#FeatureFriday with Lanthea Cosplay

We're back to #FeatureFriday with the beautiful Lanthea Cosplay! Find out all about her by reading her full interview below!

Erica Brookfield aka Lanthea Cosplay is a cosplayer from Halifax, Nova Scotia who has been designing and crafting her own costumes for the past 6 years. 
​

How and when did you get into cosplay?
I started cosplaying in 2012 after getting inspired at my first convention the previous year. I was so excited to find out that cosplaying was a thing, I went home and started planning how I was going to make my first costume (which ended up being a total mess but I still loved it anyway!)

How did you come up with your cosplay name?
My cosplay name is a shortened version of my old gaming name LadyAnthea. That name was totally a random choice that I stuck with for years, it felt fitting to keep it in some form. 

What do you do when you're not in cosplay or geeking out?
Ha! I literally cosplay lunchlady Doris from the Simpsons 5 days a week. I am the cook at my daughter’s elementary school cafeteria. I am also an artist and jewelry designer, wife, and mom to 2 amazing young ladies. 

What is your proudest cosplay accomplishment?
I think bringing my own designs to life has been the proudest I have ever been. Finishing Ariel and having so many people get excited about it was the best I have ever felt about my work. 

What cosplay(s) are you working on right now?
I am currently working on a redesign I did of Morrigan from Dragon Age. I also have a couple more designs in the works and would also like to get back to work on Zach Fisher’s Tyrande Whisperwind design! 

Who is your cosplay idol/inspiration? 
Kamui Cosplay has definitely taught me so much from her videos and books over the years. I have so much respect for all of the knowledge she has shared and how many people she has inspired to give armor making a go. As far as inspiration goes though I’d have to say my cosplay friends inspire me daily when they share what they are working on or their love of a new character design that just came out. They keep me excited to create on a regular basis.

What is your dream cosplay? 
I have always had a Star Sapphire on my dream cosplay list. Also pretty much every design Zach Fischer has ever come up with! 

What is your favorite convention to attend and why? 
I honestly haven’t attended a lot of conventions but I do have to say that my local convention Hal-Con is my favourite because I feel at home with the community and it’s big without feeling overwhelming. DragonCon is definitely a close second though!! I was only able to attend once but am dying tonight go back, what an amazing time with amazing people! 

Do you have any cosplay or convention pet peeves?
I get really upset when people try to dictate how others should cosplay. As a plus size cosplayer I get that a lot and it infuriates me that people think they have a right to tell me how I should express myself creatively. 

Do you have any horror stories or mistakes you've made that others can learn from?
Don’t use wood glue as a worbla primer!! I did this is my early years of armour making and now all of those pieces are cracked and the paint job is chipping off because wood glue isn’t flexible!! After that, I found mod podge worked a lot better but my favourite primer now is Flexbond. I highly recommend it, it flexes really nicely and I haven’t had any problems since switching over! 

Do you have any tips or words of encouragement for other cosplayers?
Just be you and enjoy what you are doing! Have fun, be silly and most of all, stay true to you. 
 
Where can we find you on all things social?
Facebook 
Twitter: @lantheacosplay 
Instagram: @lantheacosplay 

All photos for this interview provided by Hali Rosborough Photography. 

What a lovely person, and Canadian to boot! I have a soft spot for my fellow Canadian babes. =) Make sure you give her a follow and support her on her cosplay journey. Thanks for reading!