Interview with Cosplay designer Kael Lampe

Kael Lampe, a.k.a. Gael Hunter, does not just play dressup. She uses solid construction techniques, MacGyver problem-solving savvy, and a whole lotta talent to create masterful costumes and props. In her spare time she gave us a peek at what goes into bringing a character to life.

Image opposite ~ Ryder Hood:Werewolf Hunter Costume, prop and make-up design and construction by: Gaelhunter Cosplay Photo by: Winter Rose

Enjoying fancy dress is one thing, constructing elaborate costumes is quite another. When did you first start making your own creations?

My very first creations were back in elementary school when I would design and make my own Halloween costumes. My grandmother had taught me to hand-sew and my mother taught me to crochet. I wasn't allowed to use the sewing machine back then, so everything was hodge-podged together with hand-stitching, Elmer's glue, tape and staples. Needless to say, none of my creations lasted very long. In my first year of college, a friend’s wife was so lovely to teach me to use her sewing machine and within months, I dove right into the deep end of making costumes for attending the Renaissance Faire. I taught myself to read patterns and played with fabric manipulation. Every chance I got, I made something new for every new Faire season.

It wasn't until I landed a job with a Mascot design company in the mid ‘90s where I really submerged myself with using many different materials and mediums in costume design. I started to incorporate that experience and knowledge and used it in my own prop and larger, more elaborate costume designs at home.

What was your first character cosplay and where did you display it?

The very first cosplay that I completely designed and constructed from head to toe, was my original character design "Ryder Hood."

She is a post-apocalyptic werewolf hunter that totes a cigar and hip-shooter Gatling gun complete with LED lighting in the chambers. I made my one and only Ryder Hood public appearance last year when my entry was accepted into the 2014 Crown Championship of Cosplay at the C2E2 convention in Chicago, Ill. where my craftsmanship was judged by YaYa Han (Heroes of Cosplay), Austin Scarlett

(Project Runway) and fashion designer Nan Cibula-Jenkins.

Competition was beautifully fierce and it was such an incredible experience, I didn't mind at all that I didn't place among the winners.

Do you follow the convention circuit and/or do you have any favorite conventions?

I'd have to say my most, not so much difficult as it was time and mentally consuming, design so far has been my female version of Dovahkiin from the video game Skyrim. This was my first exploration in working with a thermal-plastic material called Worbla. It arrives in semi-flexible plastic sheets that you can cut, heat and mold into shapes and forms.

This was also my first big project using EVA foam for structural support. Lots of cuts, burns and lessons in patience (after a few rage quits). Though this costume has been in a costume competition, and I’ve made many appearances and photo shoots with it, it is still not complete. I have 3 or 4 more components I'd like to add to it. I have also started the male version of the same costume for my fiance. Stay tuned for finished photos!!

We manage to average 3 to 4 local conventions per season. With working two jobs along with family and crafting commitments, it can get tough to plan those weekends out of town. But we treat them like minivacations and keep it simple (if 2 - 3 days out of town with a SUV packed to the ceiling is simple).

It is incredibly hard to choose a favorite convention. They all offer so much, usually have a great variety and always provide a fantastic venue for vendors, cosplayers and costume designers. C2E2 and ACEN in Chicago always has a great turnout. Last year, I attended the inaugural year for Lake Count.I.Con in Round Lake Beach, Ill (where I took part in my second competition and took First Place) and I can't wait to see how they expand and grow for the 2015 season!

What's the most difficult piece you've ever worked on?

Skyrim/Game of Thrones inspired cosplay by Gaelhunter Cosplay. Photo by: Circus Cat Designs.

How has your taste in costumes and characters evolved over the years?

BIGGER!! BETTER!! ADD LIGHTS AND FLASHY, SPARKLY THINGS!! ALL THE THINGS!!! ...My taste is really leaning more towards larger, stronger characters. I'm starting to drift away from designing original characters and going for a wide variety of video game and action characters that people recognize and enjoy more.

Always changing, always evolving. I seem to be a glutton for punishment as I am always ridiculously challenging myself. It's all in the details. I'm stepping away from more simplified designs and pushing into the intricacies of my abilities.

Do you create your exquisite wares for your own enjoyment only? Or do you sell your items either as is or as commissioned work?

Since creating costumes and cosplay at home, I have only made custom work for myself with the exception of pieces for my family. I am approached regularly to commission work for others, but with the limitations of my current work space and availability around my day jobs, I just can't commit to the standards that I insist on delivering to others. I truly hope I can change this in the next year or so as much as I hope I will have more skills to offer those who are interested in owning my cosplay art.

Are any of your friends or family part of your cosplay world?

My daughter Winter (19 years old) and my son Ethan (17 years old) have been into Anime and cosplay since very, very young ages. I feel terrible in hindsight, because I can recall when they first came to me with their interest in cosplay and the combination of my ignorance on the topic then as well as my assumptions that it was "just a phase" led me to not take their young passions seriously. They've

both held very steadfast to that passion and taught me how cosplay reaches out to so many age groups and lifestyles. I've learned through Winter and Ethan that this is a wonderful vehicle of expression for everyone whether it is sharing laughs, sharing common interests, or sharing talents and skills. My daughter, now Winter Rose Cosplay, has her own page on Facebook. She and I have had cosplay photo shoots together and she has featured her original character, Fanel, in Lake Count.I.Con's cosplay competition in 2014. Around 5 years ago, after a recommendation, a gentleman contacted me though Facebook to inquire about Anime cosplay commission work. I wasn't able to commit to the work at that time, but we stayed in touch sporadically. Three years later, we started dating and he is now my boyfriend, Kyle. Kyle has been a cosplayer for 8 years and constructs a lot of his own props. We attend conventions and photo shoots together. He had entered our collaborated design of Roronoa Zoro from the anime One Piece at Lake Count.I.Con's cosplay competition in 2014. We collaborate on new designs and are planning a few upcoming projects Death Dealer (UnderWorld) Gaelhunter Cosplay, Photo: Circus Cat Design together. The first big project is his male Dovahkiin to go with my female Dovahkiin from the video game Skyrim

which will be featured in photo shoots together in March 2015.

A lot of my friends are, if not cosplayers, period re-enactors. They design, craft or wear some of the most exquisite Scottish Highland, Renaissance, Civil War, Templar, Viking and Warrior costumes. They have been so incredibly supportive and encouraging of this newer lifestyle of mine. Always nudging me to keep going when I've been absolutely fed up with those pieces that just aren't coming together. Or on those long nights after I've sat at the crafting table painting armor for 9 hours and everything jumbles together and I start to second guess myself, they are always there reminding me "You've got this!"

After a few seasons in the convention circuit, I have made so many new cosplay friends it is absolutely amazing! Many of my friends indeed are a big part of my cosplay world. I feel so honored to keep company with so many talented, generous and down-to-earth people.

What's the most outrageous ensemble you've ever seen?

I have seen some incredible cosplays out there. The most breath-taking cosplay I have seen in person so far was during the Crown Championship of Cosplay 2014 competition at C2E2. It was the most realistic and insanely detailed version I have ever seen of the video game character Subject Delta from the Bioshock2 video game, complete with functioning parts. I remember sitting in the Green Room between judging stages, staring in awe. Before I introduced myself to him and his team of handlers, I'm sure they thought I was insane ... just sitting on the floor with my knees pulled up to my chin, clinging to my Gatling gun, staring ... (laughs)

Subject Delta dominated the entire competition and took home the crown. I was so incredibly proud for him!.

What's your next project?

I've started the armor pieces for Skyrim's male Dovahkiin, which has a March deadline. I have already started parts for Astrid from How To Train Your Dragon 2 (complete with a baby Stormfly) and I've started blue prints and patterns for functioning wings for Maleficent. I am also working on the outline for a group cosplay featuring cast members from the video game Bioshock2. That's only the beginning of the list.

What's your dream cosplay?

This is an incredibly hard question for me to answer. I think to successfully create the cosplay I want to make the most, and if I pull it off as perfectly as I see it in my mind, it would indeed become my dream cosplay. In that case, my dream cosplay would easily be the Bioshock2 cast group featuring a Big Sister.

What do you enjoy most about cosplay?

I love the sense of community among many of the cosplayers out there. No matter our age, race, sex, crafting/sewing

skills. No matter if our costumes are handmade or store-bought ... it unites so many of us to others that are just like ourselves. In a lot of cases, just when we think we are alone or different.

I really appreciate how the cosplay artists are especially supportive of each other. Assisting in ideas, resources, tutorials, material resources, etc....

But most of all I adore the creative freedom. To pick any character and persona, whether it be your own original design or your most favorite character of any genre and just ... be!!

How has cosplay changed/evolved since you first got involved?

I haven't been involved with cosplay very long by comparison to others. But I have definitely noticed an increase in interest as well as an increase in conventions. I've also noticed the intensity and detail of costumes and costume design is reaching incredible levels. I am amazed more and more by the skills and talents I am seeing out there every time I attend a convention.

Last, rumor has it you are a dragon egg tender. What can you tell us about that?

My babies, yes! I do create hand-cut and hand-painted Dragon Eggs. My boyfriend and I have an affinity for dragons. As I began to slowly incorporate replicas from our favorite television shows and video games into our home decor, I absolutely wanted to try to recreate eggs like those I have seen in many of my favorite fantasy movies and television series. I took me a couple months of trial and error to get it exactly how I wanted it: to figure out the shape of the scales, what materials to use, my painting technique and exactly how I wanted to assemble these beauties. My first set of eggs were triplets that are sitting in a nesting chest in a cosy, warm corner of our living room.

I was so incredibly pleased with my new bebes and posted photos on my personal Facebook page as well as my cosplay page. Within a week, both inboxes were bombarded with requests to fill orders for birthdays and holiday gifts. Since then, I fill all custom orders through my Gaelhunter Cosplay Facebook page.

This Midwinter and Spring marks my first appearances vending my dragon eggs at local conventions. I'm hoping it soars and allows me to commit to more conventions in the Summer and Autumn.

On my Pinterest page, people can follow 'work in progress' photos, many other photo shoot images as well as other folders I've created (Hobbitinspired recipes, Game of Thrones recipes, etc... Gaelhunter Cosplay (Kael Lampe) (kaellampe)

I am also going to be launching a sister page to Gaelhunter Cosplay on Facebook in the Spring/Summer called Gaelhunter Hatchery, just for my dragon eggs. This will make it easier for people to place orders and keep up with vending events ;)