Getting Into Character, Part Two: The Taffeta Darling
by Rich Handley
Earlier
this year, while preparing an article for Bleeding Cool Magazine issue #6, I spoke with eight
cosplayers who shared their insights into why they enjoy dressing up, how they
craft their creations, the mainstreaming of comic books, and the sexism and
negativity that some women face regarding their participation in a once
male-dominated hobby. That issue recently hit stands, containing truncated
versions of the interviews I conducted with each costumer, in a roundtable
format. Now that the article is in print, I thought I'd highlight each
cosplayer by presenting his or her unedited answers on this blog. You
can read the other interviews here.
Cosplayer: The Taffeta Darling
RICH HANDLEY: How long have you been cosplaying, and what first drew you to the hobby?
THE TAFFETA DARLING:
Honestly, I've been playing dress-up all my life—starting with my mom's clothes
and makeup when I was a youngling, and then in church musicals, which carried
on into drama and show choir classes at school. I was heavily involved in
theatre throughout junior high and high school. As far as "costuming in
public" as various superheros, movie or cartoon characters, since 2009. I started
as a pinup/plus-size model in 2008, then made the transition of doing theme
shoots in the spring of 2009. My first character was Zatanna, and I started
selling prints of myself as Zatanna in early 2010.
HANDLEY: Do you create
your own costumes or purchase them—and if you create them, what goes into
making a typical getup?
DARLING: I'd say I create my own costumes. Although I can't sew very well, I've always found items at thrift stores and randomly at other places to complete a look. I've also hired seamstresses to have custom-made items. Not once have a I worn a "store-bought/Party City" superhero costume and attempted to portray myself as a cosplayer.
Jinkies! It's Velma from Scooby-Doo—and she's found her glasses! (Photo courtesy Neither Noir Photography) |
HANDLEY: Why does cosplaying appeal to you? What characters do you
most enjoy portraying, and why?
DARLING: First,
let me say that I don't consider myself a cosplayer. I'm more of a costumer.
Let me explain: I was first exposed to "cosplay" by
a dorky girl I went to high school with. She was into anime and a bunch of shit
that I never got into. It seemed to represent a genre of people who repeatedly
dressed up as the same character from anime movies, cartoons and these magna
books, and who went to events such as conventions, where they would act out
scenes, talk like the characters and look exactly liked the characters. It was
another form of live-action role-play. Also, these kids made their own
costumes. They didn't buy them at Party City or Target. It was a hobby, a craft
of hours and hours to get the exact detail of a character or image down, to become this character.
Okay. So, jump to 2013... if someone puts on a wig and
sunglasses, they're "cos-playing"... if someone buys a Halloween
costume and wears it out, they're "cos-playing." Not that there is
anything wrong with any of that, at all. I guess the point is that the
definition has evolved so much that I'm not even sure that it means the same thing
as when I was first introduced.
So to rephrase your question, what appeals to me about being
in costume? As a costumer, it's
just another way for me to express my appreciation and love for movies,
cartoons and certain books. I enjoy recreating costumes from characters I have
a great fondness for. I don't limit myself to just a few costumes, as a "cosplayer"
might. Every convention, I work on something new for each day. I rarely wear the
same costume during the same year, and some I've retired. However, there are a
few exceptions to my statement, such as Batgirl (the Animated Series suit), Velma Dinkley (from Scooby-Doo) and The Black Queen/Jean Grey. Those I have worn a few
times, and had a lot of fun putting together. The best part of any costume is
just seeing it come together. Whether it be ordering a new unitard or a custom
belt buckle, or making new gauntlets, the whole process of it all is why I enjoy
it. As far as my favorites, I've had the most fun as Batgirl, Two-Face (also
from BTAS) and Velma.
HANDLEY: In years past, those who attended conventions in costume represented
a smaller percentage of total attendees. These days, that percentage seems to
have grown exponentially. Why do you think cosplaying has become so prevalent,
and how has the media played a role in this growth?
DARLING: People
appearing in costume has definitely grown from when I first started attending
conventions. I've been going to the local conventions here in Dallas since 2004,
and it took me nearly six years to finally decide to dress in costume at a
convention. I've been self-conscious most of my life, so the thought of being
in costume in public never crossed my mind. Yet I saw kids doing it at these
events in small numbers, and they had fun with it and didn't give a fuck about
what anyone else thought. I figured that was a pretty cool attitude to have,
and if these kids could do it, why the fuck couldn't I? I mean I loved movies
and comics as much as they did. In comparison to then, the cosplaying numbers
have most definitely grown, and I think it's because of the "geek-culture"
phenomenon, which has taken me by surprise. Had I known that everything I used
to get made fun of for liking as a youngin' would be so popular as an adult... it
would have made junior high much more tolerable.
Also, I think that exposure to Web sites, networks and shows centered around the geek (such as G4 {sad}) helped bring geek culture to the mainstream. And in the present day, there are sitcoms and reality shows based on nerds and geeks—which, again, puts this culture in the mainstream eyes. Now it's hip to be yourself and express it, and that's not a bad thing.
Suddenly Seymour... is there in a costume. |
HANDLEY: In 2012, the Internet was abuzz regarding the negativity being aimed at so-called "fake geek girls" by some male fans, and even some male comic book creators themselves. Have you encountered this bias—and if so, can you share an example or two, describing how you reacted to such negativity? In your opinion, why do female cosplayers have such a harder time than men in earning respect for what they do? And what can be done to improve the situation so that female fans are treated fairly?
DARLING: Yeah, I remember
seeing rants and posts about that subject on the damned Facebook. People went
all nutso about "fake geek girls." I didn't read the articles. I'm
assuming it was intended to push some people's buttons, and it did. I'm not
fake. I mean, I'm as real as anything else living and breathing on this planet.
Who cares about someone's opinions pissing off so-and-so? It's the goddamn Internets—ain't
nobody got time for that! Regarding myself having a hard time? Not really, but
I don't claim to know everything about every subject. I don't attempt to put
myself out there with labels, either. Labels can be thrust upon people for
easier grouping, but I wear no pins.
I don't think female cosplayers have a harder time than men in earning respect for what they do. Well, I've never encountered it. Honestly, I think female cosplayers have a harder time earning respect from other female cosplayers. Girls are catty and way more judgmental than men, in my experience. I think the guys are too busy comparing themselves to other guys rather than girls... I guess? {shrug}
I will say I'm ignorant of the situation regarding being treated differently in a negative manner because I'm a female fan. I've been able to meet and greet and cut in lines because I am a fan and female. My whole way of living is, "treat people how you want to be treated." If you want to be treated in a fair manner, think about what's going on to even warrant the thought that you're not being treated fairly. How are your treating yourself, and how are you treating others? Don't put yourself on a pedestal and expect people to not try and push you off...
I don't even know what that means.
HANDLEY: Finally, how large a role do think cosplaying has played in
the widespread acceptance of the comic book genre, encouraging many more fans
to openly embrace their comic geekdom? And why is cosplaying ultimately a good
thing for the comic book industry, as well as for Hollywood?
DARLING: Wow, so
this is pretty much an elaboration on my answers from number three. I think I
started noticing all this right around Batman
Begins. This movie came out and blew everyone away. Mayhaps it rekindled a
spark that people once had for Bats. Everyone loved Batman at least once while
growing up. After this came the whole "who can put out the best
superhero/comic movie," then merchandising! Followed by the rise of the "geek
culture phenomenon." After a while, it was "hip" to wear your
favorite comic book shirt, jeans and your extra-thick glasses. I think there
are a variety of reasons, including increased attendance at conventions, which
has led to fans openly embracing their comic geekdom. Yes, they're exposed to
cosplay and people in costume at the events.
Do I think the cosplay world is responsible for fans openly embracing their comic geekdom? Not really, but I'm sure there are some who would disagree with me... there always are. I don't know if cosplay is good or bad for Hollywood or the comic book industry. People make money off each other. If people want to dress as characters and make money off it, do it. If Hollywood wants to produce superhero movies and make money off fans, I'm there. To each their own—that's how I see it. However, I do know that I wouldn't have characters to dress as if it wasn't for the comic book creators and Hollywood writers. They're the reason I do what I do, and love doing it.
Stay
tuned, as additional installments of the "Getting Into Character"
series will be posted this and next week. As each new interview is uploaded,
you'll find it listed here, along with the other articles in this series.
Labels: Bleeding Cool, cosplay, costume, Getting Into Character, The Taffeta Darling
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