Japanator: Who are you and why do you cosplay?

Celeste Orchid: My name is Marissa Floro, my alter ego is Celeste Orchid. I have always loved the artistic designs of my favorite characters. So instead of waiting until Halloween I figured it would be fun to create the outfits for any event. It just so happens that dressing up has a name: cosplay.

J: How long have you been cosplaying? Do you have a cosplay origin story?

CO: I have been cosplaying since 2005. My story isn't so cliche as to just wanting to do it. I've always wanted to learn how to sew and I loved to make things. My brother told me to go for it, my mother saw my brother and I playing videogames and thought that some of the outfits were cute. Eventually it lead both of them saying why not try it? So my first costume was actually Rinoa Heartlily from Final Fantasy VIII. My mother is more of a fan of Yuna's design from Final Fantasy X. Then again she wasn't always awake at night watching us play. Conventions are a completely different story! My friend Chris actually told me to go with him even just for a day to a convention. I was against it at first but he vowed if I didn't go with him he would duct tape me to his car. Fearing for my physical health I decided to go. Definitely life changing and I have to thank him for that. He's like a fairy Godbrother hahaha.

J: What was your favorite cosplay? Least favorite?

CO: I don't know if I have a particular favorite. If anything I have a few: first and foremost being Rinoa. She is my favorite female character and first cosplay. Lately I've been in love with my Juri Han costume from Super Street Fighter IV. She does taekwondo and so do I. It's difficult playing as her but I fell in love with her entire character so I couldn't help myself to cosplay her.

Anime-wise, that's another story... I would have to say Chii from Chobits or C2 (C.C.) from Code Geass. Both characters are very fun to dress as: Chii being all angelic and C2 (C.C.) just helping the cause. Both females are created by Clamp so of course their standards are high with elaborate costumes.

My least favorite would have to be my first attempt to make Princess Serenity of Sailor Moon. I was just starting out in sewing and did not know a thing about wigs. It ended with a total mess. The dress was puckering, the seams were horrendous and the wig needed to go back to the place where I bought it from. I plan on remaking the entire outfit to do some real justice.

J: Do you make or buy most of your cosplay outfits? Describe your process.

CO: Majority of my costumes are made. I love to go fabric shopping! I remember the characters in my head and head out to look for the right fabric. I always get very inspired when shopping. Sometimes I draft my own patterns or I slightly modify pre-existing patterns. Then it goes into cutting and sewing. TA-DA! Costume! If there are small things such as a dress shirt, tie or slacks I would just naturally buy it.  I don't feel the need to actually reconstruct something that's already there. For example: I don't believe making a white long sleeved t-shirt and a pair of jeans is necessary just to cosplay L. Save your time and effort... just buy it.

J: Do you think that you should cosplay your favorite character, or what's appropriate to your looks?

CO: Sometimes I do it to my looks and sometimes I do it because its my favorite character. I feel that its more appropriate to cosplay someone you like than to be someone you hate.  It just seems harder to get into the costume, making it and having fun while wearing it. Personally I think it's difficult to naturally have long pink hair.

J: Sex in cosplay: erotic and enhancing or sacrilegious and disgraceful?‬

CO: If anyone wants to get freaky with costumes they better leave me out of it. Sometimes some good foreplay fantasy with your favorite characters helps the mood and overall has a fun time while fulfilling that fantasy dream. Not that I've done that or anything; it's really up to the people. My own opinion, whatever makes them happy; for all I know I better not get my hard work stained. I definitely don't like seeing all my hard work crumble to shambles just because I wanted pleasure.

J: What cosplay do you have planned for the future?

CO: I've always been a fan of Code Geass' C2 (C.C.).  I want to make more of her outfits. Lately I've been working on a few original designs and one of my friends talked me into crossplaying again. But it's only Ciel Phantomhive from Black Butler. Small Eurpoean boy who creates toys for the Queen of England while having a demon butler by his side, who could say no a hot demon butler? I've been on a Nana kick again so definitely look out for more Reira costumes. I do plan on bringing back some old school videogaming with some Killer Instinct's B. Orchid is a must on my to do list before the year ends.