Captivating cosplay
If Blizzard made live-action movies, they'd be fools not to hire the striking Christina Sims. Also known by her alias Zerina (or ZerinaX), Christina so perfectly captures the look of Diablo III's female monk and World of Warcraft's Vanessa VanCleef that it's as if the characters themselves leapt out of the game and into reality. She doesn't stick exclusively to Blizzard games, mind you--she's also got one of the most popular League of Legends skins down to a tee.
We talked to the award-winning costume wearer to find out just how and why she does what she does. Read on for the full story behind Christina's talented craftsmanship.
GamesRadar: Why did you start cosplaying? What was your first costume?
Christina Sims: I started cosplaying back in 2007/2008. My first convention where I cosplayed was Blizzcon 2008, where I made a Sunwell-geared Paladin from World of Warcraft and participated in the costume contest. It was great to see all of the cosplayers at Blizzcon back in 2007, and they really inspired me to try my hand at it.
Pictured: Protection Paladin in Sunwell gear from World of Warcraft. Photo credit: Morten Skovgaard
GR: What does cosplaying mean to you?
CS: To me, cosplay is just another form of artistic expression. While costume designers take their own ideas and bring it to life, cosplayers can take an existing design that was never made for a real-life interpretation and make it into something fantastic and wearable. Cosplayers use a wide variety of materials to make their costumes, and each interpretation of a fantasy design is an art form of its own. Some cosplayers even go as far as to take up the mannerisms of their character, which is another artistic expression in itself. The creative aspect of cosplay keeps me coming back for more--I love to make things!
Pictured: Monk from Diablo III. Photo credit: FiveRings Photography
GR: How much of a time-investment is this? What do you like to do outside of cosplaying?
CS: Cosplay is a huge time investment, so I don't get the chance to make a new costume every month combined with an awesome full time job. Patterning, cutting, sewing, crafting, carving... depending on the project, a cosplay can take weeks, even months to complete. Some people are more efficient than others; I prefer to start early and take my time with a costume rather than rush through it at the last minute. Outside of my cosplay hobby, I enjoy going to the beach, playing video games and board/card games.
Pictured: Vanessa VanCleef from World of Warcraft.
GR: What's the strangest thing (material, prop, etc) you've used to complete a costume?
CS: I've worked with a lot of materials in my costumes that may seem strange to the average person. I've used fiberglass to make pauldrons, leather for armor, and bondo (auto body filler) to create smooth surfaces. I've also visited some rather interesting websites in my search for thigh-high, high-heeled purple boots. I think the strangest thing I've used to help me with a costume is probably an electric turkey carver. They're pretty handy for sawing through foam.
Pictured: Alexstrasza from World of Warcraft. Photo credit: Chase Hoffman
GR: How much do you worry, if at all, about getting the look exactly right, down to the last detail?
CS: I definitely try to keep a cosplay project as true to its source as possible. Sometimes it takes some creative thinking to interpret a design to make it real or wearable. Other times, it's hard enough to design a costume that will let you sit down and relax, let alone go to the restroom. Details are important though, and it's the little things that separate a good cosplay from a great cosplay.
Pictured: Paladin in Regalia of Immolation (Tier 12) gear from World of Warcraft.
GR: Whats your favorite video game?
CS: Of all time? Super Metroid and Final Fantasy 3 are at the top of my list. Currently, I'm having a ton of fun playing Orcs Must Die 2.
Pictured: Alexstrasza from World of Warcraft. Photo credit: Chase Hoffman
GR: How you do choose which characters to cosplay?
CS: A design has to be very aesthetically pleasing when it comes to cosplay. You're dedicating yourself to looking at every aspect of a costume or character for hours on end during the course of creation, so it's important to appreciate and enjoy what you are looking at. I will also only cosplay from a series or game I greatly enjoy or am very familiar with.
Pictured: Monk from Diablo III. Photo credit: Thomas L. Hicks
GR: Whats your favorite costume among the ones youve worn and/or made?
CS: I am particularly fond of my Redeemed Riven cosplay from League of Legends, which I created recently. I love armored female characters and creating a big prop sword was very fun. I don't get a chance to make many oversized props. I also liked creating my Tier 12 Paladin from World of Warcraft. There were a lot of techniques that I used in making that costume, and it's always fun to learn new things. I think my Diablo III Monk is one of my most popular, and is probably one of the most comfortable to wear.
Pictured: Redeemed Riven from League of Legends. Photo credit: Tom Hicks Photography
GR: What tips do you have for entry-level cosplayers?
CS: Keep in mind your time frame and budget when making a costume. Never be afraid to try new things and don't be discouraged if something doesn't come out the way you intended it to. There is a lot of trial and error involved with cosplay, and the reward is in the creative journey. Don't be afraid to ask questions, either!
Pictured: Vanessa VanCleef from World of Warcraft. Photo credit: FiveRings Photography
GR: What's the ultimate cosplay costume youve always wanted to make?
CS: I've always wanted to make something wicked and monstrous, so I may put that to the test this year and make the Naga-form of Queen Azshara from World of Warcraft as a long-term project. I hope to learn more about prosthetic work while working on this costume.
Pictured: Mother Shahraz from World of Warcraft.
GR: Thanks for your time! Anything else youd like to add?
CS: If you'd like to follow my work, please check out my Facebook page! Thank you!
Pictured: Monk from Diablo III. Photo credit: Thomas L. Hicks
Stunning style
To see more of Christina's work, you can check out her Facebook page, Twitter, and Deviantart page, all of which are chock full of pictures of her amazing cosplay. If you're a fan of her costumes, give her a shout-out in appreciation of her awesome craftsmanship!
Weve gone ahead and included more of our favorite shots, highlighting the masterful way in which Christina brings Blizzard and Riot Games' creations to life. Also, we absolutely adore the "Come at me, bro" expression on slide 27.
Photo credit: FiveRings Photography
Photo credit: Cosplay Photographers
Photo credit: FiveRings Photography
Photo credit: Thomas L. Hicks
Photo credit: Tom Hicks Photography
Photo credit: Chase Hoffman
Photo credit: Tom Hicks Photography
Photo credit: Thomas L. Hicks
Photo credit: Tom Hicks Photography
Photo credit: Chase Hoffman
Photo credit: Thomas L. Hicks
Photo credit: Thomas L. Hicks
Photo credit: Cosplay Photographers
Photo credit: FiveRings Photography
Photo credit: Tom Hicks Photography
Want more cosplaying goodness? Check out our previous appreciation of costuming perfection in the Crystal Graziano Cosplay Spotlight.
Photo credit: FiveRings Photography
