cosplayer saw this and screamed loud enough for other con-goers to come out of their rooms. This scared the guy off.

RR: Do you think this type of impropriety is born of an inability to separate fantasy from reality? Or do you think it's a general type of sociopathy that finds a specific expression within cosplay culture? Something else?
VC: Like anything in our world there's a lot of gray area. I would say that it is bred out of a multitude of things. Inability to separate fantasy from reality is a big one, but I find that more of a reason for the more socially awkward people. There are also the sociopaths who were brought up on the idea that women are things or that other people's opinions or feelings mean squat.

Once upon a time, people didn't attend conventions because nerds were the 'outcasts'. Nerds were socially awkward but rather harmless to a point. However, with the growth in popularity of anime, comic books, and especially video games, you're getting more and more types of people into the community that aren't of the same social experience. In addition, the internet allows people to hide behind the mask of anonymity and be completely free of shame while saying whatever they want without consequences. The growth of cosplay pseudonyms is proof that cosplayers do not feel safe combining their personal and cosplay lives anymore, especially on the internet.

Photo: Yenra Photography

But overall I think we just have people looking for an excuse to do anything that results in them feeling 'good' in the end. "I can hit on that girl because she's in a g-string, maybe f*** her." "I can harass that Homestuck cause all Homestucks are morons and obnoxious." "I can nark on that fat cosplayer 'cause nobody cares about her feelings."

RR: How well do you think the cosplay community is handling serious discussions about the cosplay and convention culture? Do you have a sense of the health of what's being done and said?
VC: In house, I think the cosplay community is really taking this discussion seriously. I do not know a single person who hasn't been harassed one way or the other (either internet or real life). Many do not feel as if they have a voice or they just ignore it because they feel harassment is 'to be expected.' The biggest thing that I think is coming out of this (which I love) is that it's bringing more unity to the community. A lot of people are stepping up and speaking out. If you are in a situation and you see me, do something to get my attention and I will be more than happy to help you out. Of course there are also those who have a radical way of thinking (like the 'if you don't ask to take my picture I'm reporting you to security'), but amongst my friends and followers we're giving them the Futurama Fry Stare.

Photo: Octomobiki Convention/Event Coverage

But outside the bubble we're getting the input of the convention goers as well as the normal people, who are adding either poison to the conversation or just useless information. The main point of the CONsent movement is to spread outside of the cosplay community [an awareness] that cosplayers were having major issues with people. [This is] also the downside to it. Now you have the victim-blamers telling cosplayers they were asking for it, or calling us 'drama whores' or 'b****es' for having an opinion on the subject. And then there are loads and loads of stupid commentary that can drown out a great message, or prove that some people just aren't listening but speak [anyway]. Added to this we do have the long term cosplayers (and I mean 10+ year markers) who are not, and do not want to be part of this conversation. They have adapted to this sort of behavior as 'normal' and [they think] that the internet is blowing the situation out of proportion.

RR: If someone wanted to learn more about your thoughts on cosplaying or enjoy your cosplay, where should they go?
VC: Most of my writing items I post on my facebook page and my tumblr. The easiest way to find anything in writing about my feelings on cosplay is to check my #cosplay-rant on tumblr.

Photo: Octomobiki Convention/Event Coverage

RR: Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with SCG readers.
VC: No problem. Thank you for the opportunity to speak on the subject as well.

[Interview conducted 04.27.2013 for SCG.]
[The views expressed in this interview are not necessarily those of SCG or its sister-sites.]
[Follow Rom Rom on Twitter.]

Get Real: Marie Grey on CONsent

2013-04-27T16:01:00.000+01:00

Rom Rom: What does the CONsent campaign mean to you personally?

Marie Grey: From what I've read on the 16-Bit Sirens website, it's a movement to spread awareness of the troubles cosplayers face regarding harassment--be it at conventions or over the internet.

RR: So do you share the same understanding of the CONsent campaign as 16-bit Sirens, or does your perspective differ from theirs?

MG: I think the campaign is a great start. I just don't think it's fleshed out enough. Harassment can be anything ranging from just annoying to life threatening. And while it's great to see so many people bringing this issue to light, it isn't a new issue and simply speaking about the negatives isn't going to make changes. I think the campaign can serve as a spark to a fire, though.

RR: What kinds of changes would you like to see? How would you like to see things develop?

MG: All I've really seen is a lot of fingers pointing in a lot of different directions. Is it wrong to harass people? Yes. Does wearing a cosplay mean you are consenting to harassment, verbal or physical? No. Is repeating that over and over again going to change anything? No.

Photo: James Paul Hennigan

Sometimes, people just suck. If someone wants to make fun of you, they're probably going to do it. If someone wants to touch you and they have no manners or just genuinely don't care, they're going to do it. It's terrible that we live in this kind of world, but that's just the way it is. You can't change each individual person you interact with in the cosplay community. Instead of screaming about cosplay not equaling consent, I'd like to see the campaign take a more positive turn. Stop focusing on the negative attitudes and actions of others and start inspiring those who do feel violated to stand up for themselves in the event something does happen.

I think cosplayers should also know that people with different morals from their own exist. You can't walk around assuming no one will ever say anything bad to you while you're in cosplay. It's unrealistic. Long story short, I think the cosplay community should start focusing on the realities of the harassment problem rather than what they'd like the ideals to be.

RR: Is CONsent a controversy in the community because of our differing perspectives on idealism versus realism? That is to say, do you feel that's where the clash happens?

MG: Yes, absolutely. I think everyone is too focused on how the cosplay community used to be and how people should act. I just think it would be wiser to focus on the cosplay community you're in right now and how to handle situations safely and effectively when they do arise. Wishing things were different only works in Disney movies.

RR: With regards to harassment, would you say things have gotten worse or stayed about the same in your cosplay experience?

MG: Well, this goes against the grain. I actually got harassed a lot more when I first started cosplaying than I do now. But I really think that has something to do with the fact that I stand up for myself. The second I see someone trying to start something, I diffuse the situation and walk away. If someone says something inappropriate on my cosplay page, I warn them. If they do it again, I block them.

Photo: FirstPerson Shooter for WeAre NerdCaliber

I think people care too much about what others think of them. "But what if they think I'm being a bitch and they unlike my page?" I've literally heard things like that. If my like count goes down because someone is mad that I won't let them harass me, BYE! That's not a person I want to attract.

RR: There are a number of cosplayers that have difficulties being assertive about their person. They can be shy, non-confrontational, or socially awkward. You seemed to be able to find it in yourself to stop or avoid behavior you felt was inappropriate. How did that journey work for you? Was it a difficult transformation?

Photo: MDosik

MG: I was really overweight growing up. I had a handful of friends, but I mostly kept to myself reading comics during lunch or before the first bell for classes to start. I got beat up in high school all the time, and it wasn't girls beating me up. I probably cried in the bathroom at least 3 days out of the week. After high school, I told myself I would start over in college and would never let that happen again. I spent years waiting for someone to help me and they didn't.

I basically learned that if you need a hero, you are your first and most dependable source. You need to stand up for yourself. I do understand that there are a lot of shy, non-confrontational, or socially awkward people who experience harassment, though, and they tend to be the victims more than others because they're vulnerable. But you don't even need to stand up for yourself to diffuse a situation if you're not comfortable doing so. You can just walk away. Find someone -- literally anyone. Conventions are FILLED with people and 95% of them will help you if you ask for it. And depending on the level of harassment, you can also get con staff, security, or the police involved.

Do what you need to do to feel safe. I'd rather feel uncomfortable standing up for myself than feel uncomfortable because some dude's got his hand up my skirt.

RR: Do you find cosplay to be empowering in any way? Is any part of that experience therapeutic for you?

MG: I think cosplay can be really empowering. Being so focused on comics and video games, I've got a large array of strong-willed women to look up to. And dressing up as them kind of makes me feel like a badass. I think the most empowering thing is that I stopped caring about the opinions of strangers. At the end of the day, the only person who needs to appreciate my craft is me. I don't care if people dislike me because I won't take their crap. I go to conventions to see my old friends, make some new friends, and have a good time.

RR: If cosplay fans want to find out more about your cosplay, where should they go?

MG: I'm a slave to social media!

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram: @_mariegrey

Tumblr

RR: I'm sure people will want to know what you're up to! Thanks so much for your time Marie.

MG: Thanks for having me!

[Interview conducted 04.25.2013 for SCG]

[Follow Rom Rom on Twitter]

Great Yoko cosplays

2013-04-23T20:44:00.000+01:00

Yoko Littner from Gurren Lagann has been a favourite of ours here at SCG for a while now. It really is a shame we don't see a lot of Yoko cosplayers around anymore. So we decide to gather some great Yoko cosplays that we have come across since we started our journey. I hope you enjoy it and please let us know what character you would like to see more of by leaving a comment!

Cosplayer: HezaChan Photographer: Robbins Studio

Cosplayer: Katyuska MoonFox Photographer: John Pryke

Cosplayer: Miyori Photographer: Anton Timofeev

Cosplayer: Miyori Photographer: Proton

Cosplayer: Kelly Jean Photographer: Sebastian Matthews

Cosplayer: Victoria Vaughn Photographer: AshB Images

Cosplayer: Bunny Ayumi Photographer: Kuragiman

Cosplayer: Lumena Photographer: Raphael Feitoza

Cosplayer: [m o s t f l o g g e d] Photographer: Jessie Pridemore

Cosplayer: JoJo Pandaface Photographer: OneShotArtist.com - Reno Benasfre

Sushi Killer and The Beginnings of the CONsent Campaign

2013-04-17T18:08:00.000+01:00

by Rom Rom

A new awareness campaign is underway in the world of cosplay. CONsent seeks to address many of the improprieties that cosplayers routinely face at conventions. Sushi Killer of 16-bit Sirens wrote the now famous article The Beginnings of CONsent about two weeks ago. SCG skyped with her about the status of this new campaign and what she hopes to achieve with it. We plan to keep the cosplay community informed on CONsent's important developments.

Rom Rom: It has been about a week and some change since you published your article "The Beginnings of CONsent" -- what's the biggest surprise you've encountered so far?

Sushi Killer: I'd have to say the overwhelming response from convention organizers in particular that have reached out to us for help. I never expected any organizations to contact us at all, but we've gotten emails and messages from all over the world asking what various cons can do to get the word out and protect/empower their cosplayers.

RR: How have you responded to these con organizers? What kinds of measures have you suggested so far?

SK: As of now, we don't have any formal posters or fliers to give them, but we encourage them to make their own with the Cosplay =/= Consent slogan and their own images. We also try to give them links to other conventions' policy statements that explicitly forbid verbal, physical, and photographic harassment, since having that published in their policies gives them the legal right to eject someone from the convention who is deemed to be harassing others. Also, we have been invited to host panels at a bunch of different cons. We have also prepared a basic outline for both a panel and workshop on protecting oneself from harassment which we have sent to conventions we cannot personally attend.

RR: I would characterize your efforts on behalf of CONsent, especially with con organizers, as a comprehensive awareness campaign. Would you say that this accurate?

SK: Yes, absolutely, but we also aim to empower cosplayers and other con-attendees through that awareness. We want to help people find the courage to act in the face of harassment.

RR: What are some of the obstacles you feel will be particularly difficult in overcoming? What are some problem areas with inspiring others to act that you have discovered so far?

SK: The criticisms have been hard to face. We have gotten a lot of harsh words from people who don't seem to understand the message of the project and instead project hostility onto it. For example, there is a lot of discussion about the rights of photographers to photograph whatever they want in public. We were never questioning the legalities of the issue, just the morality (namely that taking sexually objectifying photos of a cosplayer without their knowledge or consent is immoral.)

I have had some personal friends tell me to stop the movement because they are worried about protecting the rights of (mostly) men at conventions to hit on or joke around with cosplaying women for fear of getting thrown out. In fact, one popular cosplayer, famous for her T&A photos, spread around a photo making fun of the project.

Ultimately, I think how some people misunderstood the point of the project hurts our cause the most. We do not intend to shame shy photographers, ban innocent conversation or compliments, and we certainly aren't telling women in cosplay that they aren't allowed to consensually allow themselves to be objectified -- we just want everyone to know that these are individual preferences, but asking permission and being respectful of cosplayers (even though others might not care about those things) is always the right thing to do.

RR: How do you recommend these misconceptions be ameliorated? And a follow up, do you think some of the photos with the Cosplay =/= Consent sign send a mixed signal or could flat out undermine the campaign?

SK: I am not sure there is anything I can do. Whenever someone posts a controversial opinion on the internet there are bound to be people who don't like it because they either misunderstand or see themselves as part of the problem and don't want to face that. I just want to keep clarifying the message to anyone who takes the time to ask for clarification, and spread around other resources that support the project and offer the clarification themselves.

I think some of the problem has definitely come from the nature of some of the photos. However, I want to emphasize that this project is a way for me to help cosplayers express themselves. If they choose to take it seriously and look the camera in the eye with clear contempt or whatever, then that is their choice. Likewise, if they feel that they want to make a cute face, give a friendly smile or even pose in a way that mock-objectifies him or herself, I can't argue. If they feel this is the best way for them to convey their feelings on the subject of harassment (perhaps by making light of it, like black humor does for other sensitive subjects?) then I am not going to stop them.

It's the other photos (like the ones that are clearly making fun of rape) that send the mixed message, and as such we will not include those in our project.

RR: What does a successful CONsent campaign look like to you? How would you define its success for the cosplay community?

SK: The original mission of the project was just to raise awareness and give people who might harass cosplayers a moment to pause and reflect on the faces and feelings of people they may have hurt. But now, it's not just about collecting as many photos as possible. We never expected to have the views or response that we got, so I feel it is my responsibility to keep this project going and to use this platform to do the most good that I can.

That said, success to me is now defined by how many people we can reach and empower. I dream of the day when harassment ceases to be an issue, but that may not come in my lifetime. In the meantime, I just want to see cosplayers stand up for themselves, and see others standing up for the cosplayers in their community too. I hope to travel around the country and give panels and workshops that will help teach the tools that could save a cosplayer from danger.

RR: How would you respond to critics that would say CONsent is a blip; an unsustainable fad? Have you encountered this kind of thinking? If so, what do you feel this kind of thinking means for the campaign?

SK: I have definitely encountered that. "Oh it's a publicity stunt by these girls" or "It's just another meme fad." And honestly, that is okay with me as long as what [CONsent] represents continues beyond the life of the project. The traffic that has been generated for our website was not our goal [with CONsent]. Even if this project fizzles out in the next few months, I would be okay with that. It has already done a lot of good and the overall aim is now to educate and spread awareness. If this project fades but the awareness continues to spread, and cons continue to let us host panels and workshops, then the work will still be getting done. If the awareness ends with the project, we're pretty well screwed anyway.

Every movement in feminism has encountered these problems in their own way, I think. And I don't want to put myself on the same level as the women and men that fought for my right to vote, own property, and work alongside men, but all of those movements were met with laughter, anger, and ignorance in their own time. This is just another step [in that direction] and we are just playing a small part in the greater movement of ending harassment.

RR: If someone wanted to learn more about CONsent or contribute, what should they do and where should they go?

SK: Well, the place to start would be my original article. We are also compiling a list of constructive response articles that we will be posting [to our website] soon as a sort of reading guide for the project.

Also, we are always looking for photo submissions and convention panel opportunities! If a photographer or a con organizer is interested in some kind of partnership, please email the Sirens and I at sirens@16bitsirens.com and we can discuss further what we can do together.

We are also going to start a couple of chip-in campains to help us get out to various conventions to host workshops, so subscribing to the 16bitSirens blog, liking us on Facebook or adding us on twitter, tumblr, and instagram is a good way to stay posted on the various ways you can help.

RR: SCG thanks you for your time. We look forward to speaking with you again.

SK: Thank you!

[Interview conducted on 04.12.2013 for SCG]

Giving The Sub-culture Even More Reach

2013-03-26T23:35:00.000Z

Hi Everyone! The SCG team would just like to say we hope you’re all enjoying what it is that SCG do, but more importantly being interactive with us via the numerous social networks we engage as a sub part of the steady progress and community we are trying to make within SCG itself.

Firstly, we want to apologize for the lack of content we have been submitting on to our blog. You guys and girls are always so complimentary

of us, but through a recent status that we put up on the Facebook and Twitter feeds asking what it is that you would most like to see us improve? One of the most popular comments were along the lines of ‘more bloody blog content!!’ - Josh Baker. We just want to let you know we listen and read everything you say and we take your suggestions very seriously, many of which changes you have suggested have taken place or are in the pipelines, so thanks very much for the serious and insightful feedback we receive.

Starting in April, we’ll feature a photographers, retouchers, prop-makers/ costume makers and cosplayers from different continents everyday, featuring new ones each week. The purpose for this is to feature more people who are part of the cosplay culture on our page, around the world. We’ll focus on different continents each day, the schedule will look something like this:

1 Photographer/ Retoucher

2 Cosplayers

1 Prop Maker/ Costume Designer

to be featured every day for the following continents-

Monday- North America

Tuesday Europe

Wednesday South America

Thursday- Asia

Friday - Oceania

Examples of some the likes of work we aim to feature are:

Photographers like Ken Pearson from America

cosplayer Jesse Thaxton

Cosplayers like Dragonfly Cosplay from England

photography by Matt Dudley

and aspects behind cosplay like prop makers/ suppliers that support cosplay like Geisha Wigs (wig used in the image below)

Model, Ivy Pearl; Photography, Paranoid Android

We feel that there is too much emphasis on individual aspects of cosplay through media outlets i.e. the end product. We hope to bridge this gap in time with various features between cosplay exposure in both hemisphere’s. We want SCG to bring you closer to the hobby you love and epitomize.

To have your page/ website featured you must send us your information and links to your work via email to contact@sexycosplaygirls.com, stating what country you live in and which of the position you hope to be featured for.

How To Be a Cosplay Model (And Not Be Shit)

2013-01-28T20:50:00.005Z

Rebecca Greening for SCG

You're a cosplayer. Your costumes are super rad, but all you've got is crappy quality pictures taken in poorly lit convention halls with goons photo bombing you in the background. Presentation is everything in the cosplay world. Tired of your work going unappreciated, you decide you need to move to the next level and get some badass pictures done of your mad costuming skills.

YES. LET'S DO IT!

How To Get Started

Finding a decent photographer to take your photos might be difficult. Awesome photographers will charge you money, or only work with well established models that will be worth adding to their portfolio. If you don't have a portfolio yet, you might need to work with some lesser known people before you get the photos you are after.

NETWORK. Talk to photographers at cons, talk to other cosplayers. Get some contacts, make some friends, find someone that's trying to build their photography portfolio and needs some new faces.

Build an online portfolio. Join ModelMayhem. Put your BEST photos forward and represent yourself the best that you can. No one wants to see your handheld MySpace pictures, or your crappy filters. Write in full sentences. Use spellcheck. Let's quash the 'all models are stupid' stereotype, yeah? You can use the site to find photographers in your area and check out casting calls. You can even put a casting call out yourself. But remember, THIS IS THE INTERNET. Be careful. Photographer not got any examples of their work? Don't risk it. Photographer got loads of photos of girls with their legs wide open? Don't risk it. Use your common sense, and always take a chaperone if you don't feel safe going alone. If a photographer says you can't bring one, tell them to jog on. Let’s not get molested today.

Ani Mia

How To Not Totally Suck At It

Modelling comes naturally for very few people. It takes a lot of practice and you'll need to work on it. Don't be discouraged if you aren't getting it straight away. Go away and do your research. Save your favourite photos for inspiration and analyse them properly. What makes it awesome? Make a folder of super sweet poses that you want to try. Practice them in the mirror! Do the same with your face. It takes some time to gain the confidence to try new things on shoots, but try to take a deep breath and just go for it. You won’t know until you try!

The great thing about cosplay modelling is that you have a wealth of inspiration at your fingertips. Research your character. Think about who they are, how they're feeling, how they'd move. Save some images for inspiration. Emulate some of their poses. Recreate them in real life!

Take care of your appearance. Drink lots of water and eat well, especially the night before a shoot – we don’t want bloated pizza belly! Unless you’re cosplaying The Blob, then you’re probably alright. Make sure you’re neat and tidy. That means pluck your eyebrows, paint your nails, shave your legs, tidy your moustache – whatever you’ve gotta do to look your best. Make it easier for the person editing your photos by putting the very best version of you forward. They’ll appreciate it, trust me.

Vampy Bit Me

How To Not Make Everyone Hate You

Don't dick people around. Be organised. Get a diary. Make sure you know where you've got to be and what's required. If you don't have a make up artist, make sure you've had a practice run and know what you're doing. Have a back up plan for everything.

Here's a list of things I usually pack for a shoot:

Costumes

Appropriate underwear (try it all on together!)

Tit tape

Hairspray

Wigs

Kirby grips

Contact lenses (2 pairs, in case I drop one)

Make up

Snacks (don't hold up a shoot because you're hungry and forgot to bring something)

Water

Make up wipes

Cotton buds

Moisturiser

Phone charger

Any inspirational images you want to show the photographer

Only book a shoot if you are sure you can make it / have the money / will have your costume ready in time. A lot of work goes into setting up a photoshoot. Booking a studio, scouting and getting permission for shooting on location, planning, logistics... Don't cancel a shoot unless you have a really good reason. Don't waste other people's time and energy. Something else you'd rather go to? Tough shit. Got a cold? Get over it. Worried about a pimple? Photoshop will sort it. Feeling down? Have a packet of Haribo and just fucking get on with it, man. Whether you want to be a professional model or not - A professional attitude goes a long way. And if you piss people off, they don't have to give you a second chance... And they’ll tell their photographer friends that you’re a nightmare to work with, too.

Be positive and upbeat. Take direction - the photographer can see what your posing looks like, so if they tell you to put your arm over here or tilt your chin down slightly, just do it.

Don't bitch about other models or photographers (not publicly, anyway!) You should aim to remain professional at all times, even if you want to punch someone in the face for being a moron.

Alexia Jean Grey

After The Shoot OMGZ NOW I R MODEL

Make sure you agree with the photographer what the deal is. How many edited photos you will get back, where you're OK to use them, how they want to be credited. Always credit your photographer, and anyone else that made a contribution to the shoot. I'm sure they all worked just as hard as you did on the shoot, so make sure they get the recognition for it. And don't be a dick and edit out their watermark. It's there for a reason. Likewise, if a website or magazine wants to use the photos, speak to the photographer first and make sure they get credited properly.

AND THAT'S IT! NOW U CAN HAS AWESOME COSPLAY PICTURES!

My Unsolicited Response to the Hostility Inherent in Modern Nerd Culture

2013-01-20T16:15:00.000Z

We stumbled across a very interesting and insightful piece highlighting several of the issues currently surfacing in the American "Geek" culture scene from a female perspective. We feel this personal account should get the exposure it deserves. Please read the following article with a open-mind without resorting to lazy tactics of branding the writer a misandrist.

The following is half the article which was written by Remy Le Fay. To read the full story click the link at the bottom of the article

By Remy Le Fay

*The content of this particular blog is not meant to besmirch every single male in the nerd community; my intention is to shed light on the problem areas (and people), and the opinions herein are primarily influenced by my own personal history, which I will delve into with the hope of providing some perspective and insight. I’m even including some horrendously embarrassing photos to prove my point.*

The bullied have become the bullies.

It’s a man’s world. Unfortunately, that hasn’t changed, in spite of what the masses may believe. The evidence is overwhelming, showcased across the internet, both in the well-lit corners and the dark, shadowy ones. A heavily documented battle rages on: men versus women in nerd culture. How did it get to this point?

There has always existed a rather wide, self-imposed gender gap within nerd culture. By “self-imposed”, I mean that men put it there (whether intentionally or otherwise) and women have quietly abided its presence for too long. Until recent years, male nerds lived under the false belief that it was their playground, and women generally weren’t interested in geeky pursuits for whatever reason. But now that nerdy is becoming cool, male nerds have sprung from the woodwork to guard the borders of their precious culture with aggressive fervor, armed with the same ammunition that the rest of the world used to use against them: bullying.

For some reason, it seems male nerds feel threatened by the emergence of their female counterparts. From the common reactionary behavior, male nerds believe that women are focused 100% on men in one fashion or another. Women are vilified as either boldly infiltrating nerd culture with the sole desire to rip it from the men and stamp it into the dust, injecting it with estrogen and unicorns; or we are humiliatingly designated as “fake nerd girls” who have no actual interest in nerd culture and put on elaborate shows merely to garner attention from poor, nice nerd boys.

Both arguments are absolutely absurd and entirely male-centric. Has it never occurred to male nerds that women might simply like what they like and want to be accepted for who they are? To be fair, there are women who know how to use their sexuality for their own gain, and women who enjoy attention. They exist in every aspect of society, and nerd culture is not immune. However, they are such a small percentage in the nerd community that it’s almost humorous how frequently male nerds bring them up.

As a cosplayer, I’ve noticed that nerd women who cosplay seem to bear a large portion of the hatred, perhaps because they are in the spotlight. The male nerd community is quite vocal when it comes to cosplay. Generally, they have made it clear that unless a woman is skinny and beautiful, she has no right to be cosplaying or feeling like she can be pretty. Contrarily, they think that if she IS skinny and beautiful and she cosplays, she’s automatically faking any and all interest in anything relating to cosplay whatsoever (which somehow ruins something for somebody somewhere). And evidently all shapes and sizes of women are just using these poor, victimized little inept nerd boy-men to get attention – which, as we all know, is irreparably damaging to their little soft male egos because we also all know how painful and damaging it is for men to give and receive attention from women dressed as their favorite characters. *heavy sarcasm alert*

Genuine nerd women are the rule, not the exception. I am going to shed light on something that apparently male nerds never knew: ever since the spawning of the first male nerd, there have been female nerds. We are not a new, sudden occurrence.

In all honesty, I can understand their defensiveness to an extent. Most male nerds had to live through a trial by fire. Their younger lives were probably difficult, and they were bullied and ridiculed for their interests and passions. They have gone through proverbial hell to be who they are and love what they do, and feel that anyone who casually steps into their culture hasn’t earned a place among them.

Boys, if you thought it was hard on you, imagine how it was for the women nerds.

There is a reason we’ve only recently begun surfacing. Until now, we didn’t feel comfortable revealing our true selves because we knew the consequences: bullying, ridicule, and social and romantic ostracization. Then we saw nerds rising into view, socially accepted and even considered cool. Nerdy interests became more mainstream; people were no longer excluded for playing video games or reading comics. So once we felt it was safe, nerd women began to come forward and confidently reveal our true selves in all our nerdy glory – only to be met with the same hostility we’d been met with all along. Except that this time, it was from the people with whom we should have had a kinship, people who we’d expected to welcome us with open arms: our fellow nerds.

To read the rest of this article click here

Thanks to Remy Le Fay for allowing us to publish her article

SCG interviews: Ani-Mia

2013-01-16T01:06:00.001Z

Today we have with us the exciting and beautiful cosplayer known as Ani-Mia #geekculturememequeen. For those of you don’t know follow Ani-Mia, can i politely ask what rock you are living under so I suggest that rock as a safe heaven for Patrick Star.

SCG:
Firstly, how are you? What have you been up to today?

Ani-Mia:
I'm doing well today. I've been so busy lately actually. Though I try to keep myself busy haha

SCG:
We could only imagine Mia. Being a full-time geek, replying to your many followers and making your very own cosplays must be strenuous stuff. Give us a little Ani-Mia backstory.

Ani-Mia:
Well, I've been a geek ever since I was little. My dad raised me on shows like Knight Rider and Star Trek. My favorite comics growing up were Elfquest and X-Men. I even collected the trading cards. Then I started going to conventions and in 2008 decided to cosplay for the first time. Ever since then I have been hooked.

SCG:
Love it! I was also plonked in front of the TV at a young age to enjoy Star Trek with my father. So would you say your father was your influence into all things sci-fi? When we initially searched the web for cosplay image content to share your Wampa was one of the most jaw dropping images we came across, so I think for everyone involved with cosplay I would just like to say thank you for that awesome shoot!

Ani-Mia
Awww, thanks. That was my homage to Star Wars. I really just didn't want to be the millionth Slave Leia at the convention I was going to so I decided, why not a sexy Wampa. Yeah, my dad was a huge influence on all things sci-fi. He's constantly watching shows like Battlestar Galactica...even Seaquest DSV. I'm very much a daddy's girl and when you have a huge geek for a dad it just comes naturally that you are bound to be a geek

SCG:
May your father live long and prosper. Who was your first cosplay in 2008, where did you go and what challenges did you face?

Ani-Mia
Wow, my first cosplay was so embarrassing. I was Nerine from the anime Shuffle. I actually bought the costume online and it completely didn't fit me right. I was so nervous and self-conscious that I spend the whole con, Oni-con in Texas, worried that I looked stupid. It was after that, that I decided to start making my own cosplays so that I knew they would fit me.

SCG:
Nernie is a beautiful character to start with, did you buy a wig for the character? What was wrong with the costume, was it too big or too small?

Ani-Mia
I did get a wig and ears. The ears were probably the best part of the whole outfit. The wig was okay, way too shiny and I didn't know yet about how to style wigs. The costume was way too big and I kinda looked like a giant marshmallow in a skirt. haha

SCG:
Hahaha, it sounds like it was great experience to learn from though. We learn a lot about ourselves from the situations where we feel very embarrassed #copingmechanisms. What advice to people who may be attending their first convention very soon?

Ani-Mia
The biggest advice I can give is to just have fun and don't be scared to put yourself out there. It may seem a little scary because there are so many people but you just have to realize that all of the people there are just as big of a geek as you are. The cosplay and convention community is so accepting because we are all the same. We are all huge geeks and fanboys/ fangirls.

SCG:
I couldn't agree with you more. The cosplay community, not just in the UK, but around the world have been incredibly supportive of us, yourself being one of those people who welcomed sexy cosplay girls onto the scene. What are your personal strengths and weakness' when making your own costume? What can and can't you make?

Ani-Mia
When I started making my own cosplays I didn't know how to do anything. I didn't have sewing machine and did all my sewing by hand. I finally got a machine and started teaching myself how to sew. As I started making more costumes I kept challenging myself to try something new; whether it's using a new material or trying a new method of doing something. My strengths would be my creativity. Especially since cosplay is so expensive, I'm always trying to find creative ways to make things that won't cost me an arm and a leg. My weakness right now would be sleeves. I'm getting much better at them but they aren't perfect. It just takes more practice. And even though I'm scared to try to make stuff like full jackets, I plan to challenge myself until it doesn't scare me any more.

SCG:
For cosplayers new; you've just given them a fair insight, and old cosplayers old; they feel your pain! If you don't mind me asking, what is your next cosplay venture?

Ani-Mia
I have a ton. My problem is that I work on 4-5 costumes at a time. Because I work on a budget, sometimes I start a costume and then have to stop until I can get materials for it. Then I start another one in the meantime and the next thing I know I have 4 costumes all finished at the same time. Right now I'm working on a slew of cosplays from comic books to anime and even some based on artwork. I just never stop.

SCG:
(NARUTO SPOILER ALERT!) 4-5 at a time! Wow. Your productivity skills are of the charts. Indeed cosplay is one hella expensive hobby. A recent favourite across the web has been your Hinata, as a fellow Naruto fan I feel its compulsory to ask, what have you made of the recent storyline updates? From Tobi being unmasked to the death of your fellow Byakugan user and fan favourite Neji?

Ani-Mia
To be honest, I haven't been able to keep up with Naruto as much as I used to. I did see Tobi's unmasking and have to say it adds a lot more to his character. It's crazy to compare the way he acts with his appearance which I think his eyes make him seem so much older. And it was crazy to see how Sasuke's Sharingan reacted to Tobi's

SCG:
The Zetsu attaching itself to his body indeed matured him in an unsuspecting way answering everyone’s questions as to 'how the hell could it be Tobi?! He's dead’ and ‘Tobi is far too young to attack Konoha with control over the nine tails!' Your Rogue https://www.facebook.com/Ani.Mia.Cosplay/app_335383991105 is stunning Ani, I don't think I've seen any latex dress Rogue cosplay's, so I can only imagine how popular it must be, 10/10 for originality! This is indeed pin-up stuff. Did you have fun shooting it?

Ani-Mia
I did have a blast wearing it. To be honest, it is one of the few cosplays that I have actually bought. I have ALWAYS loved Rogue and was browsing on Etsy one day because I love to just look around and see all the creative stuff that people make and I found the Rogue costume which was made by Vengeance Designs. It was actually designed by another cosplayer, Jeanne Killjoy and it was just so amazing that I had to have one for myself. Plus, I had never worn any latex before. It was so hard to put on. You literally have to lube yourself up like buttering a cake pan in order to get it on. I ended up going to NYC to shoot with Ron Gejon and it was amazing. We rented this amazing hotel room down the street from Grand Central Station and used it to shoot the outfit. It was really funny getting up in the window though because there were a bunch of construction workers working on a building across the street so they got a good show from the shoot.

SCG:
You may not have been the first but you certainly wore it best. Was there any infamous builder banter directed at you or were they well behaved?

Ani-Mia
Awww thanks. They were well behaved though I may have delayed their construction for about an hour. haha

SCG:
Hahaha. For my last and final question, I must ask, Batman or Superman? (Crosses fingers and hopes for Batman)

Ani-Mia
Sorry to disappoint, I'm definitely a Superman kinda of girl. I've been watching the Superman movies back when Christopher Reeves was playing him. Superman III was my favorite as a kid even though it used to scare me a little. Don't get me wrong, I love Batman too but Superman is just so super and I love his whole backstory.

SCG:
Lol many people will agree with you so don’t worry about my personal preference. Ani, its been an absolute pleasure to meet the girl behind some costume and the queen of meme posts. I hope if Disney do decide to put Wampa in the latest films they give your twist a thought.

Ani-Mia
Thanks, it was great talking to you too. You guys do amazing work and thank you for having me. I'll have to start dropping some hints to Disney hahaha.

Random Friday Sexyness

2012-12-21T19:22:00.002Z

This is typically where I write something clever pertaining to the overall theme of the post. However, this post has no real theme except that the pictures are generally sexy (a typical goal of a site called "Sexy Cosplay Girls") Anyway, its Friday and you just escaped the apocalypse, good work. Here's a reward. Header image credit: VampBeauty

18 Sexy Fighting Gaming Cosplays

2012-12-17T18:31:00.001Z

Oh, fighting games, you wondrous thing. You have undoubtedly incited many real life fights between friends, sparked wide-spread cases of arthritis and been the root of many a broken television. But, perhaps best of all, you have brought us countless sexy cosplays. And for that we are forever in your debt. Now, lets get over the Monday blues and enjoy these...

Okay, I lied, it was actually 19.

Check out the rest of this gorgeous Skarlet set with Masubi

SCG Interviews: Ivy Doomkitty

2012-12-06T22:45:00.000Z

There are a lot ways to get into cosplaying but the path that lead the buxom Ivy Doomkitty into cosplay is pretty damned unique. I mean, how many can say illustrator Frank Cho (Liberty Meadows, Mighty Avengers) helped them into this obsession? My guess? Not many. So, for that and many more reasons this sexy cosplay girl is truly one of a kind.

Thrash: Firstly Ivy, whats up?

Ivy Doomkitty: Not much. Just woke up about 15 min ago and checking the fan page lol

Thrash: Tell us a bit about yourself

Ivy: I hail from Los Angeles, CA. I am a cake decorator/baker by day, sometimes nights if I have a crazy deadlinie. I am also a bellydancer. I've been bellydancing on and off for four years. I'm also a video game and comic book junkie

Thrash: Damn, thats an eclective set of tastes there. Favorite games/comics?

Ivy: I've been gaming since, Oh I don't know, 5 or 6 years old? hmm...Games:Portal 1 and 2, AC2, Metroid Prime, Half-Life, GoW 2Comics:The Walking Dead, Invincible, Liberty Meadows (comic strip), We3, New X-Men, Planetary and New Universal

Thrash: A lot of cosplayers complain that friends or family, especially parents, dont understand their hobby or profession. I know you are relativity new to cosplay but how did those around you react when they saw how passionate you are about it?

Ivy: My mom has always been a source of positivity so it was no surprise to me that she was supportive of my cosplay. Other family members know that when I do something, I commit to it 100% and dedicate myself to doing the best job possible.

So for some of them, it was a very positive and encouraging reaction

Thrash: How much do you obsess over getting a cosplay just right?

Ivy: Oh I obsess quite a bit. I refuse to wear a costume if I am unhappy with it. I typically research the costume thoroughly, down to the tiny buttons you may not notice. When making a costume I have the design up on my laptop next to where I am working so that I can make sure that I get everything down

Thrash: What got you into cosplay?

Ivy: Well, I started going to conventions about 7 or 8 years ago. My first con was WWLA and I loved it. That was the first time that I saw cosplayers and I loved the fact that they became the character; their love or fascination with that character is why they dressed the part.I was excited .I geeked out. lol

The thing is I was waaaaay too shy then. In my mind, there was no way that I could pull off donning a costume that one of my favourite heroines or villains wore. I didn't have the nerve, or confidence, if you will, to do it. Although I really really wanted to. So I go to several cons throughout the years and I meet Frank Cho ( I'm a huge fan of Liberty Meadows)

Thrash: Wow, Frank Cho, nice.

Ivy: He was super sweet and just really cool to talk to. Anyway, years pass and then last year (2011) he emails me asking if I would be interested in modeling for a live art panel for him at Big WOW Comicfest Of course I am going to say yes.

Thrash: Of Course!

Ivy: So a friend and I work on a costume, my first costume (Ms. Marvel) and we start and finish it 48 hours before the con. I was so nervous but excited walking into that panel room in the costume. We do the panel and I Love it. It was awesome being able to emulate a character that you've loved.

So I had a blast doing it and wanted to do it again. For SDCC 2011 I wore a steampunk costume ( made up) and I didnt put much thought into it. I just wanted to cosplay. Then at the end of 2011, Frank emails me again asking if I want to do the panel for 2012 and of course I jumped all over that. I was an honour. I did Dejah Thoris as a bellydancer for Big Wow this year and that is when I embraced it and realized that I could do it, regardless of what people said. So for SDCC, Frank does a print, Liberty Meadows- Brandy as red shirt/Uhura/star trek.

I email him the night he releases the design (this was monday or tuesday, the week of SDCC) and ask him if he is opposed to me cosplaying as Brandy from his print. He says go for it. I am a huge Star Trek TOS fan btw, so it was the best of both worlds for me. This was the FIRST costume that was made completely by me. I wore it to SDCC and hung around Franks Booth as well as walked the floor and was completely floored with the amount of people that liked the costume. I was unprepared for it.

This is when I truly count my first cosplay. It was amazing. I had lots of young people and especially older TOS fans come up and give praise on the hair braiding that I did, my tribble that I carried around with me, the Roddenberry Starfleet insignia. It was awesome. After that I took it and ran with it.Seriously, without Frank I would never have had the nerve or confidence to do it. He gave me a gift. Otherwise I would still be going to cons, wanting to do something and never thinking I could do it. So I owe it all to him. I tell him all the time lol

Please Like Ivy Doomkitty on Facebook

Sekirei Cosplay

2012-12-06T14:56:00.000Z

So, let me ask you a question. Beautiful Asian girl with great... personality... falls from the sky onto your face, what's your first thought? Oh, of course, she must be of a group of women that fight in some massive tournament. Then you fall over and pass out, what a day eh? Well, Sekirei is a lot like passing out, passing out in a world where young buxom women fight for your honor. Cue the cosplay...

keito-nyan (Photo by Sunao Yami)

k-e-l-s (Photo by lawnmowerpants) I lol'd too

Sayuri (Photo by KinslayeR13)

Midnight-lady-Sky (Photo by www.medvedev-photo.com)

karman0301

smlilium

Rule 63 Superman Cosplay Compilation

2012-12-05T12:42:00.001Z

On the heels of the Man of Steel poster going viral around the web a thought occurred: If Zack Snyder (300, Sucker Punch) wants to really shake the Superman name up why not make him... a her. A lot of South Park "Niceeee" and beard scratching was followed by a Google search for some proper Rule 63 Superman cosplay (or Supergirl, whatever its sexy cosplay girls for Christs sake...)

CourtoonXIII (Photo by LJinto)

Enji Night (Photo by Sarmai)

AlisaKiss (Photo by Michael Iacca)

Cosplay and Photo by dangerousladies) Please check them out, their sets are epic.

Tali (Photo by NemoValkyrja)

Kelli Baker (Photo by sideshowsito)

Sexiest Final Fantsy Cosplay

2012-11-26T19:48:00.000Z

Final Fantasy is as big a part of gaming as any other franchise. Who knows what sort of genres and titles would have never existed without the influence of FF and its spin-offs. But, perhaps more importantly, we would never get to see such fabulous cosplay such as these without the epic franchise. For every Final Fantasy game (and there are a shit ton of em) there is twenty cosplayers crafting their Lightning or Yuna costumes day and night to get it just right.

Kuja by NanjoKoji

Kuja by NexitahInnocentLover

Lightning by Katy-Angel

Yuna by TaisiaFlyagina

Guardian Force Siren by etaru

Serah by the-sushi-monster

Tifa Lockhart by Liz Katz

See more of our Tifa shoot with Liz Katz

Gaga Cosplay Invading Your Roma-roma-mamaa

2012-11-15T16:07:00.000Z

Despite my, and I'm sure quite a few of your, opinions on Lady Gaga she is an epic character in modern society. Yeah, so shes stole a lot of Karen O's style (had to get that out of the way) but shes cool as balls with all that goofy shit she wears. And, as so often occurs, hot chick + goofy over the top clothing = cosplay bound to happen. So SCG thought "Hey, lets do a Gaga cos too!" So we did that shit like no one before us and it'll be out soon! Until then lets Roma-roma-mamaa the Ga-ga-ooh-la-la cos!

The-Kirana

AnimosityCosplay

Amaranthine-Moon

AlienQueen

Sexy Cosplay Girl's Lady Gaga shoot with AlienQueen is coming soon! For now here's a preview <3

SCG Interviews: Alexia Jean Grey

2012-11-10T00:30:00.001Z

Sexy Cosplay Girls managed to swing an interview with cosplay vixen Alexia Jean Grey, the woman that has lit the web ablaze with her body paint Mary Jane and become our friendly neighborhood cosplayer. Okay, enough Spiderman puns, for with great cosplayer comes the great responsibility to interview them.

Thrash: Most importantly Alexia, how are you today?

Alexia Jean Grey: I am doing well besides the fact I burnt the crap out of my fingers trying to make my new costumes for Chibi Pa next weekend.

Thrash: Tell our readers a little bit about yourself.

Alexia: I am Alexia Jean Grey aka a weirdo in a wig! I am a traveling costume/model based in South Florida. I have been featured on many websites including MTV Geek, G4TV, 9gag, Geek Girls, Comics Alliance, etc. I am also currently modeling for Ngmoco/ Marvel as Black Widow for their War Of Heros game. When I am not running around in spandex I play Magic The Gathering, drink lots of coffee, working on my geeky fashion line, and trying to save money to buy a pet pig.

Thrash: You are a veteran cosplayer with plenty of sets under your utility belt, my personal favorite is your Dark Phoenix, whats your favorite cosplay that you have done?

Alexia: It's a very tough choice for me, it's like trying to pick your favorite band or movie. I love them all for different reasons but I have to say I love my Black Widow costume, she is one of my all time favorite characters and since the Avengers movie she has become quite the popular character but there is nothing more heart warming when a little girl comes up to me all ecstatic because your her favorite person. I did put my own little spin on it however which makes me feel really connected to that costume, I based it off a statue I saw with long light red hair and upzipped top but I added the holsters and tac vest to give it a more "what she would actually wear" look.

Thrash: You mentioned a little girl coming up to you ecstatically because you were her favorite character, that sounds adorable could you tell me about that?

Alexia: Oh gosh I can't remember exactly what convention it was (I want to say Baltimore Comic Con). I was posing for a picture adsheran up to me asking for an autograph and asking for a picture. She was telling me I was her all time favorite person (which I could tell because of all that Black Widow gear she had bought that her dad was holding). I still don't know if she ment exactly Black Widow or maybe she thought I was Scarlett Jo., but either way it warmed my heart. Honestly though up until Avengers and the newest Dark Knight I wouldn't see to many younger girls at conventions. I am sure there are plenty of them who do love Spider-man, Batman, etc, but I think having Widow and Catwoman as main heroes in these movies opened younger girls eyes to the comic book world. Instead of dreaming of being a princess or a pop star, these characters have become younger girls idols which I think is amazing and a positive influence on them.

Thrash: Having used body paint/latex in two sets (Mary Jane and Venom) both of which kind of defined sexy cosplay girl, its fair to say you are a fan of it. What is it like working with body paint and/or latex. What kind of challenges do you face?

Alexia: Very, very.. cold. (Ha). There is a lot more pre-shoot time involved with body paint. To put on make-up and costumes only takes me an hour at most. With body paint I can be standing for about 4 hours trying to be still. It is defiantly an interesting feeling. The venom shoot was with a latex based paint and although it dries quickly you have to put layers and layers of it on to give it that elasticity to pull it. Also with latex paint it HURTS, it sticks on more like glue than actual paint. The airbrushing and hand painting for the Mary Jane came off quickly in the shower but it was my longest shoot. It was about 4 hours prep time and 4 different locations plus touch ups in between, I think over all it was a 7 hour shoot. It was all worth the long hours, I am always looking to challenge my modelling and being only in paint behind a camera you really need to push your confidence and show a wide arrange of emotions and poses.

Thrash: I wont mention age for fear of getting beat up, but you're an adult and even as adults our family's opinions hold weight. Many cosplayers complain that their family doesn't understand or embrace their lifestyle, has that ever been an issue for you?

Alexia: My mom just thought it was a phase, as a kid you always go through phases when growing up so she just kinda flew it off her shoulder. But once I started showing her the features on websites I was getting and seeing how much joy it brought me she now supports me 100 %. When I first got my Mary Jane pictures I was worried about posting them because I was nude and when she saw them she gave me the push to post them because she loved them! I am thankful to have a lot of support from my family because I know a lot of cosplayers don't and I always have to laugh when she tells her friends at work "Oh yeah your kid got into Harvard WELL MY DAUGHTER IS BLACK WIDOW".

Thrash: I often refer to you as "THE redhead cosplayer" because so much of your work involves red hair, whether its Mary Jane, Poison Ivy or the Black Widow. Being a sucker for redheads I have to ask if it's your natural hair color?

Alexia: Naturally dirty blonde but it is dyed red. It's funny to because even though red is my favorite color I don't go out of my way to do redheaded characters... most of my favorite characters just happen to be redheads! (Not that I am complaining)

Thrash: How important is it for you to get every detail of a cosplay just right?

Alexia: Pretty important, even though I try not to get super hung up about it being "perfect" details can really give the costume that extra omph. That's why I feel my Poison Ivy stands out, it's more than just leaves and red hair. All the vines, flowers, and roses I feel make that costume pop even more. Part of adding details is also making the costume more unique to you. Black Widow is a simple costume but every time I see one it looks a little different depending on that persons interpretation and that's what makes a costume unique to you.

Thrash: You have really made a name for yourself in cosplay, whats next for you? How far do you see it taking you?

Alexia: Currently I am working with some game and comic companies but that's all the information I am going to giveaway! I am very happy that I am having these great opportunities coming my way but I never see and end for it and I never want to stop doing what I love. I hope I can craft and model forever and even if that does not work out near the end of my life I will still be happy working on a career that ties in with my geekyness.

Wanna see more? Then visit Alexia Jean Grey's website and
Like her on Facebook!

SCG Favs: Aranel Cosplay

2012-11-08T01:52:00.001Z

Aranel is a cosplayer from Scotland with a flair for nerdtastic costumes, including perhaps the best female Jedi cos I have ever seen.

With NakedSalad

Check out Aranel's FB page

Halo Cosplay

2012-11-07T13:57:00.004Z

Halo 4 has just hit stores and we couldn't think of any better reason to share sexy cosplays so here it is, some fine Halo cos images for all y'all MC wannabees.

Credit: http://www.digimotionsmedia.com/2012/07/halo-minima-battle-born.html

Credit: Could not ID cosplay/source

Credit: Photo by Leonard Lee http://www.mtv.com/photos/amazing-cosplayers-san-diego-comic-con-2012/1689306/7329187/photo.jhtml#7329187

Credit: Unknown cosplayer, found here: http://cosplayblog.tumblr.com/post/4080712864/cortana-from-halo-3-well-from-halo-series

Credit: Anna Fischer

Don't Be A Sleazebag

2012-10-31T12:52:00.000Z

Lets be honest, the most popular female characters are often the ones with a little sex to their style. Therefore cosplay and modeling in general often involve women wearing very skimpy outfits. However, it does not need to involve the rude, inappropriate and down right degrading comments and feedback from men that for some reason think talking to a woman who pours her life into this passion as if she is their own personal sex object is alright. They might be portraying your dream girl, but this is no dream, its real life and acting like the pervs in the instances we highlight here is not okay. Ever. At all. Ever. Ever.

As a man I am appalled when I see stuff like the above image. I for one am absolutely offended, not only for the awesome Murder Nurse who I know is a dedicated, talented model, but also for myself and the men out there that treat women right no matter who they are or whether its at the store or online. What worries me further is in the comments on this post by Murder Nurse the amount of people that are saying she deserves it for modeling burlesque. I can't believe what I am hearing, is there no hope for humans that anyone has such an opinion? She is beautiful and dresses sexy, so that means you can tell her your sexual fantasies? What the hell is wrong with people?

Sadly, this is not the only case, I have been seeing this a lot lately. And I am sure there are many accounts just like this that are not brought to light by the cosplayers and models. As a cosplay page admin on Facebook I occasionally get comments on photos I have posted that borderline inappropriate and even those upset me, so I can in no way imagine what it is like to be so blatantly and grotesquely hit on by guys online just because you're a model and you have racy photos of yourself.

A lot of this draws back to a saying that usually goes something like "look how she's dressed, she wants it" I would hope that we adults, most of us at least are adults, would know by now in our lives that women are not objects and just because they dress a certain way or, like in the case of cosplayers and models, have very revealing pictures of themselves online does not mean they want to be objectified.

What it does mean is that they are hard-working, dedicated, and talented women devoted to their life's passion. The very last thing they want is guys (or girls) degrading them and essentially cheapening all the effort they put into what they do.

For those of you that have ever made an off color comment on a cosplayer's photo or asked a model something inappropriate I urge you to stop and think about how they will feel when they read that. Think of all the time, money and effort they put into their passion only to have it belittled by someone making an obscene comment.

That goes for cons too, do not take a photo of a cosplayer unless they say its okay. Do not approach them and touch them in any way unless they say its alright.

Here are a couple helpful tips for how to properly...

Approach cosplayers at cons: http://fandomania.com/geek-psa-approaching-a-cosplayer/

Comment on or message cosplayers: http://fandomania.com/cosplay-the-problem-with-that-guy/

Now I'll let the community speak...

ComicBookCosplay:

Over the past few weeks I have heard about more and more cosplayers receiving unwelcome negative press from people. It’s to these people that I address right now. If you feel that a cosplayer is overrated, copying someone, a bit “whoreish”, not a real nerd or any of the other usual, ill informed criticisms that fly around social networks, please consider some things.

Think about the effect your comment might have on the cosplayer, they’re a Human being and have feelings like everyone else.Think about why you feel compelled to inform them of your displeasure and ruin someone’s day in the process.

Contemplate what you would feel like if somebody criticized your hard work and effort in such a way.Then maybe think again about the comment you were going to make and maybe give it a constructive lilt.

Hikari Kat:

Uff, I’m afraid I too have experienced rude comments and impolite notes on many occasions. Especially with my Jade from Mortal Kombat cosplay. I felt bad many times, perhaps when the comments were in sexual connotations. But thinking about it, the best I can do is ignoring all these comments. It’s not worth it.

ItsRainingNeon:

Awww man buckle in and lemme take you on the ultimate sexual harassment ride . Last year at New York Comic Con (why these sorts of storied seem to happen there I'll never know but i digress) I was wearing my first Jesse Quick costume and me and my photographer (whom is also a she ) went across the street out a side door of the convention to us a blue wall that was a nifty contrast to the costume so we're doing our vlogging thing when on the street we crossed, a man starts cat calling from his car (he was stopped at a red light i might add), pretty harmless so we ignored him.

Wish i could say it ended there but he got louder and more persistent and started yelling more vulgar things at this point i asked him to simmer down politely , which he took as a this must mean its ok hang out of my car and continue. at this point my photographer who isnt the softer spoken southerner I am got on the ball. She went over to the man's car (who was now more angry for some reason) and stood her ground said he was interrupting a privet shoot that we've asked him politely to stop, he's sexually harassing me, the light has long past been green now, he's blocking a major street , getting belligerent and that (she pulls out her cell phone) is calling the cops ( i was soooooooooooooo petrified he was going to hurt her like take a swing at any second). But he starts screaming profanities some more at her as she's talking on the phone and eventually he gets back in the car once she says their on their way and he FINALLY leaves.

When my photographer comes back to me she's laughing, which i was terrified so i was so beyond confused, turns out she didn't call the cops but a health unit ( i don't remember exactly who) but they did dispatch a near by cop car to check it out. In the end it turned out ok and we went about our marry way but it was TERRIFYING nothing should escalate like THAT jebus. i'll never understand why it seems when someone is in costume it becomes ok to loose our social grace.

What might be worse than men and women making inappropriate advances at the models or just being flat out rude is the trend of cosplayers going at it with other cosplayers. The web and conventions alike can turn into high school hallways, girls making up rumors about one another, slandering each other. Not all of the interactions are so negative, in fact many are overly positive and comments can be super encouraging, but far too often cosplaying turns into a competition between the cosplayers.

AlienQueen:

There is alot of jealousy going on between girls, who can be the best, or whos the thinnest, or whos got the most attention, And although you dont see it at cons it does happen. its fine when you're just get into cosplaying you dont get sucked into it, then you get to know people you hear rumours you end up judging people before you've met them! Cosplay should be fun, but it can be nasty behind the scenes. With the rising amount of people going to conventions there a lot of people who dont go there in cosplay, they just photos which is fine, its just when they don't ask, or ask you while eating it can be irritating, also guys who don't ask if they can put there arm around you can get annoying.

Jeanne Killjoy:

As I've gotten older, I've become more confident with myself and what I wear. Yeah, sometimes it shows more skin, but sometimes it's a catsuit that covers 95% of my body. I cosplay characters I love and can relate to. I've receive a lot of negative feedback from both guys and girls who are clearly just judgmental. The way I look at it is, I'm getting more positive feedback than negative. Who cares though? As long as I'm happy with me, that's all that matters. The worst part about feedback, is other female cosplayers putting me down and making degrading, and even false statements about me. Jealousy is an ugly thing. I wouldn't even know if it's always jealousy but I'm sure some of it might be a superiority complex. I just don't get how females can put other females down for any reason. Especially in the world of cosplay. I believe that everyone is as beautiful as they are on the inside. It doesn't matter what their age, race, sex, weight, attire etc is. It's all about the person they show to the world.

As a cosplayer and a model, I expect to continue to get negative feedback. But I won't stoop to their level. I'll continue to treat others with respect since that's how I would like to be treated. Not everyone is going to agree with what I do or say. But I'm going to continue to be me, have fun, and do what makes me happy.

Ill close this article on a positive note because despite the neanderthal actions that many men seem to think are okay women are strong, and they do stand up for themselves. In fact you'll find girls are a lot tougher than guys, maybe its the mans world we live in treating them so harshly that's taught them to grow up that way but its true. This post from Mandy, a cosplayer and model, is a prime example of a cosplayer standing up to ignorant, sexist assholes. When I read this post, from her tumblr, I knew right then and there this was how to end this article. Because the point of this is not only to educate but to warn. Warn those out there that might be thinking of making advances towards a cosplayer - or commenting on pictures with things like "DAYYM DAT ASS!!" - just because they dress to match the vixens of comics, manga, gaming and film that they can and will make you look like a piece of shit if ya treat them like garbage. Also, it could land you in a national newspaper, looking like a massive fucking sleazebag, so watch yourself more and the ladies less.

Mandy:

At Comic Con today, I went as Black Cat. This is a shitty picture and there will be better ones of my whole costume coming up but I just want to say something. Black Cat’s costume has a fair amount of cleavage (conservative compared to many other female comic characters but a good amount as far as what I’ve ever shown). I guess I was not surprised to have a couple men ask to pose with me and then do some doofy “WHOA LOOK AT THOSE KNOCKERS” poses. I just make a really ugly face when I see they’re doing it. One guy with the social graces of a lemur said to me “I was this close to wearing that same outfit. My breasts are large and supple and I think it would have been nice.” Nope. Stop talking.But aside from guys being doofy and awkward (but clearly not foul-intentioned), I did have my first truly skeezy experience at Comic Con today. And my first truly empowering moment as well.This group of men from some kind of Stan Lee fan club blah blah internet video channel blah blah asked to interview with them on camera about Comic Con. I said well okay, sure. Camera is rolling. The “host” is a middle aged, rotund dude. It’s an all-male crew and lots of people (mostly guys) were beginning to crowd around. The following is the interview as burned in my mind. Keep in mind that I expected this to be about Comic Con in general.

Him: I’m here with…

Me: Mandy, aka Felicia Hardy aka Black Cat

Him: ..And she is HOT. Do you think I’m hot enough to pull that off?

Me: Uh, I’m not sure, I’ve never seen you in drag.

Him: I’ve got a great ass. Go on, spank me.

Me: (look at his large ass, popped up mere inches away from me then look into the camera like are you kidding me . No thanks. I may hurt you, I’m a lot stronger than I look.

Him: Aw come on!

Me: No, seriously. Stop.

Him: Damn, alright! Well let me ask you an important question then…what is your cup size?

Me: (big talk show smile) That is actually none of your fucking business.

Him: Oh! I think that means to say she’s a C.

Me: I actually have no breasts at all, what you see is just all of the fat from my midsection pulled up to my chest and carefully held in place with this corset. It’s really uncomfortable, I don’t know why I do it.

Him: (to the male crowd) Aw, come on what do you guys think? C cup?

—a few males start to shout out cup sizes as I stand there looking at this guy like this has to be a fucking joke, then look at the crowd and see that no amount of witty banter or fiestiness will stop making this whole thing fucking dumb. It was clearly a ploy to single out cosplaying women to get them to talk sexual innuendos and flirt with this asshole and let him talk down to them simply because they were in costume and were attractive. Whether I’m in a skintight catsuit or not, I’m a fucking professional in everything I do and I don’t need to play nice for this idiot.

Me: This is not an interview, this is degrading. I’m done. (I walk away)

Him: (clearly dumbfounded and surprised) ..Come on, it’s all in good fun!

Me: Being degraded is fun? That was unprofessional and I hope that isn’t your day job because you can’t interview for shit, my man.

And the entire crew and the crowd were SILENT. NOTHING. SHOCK, HONEY. It felt like I was in a heated fog, full of rage and pride and I sashayed away feeling like the most badass motherfucker in the whole damn room, but kind of also on the verge of tears. A slow build of applause would have been appropriate, but from the looks on people’s faces, they were just completely not expecting me to do what I just did- which was really nothing more than speaking up for myself. It wasn’t something one should feel brave for doing but crazy for not doing when necessary.
It’s because many people at these cons expect women cosplaying as vixens (or even just wearing particularly flattering costumes) to be open/ welcoming to crude male commentary and lecherous ogling, like our presence comes with subtitles that say “I represent your fantasy thus you may treat me like a fantasy and not a human in a costume”. And maybe that will always be how the majority of people see us. But that does not mean we have to put up with shit that crosses the line, it does not mean we owe them a fantasy, it does not mean we dress up to have guys drooling over us and letting us know that we turn them on. It is not all about your dicks, gentlemen. So I encourage cosplaying women everywhere to be blunt and vocal with their rights, their personal boundaries, and their comfort level at conventions. I actually encourage girls to be brashly shameless about these things, to not be afraid to speak up if you feel uncomfortable and to let the person doing it know that they are crossing the line. Don’t keep quiet because you’re scared of what they might say or think- because if you say nothing they will continue to see what they’re doing as OK.

Gentlemen, act like gentlemen.

Thank you to all those that contributed to this article.

SCG Interviews ItsRainingNeon

2012-10-25T23:02:00.000+01:00

Sexy Cosplay Girls recently had the pleasure of chatting with ItsRainingNeon, the cosplay luminary. We discussed everything from raves to her recent Mad Moxxi set that has Bordernerds saluting her like Sir Hammerlock.

Thrash: Before we get started Miss Neon, how are you?

ItsRainingNeon: Doing just fine now, just got back in town for school after a trip to NYC , battled off the flu like the horde wave.

Thrash: You went to New York Comic Con right? What did you cosplay?

Neon: Medusa from the inhumans and Jesse Quick from the flash

Thrash: Jesse Quick is one of your favorites right?

Neon: I've got a heck of a soft spot for her that's for sure haha, my cosplay of her was my not so subtle top hat tip to my fandom but i must say my favorites in the series are male (captain cold, black flash, professor zoom, Barry Allen, etc) so might have to break out some rule 63 action eventually when i run out of lady speedster costumes.

Thrash: Nice. Could you tell our readers a little bit about yourself.

Neon: I am 5'1 ish, My sign is a Leo, I love old movies and enjoy long walks to the nearest sewing machine, gaming console or pod racer hahaa humrmmm but to be more serious, though most of that is quite true, my real name is DeAnna Davis, my costuming work usually appears under my "Its Raining Neon" alias which came from a combination of my younger years in the rave scene to later be modified to fit online site usage. I have a nasty habit of collecting absorbent amounts of comics, anything with the flash (Barry Allen or Jay Garrick mostly) Single spy Black widow (not that i don't love the avengers but i prefer Natalia on her own brings out more of her ability and usually has deeper writing), SkyDoll anything anywhere i can find it ( wish there were more than just two volumes the art is breath taking) and all things TopCow (latest reads being madam mirage , artifacts, cyber force (super old school version) , velocity off shoot series (obsessive about alert) and Magdalena). I talk about comics in more detail than probably necessary even when "condensing" heheh. I've been cosplaying seriously for about 6 years now even made a career doing what i love and have had some really amazing experiences thanks to it.

Thrash: LOL. Raves eh? My friends called me NoDance, or some variation of that because I couldn't dance at all, what was your name?

Neon: HAhaha awwww tough crowd, mine was Ne0n fairly common nick name in my opinion since bright colors n all that are kinda a rave scene thing, but the zero in it was because i have a odd nack for computers, science, and numbers to a degree in a way it was a subtle way for them to call me a nerd i guess XD?

Thrash: You clearly have a comic fetish so I am forced to ask the toughest question imaginable. You are in a plane with every comic in history and no parachute when suddenly all hell breaks lose and you fall out, now because you rule you land safely - no problem - but you manage to only grab one of the comics, which one is it?

Neon: THIS ONE IS HARDDDD hahaha man i'd be the person who grabbed a bunch in free fall and tried to slip stitch them all into a parachute in hopes that i could salvage more than one. If i HAD to choose though i guess right now i'd pick it be Infinite Crisis the full collection.

Thrash: You've done a butt load of cosplays, my favorite being Mad Moxxi (you're the best Moxxi alivvvveee), what is your favorite cosplay that you've done?

Neon: Thank ya kindly, she's certainly one of my favorites and character wise she's so kick a**, but still sexy, you didn't hear it from me but I already have materials piling up to make her Borderlands 2 outfit in the super near future. As for my all time favorite cosplay I've done lawd that's like asking a lass who her all time favorite character, it's a pretty tough choice since i pick each character i do for different reasons. I love my Demon Hunter since it was my first ever shot at making armor and the character stands for a just since of right and wrong in ways, though most of it in game is really just lvl and kill all the Satan , I've always loved A.B.A she has a soft spot in my heart being my first ever cosplay but also a character i related with ( not because i'm some escaped lab experiment who's always in pain, has boyfriend who is a key, whom i might add is thoroughly creeped out by her xD)but more because she is a bit stand offish and collects keys and has an odd character type which at the age of 16 i was many of these things hahah but alas all that's left after those many "awkward years " is the key collecting this is probably for the better haha. Suppose on the other hand all costumers have that "ultimate" costume dream so one could say my favorite isn't even made yet ^^.

Thrash: Speaking of that Moxxi outfit from Borderlands 2 you recently did a set where you recreated those sexy pin-up photos of her from the game. How quickly did you go from seeing those pictures to planning your own set?

Neon: Ya know at first i saw them and chuckled but didn't really even consider it. I was toolin around in her bar and planning out how i was gonna make my new purple Moxxi (should be done this or next week), sitting there as i was getting my reference and my significant awesome walks in and looks at the tip jar asked about if i got Moxxi's guns yet and it hit me, if you tip moxxi enough she gives you these super boss guns. Well i can't build and hand out 50 somethin prop guns in a week or two it be incredibly expensive, but i could do a limited edition print run and carry the tip jar! The big hurdle for me was wearing that little even if it were for just the one shoot, I'm not self conscious by any means but i do have a strong sense of modesty and like to leave something for the imagination. I'm not one to put so much of myself out there openly like many others so boldly do (my hats off to those who can, it takes some brass ovaries) so i decided to take it on with my childhood friend and extremely talented photographer Aryn Jurgesen who i trust lots to help me create a tasteful flip on moxxi's safe and sound shots. It took a few days to solidify the idea because I was a little unsure whether I wanted to post it or not but here we are all on the all in ship now.

Thrash: What is your favorite part of cosplaying?

Neon: Hummm i guess for me it's being able to be "that character i love" for a day being able to flounce around in my art that i've burnt, poked and prodded myself into a bleeding mess to make. And something that happens way less than I'd like it to i love dweebing out over the character with other cosplayers or even just anyone haha who know or love it as much as me. I feel like on a costumer stand point cosplayers kinda fight among themselves for some kinda supremosy but at the end of the day i think some forget why we do it, we're just a buncha nerds playing dress up !Nerd out together!

Thrash: How obsessive are you about getting every detail of a costume just right?

Neon: Well I use to be REALLY bad about things having to be perfect and to be honest I still kinda am, but many years later from when I started i've learned how to pick and choose my artistic flourishes on my work and when to suck it up and just put in an invisible zipper where the character might not have one for comfort or function.

Thrash: If you could do a cosplay photo shoot with anyone from history who would it be and why?

Neon: Charlie Chaplin hands.down. I respect that man so much as an animator the man practically invented the art of pantomime and i'd have a world sized list of things i'd ask him about his life,world,people,philosophies,acting, career, suppose it be more proper to take him to coffee before such an interrogation/ cosplay photoshoot would occur. But i've give my flash collection and a kidney to be able meet him or Teddy Roosevelt . Which may or may not be exactly how i was suppose to answer this but i'm kinda a history dweeb so i went more for historical hard hitters than "gaming, comic , photography,or sewing historical figures ^^'

Thrash: No, you answered that question perfectly, what would you and Mr. Chaplin cosplay?

Neon: I'd totally dress up as Chaplin, we'd match and it'd be amazing.

Thrash: Lol okay finally, what advice would you give to cosplayers just starting out?

Neon: Go Boldly. Do your best. Don't let others bring you down and don't stress out over a project. Costuming should be fun and a great way to meet awesome people, so be open to it and others.

Like ItsRainingNeon on Facebook to see more of her cosplay and get updates on her awesomeness.

One for the Geek

2012-10-19T20:25:00.004+01:00

As a massive geek, and purveyor of fine geek and nerd culture, I think I speak for the majority when I say that these are the cosplays we were looking for.

Firefly Cosplay

2012-10-19T20:09:00.000+01:00

Okay, lets play the guessing game. Who can guess what gotram show I'm watching right now? None of you sheeniou people knows? Eh, gun hoteze bee diose. Heh.

So I said to myself, where's the good Firefly cosplay? Unfortunately there isnt much I could find, though as usual, I did discover Yaya has done an Inara shoot.

SCG Interviews: AlienQueen

2012-10-16T15:48:00.001+01:00

Cosplay bad ass and H.R. Giger fanatic AlienQueen joins Sexy Cosplay Girls for a chat about customizing cosplay, Lady Gaga costumes and more!

Thrash: Most importantly, dear Queen, how are you today?

AlienQueen: I'm really good thank you! Really exciting things coming up!

Thrash: Before we get started could you please tell our readers a little bit about yourself.

AlienQueen: Yep sure! I'm 21, I've been cosplaying and sewing for nearly 3 years now, my first con was MCM Expo May 2010, I started out doing a lot of Lady Gaga cosplays, then moved on to doing a bigger variety of costumes.

Thrash: Lady Gaga cosplay eh? Do you have any images from those days?

AlienQueen: Yep still got all the photos! I've done about 13 Gaga costumes, thats what I was known for doing!

Thrash: Its clear you have an unhealthy fetish for the Alien films, how did that happen?

AlienQueen: Your right I do! I watched alien when I was about 14/15 and loved it! I fell in love the chestbursters and the aliens they grew into - H.R Gigers style and designs are amazing. I became particularly obsessed with the Alien Queen which explains my cosplay name.

Thrash: With sentences like "I fell in love with the chest bursters" and an obvious knowledge of Giger's work would it be a stretch to say you are a big time sci-fi geek?

AlienQueen: It would a bit! I do like to try and keep up with sci fi films though, favourites have got to be War of the Worlds, Star Wars (for there designs), Zathura, Flight of the navigator (love my 80s old school films) My interests vary from comic book characters to Burlesques!

Thrash: Oh? If you could choose one comic book hero/heroine to hang out with who would it be and why?

AlienQueen: Hard question either Angel from X-Men - because hes hot and he can fly me places or Mystique from X-Men - because she'd be able to change into celebs and get me in places! xD

Thrash: You have a seriously broad cosplay repertoire from my favorite Toad, to Alien and Assassins Creed. What drives you to do a certain cosplay, is it fandom, interest in a certain character and their design or something my tiny brain cant grasp?

AlienQueen: I'm very particular about who and what cosplay, obviously alot of them are based on my interest in them, aswell there design, I love coming up with my own versions in this case my Alien Queen - I dreamed of doing her for ages, it took alot of confidence to start and finish that, and Toad design - he was always my character when playing mario kart so it was only natural that I made a sexy version of him for myself to wear!

I also choose characters that are rarely done! Lollipop was probably one of the only characters I will do that's kind of popular, I felt I had to get her as accurate as possible with Jessica Nigri being an official representative I wanted to be the best I could be over here in England! That's the great thing about making it yourself, you can get all the details in when you make it which you can't do with bought costumes!

Thrash: When creating creating your own designs of characters what is most important to you in the finished product?

AlienQueen: Well I've always wanted to just move on to completely original designs, this is why I enjoy making some character unique to me because I can put in my own style, still you still know its me! My primary goal with all my costumes is to inspire, I want to get reactions from people, make them think when they see my outfit, If they laugh, gawp, get excited its awesome!

Thrash: Last question, you are part of a sexy Sucker Punch troupe with Rachel Isley and Jerri-Kay Walthew. I know it must be awesome rolling into cons in that group, whats it like?

AlienQueen: I am indeed! all amazing cosplayers by the way! We definitely had a lot of attention with this group, as a lot of people dont attempt all the characters! What i love about these costumes is the cross between sexy badass girl with a gun its like the ultimate combination! Even when holding fake gun you feel like you have some power!

Like AlienQueen on Facebook