Customer Spotlight: Didy RedH Cosplay
Didy RedH Cosplay
Cosplay: Thumbelina
Wig style and color: Long Weft and Short Bang in Sandy Brown
Photos by Erik Paredes Photography
Q: When did you start cosplaying, and what got you started?
A: I used to LARP almost every week end for the past 4 years. I felt there was something missing. I missed crafting and learning new tricks. I started cosplaying in 2014 at Montreal’s Otakuthon as Ariel, my favorite Disney Princess. For optimal similarity I should have worn a fire truck red wig. The thing is, I really like my strawberry blonde mane and it wouldn’t have fitted under a wig. Not comfortably at any rate. So I modified it to fit my own hair, and from there I created my own style/brand of cosplay centered around my red head. This was the first time I ever went to a convention and it felt great, strutting around as Ariel, making new friends, finding new people with the same passion. I was hooked.
Q: What is your favorite part of the costume-making process?
A: I love crafting and making things with my hands. But I prefer making all the details, the tiny things that add a personal touch to my creation. Jewels, armor, ornaments, hair and even my own feathers. Every time I start a new accessory, I’m kind of lost in time, forgetting about the outside world. It’s so relaxing.
Q: Which costume are you most proud of?
A: Every one of my costume is different from the materials to the technics I use. This makes it harsh to decide which one I’m the proudest of myself. If you twisted my arm I would be tempted to say that, to this day, Merida is the one I worked the hardest on. When I first came up with the design she was the first to require a hairdo, armor and weapons. Two days before the convention, I had to fix a major flaw I inadvertently put into my dress. A flaw that, in the end, I couldn’t fix, so I had to start over! I poured my heart into that cosplay and I think it shows.
Q: Do you have a favorite Arda Wig style and/or color?
A: Using my real hair as a base, I really like the Sandy Brown that matches perfectly with my color. Finding the right one wasn’t an easy task, even with the internet. But I asked around for help, send some pictures and someone from your support team answered promptly with what turned out be a perfect match. I really love your products and the service is great. I ordered some long wefts and short bangs trough the past years and I always love the product.
Q: What was your most difficult challenge with this costume?
A: Thumbelina has really long hair. So first I had to find wefts long enough and attach them to a bun. That was the easy part. But after two and a half packs of wefts, this turned out to be to heavy for my scalp. Nothing could hold my bun in place! Argh, so many hours were lost there. Clips, combs and alligator hair clips weren’t enough to hold it properly. Finally, I used, more or less, fifteen long bobby pins and a metal hair clip for safety, and it all held up nicely. Every time I place this set-up on my head, the challenge is the same; a solid hold, that won’t rip out my own hair. If I don’t make my ponytail high enough, the bun is slowly going to slip downwards and it starts to pull at my own hairline. The bang was a smaller challenge but still took me close to 6 hours before I was satisfied with the end result. And it would seam like my dog has a taste for hairspray as it ate the first one.
Q: What advice do you have for new cosplayers getting into the hobby?
A: Cosplay bullying is everywhere… I had a hard time with that. Ignore those comments, it’s the best thing you can do to keep having fun. You started for yourself, whatever your reasons, they were your own. You should keep it that way 
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