This ‘Underworld’ Cosplayer Has Probably Been Your Fav Character
We’re back with another top-tier cosplay interview. Let’s dig into the artist behind the costumes with this Ødfel cosplay feature!
Through the years we have featured many gorgeous costumes by Ødfel. She is an artist with an eye for fun and a love of paint, who has recently agreed to grace us with an interview. We have featured her Selene cosplay, Sansa Stark cosplay, and recently her Batwoman cosplay.
Triss Merigold and Cosplayer Interview courtesy of Ødfel
It’s fascinating to see a cosplayer who has such a diverse portfolio of characters under her belt. She has a passion for videogame and comic characters, movie and tv heroines, and animated anti-heroes. Through them all, she exhibits an exquisite eye for details that makes for some incredibly cinematic images. We are very honored to feature the work of Ødfel!
How did you get your start in cosplay? How long have you been creating your projects?
I started cosplaying back in 2015. I had always loved being creative- making things, crafting, and especially dressing up for Halloween. My Aunt attended conventions and had an art booth at several events, and really was the one who introduced me to the whole world of cosplay. My first few cosplays were mainly alterations; characters like R. Luetce from Bioshock and Sherlock. Diving deeper into the hobby taught me how to sew, sculpt and create armor.
It was my Poison Ivy costume that really pushed me forward and introduced me to cosplay photography and modeling and both would become a huge part of my life! After that I decided to really push myself and create more intricate costumes that tested my creativity- Pokémon’s Kyogre did exactly that and was my first adventure in designing a cosplay, making armor and prop weapons, as this one I had sketched from the ground up.
It was a huge challenge but it really helped to get my social media pages on the map. I just wanted to make sure that whatever I made was something I felt was my best possible work. Since then, I’ve been fortunate enough to take part in some amazing experiences like being a guest at conventions and traveling to red-carpet premieres in some of my costumes like Scarlet Witch, Jean Grey, and Lady Sif.
What inspires you to work in the cosplay realm?
Largely the people! I started cosplay because I loved bringing characters to life and meeting new people. Now that I have so many amazing friends in the cosplay community I love not only getting to see them at cons but also seeing how far they have come. Seeing them challenge themselves for bigger and better builds inspires me so much to do the same!!
What is your favorite type of cosplay work to do?
I would probably have to say sculpting and painting for props and armor. Now that 3D Printing is more common I find myself sculpting less, but I still think I enjoy the process of armor & prop building the most out of my cosplays, even if it is soooooo much sanding.
What are your favorite completed cosplays, or your most popular ones?
I would have to say my most popular are probably Scarlet Witch, Jean Grey, and Starfire. [At] almost every event I am at, people are asking me if I will be bringing one of those cosplays. However, my favorites are Sypha Belnades and Xena. Both were such passion projects and I am so proud of how they both came out. I feel like I was really able to capture the characters with both finished builds.
What conventions do you attend? Have you guested/spoken on panels/competed in contests?
I attend quite a few conventions, primarily but not limited to the East Coast. As a guest and/or panelist I have been to Megacon, LA Comic Con, Galaxycon, Tekko, and a few others!
Which other cosplayers are your inspiration?
I look up to so many, but to name a few I really enjoy the work of Honey Sword Cosplay, Amanda Lynne, CutiePie Sensei, Bindi Smalls, Rachel Maksy, Stella Chuu, and Caitlin Christine.
What are your favorite fandoms? Favorite characters?
Currently, my favorite fandoms are Castlevania, Genshin, and Marvel. But I am constantly falling in love with new things! I tend to like characters like Sypha, or Jean Grey because they tend to be extremely capable powerhouses, but also maintain their humanity and have compelling stories and relationships within the media.
What kind of games do you play?
I often play RPG-style games, I often times like exploration and storytelling more than combat. Games like Dragon Age, and Skyrim for example I have put a disgusting amount of hours into! My current game I’ve been playing and streaming lately is Genshin Impact though. I really like how vast it is and just how much there is to wander around and find. I also love tabletop games, but I haven’t been in a campaign for a while. Maybe sometime soon I will have to dust off the dice again.
What projects are you working on in the future?
I have been cosplaying a lot of Genshin Impact lately, but I am looking forward to making Vexahlia from Critical Role and Aerith from FF7 next year!
What conventions are you attending this next season?
I am planning to be at Galaxycon Columbus, and Holiday Matsuri in Orlando this December. As far as 2023, I am expecting to attend Katsucon, Megacon, Yeticon, and Dragoncon. Maybe even a few more, who knows!
What message do you have for people wanting to break into cosplay? What have you learned in your time working in Cosplay?
My biggest advice would be don’t feel like you have to be perfect right from the beginning. We all start somewhere. Also, there is absolutely nothing wrong with altering pieces or buying costumes. Everyone cosplays differently and there is no right way to go about it.
You don’t have to take photos or compete if you don’t want to. You are absolutely valid and still a cosplayer if you want to just dress up and hang out with friends. Anyone who tells you otherwise is wrong! Celebrate the characters you love, and most importantly have fun!
What are your social media/website links? Where can we find you?
~Join us next week for more Cosplay Coverage~
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