Conversations with Mary aka Grimoireal

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary aka Grimoireal

Hi Mary, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started cosplaying in 2014, at 14 years old, on invitation from my best friend as a way to engage in our mutual interests more together. On her idea we went to a comic-con in Portland, where we grew up, dressed up as matching characters. I was honestly petrified by the attention and surroundings of so many energetic strangers, and if it had just been me I may have stopped right there. But she enjoyed it, so we kept doing more outfits together, and I ended up making an Instagram and joining the very small, very enthusiastic (we were truly just a scattered group of nerds) online cosplay community. Through that, I was encouraged to attend Portland’s biggest anime convention later that year; Kumoricon. This was my golden ticket to the hobby and the community: I found that anime conventions, which attracted fans, guests, and vendors of Japanese pop culture, were my scene. I left feeling a greater sense of belonging that weekend than I ever had in my life. That was the first time I had ever cried with joy.
Years later, in 2019, I was inspired to dive into the craftsmanship side of cosplaying. Sure, I’d been styling my own wigs (as is the norm) for years at this point, and making smaller amateur pieces, but I wasn’t a dedicated seamstress or costumer of any kind. Cosplay had also ramped up in numbers of those who participated, companies who supplied speciality materials, and conventions that existed, so the feeling of wanting to make something special increased in turn. I threw myself into the deep end while making the Kingdom Hearts 3 version of Organization XIII Roxas in my final semester of high school. I was prouder of myself than ever, and decided to take another leap by competing in the cosplay contest held by a major convention in San Jose, FanimeCon, that year. Miraculously to me, I won Best Novice Craftsmanship at that show. Surrounded by older, more experienced costumers supporting me that night and holding my award on stage, I cried with joy for a second time. I’ve never really stopped since!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I think that comparison to others, or imposter syndrome, is the hardest feeling to deal with when it comes to any creative hobby, and this is intensified further with cosplay because your physical self is inherently apart of that art and creative process. If you don’t like something about the result, or if you don’t receive the positive affirmation you expected, it can feel like a judgment of you yourself, physically and emotionally, rather than just your art. Usually, the artist and the art are separate, but when you’re your own canvas, keeping your head high when projects don’t go as planned can be a challenge.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I would describe myself as a cosplayer, seamstress/costumer, and cosplay model! Cosplay photography and photoshoots are another big piece of the puzzle for me, and the ability to both document my hard work of building the costume and further bring a character to life are extremely valuable to me. LA is also a fantastic place for this with ample access to studio spaces, lots of convention centers, etc. Thank you, passionate photographers! The most defining event for me was absolutely that aforementioned contest, at Fanimecon 2019, and the costume I first won with that put me on the craftsmanship focused path I’ve been on now till 2024. Covid stopped the competition circuit for a while, and my studies in college also took time out of my ability to craft, I’ve always had something on the burner. I was able to compete at FanimeCon again in 2023, when they brought the contest back for the first time since the pandemic, and managed to win Best Intermediate Craftsmanship for my costume of The Plain Doll from Bloodborne! Now, I’m always making something, and currently planning for my first cosplay to compete with at the Masters level. In addition to crafting, I’m also looking forward to potential guesting and judging opportunities in the future to share my passion and knowledge about craftsmanship! Being apart of a community for nearly a decade has made me both want to give back, and to never let it go. I would truly not be the same person in any way without cosplay, and my heart feels full knowing that 2024 is my ten year anniversary.

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Cosplay should be for everyone, and no one has to do it any specific way for it to be a valid use of your time. Particularly since Covid-19 moved the community online for the better part of two years, there’s been significantly greater pressure to have lots of followers, constantly churn out new content and outfits, and consistently engage with a personal audience to be a “better” cosplayer. This shouldn’t be true! You can commit as casually or seriously as you like, in person and/or online. The most important thing should be doing cosplay the way that makes you feel the most satisfied and happy with yourself at the end of the day. That could be self-making an armor build or period-inspired gown, buying a premade costume, or just putting on Pokemon trainer accessories- anywhere in between. Ultimately, this is a hobby for 99% of us, and hobbies should make you feel like -you- in a positive way!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: grimoireal
• Other: TikTok: grimoireal Tumblr: grimoireal

Image Credits
Rey Cabato
Adorables
Raingodseiji
Lily E. B.