Con Report - Iberanime LX 2013

Hey everyone! ♥

I know, two posts in a day! What a miracle ehe ♥ I guess this one will be small though, I don't have many photos to show you (I barely took any) and I don't want to drag it way too much!

On the 13th and 14th of this month there was this con - Iberanime LX 2013. Iberanime is the biggest convention we have in our country and it happens every years twice: one in Lisbon and another one in Oporto.

I've been longing for this con ever since I didn't have a change to wear Madara at Photoshoot #10 earlier this February. Last year I wanted to wear Amy Rose for Iberanime, but I changed my plans completely.


Day 1 - 13th April 2013 - Madara Uchiha (Naruto)
Ah, this day was completely insane!

I had to wake up earlier to finish my costume! Even so I didn't have time to finish a couple of details, and since I didn't want to get to the convention late, I went with some little things unfinished (the costume itself was 99% done so I didn't mind much).

I got there at around 2 something p.m (I had a small problem with the armour so it took me longer), and met by brother and his girlfriend as well as my friend Elly!

(I must warn you that I'm doing almost the same face in all these pictures ; ;)

Misaki, me, Sofia and Piiui-chan!

Ema and me! I finally spent some time with her ;w; She's so awesome!

Me and Manon! She's the one who took care of my wig (alonside Leonor). Sexy ninja with pink hair XD (I can't remember the name ; ;)

The gorgeous Kei and me! She's always so beautiful in Lolita ;w;

Me and Elly! She looked really cool as female L!

I didn't stop for a second the entire day! People kept asking me for photos! I swear that I took around 60/70 photos that day, just with random people! I was really happy people liked my costume so much. It made the experience even better ♥

Oh and I was interviewed by the TV! Though I'm not sure if I want to see the interview, I kinda messed up at one point ; ;

Madara's a dog lover now! This puppy was so adorable *o*

Even though people kept interrupting me to take photos, I still had a bit of time to be with my friends! Ema made me small photoshoot and I did one to her. Later that day (after the con ended) I also made a small shoot with Elly! And I was crazy enough to go into the water with the costume still on. Thank god it was super hot that day!

The photos turned out awesome, and I hope I can post them both here, DeviantArt and Tumblr soon! As well as updating my other cosplay galleries.

Day 2 - 14th April 2013 - Carla Radames (Resident Evil 6)

I decided to take Carla this day so I could have a little break from photos. I knew from the beggining that Carla isn't a very well known character here and therefore I would not be asked for lots of photos. I really needed a small break this day! 

I was happy though that some people recognised me! ♥

Key and me once again! She looked gorgeous this day as well!

My soulmate-chan Adrii as Asuna and me on the far right! I don't know who the other 2 girls are but if you know please tell me!

Me! Photo by Sofia

There wasn't as many people the second day as on the first, but it was still full of people! And the weather was much warmer than the previous day, in my opinion!

It felt great to be able to spend the day not worrying about anything besides being with my friends. I missed everyone so much  ♥  I still ended up doing a small shoot with Sofia, both me to her and her to me! Double shoot!

Soda break! Fanta (my favourite!)  ♥

Me and my nii-san!

At the end of the day I was completely exausted. And let's not talk about the high heels, that was the down part of wearing Carla's costume >.< 

Even so, it was an amazing convention and I was super sad it was over!

I bought these two adorable Arpakasso! They're so perfect ;w;

Last but not least, I made several small appearences on XOtaku's new video! It looks really great, I think they're getting better and better!

And this is all! I hope you liked my extremely small post about Iberanime! I want to start my next cosplay very soon, I will give you news about that when I can!

Thank you for reading ♥

XoXo,

Gothica

New Cosplay: Madara Uchiha (Naruto)

Hey everyone! ♥

I'm finally bringing you a blog post about a new costume: Madara Uchiha from Naruto!

Official Artwork from the Databook I believe

This costume was a dream.

Not a lot of people know this, but when I started watching Naruto I used to hate the Uchiha clan. The years passed, a lot of things changed and as you know I now love them more than the actually series itself. With Madara was no different, I used to hate him but as the story progressed I eventually fell in love.

Screenshot from the anime

I've been planning to do it for quite some time, but I came to the conclusion that I had a problem: wig. I searched but never found a wig of my liking and I am horrible at wig styling so that wasn't even an option. 

One day I spoke with Manon (an amazing portuguese cosplayer), explaning to her the problem and she agreed to help me! She and Leonor (one of my cosplay idols) styled my wig and it turned out awesome! ♥ Specially considering the wig I gave them SUCKED.

Photos by Manon! Thank you so much! 

The sewing part of the costume went pretty well. The shirt, pants and waist "skirt" were quite easy to do! I did not have time to do the shinobi sandals, so I adapted Mikoto's (basically cut them short). 

Pants progress!

And the finished pants!

Some pictures of the progress of the shirt! I still hadn't cut the collar at this point.

Unfortunately I don't have more photos of the sewing parts. I didn't take any of the waist "skirt" or the finished shirt, but you can see those when I start posting photos of the costume!

To me the real challenge of this cosplay was the armour. I had an extremely short budget, which meant any expensive material was completely out of question. So after thinking a lot on what would be the best and most economic thing to use, I decided to do the armour with artificial leather (Napa para quem é português). 

Cutting the patterns

The final pattern of the armour! Everything made of paper. 

I did a sort of pattern out of paper before cutting the real thing. I wasn't sure of the size of each piece (26 total) and didn't want to mess up the final product, so I made everything out of paper to see how it looked like! I LOVED the result so I went ahead with it!

Next I cut every piece in red cardboard and glued the fake leather on top. I could have used just the leather but I thought it would be too soft so I decided to add the cardboard. I then made small holes in certain parts of the armour (the same places you can see in the pictures above) with a hot iron and used white wool to tie everything together!

Armour progress

The front and sides of the armour complete! The back is missing but it's the same as the front

With all honesty, I'm extremely proud of this armour. It was the first time I've ever done something like this and I love the final result ♥ The only problem with is that it's not very resistent, specially on the torso (I used it for about 5 hours on the con and it looked horrible at the end, I had to iron the whole thing). Besides that it's extremely comfortable!

Last but not least, the other challenge of this cosplay: the Gunbai (Madara's weapon).

Drawing the Gunbai

I've had this idea on how to do the Gunbai since the beggining. I didn't want something too heavy since I knew I had to carry it around at least for the entire afternoon, but I wanted something resistant. Once again super expensive materials were not an option.

I found this sort of plywood at an extremely good price, and I thought it would look amazing as the Gunbai's base. Plywood usually has one side that is smooth and another that's not. This one has both sides smooth. I drew everything by hand, only with a reference photo.

Left: The Gunbai already cut (and upside down -.-) | Right: Gunbai with the handle glued

What I used to paint the Gunbai (+ black and red acrylic that's missing)

Left: The primary paint | Right: Completely painted and almost finished!

It took me around 4/5 hours to do the Gunbai. I only finished it on the day of the event but it turned out great! The only thing that's missing in the last picture is the bandages around the handle and both the bottom and top of the same. I did those with papier-mâché.

This costume was both the best and the worst cosplay experience I ever had. There was sweat, tears and blood (especially tears) in the process but I feel so good when I wear it. I feel happy with how it came out, and I usually don't feel 100% happy with my costumes.

When I can I still want to remake the sandals and just give some finishing touches in little things, but it's overall completed! I already had two little shoots and I want to post pictures soon! Maybe tomorrow!

Hope you liked it ♥

XoXo,

Gothica

Madara Uchiha - Konoha's Founding

COSTUME I.D.
Character: Madara Uchiha

Manga/Anime: Naruto

Version: Konoha's Founding

Status: Finished

First used: Iberanime Lx 2013 

Planning on using again? Yes

About: I used to hate Madara. But as we got to know more about him and his story, I've grown to love him with all my heart. So this cosplay has been a dream of mine for a very long time. But I had a problem with the wig: I couldn't find any that I liked and I'm not good enough at styling. Thanks to my friends Manon and Leonor, who styled the wig, my dream finally came true.

See how I made this costume HERE.

Convention Report: Photoshoot #10 (+ new cosplay)

Hey everyone! ♥

I really want to apologise for not posting this earlier. The thing is, I've been super busy with some personal issues and didn't have much time - or patience - to write anything here. I actually feel ashamed of the delay.

I also feel like this is a repetitive message, but there are just times when I can't write at all. I'm really, really sorry! ;__;

Well, on the 9th of February I went to this event called Photoshoot #10! 

Photoshoot is pretty much a huge cosplay gathering that happens every year during Carnival, where cosplayers just gather around Parque das Nações and take pictures, talk to each other, etc...!

I had planned since last year to go as Madara Uchiha from Naruto! However, things sometimes don't go the way we plan and something happened along the way and I ended up not going as him. So about a week before the event I decided to do an entirely new cosplay.

So I went as Mikoto Uchiha in her ninja version!

Photo by Fiaziinha

I literally finished this costume 5 minutes before going to the con! It was such a stressful cosplay -.- I really want and need to remake some things, but I like how it came out! ♥

Yes, it was designed by me. Despite Mikoto being a real character we never got to see her in ninja clothing! I have always pictured her as a sexy and powerful ninja before getting married. She was a jounin after all!

I wish I had progress pictures to show you, but I barely have anything since I was in such a short time.

Photo by Waribashi (I hope they don't mind me using this, but if necessarily I will take it out)

At exactly 3 p.m. we took the traditional group photo! I almost missed it, but I made it on time (I made it like 2 seconds before the photo!). Try to see if you can find me!

After that I just talked to some amazing friends! I really missed everyone! ♥

I'll just show you some photos I took with friends and around the con, though I really don't have that much to show you.

Photo by Johnny Charneca, you can find the original here!

Me and my Soulmate-chan, I missed her so much! ;w; She looked gorgeous ♥

Everything on my costume was falling off here and yes you can see my underwear -.-

Me and Lena-chan! Many of you know her because she does most of my photoshoots! Unfortunately we were barely together that day so we didn't have time to do one ;__; Even so I loved being with her! ♥

Photo by Fiaziinha, but she doesn't mind me using it XD

Photo by Fiaziinha

Misaki taking a photo of me and Piiui-chan! ♥

After talking to a lot of people me and Fiaziinha decided to do a photoshoot! I ripped a bit of my fishnet tights but oh well... The photos came out super awesome! So it was worth it.

Well, after a while almost everyone left and I stayed for a little longer with my friend Ana, who always (or almost always) goes to the conventions and events with me! I'm so glad she can come and have a good time with everyone at the cosplay world!

I'm currently on the process of trying to convince her to start cosplaying as well, so wish me luck!

Me and her!

I really love those contacts! I was going to buy normal Sharingan contact lenses for Mikoto, however since I was in such a short time (and the contacts sometimes take more than a week to get here), I decided to wear the one's I bought for Madara. So yes, that's Madara's Mangekyou Sharingan!

At the end of the event I found my friend Marta, who is a really important person to me (she was pretty much one of the first cosplayers I met). And for my surprise she filmed me for her video! I was so happy! ♥

At about 6:30 p.m. me and Ana went home. But first we stopped by McDonalds to eat something XD We were starving! It was the first time I ate the entire day!

Mcdonals in the car!

And then the day was officially over. I will admit that I was planning on not going, just staying home, but I'm really glad I decided to go after all! Besides, the weather was fantastic! It was really warm and sunny!

I want to thank everyone who spent the day with me for the awesome time! Thank you so much ♥

Photo by Fiaziinha - Original HERE

XoXo,

Gothica

Mikoto Uchiha - Ninja

COSTUME I.D.
Character: Mikoto Uchiha

Manga/Anime: Naruto

Version: Ninja

Status: Finished (currently remaking a few things)

First used: Photoshoot #10 (2013)

Planning on using again? Maybe

About: I've been wanting to cosplay Mikoto in a ninja outfit for a long time! Mikoto is a very lovely and sweet mother, but I've always pictured her as a sexy, powerful woman before giving birth. She was a Jounin after all! Even though this costume was rushed and done at the last minute (literally), I think it came out pretty well. Actually, I kind of really love it!

PHOTOS

                                

Photos by Fiaziinha