Cosplay Spotlight Lucid Cosplay

For this edition of Cosplay Spotlight, I chose to showcase my dear friend Lucid Cosplay. Lucid is one of the most beautiful and talented costumers in the community. In addition to being my friend, I have always admired Lucids craftsmanship. She took some time out to talk to the Confessions of a Cosplay Girl Blog about creating costumes, her love for the character Poison Ivy and what she has in store for the future.




Victoria: How long have you been costuming?

Lucid: Ive been sewing my own costumes since 2002 but was putting together costumes from found items back in 1998. My first costume was Mileena from the original mortal Kombat game. I was part of a martial arts demonstration team and we all dressed as the characters for our fight skits. I bought a purple dance leotard and cut up purple tights for the "boots," gloves, and face mask. I was pretty much hooked after that.

Victoria: Where did you learn how to sew?

Lucid: My grandmother taught me how to hand sew when I was little so I could make dresses for my stuffed animals. I was in the 8th grade when my mom bought me an inexpensive sewing machine and she showed me the basics. I learned a lot from a course I took in college. The rest has been a lot of trial and error.

Victoria: What advice would you give to people who want to learn how to hand stitch and use a sewing machine but dont know how? Where can they learn?

Lucid: Definitely take a class. Working on your own and trying to teach yourself is a good start, but Ive learned most of the really important stuff from watching someone else. Its a great way to learn how to take care of your machine and keep it running smoothly, getting the basics down, learning the little tips and tricks that make projects easier, and its always nice to have someone who knows what theyre doing answer questions and point you in the right direction.

Victoria: Youve done many versions of Poison Ivy. How many have you done and which one is your favorite?

Lucid: Oh man... I think Ive done 6 variations of Ivy: two Classic, two 1950s style, a spring time Ivy, and a Disney Princess Ivy. While I have always loved the classic Ivy, Id have to say the 50s Ivy has been my favorite. Its sassy without showing too much and I adore period fashion. But I will say I still cant get over wearing the giant princess dress. I dont care what anyone says, big dresses are fun!

Victoria: What are your thoughts on Ivys costume in the New 52?

Lucid: I really like the New 52 Ivy. Its a completely different look for her and thats what makes it interesting. Ivy is one of the few characters that doesnt have to be canon to get the love. I have seen so many versions of her out there. I get excited going to D*C (Dragon Con) because of the giant Bat Family shoot. Seeing all the variants of Ivy and how everyone does her differently is the best! It shows shes more personality than costume. I am currently planning another 4-5 incarnations of Ivy, including the New 52 look.

Victoria: What is the most complicated outfit you have ever created?

Lucid: Id have to say the costume Im working on right now probably takes the cake on that one. Yuuko Ichihara from xxxHolic is a character known for her lavish lifestyle, so this incorporates a lot of different elements - from a traditional Japanese kimono to hand beading, creating custom appliqués... Im even trying my hand at props making, which is a first for me. Ive learned a lot from previous costumes that I can use for this character. I was thrilled to figure out a way to make the obi into the shape of a butterfly! I love being able to learn new techniques to use on future projects.

Victoria: What costumes do you have planned for the future?

Lucid: Too many. But I think thats par for the course with costuming. Im currently planning on re-working "Femy" (gender bent Gambit), Black Canary, other seasons of Ivy, and a few more I havent quite hashed out the details for as of yet.

Victoria: In addition to being an accomplished costumer, you have also appeared in a comic book. Can you tell me about that?

Lucid:  Ive been fortunate enough to meet some of the most wonderful people at conventions. I met Chris and Alan Hebert, creators of Hb Comics, at Wizard World Philly a few years back and Im so fortunate to say weve become good friends. I was flattered and humbled (and really excited, I wont lie) when I was asked if they could use my likeness in their comic called Lazerman for one of the member so the villainous Diamond Gang, named Pearl. They debuted the issue with Pearl this year at Philly and surprised me with the character as a standee on their table! I surprised them by creating the costume for Pearl for the con. I may sound like Im geeking out, but its so cool seeing your face in a comic book!

Victoria:  Where can people contact you and view a port of your work?

Lucid: Im a horrible self-promoter. I can be reached via my Facebook personal page or my Fan Page and email: Lucid Cosplay (lucid.cosplau@gmail.com).

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Geek Goddess speaks out

Stereo Types. Cyber Bullying. Trolling. These are the three major issues causing stress on the world wide web today. No one is safe. Everyone has become a victim of some sort of harassment via the Internet and everyone has been judged. I want to take this time to focus on a specific category of women who have experienced the unfair judgement of the Internet. The models at Geek Goddess "aim to show that a woman can be sexually liberated, be sexy and be empowered." Persecuted as "whores" and "fake geeks" simply because they are nude models, Oracle and Jessica Nova took the time to share their side of the story.








Authors: Jessica Nova and Oracle

There has been a lot of talk lately in the cosplay community and the overall nerd/geek community in general regarding appropriate behavior when it comes to other members of the community, especially women. Whether you want to talk about bullying or consent the problem is more complicated than simply identifying and categorizing. It’s deeper than a few creeps that don’t know better and can’t be solved with a clever tag line or an Internet campaign, no matter how well meaning. The ugly truth is that the problem is not limited to nerd culture and conventions. What is seen as a problem is really a symptom of the real problem, the ingrained and often subconscious views regarding gender and sex that plague our society.

Over time women have gained more freedom over their life but with that freedom has comes expectations and restrictions. The push and the pull of stereotypes. The Virgin and the Whore. Those are the categories and options that society gives; you are either the virgin or the whore. Stereotypes never work because people are more complicated. So what are these stereotypes and how do they relate to nerd girls?

 The virgin: If you want respect, if you want to be seen as someone with intelligence and something genuine to offer the world, you are not supposed to show you want sex, talk about sex, or dress in a provocative manner. At least not publicly.

The whore: If you want to have sex, if you talk about sex, if you look sexy or show off your body then immediately you must be a woman of loose morals with no real value to give other than that body. These stereotypes are perpetuated by society even as advertising campaigns make it clear that all a woman has to offer the world is her body and her sex. But only if that body is unrealistically perfect. How confusing a girl must feel growing up these days. Commercials tell her to dress in an outfit that is barely there while the rest of society tells her that to be respected she must be viewed based on her mind and not her body. Men are told to want the scantily clad beauty while being subconsciously shown that she is an object, that she wants the attention and that she doesn’t deserve respect. This sets him up for failure and maybe even a kick to the groin later in life, maybe many kicks. It has also led to many of the problems regarding the appropriate way to react to a cosplayer that are plaguing conventions today. Thankfully humans are, at least in theory, capable of independent thought and should be able to rise above the choices society has made for them. Woman can never be truly equal, truly liberated, until we are accepted as complex beings with many facets.

Geek Goddess aims to show that a woman can be sexually liberated, be sexy and be empowered. She can be naked and still kick your ass at halo. She can be wearing skin tight latex and still roll a natural 20 to save the day. She can have amazing cleavage and still hold a lively and intelligent debate. But change is hard and often painful. While we are confident societies views can mature and change and women can be seen as whole beings we know it won’t happen overnight. Becoming a Goddess will bring you attention... but some of that attention will be negative. It’s not acceptable or appropriate; it is realistic. Even as I write this there is someone somewhere calling one of our Goddesses fat or ugly, or saying she is a slut. Trolls are everywhere. And there will always be someone out there looking to bring themselves up by putting someone down. We can’t stop them; we don’t have to support them. We can speak out against their hatred and fear and jealousy. We can stand up for our Goddesses and all other nerdy woman. We can educate the men and women that don’t realize they are harming the community. But we’ll still need to knock the occasional Troll off the bridge. And that won’t end until all of nerdom comes together to reject the Nerd Bully in all his or her incarnations and return to our roots of acceptance over cruelty.

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Friendship Over Fame A Lesson in Costuming

Costuming has changed a lot since I began practicing the hobby back in 2006. In the beginning, way before I began,  it was a way to express your love for your favorite characters and creativity. These days,  it has become an avenue for internet fame. The scene has become somewhat chaotic and its easy to get lost and lose sight of why you began costuming in the first place. Goals change from expressing your fandom to becoming the most popular cosplayer on the internet and many lose themselves in the quest for cosplay fame. Back stabbing ensues along with egos, drama and rumors.

In the last few years, I have grown tremendously as a person and have learned valuable life lessons. This has to do with perspective and awareness. Meditation has taught me many things and has brought peace and clarity into my life. Accepting and taking responsibility for my actions and making better decisions in relationships and in life has helped me a great deal. I say this because I have learned a valuable lesson in the costuming category due to the decisions I made; I chose friendship over fame.

I have seen a lot of people change over the last few years. People who were once humble and kind turned out to be anything but. Individuals who I thought were my friends proved to be nothing more than a trendy cosplayer trying to network. I found myself trying to keep up with my Cosplay Page so it wouldnt get lost in the ever increasing flood of new cosplayers. It became a job. Before I knew it, I realized that I wasnt having fun anymore. In fact, I was pretty miserable. I knew then that I needed to redirect my focus and remember why I began costuming in the first place. Rediscovering that love and focusing on the true friendships I have made are what helped me get back on track. I also started a branch for a nation wide charity for the state of Pennsylvania. Giving back to the community through super hero charity work and helping kids in need brings me such happiness and peace.

At the end of the day, why does it matter how many Facebook likes you have? Why should you care about who is sleeping with who? Why waste your time with people who arent truly interested in being your friend? Why deal with the egotists who feel that they are above you and view themselves as "celebrities"? It doesnt. It doesnt matter. Theres more to life than that.

At the recent Megacon show in Orlando, Florida. I spent time with friends I have knows for roughly 3 years now and got to know new ones. Looking back, I realize how blessed and fortunate I am to have found such a beautiful group of people whom I love very much. Some of them I regard as family. They accept me 110% for who I am. Growing up, I had many social issues. I was bullied because I was the girl who wore a Superman shirt to school and carried a Jim Balent Catwoman comic in my binder. I was rejected from a group because I wasnt Caucasian and the other group rejected me because I wasnt Latin enough with my light skin, green eyes and inability to speak Spanish. I was made fun of for having dark hair. I never imagined that as an adult, I would been accepted. Wearing a geek shirt would be okay and no one cared what color my eyes or hair was. The love and the friendships I made, being accepted for who I am and expressing my love for comic characters; that is what costuming is all about.

                                                              Official Facebook

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A Parody Cosplay Interview!

Happy April Fools Day! In celebration of this hilarious and sometimes physically violent holiday, my friend Marvin (of Hero Hotties) and I bring you a parody cosplay interview full of stupid questions and humorous answers. Enjoy our sarcastic and foolish exchange, peasants!

Marvin: How long you been a cos-playa?

Victoria: Cos-playa? Do you not know what Google is? Spell check? Any of this ringing a bell? Learn how to spell, buddy.

Marvin: What kind of unmentionables do you have under that suit? 

Victoria: Unmentionables? Am I suppose to be wearing underwear with this thing?

Marvin: Do the boots match the capes?

Victoria:  My fist matches your face.

Marvin:  Do you have a side kick in your life? 

Victoria: Yes, I do but my caped lover and I choose to keep that private, thank you very much.  When we are ready to reveal our relationship we will announce it like civil people do. On Twitter.

Marvin: When’s the last time you two “worked out” together? 

Victoria: Im sure you can recall. It was that last massive earth quake we had. By the way, Im pregnant.

Marvin:  How many people have seen your secret lair?

Victoria:  I showed it to your mom. She seemed to like it.

Marvin:  What’s your secret identity? 

Victoria: Oh I dont have just one identity. I have several.  Angelina Jolie does not exist. Thats me. Mila Kunis? Thats me. Ive been wanting to trap Ashton Kutcher into marriage for years and now I finally got that bastard! Jessica Alba? Thats me. That chair in the corner? Thats me too. Im everywhere!

Marvin:  If you took off your X-Men uniform, would you describe your look as Beast, 2013 Storm, or Professor X? 

Victoria: Id say Emma Frost but my rack isnt as big as hers. Shes got implants by the way.

Marvin: If I wanted to call you, what signal would I have to shine in the sky? 

Victoria: Youd need a pretty big freakin diamond to get my attention, pal. Better start saving now. Im not showing up for anything smaller than the size of your house.

Marvin: Are you taking applications for side kicks? 

Victoria: Hell no! My insurance wont cover a second side kick. But feel free to send me your resume and Ill put it in the "future deceased" pile.

Marvin:  Age/Sex/Location? 

Victoria: Why the hell do you want to know how old I am and where I live? Why even ask me what gender I am? How many guys do you know named Victoria? You suck, buddy. Throw away your computer!

Marvin:  If I was a fanboy, at what convention could I stalk, err find you next? 

Victoria: The Joker throws a really great annual convention at his house. Ill give you the address. Hell probably tie you up and do horrible things to you but just roll with it. Thats just the hazing phase. 

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Wow! Check out the new House of Deola Komole Kandids Collection

Komole Kandids Series-1, the latest collection in the Komole range by celebrated fashion virtuoso Deola Ade Ojo, for the House of Deola, presents an assemblage of designs for bridal wear drawing upon the mood and romance evoked by royalty and royal weddings through the ages.

“I imagine a Komole bride. She is independent and in charge, but still demure and gentle like the current Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton… She honors everyone that looks at her with her way and that wow Komole creation! …She is the new light in all their lives!” Deola Ade Ojo

 Over 12 years of research and development are ingrained into the Komole range (the original collection was launched in 2012), the result of which is a profoundly refreshing take on Aso-Oke and the look of the modern bride.

The Komole textile form addresses the same ideological desires that led to the development of lace in Europe in centuries past. Today lace has its parallel, in many ways it’s usurper, in this House of Deola signature style of Aso-Oke fabric – a fabric at the heart of a nation’s identity and consciousness.

“There is no need anymore to have Aso-Oke and a Lace outfit as two answers to an occasion’s fashion demands… we have combined both into one and by so doing transcended, making the new creation even better than the sum of it’s parts. The new fabric motifs and the fashions that we have formed them into elevate the wearer to princess level, while still keeping her culturally grounded – I believe that this is what true class and elegance is about, shining in the form of a glow rather than a tinselly shine” Deola Ade Ojo

The Komole range and Komole signature motifs have taken “occasion outfits” to a new fashion apex with unparalleled painstaking craftsmanship and attention to detail.
The colour palette is a continuum from pastels to jewel tones, with iridescent sheen arising from silk ‘shot-through’ Aso-Oke weaves. Silhouettes flatter into a demure hourglass shape with floor length dresses that stagger the onlooker.

The Komole Kandids collection also heralds a shift for the House of Deola family of brands, as the fashion house enters a new level of dialogue with its audience and fans through social media platforms.

As Easter’s end beckons and the accompanying wedding season begins, the House of Deola promises a second series of Komole Kandids to be launched on the 6th of March.

Komole Kandids Series 2.

#GBOGH! - GO BIG OR GO HOME!

Drum roll please! This wedding ain’t over yet!

Komole Kandids Series 2 delivers an impossibly gorgeous, impeccably dressed lady who is still quite ready to get down (no pun intended) on the dance floor!

Social media, fashion followers, wedding planners and their clients, all have been agog over the last two weeks as the House Of Deola snatched up hearts and provoked dreams in would-be brides all over Nigeria!

And our piqued expectation has not been in vain. With the slight of hand of a practiced practitioner, Deola Ade Ojo switches the focus from the ‘faultlessness’ of the bride to the ‘raffishness’ of the wedding guest. The House of Deola has essentially given us the two parts of the Wedding occasion in the array of dresses. Series 1 engaged us in the classic beauty of the bride and the tradition of exchanging vows, and Series 2 takes over from there - now that they are joined together, it’s time to party, dance and for the unwed in the crowd to mingle!

The collection features a shortened skirt length, and simpler A-line silhouettes definitely allow for all kinds of moves on the dance floor.

 “Those who know me well know that I like to dance… I have always loved it when you see an impeccably dressed woman - I mean a lady who really knows fashion, and she’ll just drop her clutch on her table and Komole! You know, go down low! Isn’t it always a surprise when you see that! I know the fellows in the house are always intrigued by this anyway!" Deola Ade Ojo

  Feast your eyes on the sumptuous images of this collections end and get up to date with following the design house on social media. The House of Deola is apparently in generous mood and there are things in store for lucky fans this month.

More photos

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