CAROLINE KNIGHT - A VERY CLEVER AND CREATIVE COSPLAYER

Can the Caped Crusader catch that crafty clown in Croatia? And if he can, could this conspicuous calling conjoin creatively with that clever Californian cosplayer called Caroline? Or am I just talking cr*p? Let's see, shall we? When you check out this interview I had with my cosplaying buddy, Caroline Knight.

1) What are your own origins, Caroline? Plus what path did you take in life prior to getting to where you are today?   I'm just a young woman who was born and raised in southern California. From my childhood until the present day, reading comic books and playing video games have led me towards the path of cosplay. 

2) What are the most persistent comments you’ve received from your followers?   By in large mostly nice compliments are said to me. Sometimes the questions I receive are how I made my costume or where I got it from. The majority of costumes I have are made by hand, or I would buy pieces and arrange them together.

Other questions would be if I'm available for a date. I tell these people that they must learn to be responsible for their own happiness and learn how to love themselves before loving another. Seeking out others in order to "fill in their empty half" or feel "complete" is not love, it's selfish. 

3) What is your ‘regular’ job? And does it in any way shape or form aide you as a Cosplayer?   I'm a full-time student majoring in Graphic Design, I have a part time job in Figure Drawing Modeling (no nudes), as well as a Freelance Seamstress. Currently I'm on the President's List by maintaining a GPA of 3.75-4.0, even though I don't know how I managed that myself. *laughs* Modeling does help me when I'm posing for Cosplay photos at conventions, but it doesn't primarily aide me into Cosplay. Reading comic books does that. 

4) How did your friends, family, and work colleagues first react to the news that you like to cosplay?   They didn't know what Cosplay was when I began back in 2009. They were more concerned about my safety with the guys at conventions. I told them that I dress up for my own reasons. I show my devotion to my favorite characters and make the costumes closely accurate to the character for the fun of it. They managed to slowly understand, and as time wore on, my friends and family were more supportive than in the past.

5) How do you decide what Cosplay costume to wear for a convention? And who makes them?   I'm only interested in making a costume after reading a good comic book, or watching and playing a video game -- that's when my mind goes into creative mode. If it's a last minute cosplay then I usually buy the pieces and arrange the costume together. Since being a student takes up the majority of my time, some costumes are on hiatus until I have the time to complete them.

6) What have you learnt about yourself whilst Cosplaying? And were their any unforeseen obstacles you had to contend with?   I've learned that making costumes is a lot harder than I had imagined. Over time I've grown more respectful for prop makers and seamstresses for their work. I admire the beautiful cosplay ladies and their talented craft. They're far more patient than I am. Not only is cosplaying fun but it can become physically draining after walking and standing around for a good six hours with no rest.

I would be a social butterfly at conventions, then I would revert back into a hermit working on my own stuff in the real world. I do try to balance out the two, but when I stop having fun creating costumes, I would then stop cosplaying and move on to something else. 

7) What was the best / worst convention you ever attended?   I think the best Convention for me would be 'Comikaze' at Los Angeles. I've been going there since they first started in 2011 and haven't missed their yearly convention yet. It's easy to meet up with my cosplay buddies and convenient to travel there too.

My favorite would've been 'San Diego Comic Con' but I'm sadly disappointed with them now. Their lines are too crazy, no room to move on the show floor, and purchasing badges feels like the Hunger Games and the odds are rarely in my favor. 

8) What would be your dream Cosplay gig and outfit?   A Skyrim Daedric Armor in female form.

9) Has their ever been an outfit you just did not like wearing? And if so, why?   Not so much the outfits, but more so on the Wigs. I cannot begin to tell you how much I hate wigs and try my best to avoid wearing them. Then I begin to question if I am willing to dye my hair each time I cosplay, so I decide to use the wigs instead. 

10) Do you have a credo you live by?   I have two actually: "Those who spend their time looking for the faults in others usually make no time to correct their own" -- Art Jonak. Plus "Winners are not people who never fail but people who never quit".

So there you have it, dear readers. My mate Caroline and her life as a cosplayer. When you have the time please check out some of her great outfits by clicking on over to her website, facebook page, and twitter stream. And if you do, please remember to be nice, OK?