Cosplayer Of The Week: Davina Nguyen
10SHARESLeo Nocedo : How did you discover cosplaying?
Davina Nguyen : I used to run a nonprofit character performing organization that visited children in the hospital. Many of my friends/character performers also did cosplay and introduced me to it. I started doing cosplaying in 2016. Since then I was hooked!
Leo Nocedo :What was your first cosplay?
Davina Nguyen : My first cosplay was Mulan
Leo Nocedo : What are your next 3 cosplay plans?
Davina Nguyen : 1) An original design that’s disney inspired 2)Nora from RWBY newest outfit, and 3) a Pokémon Gijinka Blastoise
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever been in a cosplay contest?
Davina Nguyen : I have not, but I hope to in the future! (Was planning to this year but due to the pandemic and the cancellations, I’ve pushed my plans foe next year)
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer sewing, armor making, or wig working?
Davina Nguyen : I do a little bit of everything, but currently I’ve been working on bettering my sewing skills
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer to do photoshoots at cons or at specific locations?
Davina Nguyen : Specific locations because sometimes cons don’t have a really nice place to take photos, unless its at a booth with backdrops or a closeup photos
Leo Nocedo : Is there a type of character you cosplay frequently?
Davina Nguyen : Mulan mostly
Leo Nocedo : Do you have any favorite cosplayers?
Davina Nguyen : I like/follow a few too many… some notable mentions are @cinecosu, @princesschriscosplay, @amberarden and @tracihines
Leo Nocedo : What’s the most detailed cosplay you’ve ever done?
Davina Nguyen : I’ve assisted with the making of my sister and friends’ Hannah Alexander Disney art nouveau dresses and wigs as well as our Disney Princess Kingdom Hearts designs
Leo Nocedo : What are your top 3 craftsmanship tips?
Davina Nguyen :1) Though I hate using it, use pins when sewing. It’ll help guide straight lines and keep fabrics together. 2) keep your area cleaned and organized, even if you’re coming back to it the next day, don’t leave your area a mess! 3) find which audio/music/video works best for you while you work. Example, I like putting on a TV show while I work, my sister plays kpop music and my friend plays cooking shows.
Leo Nocedo : What is your favorite cosplay you’ve done?
Davina Nguyen : I would say my favorite, in terms of fun, was my gender bend cosplay of Hikaru from Ouran High School Host club. It was mainly my favorite because my sister and I ran around passing out sweets and wooing fans
Leo Nocedo : What is your worst cosplay “horror” story?
Davina Nguyen : I do not have any major horror stories besides things like having to safety pin/duct tape my cosplays back together, but I try to be more prepared before going to a con to avoid any conflicts
Leo Nocedo : What’s your funniest cosplay story? What’s the best in-character interaction you’ve ever had?
Davina Nguyen : When doing a gender bent Ouran high school host club group, my sister and I bought a whole bunch of sweets and pasteries and placed them in a picnic basket. We played “can you guess which one is hikaru” game with people, and if they guessed right they get a treat. The funny part was halfway through the day, I forgot which twin I was (I was Hikaru lol).
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever cosplayed with a family member?
Davina Nguyen : I have! With my husband and sister
Leo Nocedo : What is your favorite cosplay photo of yourself?
Davina Nguyen : I think I have 2- my Hannah Alexander Mulan and Keyblade Warrior Mulan
Leo Nocedo : What are your go-to stores for cosplay materials/full cosplays?
Davina Nguyen : For supplies: joanns mostly, but I would also recommend TNT cosplay supplies; I also like to mention small businesses such as Element of Supplies… if I need a quick full cosplay, I’ve bought from Miccostumes and Procosplay before
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer to buy pre-styled wigs or style your own?
Davina Nguyen : It depends on the style I’m going for-if its simple or something I can do, I’ll style my own, more difficult ones I buy pre-styled
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever had someone mistake you for a different character?
Davina Nguyen : Not yet!
Leo Nocedo : List all the cosplays you’ve done:
Davina Nguyen : (various versions) Moana Hikaru of Ouran high school host club Nora from RWBY Yang from RWBY Judy Hopps from Zootopia Akali from KDA Original Elf Character (various versions), Moana,
Leo Nocedo : What’s the biggest con you’ve cosplayed at?
Davina Nguyen : D23 Expo 2019
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer cosplaying characters with props, or characters that you don’t need to carry a prop around all day?
Davina Nguyen : Recently, I’ve been leaning towards cosplays with props
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever lost a cosplay piece at a con?
Davina Nguyen : Usually loose gems and beads
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever bought a cosplay piece at a con?
Davina Nguyen : I bought a leather pauldron for my Renaissance fair outfits
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer to cosplay solo or in a group?
Davina Nguyen : I love doing groups!!!
Leo Nocedo : If you had a chance to meet your all-time favorite cosplayer, what would you say to them?
Davina Nguyen : That I love their work and to keep working hard!
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever done a cosplay panel?- I have not
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer to buy or make cosplays? – If I have time, I’ll make my cosplay, but if I am on a crunch, I will buy
Leo Nocedo : If you could tell your past self anything about cosplay, what would you say?
Davina Nguyen : Don’t be so judgemental and self conscious! Should’ve done it sooner!
Leo Nocedo : What is your ultimate dream cosplay?
Davina Nguyen : I don’t currently have an ultimate dream cosplay, but I know I want it to have moving parts and light up weapons!
Leo Nocedo : What’s the most difficult cosplay you’ve ever done? (Craftsmanship, wearing of, ect)
Davina Nguyen : Completed cosplay would be my Keyblade Warrior Mulan; my next project is more ambitious!
Leo Nocedo : What’s the most difficult character makeup you’ve done?
Davina Nguyen : Probably my original elf because I am still working on how I want her to look like
Leo Nocedo : What, in your opinion, makes a cosplayer a “pro” cosplayer?
Davina Nguyen : I believe there are 2 kinds of “pro” cosplayers: those who’ve built a reputation/recognition in the cosplay community (usually these are seasoned veterans who’ve made a name to their craft and usually are guests at cons); and ‘professional’ cosplayers who not only have recognition, but compete and/or have made cosplay into a living, an example of this is YaYa Han who currently has a brand and fabric line.
Leo Nocedo : What is your favorite part of cosplaying?
Davina Nguyen : Sharing the experience with friends and showing off our work!