Cosplayer Spotlight: 7thlotus

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Otakus and Geeks is pleased to present to you our very first Cosplayer Spotlight. A new feature dedicated to showcase talented individuals from the cosplay community. Catch some new talent or get a look at some well-established members from the world of cosplay.

My name is Julia Doi and I'm a cosplayer from 7thlotus! I'm currently taking a break from college. I enjoy cosplaying with my friends and I'm super happy making cosplays!  

How did you get into cosplaying and how long you been doing it? 
I actually got into cosplaying because of my mom haha. She introduced me cosplaying when I was probably 10 years ago.

What is cosplay to you? 
Cosplay to me is a way to open myself and build more confidence in myself. It's nice to be noticed by strangers and friends and it's a great way to socialize and make great connections.

Do you have someone who inspires you to cosplay? If so who? 
Yes and no. Not really a real person but any character I want to cosplay as inspires me to cosplay. 

Do your family and friends know you cosplay? 
Oh yes they certainly do know I cosplay! haha 

Are you doing cosplay as a hobby or professionally? 
For now it is a really committed hobby but I would love to do it professionally one day.

Do you only do local or other conventions, as well? 
I try to go to as many Conventions I can, but I mostly stay around the East Coast.

How many conventions do you go in a year? 
About 10 hahaha Yeah... that's a lot 

If you can, cosplay anywhere is the world? Where would it be? 
Anywhere really. I guess my top list would be 1) Japan 2) London 3) New Zeland I feel like the scenery would be absolutely amazing!

When cosplaying what do you feel is most important? (e.g. detail , character portrayal, etc.) 
Passion. I can't emphasis it enough. I feel like passion is really important for cosplaying because cosplay is really (to me) about having fun and wearing the costume you either bought or made and showing your love and appreciation for the series or character. 

What is your pet peeve when it comes to cosplay? 
My pet peeve is probably choosing characters. I can't cosplay as a character if I can't relate to it or love it.

Do you prefer to buy or make your cosplays/props? 
Oh I love making props! It's a hassle and sometimes I would wish someone else to make it for me but it's so satisfying finishing a prop you made!

When deciding on how you want your cosplay to look, what goes through your mind? (e.g. does the fabric/material have to look like the picture) 
Making amazingly derpy faces and photobombing the crap out of other cosplayers. But seriously, it's more like a list that goes through my mind. Example, 1) draw a picture 2) fabric and material 3) Did I gain weight? 4) Damn, I eat too much tacos 5) Get back to cosplaying! 6) Right, ok let's go buy the materials and let's get rolling!

What type of characters do you enjoy cosplaying? 
There's no specific type of character that I do really, if I had to choose, probably characters like Ruby Rose from RWBY.

What is your favorite part of putting on your cosplay? 
Feeling how comfy it is. I see cosplayers wear really tight looking things and I feel horrible for them because I think to myself, "wow... Imagine all the tacos they missed eating... it must be so tough."

How do you choose the characters you cosplay as? 
Well I watch the character or series and I say to myself, "yeahhhh that's the one." It's more of a gut feeling and the fact that I like the character.

Are there any cosplays that you wish you could pull off? 
YES. Like I always wanted to do like a full armor cosplay! It's been a dream that will hopefully come true!!!

Do you have any cosplays that you will never do and why? 
Anything really too tight...Like super tight corsets....yeahhhh not on me... I like my tacos and burritos.

Do you believe that a person has to have certain qualities to pull off a cosplay? (e.g. facial structure, etc.) 
No. Absolutely not, anyone can cosplay as anything they want. I personally don't care about people wearing cosplays that "don't fit them because of their image". As long as you like the character, I don't see any problem what so ever. 

What are some of your dream cosplays? 
Definitely Elphelt from Guilty Gear Xrd -sign- She's so beautiful! And probably like an original character I will imagine of one day!! :)

Outside of cosplaying, what else do you do? 
Oh boy... I work at an art gallery and I play a lot of League of Legends, read Jojo's Bizarre Adventure and be absolutely confused while I eat tacos. Did I mention I like tacos? Like a lot. other than that, I really dont do much....

How do you fund your cosplay? 
I save up my earnings... That's pretty much how I fund them.

Where do you go most often for photoshoots? Do you do photoshoots? 
I go to Daniel Lin hahaha (CosplayRewind) he takes amazing photos. He was the first one I ever had a photoshoot with. If I had the chance, I would love to do photoshoots.

Do you prefer your images photoshopped or unshopped? 
I really dont mind either! I really like them both! 

You can follow and view more of her work here
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