Today we’d like to introduce you to Ren.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
It all started when I watched my mother make my Greek Dancing outfit at age 6. She let me help glue on the trim and held my hands as I pushed it through the sewing machine. Ever since then I was hooked on costumes and crafting.
I’ve always been a very creative person. Art and music were my favorite subjects in grade school. Since then, I feel like I’ve found the medium (or several mediums) that I like working with. People joke that cosplay is actually 7 different hobbies in a trench coat and that’s absolutely true. Through cosplay I’ve learned more needlework and EVA foam armor building. I’ve also learned leather working, resin casting, crochet, prop building and so much more.
Once I learned I could compete in my cosplays I knew I found my community. I love the thrill of being on stage and it’s how I met so many of my friends.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I struggled so much when I first started. I messed up so many mockups. I have destroyed so much nice fabric by rushing. Starting out for me was the hardest part, the road gets smoother once you travel it.
I of course make myself an exception by making everything hard. All of my cosplays I’ve had some sort of struggle with whether it’s a difficult fabric to work with or a skill that I have to actually step away and practice a bunch with before I can incorporate it into a cosplay.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize mainly in sewing, EVA armor, and some leatherworking. It’s also what I like to teach when I go to conventions. Most cons I go to, I’m there as a guest or a panelist. While I do enjoy running around artist alley with my friends I mainly enjoy teaching others how to get to the point I’m at today. There’s a whole younger generation that is interested in cosplay. I want to pass on all the knowledge I have from 10+ years of crafting to them.
As for what I’m most proud of, probably how far I’ve come with my skills. None of this was developed in a day. This is years and years of trial and error, of online needlework and cobbling courses. I’m just proud that I didn’t let my failures get the best of me and that I kept going until I succeeded.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
If people want to work, collaborate, or support me, they can check out my Instagram RenegadeMisfitCosplay. I don’t profit off of my cosplay I do this all for fun. So the biggest support people could possibly give me is asking for me to guest at cons or just a simple follow!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renegademisfitcosplay?igsh=MWV2cTNvbnBlY3cwMA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
