What’s going on club members? Ben is back from Katsucon which means Cosplay Cafe is back as well. I’ll have a write-up about the convention down the line but right now were focused on the cafe. Today’s guest is Momo Kurumi Cosplay, so sit back and enjoy.
1) What were you like growing up? What were some of the things you were into as a child/teenager?
Growing up I was a very shy and lone person, mostly kept to myself and a small group of friends. Was always into things a little too passionately which is where my nerd journey began I suppose! I LOVED Pokemon and Neopets. Those were my two biggest obsessions. I also loved Disney, cartoons, and art. In middle school, I was really into my PS2, but didn’t have many games, so I often just played the same ones over and over, like Jak and Daxter or Ratchet and Clank!
2) Did those things influence who you’re today?
Absolutely! I attribute my love of cartoons and Pokemon to learning how to draw, since I would often redraw my favorite characters and then also create my own monsters or characters as young as third grade. I still love to draw, even though I don’t do it as often as I did as a child! But I ended up being a very artistic person in general, now I mostly focus on sewing costumes and photography!
3) What has been your biggest triumph in cosplay so far?
Getting to be an official Sailor Mars at Anime Expo was a lot of fun! I got to do a scavenger hunt with the attendees, which got really out of hand at times- I’d get a huge line of people who needed me to hole punch their scavenger hunt cards, and booths would get upset at me, haha. So I had to keep moving to prevent huge backups!
4) The first cosplay I saw you in was your Park Ranger Jessica Rabbit via Instagram. You said on your YouTube channel about how it went viral. The question I have is what went into creating not only the costume but the photoshoot as well?
I started the costume in 2013, with the blouse, and patterned a 33-piece short that ended up not fitting and working out, so the costume went on the backburner for a few years. In 2015 I decided to try my hand at the shorts with a simpler pattern made out of a stretch material, and was able to premiere it on Easter weekend at WonderCon! I especially wanted to do it that weekend so I could go meet Roger Rabbit dressed as Park Ranger Jessica since he was out in Disneyland for the Easter week!
5) I noticed you work with photographer Koji. What’s it like working with them?
Koji is a good friend of mine, and is actually not a photographer by profession or hobby! He really just dabbles in it, but we learn together. Sometimes I explain how to do a certain shot to him, or sometimes he’ll show how to do an effect to me. We both bounce ideas off each other to try and get the best photos we’re capable of, despite not being practiced photographers!
6) Off topic question, what is your favorite food?
Pizza or sushi! They’re really a tie, I would probably say sushi but it’s so expensive! Pizza is my peasant food that I get when I’m cheap and lazy, haha. It’s just such a nice comfort food.
7) What was one of your most challenging cosplays to make?
Definitely Princess Anna. Her outfit alone has 33 colors, every item is embroidered (even her hat, boots, mittens, and bloomers under the skirt!), and it was my first time doing embroidery ever, so it was quite a huge task to undertake for me. I used over 8 spools of thread just on the cape to satin stitch all of the appliqué details! It was such an exhausting project, but it came out beautifully. I unfortunately do not have many photos of it though because I have not experienced a good snow since I’ve made the costume! I’ve cursed myself, haha. I keep winter away now.
8) Patreon! You have a Patreon and one of the unique things is that you have your own patterns on there. What made you decide to not only open a Patreon but post your patterns as an award as well?
I’ve heard great things about Patreon from other cosplayers and artists, and I thought it would be a great platform for me to be able to give back to the cosplay community, and also offer a place for fans of my work to support me! I try to offer something a little different, since some reward style Patreons have such a saturated market. It’s a lot of work, but I really enjoy doing it, and maybe I can make it into something even bigger in the future!
9) Second off topic question, favorite cartoon series growing up? Given you’ve said that those cartoons are what got you into cosplaying. This should be a fun answer.
Hmmm, that’s a tough one, I love so many! As cheesy as it is, I am a huge fan of Spongebob, before the original director left. Even today, I still love watching old episodes, and the comedic timing and lines in it were just classic, I still quote it a lot even today. I don’t see myself ever cosplaying from it, but I do enjoy a good Spongebob cosplay! My favorite I’ve seen have been Flatts the Flounder and Mermaid Man and Barnacle boy but as Sailor Scouts (like in Sailor Moon), haha.
10) Armor! I know one of your cosplay goals for 2017 was to learn how to make armor. What characters do you have in mind? I want to make a Hunter Armor from the game Destiny down the line.
To start with, I’d like to make some of Princess Kida’s basic armor! It would be a good practice to get me exposed to it. I’ve also been thinking of doing some original design armor but haven’t settled on a project just yet!
11) What conventions are you attending this year?
KatsuCon for the first time, hopefully C2E2, ColossalCon, and Anime Expo also! I’ll also be guesting at AnimaticCon in March and Anime St. Louis in May!
12) Final question, anything you want to say to your fans?
Everybody starts somewhere in cosplay. I started this hobby 10 years ago, not knowing how to sew, so unsure of my looks and lacking confidence, convinced I couldn’t cosplay certain characters because of my skin tone or body. Now I know there really is no limit to cosplay! Cosplay who you want, how you want, and no design is impossible! Cosplayers always find a way to make a look happen! Believe in yourself, and keep at it! I’ve made so many amazing memories, friends, and skills just from this hobby. I can’t imagine that I would be as fulfilled or have had as interesting a life without this creative outlet.
Social Media Links
Facebook
Instagram
Patreon
Twitter
YouTube
And that’s a wrap on this issue of Cosplay Cafe. Be sure to follow Momo Kurumi Cosplay on all her social media websites. I won’t reveal whose coming into the cafe next week but I promise you it’s someone amazing. Until next time, I’m still XBen3000 and I’m out!
