Customer Spotlight: Galuren

Galuren

Cosplay: Officer Vi – League of Legends

Wig style and color: Jareth Long + Pack of Long Wefts in Raspberry

Photos by Meian Photography for Shudan Pictures

Q: When did you start cosplaying, and what got you started?
A:  It was in 2005 that I went to my first convention ever, Japan Expo, one of the biggest conventions in Europe. I was here to see the première of the film Fullmetal Alchemist : Conqueror of Shamballa, but I also discovered that people dressed up in costumes for Japan Expo! Then I met some friends outside of cons who were cosplayers themselves and they told me more about cosplay. They even created an association, where event organizers (like stores, cities, museums) could pay them to create cosplays and animate the event. In 2010, once I had more time with my studies, I joined them. I started with altered clothes, then I joined them when everybody was working together on the week-end to create costumes. I’ve always been a gamer and I’ve played this new game for a while, mostly unknown at the time, called League of Legends. When they started their first cosplay contest, the Harrowing Masquerade, it gives me the need to create my own cosplay. The time limit was really short and I had to work hard for my studies, so I choose Red Card Katarina. I didn’t made it to the podium, but I tested my luck and I sent their Community Manager a brochure of our association, and asked if they would need cosplayers on events. I didn’t believed it but they were thrilled! That’s how I created my second cosplay, classic Katarina from the Dominion artwork. I even had the chance to attend Gamescom with them ! That’s how I’ve never stopped making costumes!

Q: What is your favorite part of the costume-making process?
A: I love making armors and props the most. I love to see a giant pile of materials slowly take a form and then finally turn into a costume! I also like to work with wigs a lot, but it wasn’t like this at first. Back in the days, I was so afraid to work with wigs that I didn’t even brushed them, cause I thought I ‘d only make things worse…Then a friend asked me to help her work on her wig. She bought from Arda, so I watched all the tutorials available on the website and I finally realized it wasn’t so complicated! Since then I adore working on wigs, and I often start by the wig in my costumes now.

Q: Which costume are you most proud of?
A: I’d say my Darkflame Shyvana cosplay, from League of Legends again. I started working on them in 2012 and I completed it in 2013, just in time to attend to Gamescom 2013, with Riot Games once again. This costume was a huge step for me cause I learned a lot of things thanks to it : I made my first helmet, my first full armor, and I even was one of the first people in France to work with Worbla at the time, all thanks to this costume! Especially with Worbla, it was pretty unknown at the time so I made a lot of experiments and researches on the material before having a decent result. This costume is still in nearly perfect condition, and I still wear it from time to time. I also like my officer Vi a lot, as it was a pretty complete costume in regards of the techniques I used : it involved a lot of sewing, I have flash leds, the hands can move, but I’m more emotionally attached to Shyvana, as I have made so many good memories with her.

Q: Do you have a favorite Arda Wig style and/or color?
A: I’m really in love with my Luthien in Natural Black! Not only the curls of the Luthien are so pretty, but the color Natural Black is really perfect to mimic black hair. I bought it originally for my Huntress cosplay from DC Comics, as she’s Italian. I still have to finish this cosplay but I ended up wearing this wig for modelling or even parties, as I love it so much!

Q: What advice do you have for new cosplayers getting into the hobby?
A: Take a deep breath, let the fear go away and believe in yourself! For a long time I was convinced cosplay was too difficult, that the things I make would fall apart or look bad, or that I’ll waste a lot of fabric/foam/worbla/you name it. But you know what? Even before you fail, you have to give it a try and launch yourself. Maybe you’ll fail, nobody’s perfect. Rome wasn’t build in a day, so start with easy costumes or with altered clothes. And when you’ll succeed, and wear your first cosplay at a convention, I’ll guarantee you’ll have a blast!

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