How many years have you been cosplaying and modeling?

Mari: Counting my younger years, I started in 2007, so ten year technically[…] I put together a costume for Rukia Kuchiki [of BLEACH]. Even to this day, I don’t think I’m producing enough cosplay to be a blogging cosplayer. [Modeling] I only just started. My first, quote, test shoot was in 2014. That’s all I ever did until this year. [Starting this year], on and off, there were a few by my boyfriend. He’s a cinematography major, but he was like “Let me get used to the camera,” and I was like sure. Then I started working with Armando. So, technically only four months.

You expressed fear of criticism from those close to you. Could you go into further detail?

Mari: It’s mostly my family that I’m worried about. I asked my boyfriend, and he’s fine with it, but our families are more conservative. My mom has gotten one comment from my aunt already. My aunt let my mom know to “Tone it down.” They’re mostly worried about being taken advantage of and the internet taking advantage of my photos.

The latest one that I posted, that is the one that I have 250 ‘likes’. It’s how society is. I don’t put it out as a gimmick to get likes; I do it for me.

Photo credit: Mike Rollerson

What does your family think of you going into fashion design and modeling?

Mari: I got lucky. I feel like a lot of Asian-American families, Filipino families, want their students to go in the medical field. My mom showed concern in high school when I wanted to go into art, specifically illustration, but after us talking about what I wanted, she was okay with supporting me going to the art field instead of the medical field.

What are you interests outside of the fashion industry?

Mari: I don’t like [this, but], as of late, I have not been looking into anime and I’ve mostly been watching western cartoons. I’ve been watching Bojack Horseman and F is for Family. But, I’m really into anime and video games like Overwatch. I suck at Overwatch, but I’m really into the art and characters. [Marvel Cinematic Universe], I appreciate it and the story they have. Nerd things in general. Comics I know and would want to get into, but I haven’t devoted enough time to make it a concentrated hobby.

What are some issues you face constantly as both an artist and a model?

Mari: For both, the most blatant thing is social media and the issues concerning that[…] I feel that if you’re a model or if you’re an artist, it doesn't matter what you do, like you can be advertising a business, but if you don’t have social media or you’re not active, there’s a certain perception that’s given. Example being my brother that’s a senior animator at his school and I think his work is really good, but he doesn’t take enough time to give himself a social media presence and he’s told me he doesn’t think he’s that great of an artist because [he doesn’t] have a following right away. Everything I’m thinking of links back to social media and likes and reblogs and subs. I feel like it’s also fights with yourself thinking everyone is competing and seeing everyone is out there without thinking how long [others have] been there and they’re possible competition. It can make you feel like you’re not good enough.

Photo Credit: KCStudios68

Describe your aesthetic.

Mari: Oh no. Dark, black, sensual, sexy. I wanna think I’m, like, eccentric, but with the ones I’ve shot so far on Instagram, I can’t say that it is. I’m trying to think of not basic adjectives like “bold” or “girly”. It’s not consistent because I have my shots with [iiii clothing] which I try to portray as schoolgirl…I guess rebel schoolgirl. Wandering, because it doesn’t have a set guideline for what I put out there for modeling and what I do for cosplay.

Do you have any pieces you’re currently working on that you could show us the croquis for?

Mari: I just have this sketch. It’s an interpretation of the greek goddess Hecate. I would love to cosplay this one day, but we’ll see. School first. Other than this, I don’t have any croquis sketches for future cosplays.

Which costumes were home made versus store bought?

Mari: Maid Plusle and D.Va. My god tier [Jade Harley] and Yuno Gasai. Modified thrifted. I just bought it second hand and modded it to the design of the character. But, maid D.Va and Plusle, everything is made from scratch including the ears. And my Mikasa from AOT. I made her 3D maneuver gear straps. I think those are the only ones I made made. And Mako Makanshoku.

How do you choose who you want to cosplay?

Mari: I like choosing characters I identify with. I know a lot of people say that. Like with Mako, I love being her because she’s so goofy and bubbly and positive. I feel like a lot of people see me that way. I want to cosplay her again, but the reason that I haven’t is because like I don’t fit in her skirt right now because my waist line is a little wider right now. I’m planning on slimming down. But, I did make her uniform from scratch.

What’s the biggest challenge as a cosplayer? Model? Designer?

Mari: I think with all three one of the biggest challenges is financially right now because I am a student. I think that’s one of my biggest things, finance and time. Being a student and trying to put your name out there. This [upcoming] semester, I have eighteen units, so I’m gonna be stacked on top of having a job, and trying to keep up with social media. I’m thinking of taking a hiatus […] I’m thinking of making my own ready to wear brand, but I don’t have enough funds to start it. I’m hoping the projects I make right now will hype up my, quote, presence or personality on the internet, so when I start busting out stuff [people will see]. We’ll see in hopefully a year.

Photo credit: Mike Rollerson

What is something you want to use your power for?

Mari: I think the biggest thing I wanted to do with cosplay is more of an [Filipino] presence. Specifically tan Filipina. Like this one cosplayer. Alodia. Do you know who that is? Does that ring a bell?

Me: No, but I am aware of another cosplayer that’s building a presence in Las Vegas. To-Love Aruru. We talked about racism in the cosplay community.

Mari: I was referencing to the fact that there is a well known Filipina cosplayer already. What I want to do is show that you don’t have to be a pale Filipina in order to be recognized too. I don’t know if this was talked about by Aruru already, but in the Philippines, it’s a common practice to try and lighten your skin for beauty purposes. They even make soaps specifically for that, one of the most commonly used one is a Filipino brand called Likas. Paler skin in general, not to discredit them, I see [gain presence faster]. That’s what I see, but maybe I’m wrong. When you look into Indonesian cosplays and Filipino cosplays, they’re not as big and doesn’t get as popular [compared to their Chinese, Korean, and Japanese counterparts].

It’s that, but also I wanted to bring the knowledge that I learned from experimenting with different techniques and creating cosplay. I want to be able to be that person [to have] knowledge and spread it. I remember when I was younger, trying to find ways to do stuff was a little bit difficult and I want to be able to help those who struggle with tutorials and videos. And being a positive voice for pursuing what you want to do and being confident in that you yourself is important. You can do the things and stick with your choices.

What is your opinion on casual cosplay?

Mari: Casual cosplay is still cosplay. I did it. I still do it because there are times when you’re at the convention and you’re hanging with friends and you don’t want to put on the whole costume, whether you don’t need to or don’t want to. Cosplay is how you want to interpret it. I wear casual cosplay because, for me, when I do casual cosplay, I think, “What would this character wear [in this situation].” I did that with D.Va and my Homestuck characters. It’s so easy and give creativity. There’s like Disneybounding. You wear the wig, because you’re not allowed to wear the costume, and you have to adjust for what they would wear. I’m all for it if it makes you happy if you don’t want to reveal too much skin or lug around that five lbs of armor. A formal outfit. It’s all interpretation.

Me: Have people insulted you for casual cosplay?

Mari: Personally no, but I know there are people out there who feel strongly to cosplay solely what the character was/is wearing in the series. For me, I think it’s just fun thinking “What would Chun Li wear on a normal day?” It’s just fun slice of life cosplay.

Photo credit: SPQR Photography

I’ve noticed a bit of controversy recently surrounding fat or plus sized cosplayers. What do you think of bigger people who cosplay?

Mari: My opinion is I support it because, for myself, if I were to say they shouldn’t cosplay that character because that their body doesn’t fit, I’d be a hypocrite for cosplaying a chesty character like Mako. And just like, as a human being, if you wanna cosplay or do something, go do it. People shouldn’t determine what you want to do. If it makes you happy, do it. You’re doing it for you and not anyone else. That’s something I still have trouble dealing with.

There’s another conversation that keeps coming up in the cosplay community. What are your thoughts on “racefacing?”

Mari: I still don’t think it’s okay to portray yourself as another race. I don’t think skin color should determine how accurate your cosplay is. I’m tan and I still cosplay pale characters. They’re all not tan, but I still cosplay them. I don’t see a need for them to change their skin to be, quote, accurate because you can still do that […] you can still be Asian and cosplay Lucio.

Have you experienced discrimination in your cosplay/art/fashion world?

Mari: In my experience, I have to say no because I haven’t experienced anything myself. I know it’s out there, but on my personal end, knock on wood. People always mistake my age though.

Photo credit: Paincakes Photography