I first came across Romanova through a friend who told me I needed to check her out. Oddly enough, she was mentioned to me again when our graphic artist, Adam said he was friends with someone in the C2E2 Crown Champions of Cosplay contest wearing MK cosplay…it was once again, Romanova! At that point, I had to get to know her and had to feature her as a cosplayer of the month cause, MK cosplay and she is a master at what she does! I am beyond excited to introduce you to the amazing Rose Romanova!
What was it that first got you into cosplay?
A: I had started sewing again in 2011 for a college assignment. That Halloween I created my own Mortal Kombat II Kitana costume. The following year in 2012 I reunited with my best childhood friend who wanted to go to PAX East and we decided we would cosplay there for our first times. I created Skyward Sword Zelda f
or my first con costume. After that I was addicted to the craft.
You create your cosplay from scratch and it is amazing! What is the most challenging cosplay design that you’ve worked on?
A: Thank you! I try to make as much as I can always from scratch and in the last year or two I’ve become pretty decent at making my own patterns as well instead of using pre-made patterns. The most challenging was probably my Jingu Kitana. Nobody had created that version of her in real life yet to reference at all. I only had the images from the game and used strait measurements to pattern everything. I also created her weapons which involved me using foam and worbla in different ways to create an accurate look.
It is safe to say you are a gaming fan, what is the first gaming character you cosplayed and which is the favorite of all you have done?
A: The first character from a video game I cosplayed at a con was Skyward Sword legend of Zelda because I was super into the game at that time. This was in 2012. My favorite of all time was probably Cassie Cage because I feel so connected to the character and her personality.
When you aren’t doing this, what do you do in your spare time?
A: At home I’m typically playing video games like PlayerUnknown Battlegrounds or Overwatch. I support the Fighting Game Community in my spare time. It’s become a passion of mine ever since I learned about the community from working as Cassie Cage for the ESL MKX Pro League Season 2 finals. Fighting game competitions have so much hype surrounding it. I also love narrative and the stories these players have are spectacular. I also go to the gym 5-6 days a week whether it’s on my lunch break or after work. The gym and nutrition are everything to me and meeting goals that I have for myself.
What is the best things you’ve learned about yourself since you started cosplaying?
A: I’ve learned that there’s always room for improvement. I have created things to this date I never thought was possible from me. I look at current builds some people make and get so nervous that I can never do that. But a year ago I never thought I could make something like my Jingu Kitana and look where I am now.
What was it like to be in the Champions of Cosplay contest at C2E2? How did you choose which cosplay to enter in this contest?
A: It was humbling to be chosen to compete in such a highly praised contest. I was extremely nervous where I also realized that I didn’t say hello to the judges on my walk out. I chose my Kitana because of the detail in it but would have like to wear my Supergirl had I been allowed to wear any cosplay I created.
Do you have any projects in the near future we should be excited to see?
A: I plan on making Galena from Quake Champions as well as Injustice 2 Black Canary in the future. I’m so excited to create such strong lady characters to be.
What is your advice to those just getting into cosplay?
A: Do it as a hobby. This is a hobby for me and I have had opportunities arise for me without pursuing them myself just by being me and doing what I love. When you truly do something you love and cosplay as a character you love, people notice.
Where can we find you online?
A: I’m currently trying to distance myself from Instagram because of it’s current algorythms and other issues I’ve felt lately. But I’m trying to in this time interact with those on Facebook more. My Instagram though is RomanovaRose and my Facebook can be seen at http://facebook.com/romanovacosplay !!!
Photo Credit:
Kitana (top) by OnFiction.
Cassie Cage (middle) by BriLan Imagery
Chun-Li (bottom) by HeroHotties
