Name: Variable
City: Sydney, Australia
Twitter: http://twitter.com/variablecosplay
Facebook: http://facebook.com/variablecosplay
How long have you been Cosplaying?
I’m honestly not sure! I first started making my own costumes and attending events in my costumes in 1999, but I’d never heard of cosplay at that point. I didn’t hear of “cosplay” and know that there was a name for what I did until almost ten years later.
What was your first Cosplay Experience?
My first costume was jungle suit Lara Croft from the original Tomb Raider in 1999.
Amazingly some of my followers online still remember’ that costume and there are a couple of extremely low res digital photos still lurking around the internet.
Who or What inspired you to take up Cosplaying?
It seems to be something that just happened. I’m a creative, nerdy person who really enjoys making things, and I loved dress-ups as a kid. I’ve never lost those interests, so in a weird and wonderful way it has sort of grown up with me and became Costume Box 2.0.
If you had to pick a favorite Cosplay you have worn or see someone else where What would it be?
I have to choose two costumes for this one.
Some costumes I admire for the sheer level of skill and hard work that went into them as a creative and technical masterpiece, and choosing from all the different skill-sets out there does make it hard to pick from the sea of talent, but I do find myself coming back to Prince Armory’s medieval DC work again and again. The leatherwork in those costumes is breathtaking.
Other costumes I love because they tap into personal taste and nostalgia, and no costume has made me smile more than Sailor Freddie Mercury. I really wish I knew who the cosplayer was! He deserves more praise.
If you had unlimited funds and resources, what Cosplay would you create?
Oh my gosh, all of them, haha. I’m a sci-fi buff so I’d love to knuckle out some large builds that give me a chance to play more with puppetry and animatronics, such as an Alien Queen. I also really want to make Power Girl’s Nightwing armor, Mutant Zero, and The Borg Queen. I’m already working on Samus Aran’s Varia suit and a Khajiit in collaboration with Samhain.
What advice would you offer others who are aspiring Cosplayers?
Oh, so much. First off, cosplay for yourself. If you love a character, cosplay them, do your best, and don’t let anyone tell you you’re not enough of a fan or “the right race” or the right build or a good enough craftsman to do so. Take care of yourself, don’t risk your health or the safety of others for the sake of a costume, wear comfortable shoes, get sleep, eat well, exercise, bathe, do whatever you need to do to be your healthiest and happiest. The strangers of the internet can be among your harshest critics no matter how you look or how talented you are, but cyberspace can also bring out some truly wonderful voices and very uplifting messages. Learn and grow from constructive criticism, don’t let it shatter you or your passion.
To learn more about Variable Cosplay feel free to follow on Twitter: @variablecosplay or her on Facebook: http://facebook.com/variablecosplay
If you or someone you know would like to have a gallery featured on Geeks With Wives, please email Casey at gwwcapescrew@gmail.com!