BASICS
Name: Kathryn
Nickname: Rynn
Birthdate: 08.26.1987
Location: Chicago, IL
Height: 5'3
School: Graduate of DePaul University (BA in PR & Advertising; Minor in Psych.)
Occupation: Account Coordinator for a promotions agency
Relationship Status: In a relationship
Personality: Giggly, sarcastic, excitable, emotional, goofy
FAVORITES
Color: Turquoise, orange, pink
Music: Blink 182, Ludo, Taking Back Sunday, Flogging Molly, Panic at the Disco
Book: The Harry Potter series
TV show: The Office, Arrested Development, Project Runway
Anime/Manga: FMA, Nana, Beck, Death Note, Ouran Host Club, Digimon, Lucky Star
Q&A
How did you get into cosplay?
I actually stumbled upon cosplay completely by accident. I started watching anime when I was in middle school and spent a fair amount of time watching/researching my favorite shows online. One day, cospIay photos started popping up in my google searches and I thought, “Whoa - that is so cool! I want to do that!” I didn’t know how to sew at the time but, after seeing so many beautiful pictures, I knew it was something I wanted to try for myself.
Why do you cosplay?
I cosplay because it combines so many of the things I enjoy: anime, photography, theatre, art, creativity, and spending time with friends. I have been a closet nerd my entire life and have shuffled through various expressions of fandom (fanart, RPing, voice acting, etc.) but cosplay was always the most appealing to me. I think cospay is special because it's a rare form of fandom that offers the opportunity to be social and collaborate with people on a level beyond a computer screen. I have met so many wonderful people as a result of this hobby and being able to team up with friends from across the country to create and perform is one of my favorte things about cosplay.
How did you learn to sew?
I am self-taught but I learned a lot from watching my mom sew. When I first started off, sewing was so frustrating. I remember making a stitch, turning the garment inside out and thinking, “I have no idea what I’m doing but I hope this works.” 70% of the time, it didn’t. Thankfully, my 30% success rate grew with each project and my confidence developed over time. I am still learning today - I bombard my cosplayer friends with questions on a regular basis.
How much money do your costumes usually cost to make?
I usually budget $50-200 on a costume. I like to be as thrifty as possible without compromising too much quality. I find a lot of my accessory pieces at thrift stores
What are your favorite conventions?
Sakuracon and Fanime!
What was your best convention experience?
I've had SO many great experiences! Some moments that stand out in my mind are winning Best In Show at Anime Central and performing with NOTN. I also have so many great memories of late-night hotel antics including reciting "The Mysterious Ticking Noise," making shadow puppets, and laughing until I cried watching the Anime Hunters' videos. I also take a lot of joy in meeting some of the cosplayers and photographers whom I've admired for years - its always a bit of a surreal experience.
What advice would you give to someone who is new to cosplay?
If you’re planning a costume, research! Collect some good reference art and analyze each aspect of the character’s outfit. Not sure how to attempt the ridiculous, floating zipper on the character’s collar? Seek out other cosplayers to see how they made their costumes. Experienced cosplayers can be an amazing resource for new cosplayers and will usually help when they can. That being said, don’t expect other cosplayers to reveal each step of their costuming process and, when asking for help, be sure to be specific.
