Elizabeth G (Studio Eingana) is an Actress and Cosplayer in the DC Metro Area.

She has been a costume designer for over six years. She is also an avid Podcaster and Marvel Funko Pop Collector. Liz has been featured on multiple media outlets for her Cosplay work and has appeared on many popular TV shows, including House of Cards.

 

Where are you from originally or reside currently: I am from NOWHERE (being an ex-military brat who lived all over the world, I really don’t have a home base). I currently reside in Alexandria, VA!

 

How long have you been cosplaying: I have been costume designing for about 6 years.

 

Other Characters cosplayed: Chii – Chobits Bulma – Dragon Ball Princess Serenity – Sailor Moon Purim – Secret of Mana Poison Ivy – Batman Botan – Yu Yu Hakush Ciel Phantomhive – Black Butler Kira – Rozen Maiden FemShep – Mass Effect FemEzio – Assassin’s Creed Nurse – Silent Hill Mononoke – Princess Mononoke Rainbow Dash – MLP Elizabeth – Bioshock: Infinite Flapper Loki – Thor Sailor Uranus – Sailor Moon Mafia Jinx – LoL Bucky (Winter Soldier) – Captain America Amora – Thor (In-Progress)

 

Website or facebook fan page: Studio Eingana

 

1. Best costume that you pulled off that you thought you could not.

I think that the best Cosplay I was able to pull off was Commander Shepard (Mass Effect). I play/played the games religiously and felt like I could Cosplay her really well but was unsure on how I would look in armor and how people would react. Most of my Cosplays, at that time, were from Kawaii animes. To finally play a bad ass was exhilarating. Walking around in armor is my new favorite thing. What were some of the reactions that you got on it? I have received the best reactions with FemShep. I randomly wore it one time at a bar, with friends, and I felt like a star. Not only did I NOT have to pay for anything but having people take selfies with me and tell me that I made dreams come true was an amazing experience. I have also received a more emotional response than just a random fist pump or just a “Commander.” During Katsucon 2013, I received a tearful hug from a young girl. She said that it was the first time she had ever gone to a con and was always raised to believe girls were too weak to play tough characters. She stated that Commander Shepard was her hero because her gender did not define her ability to be the hero the universe needed. Seeing me in my armor brought her to tears because she said it was like seeing her favorite character actually come to life and prove that girls could be cool too. I treasure my FemShep and find it almost impossible to retire her.

 

2. What do you find great about gender bender cosplay?

I am a little different when I “Gender Bend” a Cosplay. Some females think that if you turn a male cosplay sexy that you’re Gender Bending it; however, I disagree. My first Gender Bend was FemEzio from Assassin’s Creed. I wanted to do something new and different by making it a dress but not something I believed over-sexualized the character. I remember seeing someone on Tumblr reblogging my photo saying “The most modest Female Assassin I have ever seen.” That made me excited and also sad. In a society that is based on over-sexualizing women, I wanted to do a Cosplay that was a Gender Bend but also something that proved you didn’t have to show off your boobs to be an awesome Gender Bend Cosplayer. My second Gender Bend was Bucky (Winter Soldier). This was a full on Gender Bend. I’m an actress by design so I wanted to do a full on male version. I wanted to try my hand on method acting which means to actually talk and act like a boy while Cosplaying Bucky. I found it brought a very different experience to a con for me. When I wear my mask, no one knows I’m a girl. The high fives and the fist pumps from guys was so awesome. It was actually the first time I was treated normal at a con. I usually get mocked for being a “Fake Nerd” or sexually harassed.

3. Any character you want to do but is just impossible right now?

My dream cosplay is Queen Esther Blanchett from Trinity Blood. I am far too incapable of pulling this Cosplay off just now. I still have a lot to learn before I even attempt this Cosplay.

4. Of course the hot topic is sexual harassment and cosplay. Any advice for MEN that may read this?

It’s sad that it even has to be a Hot Topic. I could spend hours talking about this subject but won’t bore you. All I will say is that I have been Sexually Harassed a lot at cons. Even if I’m just wearing my Marvel dress. Men seem to think it’s ok to walk up to a girl at a con and try to grab their ass or say inappropriate things to them. Real life isn’t 4Chan. You are not anonymous. Like I told the one man I punched in the face for grabbing my ass at Dragon Con, “Sexual Harassment is not an invisible threat at conventions. It is not a place where you can get away with it. It is just like any other place in the world. If you sexually Assault someone, there will be consequences.” The fact that I have to come up with game plans to make sure I am not alone at a con when it gets late, is a sad experience for me. Conventions are the one place where I feel normal and not judged. I really hope one day to see more men stand up for women because, honestly, men do not do these things. Only immature boys do this. We are all not “Fake Nerd Girls.” Some of us bleed Nerd. I’m not sure what color that would be but I am assuming some kind of rainbow. I was born a Nerd and will die a Nerd. My home and life is surrounded by comics, games, Cosplay, Star Wars Role-Playing, etc. I am not saying that all girls are real Nerds, but don’t judge a book by its cover. Don’t assume that because a girl is pretty and has big boobs that she is just looking for attention when she Cosplays. I am an OCD Meticulous Asinine person and try and make my cosplays, as close as my budget will allow, to the exact design that the creators made it. It is not my fault that women are given bras and underwear as armor in games and comics. Blame the industry.