Let's Talk Cosplay with Grecian Zephyrus Cosplay

Grecian Zephyrus Cosplay on the left as Austrian Succession Austria from Axis Powers Hetalia with Sly Fox Cosplay and Photography on the right as Austrian Succession Prussia.

So for starters, tell us a little bit about yourself!

Hello there! I go by Zephyrus, and I've been cosplaying since back in 2009. I am currently in college, but also studying in Germany right now for my degree in German language and literature. I also major in European History, and love all things history-related, especially Germanic and Scandinavian history. 

What do you like to do outside of cosplaying?

I like to read a lot, bake, and learn languages on the side. My main focus is currently German, since it's my degree, but I have a dream to become a polyglot. I also adore playing the cello, and have been doing so for twelve years now!

Which do you like: comics, manga/anime, movies/tv shows, video games, or books? 

I confess, I'm not too knowledgable in comics, and I don't watch a lot of television or movies, but I do really enjoy manga and anime, video games are awesome, and I adore reading so of course I love books!

Any favorites in those categories?

Yup! When it comes to comics and web comics, my favorite is 100 Days of Night by Eme and Bleu. 

For Manga, I love Houkago no Charisma (After School Charisma), +Anima, 6 No Trigger, and Adolte and Adarte.

Animes... I love a lot. Haikyuu!, Hetalia, Owari no Serafu (Seraph of the End), Kuroshitsuji (Black Butler), Uta no Prince-sama series, Tokyo Kushu (Tokyo Ghoul), and so many more. I try to be open to everything.

Video games I love are the Assassin's Creed series, Sengoku Basara series, Soul Caliber, Pokémon, Prototype (only the first one...that second one doesn't exist), Devil May Cry series (again, the newest one, despite being cool, doesn't exist), and the inFAMOUS series to name a few.

Book wise, I love the Percy Jackson series, along with the newer ones like Heroes of Olympus and I'm excited for Magnus Chase and the Guardians of Asgard. The Leviathan Series by Scott Westerfeld is great too because it combines my love for fantasy and history. And of course you can't go wrong with Harry Potter, LOTR, or the Inheritance Cycle.

Cosplayers are often inspired by other cosplayers and their work. Do you have any sort of “favorite cosplayers” out there that inspire you?

I confess, I have so many. While I think people like Reika and KANAME☆ are great cosplayers, I also like people who I can tell work really hard with their cosplays. Kamui Cosplay does great stuff with worbla and I so wish I could get on her level, or AmenoKitaru (AK Wirru)'s levels of fabrication as well. Despite being into cosplay for six years, I still think I'm at a baby level, and want to step up my game.

How exactly did you start your journey into the cosplay world? How long have you been cosplaying?

This weirdo (I mean that jokingly of course, since Chuck is a great guy) that I know named Charles that I went to high school was doing group pre-registration for a local convention. Naturally, after begging my parents (as I was only 15 at the time), I was able to go for two days, and paid $35 for my badge. Because I knew cosplay happened at anime conventions, I figured I needed a costume, so little ol' me went searching online for a cosplay. That year was the year Hetalia got HUGE in the US, so I wanted to be something from that. For my birthday, my folks purchased me my first cosplay, Lithuania from Hetalia. It turned out to be seafoam green, and did not fit at all. But my mother insisted I wear it, and it was terrible looking on me. Since then I insisted on making my cosplays.

What currently is your favorite cosplay you have made?

That would most definitely have to be Ezio. Despite actually gaining too much weight to wear him anymore, I love the fact that my mother and I worked desperately to finish him in time for a con. I plan though to remake him now, and to look better with him.

Do you have that one cosplay that’s the bane of your existence? If so, which one is it?

Doesn't everyone? By far, the bane of my existence is Nico DiAngelo from Percy Jackson and the Olympians. My struggles with it currently is making him actually look like my mind envisions him.

Is there some specific process you have to choose what character you’ll cosplay?

It depends really for me. For instance, how well do I know the character's ins and outs? If it's something like Hetalia, or Afterschool Charisma, how well do I know the history behind the character? It needs to be someone I can hold in character when interacting with people. And the biggest thing is I have to feel comfortable in what they wear, and that I need to like them.

When you make a cosplay, how long does it normally take for the entire thing to be completed? 

Making a cosplay really varies in time, and in my case, the amount of help I get making it. My mother's a master sewer, so if I can get her help making something with fabric, then that's less time. But often times it's just me making my outfits, or me making my props. Generally, I'd say to make something it takes a proper month, because I want it to look good, and make everything to the best of my abilities.

Everyone’s process of making a cosplay is different. Can you describe your process for us?

Reference images out of the wazoo. If I can, buy a pattern that is perfect for it, or modify it to the best of my abilities so that it works. I haven't learnt how to draft patterns myself, so if that needs to happen, my mother steps in. Fabric shopping, prop items shopping, or shopping for supplies to make the prop comes next. Then a mad mixture of prop work, wig work, sewing, etc. And a lot of hoping it will come out looking good and done in time.

In the case of making your own cosplay, what sort of tips do you have? 

Unless in dire circumstances, do not use hot glue. Also, if you're tech savvy (sort of me), and you can, learn to digitize patterns. My mother taught me how to digitize my Camp Half Blood t-shirt logo so that we just sewed it on, rather than me buy the shirt. Digitizing is super awesome, and you can make money on the side by digitizing or selling your designs online.

Do you use wigs when cosplaying? Is there a specific reason why?

I do use wigs, since I find most characters have outrageous hair. I'm sorry, but crazy bright red hair does not naturally exist as hair, nor does ahoges (hair curls) and stuff like that.

How do you approach wigs when styling?

I confess, I am not the best at wig styling. Again, a lot of reference images, and definitely the proper tools: good quality salon scissors, razor shears, good combs and brushes. Also remember that washing wigs frequently is always important!

Often times cosplayers use makeup to accentuate their cosplay. Do you use makeup in cosplay, and if so, why?

I try my best to. I don't normally wear makeup, so I'm still learning how to make my eyebrows look good, or contour my face better when I do masculine cosplays. But I feel it does accentuate the face and can make a person look more like the character.

Some cosplayers find makeup a daunting task, so do you have any tips for them and makeup?

I have found some really awesome tutorials on Tumblr, Pintrest, and Youtube! Also foundation is great, and if you have terrible skin like me that is red and always acne-filled, then always use a green concealer to even out skin tone. I find Clinique's to be great. Also eyebrows need to be on point no matter what.

For cosplayers, there’s always one aspect of getting on a costume they love. What is it for you?

I think just being in it, interacting with people, and having fun is great. If I have to pick a physical piece, it's definitely the outfit itself. That's when I feel like I'm getting into character.

Any dream cosplays you’d like to do?

Definitely! Hussar Poland from Hetalia (hardcore armor, and a rack on back with feathers on it to signify wings), Date Masamune and Ishida Mitsunari from Sengoku Basara (again, hardcore armor), and Ootori Eiichi from HE☆VENS in Uta no Prince-sama Maji Love 2000%.

What about cosplays you know you’ll never do? Why are they something you’ll never do?

Embarrassing to say, but nothing that exposes my stomach. I have a nasty scar on my stomach that I am very self conscious of, and I feel would ruin any cosplay I did that might have it showing.

There’s a lot of conventions of all different sorts to go to, so which ones do you like to attend?

Currently only Nekocon in Virginia, Katsucon in Maryland, Animazement in North Carolina, and sometimes Otakon. I'm hoping to go to Jpopcon in Denmark, since I am about three hours away by train where I live currently in Germany.

Is there a dream con you want to go to? If so, which one is it?

San Diego Comic Con, New York Comic Con, Jpopcon, and some sort of convention in Japan.

Finally, any inspirational words for those just starting to get into cosplay?

Everyone starts somewhere! Please remember that when you are new and just starting out. You will get better, I promise you. When I first started cosplay, I couldn't even sew. Now I sew most of my things. And just because you aren't famous, doesn't mean you aren't good at what you do.

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