Tokyo Fashion Festa New York Part 2 Cosplay

I modeled in the Tokyo Fashion Festa last night at FIT! I had a great time and met a lot of awesome people. For the show, I did a revamped version of Hatsune Miku from Vocaloid, in the outfit she wears in the song "Magnet," since the first time I cosplayed it, it was more of a closet cosplay and I didn't have the correct wig.

This time, the dress as completely re-done, new/borrowed wig, and different accessories! The shoes and headphones/hat were the same. The wig I borrowed from the oh so talented cosplayer, Kitsy Dolly (her deviantart). I really wish the event was longer! It felt soo short, but it was so exhilarating! I managed to cram Miku in.. 3 days.. hahaa.. I will never do that ever again! You'd think I learned from AnimeNEXT last year.. but nooo.. Had to do it again.. But she came out great!

Anyways! I want to thank my friends who came out to see me! You know who you are! The experience was just amazing. This was the first time I modeled in a fashion show and the first time for any sort of professional modeling that wasn't TF/TFCD.

I loved it! Met lots of new people and the models were all so talented! Just seeing all the other fashions in the show made me love it even more! I really want to get into Japanese fashion/name brand now.. Well, at least learn about them! Since they are oh so expensive haha. The make up artists were all flown in from Japan, and they did an outstanding job. I just.. can't even.. xD Plus they had really cool clothing haha. One of the make up artists was the lovely Akiko Yoshizawa. She does really beautiful work. (And one day.. I will learn enough Japanese to be able to read her blog.. xD)

After the show we had a tea party/ reception. Had so many pictures taken! It was cute when people told me they loved my character. One mother came up to me with her two sons and told me that her son loves my character haha.

IT ALSO MADE ME WISH I CONTINUED LEARNING JAPANESE! Because the person hosting the event is Japanese, along with all the makeup artists. But I still managed to understand some of it xD It was cute when Akiko was asking me a question about how I did my eyebrows (I colored them blue for Miku) in Japanese, and she realized that she was speaking to me in Japanese xD

I met Tokyo Circus Ringmaster Yoshi. Well, got a picture with him haha. I initially didn't know who he was until I googled his sign. What else.. Oh! All the models received a bottle of FiberWig mascara! Well.. we got some other things as well, but it doesn't top the Fiberwig xD So be on the lookout for a review!

EDIT: Added some YouTube links!



Notable Links:
Tokyo Fashion Festa New York / Official [Facebook]
Akiko Yoshizawa: Hair & Makeup
Purple Sky Magazine: Tokyo Fashion Festa 2 (Cosplay & Makeup)
Knightmare6's Flickr Photography
Covered by Saintilus: Tokyo Fashion Fest at F.I.T.
Through Glass Eyes: Japan Fashion Festa - A Cospay Fashion Show
Crash Culture: Tokyo Fashion Festa @ FIT

YouTube: Introduction to Cosplay
YouTube: Cosplay Fashion Show
YouTube: Hair and Makeup Show
YouTube: Hair and Makeup Demonstration/Lecture
YouTube: Cosplay Q&A

Ebay Wig Review: cosplayanimewigs

My first year cosplaying and I needed a wig for my Kurama cosplay. This was my first time ordering a wig so I wasn't sure what to expect. I am very particular when it comes to details and colors. I wanted the perfect color for a Kurama wig and one that looked realistic, because his hair color is bright to begin with. I found one that I particularly liked.

Here's the reference image of Kurama. I picked this one because it's slightly darker than normal.

The wig I stumbled upon is from cosplayanimewigs.


I didn't mind that it was curly because it was heat resistant as well. I prefer them to be heat resistant anyways because you never know when you need to straighten it, or curl it again.

I had a positive experience with this seller. The wig I received was a lot curlier than in this picture.

The color is almost exactly like the one in the picture. I really love the quality of it as well. It's soft and feels like real human hair. They said it's "Natural Heat Resistant Fiber."

The shipping was fairly quickly as well. They shipped it on May 6th. I can't
remember the exact date I received it, but around the 14th, so it took about a week.

Rating: ★★★★☆/ 4.5 out of 5

Pros:

- Excellent quality

- Shipped quickly

- Wonderful color, matches image

- Heat resistant

- Feels soft, like actual human hair

Cons:

- No tracking number

Price: 32.99$ + free shipping = 32.99$

Item Location: Shanghai, China

Would I purchase from them again? Yes, I definitely would. I love the quality of wig and the way it looks.

If you wish to purchase this wig, search "Copper Red Hi-Temp Long Curly Wavy Cosplay Wig" in the eBay search bar, or look through cosplayanimewigs's profile page.

EDIT (2/14/2011): I get asked questions about this wig all the time. As far as I know, the eBay seller I bought it from doesn't sell it anymore. I sent them an e-mail asking if they sell it and I will update the reply! (You can find the same wig on their eBay, but the image is different, and the wig is a darker red.) If you searched the wig, you'll find another seller that uses the same image as the one I bought it from. (Even the same watermark..) I can't comment on the wig because I've never ordered from their store. Just make sure you check the name when you search it! The store I purchased from was "CosplayAnimeWigs." The store that has the same image is "CosplayAnimeWig."

EDIT (2/19/2011): I received a reply from the seller, and they said that there had been a listing error. The same wig can be purchased at the website! Located here. Click here for the wig link!

Circle Lenses Seller Review: Candy Lens

So I needed to order some blue lenses because I planned on doing a mini photoshoot with my Yuna cosplay. I already had Dolly Lens Green from my Kurama cosplay, so I figured I'd just order some Dolly Lens Blue. I didn't want to have to wait for a batch or pre-order so I was surfing around on the internet.

I stumbled upon Candy Lens, and it said they would take 2 weeks to deliver. They're a circle lenses store based in Malaysia. And they gave you a tracking number to check on your lenses. I ordered on July 27th, and they were able to ship it out within the next day.

My one issue is that tracking it. They said sometimes the Malaysia Pos (where you can track the package) doesn't update properly and after a week, to check it from your local post office website. It has been 9 days since they said they'd deliver it. The Malaysia Pos website updated it for the day it supposedly shipped. But when I checked the USPS website, it says "Origin Post is Preparing Shipment." So I'm wondering what has become of my lenses. But it hasn't been two weeks so I don't want to assume anything yet. Shall update it next week!

EDIT: I received the lenses on Monday, August 9th. It took less than 2 weeks to deliver! The lenses were in a cute little box and I received a cute little 'thank you' card from the seller.

Pros:
- Quick delivery
- Free lenses case
- Cute packaging

Con:
- Unreliable tracking number for those who want to track it

Price: 25.90$ + 4.50$ shipping = 30.40$

Would I order from them again? Yes!

Happy New Year! + Five. Taiwan Edition.

Happy New Year everyone! I'm going to write about 5 topics from Taiwan. 5 for the number of mosquito bites on my face from Taiwan haha. I had all these things to write about and I come home and forget it all.. I shall make another post to for images of the things I bought xD

Taiwan.
It was awesomeee. The weather was so nice. It was pretty warm in Taipei. I literally went shopping every day haha. If I didn't go eat with family I was out with my mom shopping. For New Year's I went out with a friend of mine I haven't seen in 3 years. We caught up and went to see the fireworks at Taipei 101. They were extra special this year because it's the 100th year of Taiwan being a republic! WHOOT! Haha. Bought Ayu's new cd, "Love Songs." Haven't listened to it yet, but I love her music sooo hope it shouldn't disappoint! I also got a haircut! I wanted to get choppy layers and possibly straighten it, by my mom said she would only pay for getting a perm so I got a perm instead haha. Also got new glasses!

Family and Friends.
Anyone who knows me knows that I don't have any relatives in America. All of my relatives live in Taiwan. It was nice being able to see everyone. Some of my cousins I hadn't seen in more than 3 years. Unfortunately around this time of year, they still have exams, so I only saw them once or twice. Haha twice if I was lucky. Some of my aunts and uncles I didn't get to see the last time I went to Taiwan, so it was nice seeing everyone this time. I also met up with a few friends! One of my friends I met during a summer program in Taiwan called AID, Assisting Individuals with Disadvantages. She lives in California so it's not like I can see her when I feel like it haha. She happened to be going to Taiwan around the time I was going so I was able to hang out with her. Another friend is the one I went to Taipei 101 with. She moved to Taiwan I forget how many years ago, so I can only see her when I go to Taiwan.

Cosplay.
I go to Taiwan and still end up doing work xD I found some nice fake engagement rings to use for Serah/Snow's necklace from Final Fantasy 13. I shall revamp it, thinking about buying some new paints for it too! I bought 10 of the rings, so 10 limited edition revamped Serah/Snow necklace! [Technically 9 since I'll be keeping one for myself xD] I also found.. The Clow Book from Cardcaptors Sakura! Hahaa I can definitely prop that for future cosplays.. -hint- -hint- Bought a few cosplay accessories.. LOL Actually just one really xD Debated on buying a Tidus necklace for the future FFX photoshoot, but then decided against it haha. Spent so much money on other things LOL

Shop.
Decided that this year, I'm going to work more on my shop. Need to pay for cosplay things LOL. I bought some things to work on, will be introducing a new craft/product. (New for me at least haha.) I also bought more products and packaging things! I'm hoping to be able to sell things at an artist alley at a convention for a day or so.. Butt we'll see what happensI shall do some more deco things. Bought a few blank mirrors to decorate :O Will do more cosplay commissions. I'm most likely going to stay with accessories/jewelry/small-medium props. Which leads to the next topic..

School.
With the way things are going, I'm most likely going to go to FIT. My application is still being processed, but I'm looking to do a non-degree program in the meantime. Unless, I get accepted haha. I'll be commuting unless I get accepted. In any case, being at home/close to home makes it easier for me to work on cosplay things. But ahh things keep happening, so I'm not sure.

Time for some resolutions! [In no particular order]
- Focus on school work.
- Finish my cosplays long before conventions.
- Improve my sewing skills.
- Focus more on my shop.
- Stop procrastinating and go on the Internet less.
- Update my blog more.
- UPDATE MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL MORE.
- Make more cosplays than originally planned.
- Work out/Get in shape.
- Attend more conventions.

As for Cosplay news, Sheryl x Rank will be pushed down for NYAF. My friend, Euphoria, will cosplaying as the lovely Sheryl Nome in her Galaxy Tour outfit. We shall do Evangelion then as well. I uploaded a separate page for conventions.

Ekimura's Blog Giveaway

Eki from ekimura is doing a Melliesh lip gloss & Coach Christmas Giveaway! Check it out on her blog!

Black Friday

Today was Black Friday. Well.. The festivities aren't over for everyone, but I'm done for the night hahaa. I bought a few things today. I woke up at 8 am, my brother drove me to the mall near my town where I bought two dresses from the Fashion Finds. It was the two dresses in the H&M Black Friday Ad. 5 dollars!! It was super cheap so I bought both the red one and the black one. Of course, the actual dress was a lot more ruching, but you know, it was originally a $9.95 dress so what do you expect?

I met up with my family friends and we ventured around the mall. I didn't really buy much, I wanted to but I resisted haha. I kept searching for Katamari Damacy all day with no avail.. Ugh! More searching haha.

Later we went to see Tangled. It was such a cute movie! I heard they tried to gear it towards boys with the main male character. I really liked the movie. They changed a few parts from the traditional Rapunzel story which was interesting. I'm so tired right now, so I can't really give a better review xD

We went back to the mall afterwards. There were two GameStops in the same mall.. So I went in and bought some games. They were having a sale of buy 2 used games, get 1 free. I'm usually very reluctant to buy used games, but some games are just so hard to find now a days! I bought "Final Fantasy VII: Dirge of Cerberus," ".hack//infection" (I've always wanted to play the series after I fell in love with the original anime.. They had .hack//mutation too, the sequel to infection.. should've bought it.. xD), and "Okami" (it was between that or Resident Evil, but they didn't have the first one..). Shall have fun playing them :D There are a lot of games I want actually.. but that's besides the point haha.

After that I didn't really do much, my family friends had to leave and I met up with my mom and cousin in the mall. Got Häagen-Dazs ice cream! So yummy. I was literally out of the house for a good.. 10 hours haha. It was a lot of fun! But.. so tiring..

Celestial Skies

At approximately 10:40 pm on October 13, 2010 something great happened.

Celestial Skies was born. Our dream.

I've always wanted to be part of a cosplay group. It's always fun to cosplay with other people who share your passion and have the same interests as you! During the summer at AnimeNEXT, among the many people I met, I met ~Lingering-Tears We kept in contact and began planning for future cosplays with each other (the amount of things we want to do is unbelievable xD) and we had both shared that we wanted to join a cosplay group and decided to form our own!

For the past week, we had been trying to come up with a name. It had to be epic, but have meaning to us. A name worthy for a cosplay group.

We bounced around ideas, and nothing really stuck out to us. But one night, she came up with the name. Celestial Skies. She told me about it and we discussed a deeper meaning behind it. You can read what she wrote in her journal.

We also summarized it into a poem. The poem in our group was the edited version. This was our first draft:

Can one daydream at night?
Or are they merely dreams?
The sky is the path on which dreams take flight
Under the bright moon’s beams.

This is our dream, our vision.
Our heaven, a paradise.
Divine, ethereal, immortal, otherworldly.
The path on which our dreams can take flight.
This is our goal, our focus, our inspiration.

Thus ~Lingering-Tears and I have created a cosplay group!

. : Celestial Skies' Links : .

Facebook Group

YouTube Channel