Cosplay Evolution

As some of you may know, the 1st time I ever cosplayed was on December 2010 (as Shinigami Sama) but the costume wasn't mine and it covered 100% of my body so there were no confidence issues. I wanted to cosplay really bad but I thought I wasn't worth it so I remained inactive on 2011 and didn't even attend any cons but everything changed on 2012 when I decided that I really WANTED to cosplay and show my love for one of my favourite characters ever: Kakashi Hatake. So that's what I did, some weeks before the con I made part of the costume and thought it was okay to use a random jacket because it was green like Kakashi's vest, didn't even think about the big difference. The day before the con I bought some grey hairspray and I was ready to go.
I was really really proud of it but at the con I couldn't help feeling paranoid because it wasn't accurate enough and because of the colour of my skin but my self esteem didn't drop completely since I got some compliments, Kakashi fangirls hugging me and even people asking for pictures. That gave me some strength and I thought of honouring Kakashi for real. That he deserved to be impersonated better.

My sewing skills were not bad, I used to make clothes for my Barbies when I was little, but something like his vest seemed too difficult back then so I bought it and improved the rest, which were the sandals, mask, gloves, etc. Even watched some tutorials to know what kind of make up I should wear.
I decided I was going to become a cosplayer and that I had the right to have fun too but with one condition: I would only cosplay characters with covered faces or characters with dark skin.

On May, at AniComics 2012, I finally wore my improved and more accurate Kakashi, never felt bad for a second, I was pretty confident but what really helped me that weekend was *Lenore-Eeva-Leena's workshop. Apart from all the useful tips she gave she stated in a really serious and clear way that COSPLAY IS FOR EVERYONE. It meant a lot to me because I couldn't help thinking everyone else was better than me and that other cosplayers would look down on me for turning the characters they love darker. Yes, stupid thoughts, I know, but that's what was killing me at the time...
That gave me the strength I needed and I decided to embrace this hobby and cosplay as much as I want until I get sick of it! (in some years or maybe never xD)

I also joined a deviantART group called #Black-Cosplayers and discovered many amazing and stunning cosplayers. They made me so proud and I wanted to be like them!

In one year I've improved A LOT. I still have a lot to learn, we all do, but I've gained some respect and admiration and that makes me feel extremely proud of myself and I will do everything I can to help out other cosplayers with the same problem.
NUMBER ONE TIP: Accept criticism! It does help a lot! And if you're the critic, please never tell a cosplayer he/she looks perfect if you think there are some things they could improve. And never get mad when someone tries to help, they're not attacking you, just trying to help you out. Unfortunately I know many people who get offended easily when you try to correct them...

Anyway, I'll keep getting better and better, hope I can be a really good and respected cosplayer one day and a role model for other cosplayers out there, mostly the ones with the same issue.

Nobody will take me down! ^__^

~Samhain Dovahqueen

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