Victoria: How many costumes have you created?
Roxanna: I just now counted seventeen made since about 2004; I actually dont make very many costumes each year.
Victoria: What is your favorite part of costuming?
Roxanna: Wigs! I never accept "just okay" on a wig. Hairstyle is a huge part of accuracy, especially when mimicking a live-action character, and I think a lot of people neglect it or dont know how to approach it. But of course my true favorite part is wearing the costume, feeling sexyfine and proud of my work - does that count?
Victoria: Yes, that count! What is your favorite convention to attend?
Victoria: How did you learn how to sew and create armor?
Roxanna: Books, skilled friends, and online tutorials. I started my cosplay career by buying pieces and modifying them. So back when I could only sew a straight line, I would pick costumes where I had minimal sewing to do, and the rest could be constructed with purchases and my other craft skills like painting. But Ive made sure over the years that each project includes new tasks that Ive never done but Im pretty sure I can figure out, and so Ive built my abilities up step by step and now I can say "psshh yeah, I know some stuff!"
Victoria: Do you accept commissions?
Roxanna: Not at the moment, although I will always listen to a proposal in case it blows my mind. I used to do commissions, but found that I have trouble motivating to work them into my schedule; its best that I just dont do that anymore. I do, however, have an online shop where I sell pieces of my choosing, and thats at http://hausofm.storenvy.com
Victoria: Do you think that the world of cosplay has changed now that its become mainstream?
Roxanna: Well, Im not convinced that mainstream is the right word to use - were still a fringe group! But yes, I think a lot has changed since I started, some for the worse and some for the better. Im looking forward to seeing what develops in another five or ten years. In some ways, I hope cosplays popularity dies down a bit, so participants dont feel like they have to hustle for attention in the crowd (and lets be honest, we all love attention!).
Victoria: What advice would you give to female costumers who have to deal with trolls on the internet?
Roxanna: Hoo boy. Follow your gut. I dont think theres any right way to handle online trouble, or any wrong way. With straight-up trolls, of course, the common wisdom is that the best way is to ignore them (I would amend that to say "and block their asses whenever possible"). In the case of critics and body-shamers, though, theyre not trolling so much as feeling like its important and okay for them to share their opinions on everything all the time. Some women choose to treat those people like trolls and ignore and/or block them, which is valid. I personally only feel right if I call them out whenever and wherever I see them voicing hurtful opinions. Ive gotten into arguments this way, but Ive also made people reconsider their attitudes. Thats enough reward for me to continue calling people out in a way that I feel retains my dignity. This method works best for me.
Victoria: What projects do you have in store for 2014?
Roxanna: I try not to plan too many projects ahead of time, and instead I go with the flow of what feels like fun right now. Plus, I am ALWAYS taking time to make improvements on previously worn costumes before each convention or appearance - I seriously dont consider any of them "finished." That said, my current pet project is, like many other women right now, Elsas ice gown from Frozen. Weve got a great big Facebook group going and were all sharing tips and progress, and its so much glittery fun! This project will take me a long time, though, I have a feeling. Its pretty ambitious for me and Im not the kind of person who marathons sewing unless I have to, so I work slowly, bit by bit.
Victoria: Where can people contact you and view a port of your work?
Roxanna: My Facebook page is Haus of Meta, and I do post there regularly (although of course Facebook is terrible and limits how much of your content people see on their walls; so its not ideal, but thats the current most popular option so Im rolling with it). Im also on Tumblr, and although I post a lot of different content there daily, my homepage at http://roxannameta.tumblr.com has an option to click on "Photos of Me," and youll see all my posts that show my work!
