Epbot Exemplars: Little Red, the Ranger, & More Real Heroes of Cosplay

Time for our first Exemplars of 2014!  

Exemplars are geeks who know what they love, and show it with pride. I keep it mostly girl-centric here at Epbot, but I always reserve the right to feature anyone who helps inspire me to be a better me.

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First up, Jen C. tells me my steampunk prom dress post inspired her daughter Atlee to be Little Red for Halloween - with a steamy twist. 

"She quickly informed me that she would need a bow and arrow too because she didn't require a huntsman; she could take care of herself."

Haha! YES!

And look how awesome:

More from Jen C.:

"Since you were the one who inspired us, I wanted to share the results. Everything was found at thrift stores and the entire costume cost under 40 dollars. The hoodie was a bridesmaid's skirt and the dress was a  modified prom dresses. The bow and arrows were hand made from yard twigs and oven baked clay." 

 I am in awe.
But really, the best part is how Atlee got involved and helped her mom put everything together:

 Rock on, ladies!

And speaking of kids taking the initiative, check out the Ranger's Apprentice-inspired cosplay teenaged Ann made completely on her own:

Her mom Sue tells me she found Ann a sewing machine on FreeCycle, and then Ann took it from there. She made almost everything from thrift store finds, and is most proud of her bow, which she sawed, drilled, sanded, and hand-finished all by herself. She even used a soldering iron to brand the handle with an oak leaf:

So to sum up: bows & arrows are cool.

Love it, and I can't get over how perfect Ann's Ranger's cloak is; best camouflage I've ever seen!

Yet another Jenn wrote me the perfect e-mail, so here it is as-sent:

 Dear Jen,

I love Halloween.  Years ago, I used to make costumes for theatre companies, and I love to dust off my machine once a year and have fun.

This year, when I asked my 11 year old son what he wanted to be, he said, "The first person who wrote a computer program."

You probably already know this one, but if you don't, google it.

Here's what went through my mind:

"Does he know who that is?"  Of course he does, he's your son.  And he is completely obsessed with all things computer.

"And he knows he'll be in a dress, right?"  Well, duh.

"What would you do if your daughter asked to dress up as a guy?"  Make the costume, of course.
"How's this going to go over at school?"  Just fine, that's why we send him to that school.

So, here's my son as Ada Lovelace, in a big, white, puffy dress. He loved it, and he was a big hit at school.   

 [Had to add a comparison shot!]

Just thought I'd share this story, since I'm doing my part for geek girls by raising my son to appreciate them.

- Yet Another Jenn

Dangit, Jenn, I was doing fine until that last bit, and then it got all dusty in here. [sniff] High fives & gold stars, my friend.

And finally, Briana Lawrence's story first broke last Fall, but it's one I think we all need to see:

"It Happened To Me: I'm a Plus-Sized Cosplayer"

You should head over and read her whole article - it'll make you want to cheer by the end - but this part in particular really struck a chord with me and John:

When your plus sized friend makes the decision to cosplay, the first thing out of your mouth should not be, “People are going to make fun of you if you wear that, maybe you should wear something else.” We’re already on edge about being in this community. 
 

Don't tell us to "be conscious of our body." We already are. We can't help but be conscious of our bodies, not because you tell us to be, but because society tells us to be. Don't assume that you're doing us a favor by saying, "I am supportive of all cosplay, I just want you to understand that there are some people who won't support you," or, "Be careful if you weigh this much and want to cosplay this character not everyone will like it." 

Hearing that from a friend is almost worse than being picked on.

OUCH. Ok, even though neither of us have ever made those kinds of remarks to anyone, John and I both admitted to feeling that kind of over-protective concern that could lead to comments like that - so Briana's advice really hit home. 

I'm especially chagrined because I am already extremely self-conscious when I don a costume myself, taking great pains to cover my face and as much of my body as possible, so you'd think I'd already "get" this. Would I want a friend reminding me I'm not as tall or thin or well-endowed or what-have-you when I step out as Lady Vadore or the White Rabbit? Of course not. So Briana, thank you. You've opened my eyes a little more, and I promise to try to do better by my fellow cosplayers and friends.

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Ok, peeps, have an Exemplar to nominate, or maybe want to nominate yourself? BRING IT. E-mail me a pic, a short story/explanation, and don't forget to include names! 

And now for a challenge: show me your collection. Comic books, Pokemon cards, Monster High dolls, vintage Orange Bird stuff, sparkly rocks - hey, if you've got a stash, I wanna see you with it! Share your pics on the Epbot FB page, or e-mail me!

And because I couldn't resist: