Cosplayer Feature: Ayeshah
How long have you been doing cosplay?
I’ve been officially cosplaying since 2012, but I was unofficially cosplaying for years before that. I used to dress and do my hair and makeup like my favourite characters/OCs for years, but I didn’t learn what cosplay was until I met my now-fiancé who was the chairman of our local Anime, Manga and Cosplay society.
Who is your favorite Lore Olympus character to cosplay?
This is a really tough question to answer! I LOVE a challenge when it comes to cosplay, and I love looking frightening and creepy, so dark Persephone has probably been my most enjoyable experience. But I feel amazing as every Lore character, I love the freedom the characters give me!
What is the most memorable cosplay?
For a really long time I was most well known for my Armour Sally cosplay! I first made an Armour Sally cosplay in 2016 and then redesigned the costume and upgraded it in 2019. I think it’s most memorable because of how bright and colourful and detailed it is, I love the patchwork aesthetic and it definitely provides a lot to look at! As I was part of a large Armour Disney group in 2016, people kept asking me for a social media handle to credit when sharing the photos, which is what lead to me creating my cosplay Instagram!
Tell us your Lore Olympus story.
I saw a bunch of people I follow cosplaying Persephone, and as a body paint enthusiast I was really intrigued by her character design. At the end of 2018 I sat down and read the whole webcomic. I thought I might not like it because I’m not massively into romance genres, but there’s something so special about the way Lore Olympus is written, and I am so hooked onto all of the other characters stories as well!
What other fandoms are you in? What’s special about the Lore Olympus fandom?
My second most cosplayed fandom is Steven Universe! I love the LGBTQIA representation in SU and I love the overall message of overcoming trauma, and that nobody is irredeemable. A few people find the latter point problematic, but I think it’s such a perfect message for children (who are the core demographic!)
Lore Olympus is such a fully fleshed out universe, and everyone can relate to at least one character. I love that people are creating Loresonas, and that the universe is so wide and accepting that everyone can take part. Unlike my usual fandoms, which are geared toward a child audience, Lore Olympus delves deep into some really painful topics, but does so respectfully and in a way that I find cathartic. For example, Persephone’s conversation with Eros about Apollo helped me to process my own trauma, and the way that Eros was immediately validating and quashed all of her doubts and insecurities was perfect and presented the perfect example of what a friend should do in this situation.
If you could body snatch one LO character for a day, who would it be?
Hera. I didn’t even have to think twice about it. She is beautiful and powerful and strong, and I think I could kick some serious ass as my favourite queen! Also she can shape shift, so it would be a body snatch inception!
What does cosplay mean to you?
Cosplay has kept my head afloat when I felt like I was drowning. I have Arthritis, Fibromyalgia and a mental health condition called Borderline Personality Disorder. When I am experiencing symptoms such as bursts of manic energy or intrusive thoughts, it really helps me to get out my face paints. It’s like an act of mindfulness to focus my energy into cosplay and out of my head. It has also really helped my self esteem. I used to feel insecure about features which people had made derisive comments about my whole life, like my crooked nose or large eyes, but now I see all the artistic potential in my face and my body. I love becoming somebody else and being a walking work of art. I love looking creepy because it negates any pressure to look beautiful. I also love the feeling of leaving my mark with my original designs and original takes on characters. Cosplay has helped my mental and physical health more than any other hobby, and I’m eternally grateful to the community for accepting me.
Any advice for a new cosplayer out there?
There are millions of ways to cosplay. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different styles until you find what works for you (using your own hair, using wigs, original designs, Alternate Universe cosplays, screen accurate, etc.) The only rules are make sure your cosplay doesn't hurt anyone (e.g. no changing your skin tone to look like another ethnicity, and be careful about cultural appropriation). Because cosplaying is such an open art form, there's no "wrong" way to do it, so that negates any pressure :)
Just for fun: Who did you get on the Hades’ dog character quiz?
Cordon Bleu. I am 5foot 6, so not small. But I am the true King of the Underworld ;)
Ayeshah (pronounced Eye-ee-Shah) is a 27 year old British-Egyptian cosplayer and drag artist living in South Wales. Her current obsession is rhinestoning cosplay props, and her goal is to create a full bedazzled suit of armour. She spends most of her free time binge-watching cartoons and painting herself different colours.