January 2012, Cosplay Babe of the Month Heidi Cosplay Kitten
Welcome to our first Cosplay Babe of the Month feature for 2012! We are getting the new year off to a red hot start with January 2012 Cosplay Babe of the Month Heidi (Cosplay Kitten). She comes to us from California where she currently resides. Heidi, thank you for taking the time to meet with us and we know the fans are as excited as we are so let’s get started on part one of our two part feature and interview.
Heidi: Hello there! I’m actually originally from a small town in Illinois, and I moved to California back in early 2009. I’m a pretty laid back person, and when I’m not making costumes, I’m usually focusing on my graphic design career, hiking in the wilderness, or reading a good book. Thank you for the interview; it’s an honor to be featured on your website.
(Left, Heidi as Pirotess and CJ as Ashram from Record of Lodoss Wars2.)
Comics Ninja: What first got you into cosplay?
Heidi: I’ve been costuming since 2000, before I really knew what “cosplay” officially was. I’d go to local sci-fi and anime cons to raid the dealer’s hall, visit friends, and to play some of the tabletop games, and just thought it was super fun to dress up as my favorite characters. As time went by and I made more friends in the hobby, and both conventions and cosplay itself grew to be a popular trend, I became more entrenched in it – it’s such a creative outlet, and nothing is more fun than being in a costume group with all your friends! I also find the act of sewing itself to be very relaxing. When I start cutting into a piece of fabric or patterning something out on muslin, all my stress just melts away.
Comics Ninja: What was your first cosplay experience like at a convention or otherwise?
Heidi: It was so much fun! My very first convention was a small sci-fi con called Capricon. I was very shy at the time, and went with one of my girlfriends from high school who was a big gaming fan like me. We both dressed up in these matching original design costumes we’d made based off our D&D characters – she was a Rogue, and I was a Cleric. I was a little nervous at first, because we got so much attention, but by the end of the con I couldn’t‘ wait for the next one. I met so many people, some of whom are still good friends to this day, and had so much fun playing games and shopping and seeing what other people dressed up as. I grew up in a small town and had never really got to share my hobby with many people, and conventions really opened up a whole new world for me.
Comics Ninja: What is your favorite convention or event to attend?
(Right, Heidi as Cheetara from the Thundercats!)
Heidi: I know you probably hear this a lot, but it’s definitely Dragon Con. Almost all my friends from all over the US go, so it’s often the one time a year I get to see some of them. It also has a more laid back environment, which I really enjoy. I’ve never been very competitive, and really only cosplay for the fun of it, so D*C is perfect for me in that aspect since you can pretty much go at your own pace.
Comics Ninja: Tell us a little bit about your dream of eventually opening a costume shop someday.
Heidi: I love sewing in every way, shape, and form! It’s so creative, and I’ve learned so many skills from making costumes over the years. It’s also extremely relaxing for me. I know there will come a time when I will need to scale back costumes and conventions, but I could never bear the thought of no longer sewing and making things. So the perfect solution would be to own my own little costume shop. I’d make lots of things for sale, from historical clothing to cosplay outfits, and I’d have a friendly little cat who could sunbathe in the windowsill of my shop while I sewed things to stock it with. There’s something amazingly rewarding about seeing someone take joy in something you’ve made for them with your own hands, and I’d love to one day be able to make a living this way.
Comics Ninja: We understand that you are a D&D devotee. What is your favorite race and class to play? Chaotic evil or Chaotic good?
Golden Axe! One of our favorite video games from the 80′s. It’s like the arcade just came to life and starting walking around. You guys rock!
Heidi: Definitely Chaotic Good. I don’t like to see others suffer or be upset, and much like in real life, I try to do the right thing, but my own way. Likewise, I really love playing the Cleric class – I’ve always been a kind person who enjoys helping other people, and besides, you know that Turn Undead spell is gonna come in handy if there’s ever a zombie apocalypse!
Tyris from Golden Axe.
Comics Ninja: What do you think of all of the attention you have gotten from the fanboys (and girls) on the internet and at conventions?
(Left, Heidi as Rider.)
Heidi: I’ve got mixed feelings about it, honestly. I cosplay to have fun – it’s as plain and simple as that. While the creative side of cosplay appeals to me because it lets me experiment with different methods of making things, and lets me strengthen my own talents, there is nothing more wonderful than gathering with friends, goofing off, and laughing together while sharing in the things that we love most. So on one hand, it’s very flattering and wonderful when the attention I get leads to new friendships, new costume opportunities, being able to help less experienced people, and having my hard work appreciated, but on the other hand, there’s always a downside.
While almost all the responses to my costuming have been overwhelmingly positive and encouraging, you can’t please all of the people all of the time, and sometimes I get judged by people who don’t know me simply for what I’m wearing, or how I look, or I’ll attract the attention of someone spiteful or obsessed. In the end though, what matters most is that I have fun doing what I love.
(Below, Heidi as Rin Tohsaka from Fate Stay Night.)
Heidi, thank you very much for part one of our feature and great answers to the interview so far. Please join us this weekend for part two of Heidi’s feature. Until then, get the latest comic book, gaming, sci-fi, movie, cosplay and animation news on The Ninja Report, containing sourced and aggregated news from every corner of the internet and updated every ten minutes! Never miss another headline, preview or breaking story, Ninja Nation! Then, when you’re done with the news meet and rate your favorite cosplay models and fans over at our sister site Cosrater.com.
Wow! Talented, gorgeous, and she kicks it old school. Can’t wait for part two. Great job Heidi and Comics Ninja!