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ROBY DEE - A VERY PRAGMATIC AND PRETTY COSPLAYER

Poison Ivy CosplaySometimes in life you have to push yourself more than normal if actually want to do accomplish something you want to achieve. If you want to drive a car get into a car and drive. If you want to speak Swedish pick up a book an learn Swedish. And if you want to read the following great interview I had with an amazing cosplayer called Roby Dee, well, do I need to say anymore than that?





1) What are your own origins, Roby? Plus what path did you take in life before you got to where you are today?   Now I always preferred Halloween to Christmas growing up. I loved dressing up and becoming someone that I looked up to. The love of costuming and all things dramatic followed me all through primary and high school. I was in every play that I could audition for!

Roby Dee Cosplay - Black Canary and Green Arrow
I moved away from my small hometown in Arkansas to the Tampa Bay area of Florida. I think that’s where I got my first real taste of the idea of cosplay. It wasn't till much later that I would attend my first convention then my first convention in costume!

I wish that I had found out about the world of cosplay long before I had. I would have done more to better myself in the art of costuming. But as it is, I’m in a good place in my life financially and am able to afford to make costumes, and to take time off work for conventions, so I think it has all worked out in the end.

2) What are the most persistent comments you’ve received from your followers?   All of the comments I've gotten are very supportive. I get really great feedback from my followers. I love them all!

3) What is your ‘regular’ job? And does it in any way shape or form aide you as a Cosplayer?   Oh I wish! I work in the compliance department of an insurance company. Not the most exciting job in the world, but it is fantastic and supports my cosplay habit. I think it makes me seem more like a superhero to have a 'regular job' plus this hobby on the side!

Roby Dee Cosplay - Phoenix
4) How did your friends, family, and work-colleagues first react to the news that you like to Cosplay?   Depending on where I’m at 'progress wise' in a costumes development, and how much of it is strewn across the house, my family can either be singing my praises or ready to throw me outside into the garage!

Ha! I joke of course. My friends and family are very supportive, and I actually have a co-worker that used to work in a garment factory, so she’s been a huge asset when I have problems crafting a piece. I don’t know what I’d do without them. 

5) How do you decide what costume to wear for a convention? And who makes them?   I don’t really have a method for picking costumes. It kind of depends on what I have done, or what I can get done before the convention. I try to do a big “Statement” costume some days, or something I haven’t done before or posted many pictures of. And several other smaller costumes for the other days I’ll be attending. 

I have made or put together the pieces of all of my costumes so far, and I probably will do so for the foreseeable future. I like being able to control the fabrics, quality, and look of the total outfit. 

6) What have you learnt about yourself in this capacity? And were there any unforeseen obstacles you had to contend with?   I've learned that I’m more determined than I thought I was -- which believe me is saying something! I have a drive that I previously didn't tap into.

The obstacles that I've encountered haven’t been “unforeseen” really, just very annoying and time consuming. I try to expect the worst and hope for the best. I’m very pragmatic.

7) What was the best / worst convention you ever attended?   I haven’t been to many conventions, but the ones I have been to have been fantastic! I've been to a couple very large conventions and a couple more intimate conventions. The convention community as a whole seems to just be awesome in general. 

Poison Ivy Cosplay
8) What would be your dream Cosplay gig and outfit?   My absolute dream cosplay would be a fully functional Pepper Potts as R.E.S.C.U.E suit. I've seen it done really well with the joints cut out and a silver body suit under the plates, but I’d really love to do a “real” suit like they’d wear in the movies.

9) Has there ever been an outfit you just did not like wearing? And if so, why?   Thankfully I haven’t had a costume that I didn't like to wear yet. However, there have been several times where there was a piece of a costume that I felt didn't look right or wasn't up to par. In that case, depending on how integral the piece is and how much time I have, I try to remake it. I have had to scrap pieces do to my perfectionism, but I generally give myself enough time in construction to allow for mistakes.

10) Do you have a credo you live by?   Just do it. Forget about your insecurities, and go for it. You’ll never know your true worth if you don’t try!

So there you have it, dear reader. My pal Roby Dee and her life as a cosplayer. When you have the time please check out some of her great costumes by visiting her facebook and twitter pages. Go on. Click-click. Cause I'm sure you'd be very impressed with what you'll see.


ROBY DEE - A VERY PRAGMATIC AND PRETTY COSPLAYER ROBY DEE - A VERY PRAGMATIC AND PRETTY COSPLAYER Reviewed by David Andrews on May 16, 2014 Rating: 5
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