Shiya is a cosplayer who easily represents the more cute and elegant end of the cosplay scene, with intricate and often astounding costumes. Her style tends to float eloquently around the romantic end of the spectrum, making her the ideal character to find under a cherry blossom tree or in a serene Japanese garden. However, it’s her very detailed costuming that allows her to be found in magazines like Cosmode and on websites like Cosplaylab. She has worn costumes of Shino (.hack//G.U.), Sakura (Cardcaptor Sakura), Kairi (Kingdom Hearts), and Flandre Scarlet (Touhou), amongst many others, often with breathtaking results.
Shiya, what was your first convention and what led to you taking up cosplaying?
My first convention was Otakon 2004, and I had no knowledge of conventions or cosplay. My best friend convinced me to make something, but I had no sewing experience either, so I had a seamstress commission something for me. After the convention, I started to become addicted to the idea of wearing costumes. I spent the rest of the year trying to get a sewing machine and learn for myself. My first attempted costume was Gunner Yuna (Final Fantasy X-2), and I decided to fly out to Katsucon to do a group costume with my best friend. Our first costumes were Gunner Yuna and Thief Rikku.
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