I have always gamed since I was super young. It had even followed me growing up. I ended up working my first job at Best Buy in the video gaming department. I had blatantly lied on my application. I had written that my past jobs had been "Commander of the Normandy", a "test subject of Aperture Science", and a "Demon Detective". I also went to "Balamb Garden" and I knew "al Bhed". Of course I had no idea that referencing Mass Effect, Portal, Devil May Cry, Final Fantasy VIII and Final Fantasy X would actually get me the job.
I first met my future boss when he called me into his office. He proceeded to roll up his sleeve and I thought for a moment he was going to punch me for my so cringe and lying application that I had thought smart at the time. I was so tired of no one wanting to hire an experience-less hopeful. He rolled up his sleeve to reveal a HUGE tattoo sleeve of microsoft exclusive games and gave me a huge smile. He simply promised me a real interview after I appropriately filled out the application with my real facts and from there, the rest is history! That was how I got into selling games. Since then I have had different jobs, yet I always go back to gaming retail. I have been in it for over 5 years altogether.
Being a super fan of games and working in a game environment, it was much easier for me to fall into cosplay. People don't quite look at you weird if you are surrounded by gamers all day. I would go out of my way to go to any anime or gaming conventions nearby. I would spend hours learning how to jerry-rig costumes together until I could properly do it.
One of my favorite games had always been Final Fantasy VII. One cosplay I have always been proud of had been my Aeris/Aerith cosplay.
I tried to think of every detail I could. I made the color scheme from the gold bracelets to the silver sleeve bangles match the game scheme, rather than her advent children scheme. I searched around for a decent Holy materia. This was the cosplay in which I first played with craft foam to construct the silver sleeve bangles.
Also even more impressive, ALL OF THAT is my real hair, no wigs, extensions, or anything. It still remains to this day one of my favorite cosplays. Years later, now that I am a bit older, I became overwhelmed that Final Fantasy VII is getting a remake! I excitedly went to go see if I could STILL attempt the hair, and yes... success
This is definitely a cosplay that I am redoing. I'll be making the ultimate Aeris staff along with her normal staff.
