Surine

I'm a danish woman who works as a teacher in Special Education. I've been cosplaying for the past 16 years, and I love giving myself new challenges.

My real name is Sørine, and at the time I created my cosplay profile I watched a lot of Pita-Ten. The main character often adds "-Su" at the end of her sentences, so I thought it would be cute combined with my real name.

How did you drop into the world of cosplayers? When was the first time you thought you wanted to deal with this?

I always loved dressing up for the danish equivalent of Halloween, and when I found out you could cultivate it as a hobby I was sold. My first convention was in 2005, and I thought the con-goers and fellow cosplayers were amazing people.

Who or what inspired you to do costume making?

I was always completely in awe of all the beautiful cosplayers I could find of my favorite characters, so that was a big motivation to do better myself. Traveling abroad for my first international competitions in 2011 was also a huge eye-opener to what you can do in regards to performance and costume making.

Can you tell us a little more about what you have learned so far? Have you conducted any studies that have contributed to your cosplaying activities?

I'm pretty good at pattern drafting and constructing cleanly. I also love styling difficult and gravity defying wigs. Making props in foam isn't my favorite thing in the world, but I do think I've got a decent hang of it.

Can we talk about the technical side? What techniques and tools do you use in your projects?

It's a really broad question, because so many different techniques go into a simple construction. For example, corsetry: coutil, d-rings, spiral steel boning, flat steel boning, fashion fabric etc. And all the tools to sew and cut.

For my wigs my go to hair-spray is: "Got to be glue", but I also use gütermann fabric glue, school glue, teasing comb, regular comb, small elastics etc.

But I always love chatting with people who need advice on something specific that they have a rough time figuring out how to construct.

Who and where have you cosplayed so far? Why did you choose these characters? How / On what basis do you choose the character you are going to cosplay?

I recently counted, and I came to 75 cosplays for myself (and around 25 for other people) so it's a long list of passion projects and characters that I love! Recently I've checked off a lot of dream projects, like Lara Croft and Ciri from Witcher Wild Hunt. I usually pick characters that I think I can look like (I'm a pretty tall woman), and characters who have personalities I enjoy and designs that I'm aesthetically drawn to. I also pick projects that I believe I can realistically make pretty well.

I have very broad interests that range from horror game characters to Disney princesses. I have a bunch of characters from games I enjoy playing, anime I like to watch, and comics I like to read. I try to make my cosplays a little bit more realistic looking in my paintwork and fabric choices, while staying true to the silhouette and color schemes.

What was the biggest challenge you faced when making a costume?

The accelerator I made for my Tracer cosplay! The construction in foam and worbla was quite difficult in itself, but the light inside and understanding how to code the light wheel so it spun around and how to solder the connections and have a battery pack connected and still invisible. Just thinking about it gives me a headache. I never want to make something that lights up again! Haha.

Which is your favorite self so cosplayed so far?

Possibly Ciri, but I always love my most recent cosplay the most.

What kind of projects and productions are you currently preparing? What are you in now, what drives your imagination?

I recently got into Warhammer 40k (I played a lot of Kill team! Woohoo) so my next project is a Sister of Battle. I'm pretty intimidated by the huge armor, but I do think I can do it.

How did the people around you accept your hobby?

They've known me to make cosplays since a was very young. People usually think it's really awesome when they learn everything is made from scratch and by me.

According to your own statement, how critical are you to your work?

Extremely critical if I'm making something for competition, if it's just for a photoshoot I won't bother lining everything or making the insides look picture perfect.

If money were not an obstacle, what would you like to do?

I'd travel all the time! I'd love to team up with photographers from all over the world and seek out amazing locations and bring characters to life.

What are the expectations of those who want to work as a cosplayer in the future?

I don't work as a cosplayer, I have my regular full time job with all the awesome kiddies in my class. I love having it as a hobby for when I want to relax and be creative. If I should give someone wanting to get into cosplay some advice it would be have fun. Don't expect to get booked or get rich through it. Don't pamper to what you think your audience wants, but rather make something that you're passionate about. Cosplay is for having fun for you, and it can give you an opportunity to connect to a lot of likeminded awesome people.

If I got into cosplay now I think I'd be very overwhelmed at how much I'd have to learn to do! I'd probably just buy a spandex suit and a nice wig and call it a day haha.

What jobs does the next semester hold for you?

Unfortunately due to covid everything has been cancelled. I love traveling with panels and judging at conventions, so I have organizers will keep me in mind once everything opens up again. Fingers crossed!

How does it feel to be in front of the camera?

I love it! Contrary to what you'd think when you see my photoshoots, I'm very goofy and I love to play around in front of the camera. I love getting that perfect shot that both I and the photographer gets excited about.

What would no one think of you?

"Wow she's short" (I'm 180 cm haha)

Do you have a favorite photographer you would like to work with?

I'd love to work with both Pugoffka and Bcwphoto someday!

Your favorite saying?

Kill your darlings.

When you are not working on a project, how do you spend your days? What are your goals? What else do you employ? Do you have another hobby?

I like to read and listen to podcasts. I have 2 cats that I like to spend time and play with.

What content do you enjoy consuming in your free time?

Critical Role is something that I follow on a regular basis. I enjoy playing horror games on my playstation.

How much do you profess to be a gamer? Which games do you put more emphasis on in your free time? Do you have a favorite game that you always take time for?

I used to play Friday the 13th 2-4 times a week, but unfortunately, it's a bit dead these days, so I'm looking for a new game with a community that's equally awesome. I'm currently still working on finishing the new Crash Bandicoot and The last of us 2 (I'm slow haha).

How does your lifestyle affect your social relationships? Where do you have so much energy for so much of everything?

With the constant covid lockdowns and regulations I can only see a few of my friends, and there's a lot of time at home to sit around and work on cosplays.

At the time I got started everyone was at the same (not so good) level. I watched a lot of online guides from a bunch of different cosplayers if I hit a wall, and I'd ask my mum if I was having trouble with sewing something. Withing the last 6 years, my good friend Julia has been a big inspiration (She recommended me to get a steam iron and taught me a lot of tailoring techniques.) And my friend Kitty taught me a lot of corsetry techniques and corset pattern techniques.

If you could have a super ability, what would you choose?

A superpower? Probably invisibility!

Do you consider yourself an optimistic person?

Yes, for sure! Hand me a cup of coffee and a cat in my lap and I'm a happy camper!

Do you still see that you have made the right decision to choose this path?

Yep, I still enjoy cosplay a lot. And I'm immensely proud of all the cosplays I've made.

If you could go anywhere, where would you most like to go?

I miss traveling in Japan so so soooo much.

Are you a designer, a goal-setting person, or do you trust fate that everything will always be achieved at the right moment anyway?

I like to set goals for myself, by creating a deadline. Otherwise I'd never get anything done! So having a competition date or a photoshoot date helps me to actually finish my projects.

How do you envision yourself in 10 years? What is your dream?

I hope to travel more with my cosplays and give lectures and presentations on different cosplay techniques, and judge more cosplay competitions (My goal is always to make the participants comfortable and I always enjoy giving feedback to anyone who'd like that.) I want to meet lots of exciting people and make new friends who share my passions.