#FeatureFriday with Adrestia

I love Adrestia. She is amazing. I've luckily had the chance to become friends with her over social media, and meet her in person this year at the Calgary Expo! She is a total sweetheart, and I adore her. She is so creative and talented, and I hope you all find her just as sweet after reading her interview below!

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​How and when did you get into cosplay?
When I was still in high school I had been on Deviant Art and came across Adella Cosplays Aerith and was just so blown away by it! I didn’t know that people dressed up as their favorite characters so I learned everything I could about cosplay! It wasn’t until many years later that I wore my first cosplay back in 2014, it was a bought Juliet Starling costume. It was pretty well received so I decided to keep going with it! In 2015 I hand made my first cosplay (Poison Ivy) and I just dived right in since!
 
How did you come up with your cosplay name?
Adrestia is a greek goddess, she’s the daughter of Aphrodite the goddess of love and Ares the god of war. I thought she was really neat with her parents as love and war, plus the username is never taken!!
 
What do your friends and family think of your hobby?
​They love it! I’m so blessed that I’ve only ever had positive feedback when it comes to cosplay. They’re super supportive and I can always count on them to give me critical feedback when it comes to costumes.
 
If you're still cosplaying in 10+ years, do you think it will have an effect on your cosplay choices, or the characters you choose to portray?
I totally think they will, I’ll be like 33 in 10 years so I doubt I’d be cosplaying a whole lot of younger characters haha
 
What do you do when you're not in cosplay or geeking out?
I work part time at my local hospital as a health care aide taking care of the elderly, other than work I’m at home watching Netflix or reading! I read so so much. I literally have four bookshelves that are jam packed, they’re barely holding my whole collection!
 
How do you choose your next cosplay?
I always make sure I like a character’s design, if I can’t decide on a design I make my own. I also like to pick characters I like and feel as though I can portray. I’m not a super outgoing bubbly person so I tend to avoid those type of characters (I tried my damndest to emulate Juliet when I’m wearing her but It’s so hard!). I end up picking more serious characters. I’m reying hard to branch out haha

Who is your cosplay idol/inspiration?
There are so many…. Jessica Nigri of course, she’s just so wonderful and kind. I had the extreme pleasure of meeting her twice and she was just so lovely! Yaya Han is another; her cosplay skills are in a league of their own! I also love Kamui Cosplay, if it weren’t for her and her books I would never have made armor (Which is a big thing since almost all of my cosplays are armor!). 
 
What cosplay(s) are you working on right now?
​I just finished a Pool Party Jinx and Kagome from Inuyasha. I’m also remaking my armored Poison Ivy and making an original Armored Wonder Woman! I have a couple on the back burner also, I’m hoping to do Tira from Soul Calibur 3 and a friend of mine is hopefully doing Nightmare.
 
What is your dream cosplay?
Aerith from Final Fantasy VII is a huge dream cosplay, from the moment I seen Adella’s I knew I had to try! I also want to do Malthael from Diablo 3 and Kratos from God of War.
 
What is holding you back from making your dream cosplay becoming a reality?
For Aerith it’s because I’m so worried I won’t make it right. Aerith is such an iconic final fantasy character and she’s one of my all time favorite characters that I’m worried I wont do her justice! As for Mathael, it’s all that sewing. I’m still such a noob when it comes to sewing so once I get better then I will tackle him!!! As for Kratos I’m just trying really hard to design him in a way that I can make that costume for a woman haha
 
What is your favorite cosplay you've made?
My Diablo 3 barbarian! I improved my skills so much for that cosplay and I’m so proud of it!

What cosplay did you put the most time into?
The Barbarian, I spent a month on it making sure it was competition worthy. I redid the bracers twice because I didn’t like how the fur sat on them, and redesigned the way everything fits together I don’t know how many times!!
 
What is your favorite convention to attend?
I’ve only ever attended the Calgary expo! But this year I’m changing that by heading to Otafest and the Edmonton Expo this year. 
 
What is your dream convention to attend?
San Diego Comic Con and Blizzcon, god I hope to one day go to Blizzcon.
 
Do you have any cosplay or convention pet peeves?
I hate the double standards in cosplay, where in one moment you got people clamoring for sexy cosplays and then turn around and call women sluts for dressing provocatively in cosplay. It’s ridiculous, I heard a lot of off hand comments during my roamings at the Calgary Expo and then these same people walk over to said sexy cosplayer and ask for a picture. Like, really????
 
Do you have any horror stories or mistakes you've made that other's can learn from?
Hot glue can certainly put your costume together, but it will not hold it for 8+ hours walking around at a con, it will fall apart!! Also: COMFORTABLE SHOES ARE A MUST!! Heels are sexy yes, but my god your feet will hate you!!!
 
Do you have any tips or words of encouragement for other cosplayers?
​You can literally do anything you want. There are no rules, go cosplay that character you’re scared of cosplaying. Go ahead and wear nothing but a corset and bikini bottoms, or cover yourself up to the point you can’t even see your eyes. It’s all your choice and don’t let anybody tell you otherwise!
 
Where can we find you on all things social?
Instagram: @Adrestia
Facebook

Photos for this interview provided by Kyle Robinson and Schou Photography.

Are you in love yet? Because she is amazing. Go blow up her social media with love, and follow along on her journey!

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​*kiss kiss*