Bam Smack Pow Cosplay Spotlight: Kristen Lanae

“Meet Kristen Lanae. Cosplayer, Model, Photographer”

Originally from Phoenix, Kristen Lanae has been cosplaying for a little over two years. Not one for wearing the same costume multiple times, you can always expect her to switch things up at a moment’s notice. Kristen’s love for film, comics and video game characters inspires her cosplay designs. It’s clear from the pictures that she puts an enormous amount of time, effort, and detail into her work. Bam Smack Pow had the opportunity to chat with Kristen about her favorite cosplays and future con appearances.

Bam Smack Pow: Who or what inspired you to start cosplaying?

Kristen: What inspired me to start cosplay was just seeing other people do it when I attended my first comic convention in 2013. I really wasn’t familiar with cosplay, but as soon as I saw all of those people dressed as my favorite characters having a blast at the convention, I knew I wanted to cosplay too.

BSP: What do you do when with your free time when your are not in cosplay?

Kristen: When I’m not cosplaying, I’m spending my free time playing video games! I’ve always been a huge gamer since I was a young child, and it’s a lot of what fueled me to want to cosplay. I’ve even began to live stream my gameplay on Twitch, which is fun!

BSP: Which character is your favorite to cosplay?

Kristen: I guess I would say Babydoll from Sucker Punch is my favorite. Sucker Punch still remains one of my top favorite movies. Like, I’ve probably watched it a hundred times by now! I just love the character so much and feel really awesome and confident when I get into the costume.

BSP: What costumes have provided the biggest challenge and rewards so far and why?

Kristen: Hmm, that is tough because each cosplay has been pretty challenging. Every new costume I’ve worked on has presented me with challenges I’ve never faced before, and I have to teach myself and go through lots of trial and error to perfect it. Lara Croft was the biggest project for me to take on because of all the props I had to make. I hand-made the bow and arrows, quiver, and even her ice axe. I also had to dye and weather clothing, which I had never done before either. I am so proud of that costume and am still to this day working on parts of it and upgrading it to make it look better, because it was my very first costume!

BSP: Do you get to travel the country to different conventions? Or are your local to one area?

Kristen: Sadly, I don’t get to go to as many conventions as I’d like. Traveling and going to conventions is really expensive on top of all the money that goes into the actual costumes. I mainly stick to local conventions, and I still attend cons in Arizona where my family lives. Next year I’m really hoping to get some guesting opportunities.

BSP: What is the best advice you would give someone new to cosplay?

Kristen: I am asked this question a lot. It seems most people are not getting into cosplay yet because they are too intimidated, and to that I say just do it! It can be really tough since most of us go into cosplay with no sewing or crafting skills, but that is ok. Take baby steps. Start off with small projects and work your way up to bigger things. Use Google and the internet to your advantage! Seriously. There is a sea of information out there on cosplay and how to make specific costumes or props. That is how I have learned everything I know today.

BSP: What show can fans expect to see you at next?

Kristen: I don’t have any set in stone plans for the rest of this year, but I’m looking at attending Wizard World Chicago or Grand Rapids Comic Con in Michigan. I find that most of my convention plans happen very last minute, so I’m never really sure which one I’ll be at next!

For more information, pictures, and updates on Kristen, visit her website Kristenlanae.com Be sure to like her Facebook page and follow on Twitter

Pictures: Kristenlanae.com

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