We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lauren Howard. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lauren below.

Lauren, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

A lot of what I learned how to do was just through trial and error as well as practice. Back in 2012, when I first started cosplaying, there were barely any tutorials out there for many costuming techniques I use today! I relied on stage costuming techniques to enhance my costume-making skills. Being in Drama throughout middle and high school also helped me develop my skills! Now, if I am trying a new technique I just try until I succeed.

I really don’t think I could’ve sped up my learning process unless I would have fallen into a lot of money (haha!). I was a high school student with limited funds and time. That of course was also the case throughout my time in college. One of my tenets of costuming is trying to make it as affordable and accessible as possible.

Patience, practice, and creativity are some of the most crucial skills I have used in cosplaying.

Time and money, being a student did not afford me much of either. Now I have a full time job that allows me a bit more time and more money to be able to pursue costuming making on a bigger scale.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Lauren also known as Stellae Cosplay. I am a professional cosplayer located in Oklahoma. I started cosplaying in 2012. My friend asked me if I could go to a local anime convention in our small town. I agreed and my life changed. The spark was lit. Once I got home I started looking up costumes I could do. I cosplayed at the next convention that came up! I cosplayed on and off through 2016. Being a student and moving to college had put a pause on my costuming. However, my college had an on-campus convention and I was once again obsessed with cosplay. Since then I have been consistently cosplaying and have gone professional.

I also work and produce programming for conventions! I love hosting and moderating panels as well as judging cosplay contests at conventions. My favorite panel to host and one of the things I am most proud of is my Cosplay, Fandom, and Mental Health panel. I am a big advocate for mental health and being able to use fandom and cosplay to help cope is something that is personal to me.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I want to be as inclusive as possible. I want the cosplay community to be accessible to everyone. It does not matter who you are or what you cosplay. Even if you had made every piece of your costume, or you pull out some clothes from your closet, you’re a cosplayer.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, it’s seeing people’s faces light up when they recognize my character. My favorite is when you are the child’s favorite hero or princess. All that hard work is so worth it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://stellaecosplay.carrd.co/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stellaecosplay
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stellaecosplay
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/stellaecosplay
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@stellaecosplay

Image Credits
Sylvie Picture: Squirrelly Jedi Photography Princess Leia and Wonder Woman: BaneGrimm Photography Imogen: BFG Captures Captain America and Cyberpunk: TheBatmandrew Raven: Scott Fischer Photography