ANA AESTHETIC: NOT THE GEEK NEXT DOORAna Aesthetic isn’t the geek next door. Journalist, costume designer, model, Ana is a force to be reckoned with. When she’s not on the convention floor you can find her dishing pop culture commentary on her weekly podcast Just Push Play. CD: You began your professional modeling career as a teenager doing runway and print work. How is being a cosplay pin-up different than being a conventional fashion model?
CD:On your myspace page you encourage fans to approach you at conventions or bars and buy you drinks. Has anyone ever taken you up on this? AA: Oddly enough, they have! CD:When you first appeared on the cosplay scene you were heavily involved in the anime subculture, now most of your costumes are of characters from American comics. Why the switch? AA: I’ve been a fan of comics long before anime entered my life, but my first opportunity to dress up came at anime cons. Then all the friends I made through the anime circuit would insist on doing anime or manga based costumes. Also, body image and self perception played a big deal in why I stayed away from doing some of my favorite spandex-clad super ladies. I’ve always felt awkward about my appearance and lacked the confidence to don a super suit. But last year, after my fiance got me back into the X-Men line, I remembered how much I loved the characters and stories in American comics, and I vowed to bring to life one of my favorite Marvel characters of all time: The Dark Phoenix. I worked out, dieted, learned some fancy new sewing techniques, and was able to debut the costume at MegaCon in Orlando this year. But don’t think I’m ruling out anime costumes all together! This year I got to do two of my favorite anime gals - Suigintou from Rozen Maiden, and Sayaka Yumi from one a great classic, Mazinger Z. I’m also working on an Amano version of Celes Chere from Final Fantasy 3 (or 6, take your pick!) and have some other surprises in store for next year. I really just pick characters I love and identify with, be they from comic books, anime, video games, movies, or my own warped head. CD:What’s more fun, dressing as a villain or superhero? AA:Villains, of course! But don’t tell my friends at the Heroes Alliance that! CD:Do you have a favorite costume? Or a favorite character? AA: Harley Quinn has got to be my favorite costume and character right now. Despite having a little issue when sewing the thing (two days before Halloween, wasn’t paying attention, and I managed to sew the sleeves on backwards, like the Chinese zentai version — oops!). Well, I was invited to JaniCon in Jacksonville, Fl to attend and take part in their interactive scavenger hunt as Harley Quinn (something about my Mistah J being away, so I teamed up with the most vile of Final Fantasy villains, Kefka! Or as I called him, Mistah K). Not only did I have to suit up for all three days, I had to play the role of the bubbly and more than slightly insane jester with the thick accent. Having never acted before, it was very daunting! But I had such an incredible time and really got into it! As much as I love Jean, Emma and even Suigintou, they are all very steady characters with similar demeanors. Harley is just crazy and crazy in love. I’ve adored her since the Dini and Timm Batman Animated series, but to read Harley in the comics will give you pause for thought. They do a great job with her, and the writers really get into bringing her to life.
AA: Emma all the way. Jean’s had her run, and she’s mucked it up more times than I care to count! Scott and Emma have a relationship that was built on something a little dark and out of a need for companionship. Since pairing the two together, I’ve seen some of the best characterization in those two in years (especially Mr. Goody-two-shoes!). I’m really excited what’s going to happen between the two of them during the Messiah CompleX run and Disassembled next year. And, if Jean ever does come back, there’s always Logan waiting for her with claws in hand! CD: I’m putting together a Top Twenty episode on the sexiest superheroes that will air in January. You’re somewhat of an expert on the subject-who’s your pick for foxiest male and female cape? AA: Batman will always have my heart for the sexiest super hero alive! But for the girls? That’s a tough one! Polaris. Sometimes good, sometimes crazy, but I’ll be danmed if she doesn’t rock that purple and green scheme as well as the Joker on any day! CD: You live in Orlando Florida which seems to be a popular place for cosplayers to call home. What’s the attraction? Does it have anything to do with all the theme parks? AA: There are other cosplayers here? Introduce me! We are very blessed to have a slew of talented and fun people who really enjoy the scene! I don’t know how we got so lucky. Very few of the ones I know even work at theme parks. I grew up in South Florida and moved here for college, which I think is the general MO of the folks here - they come for the school and never manage to leave. It’s a growing city with a lot to offer, and in the industry my fiance and I work in, there’s loads of work! The only thing I hate about Orlando though? No beaches. CD: In high school you had a radio show on the Florida station 88.5 WKPX. That’s pretty impressive. How does a teenager go about getting a radio program? AA: Our high school was lucky to have a real, live, broadcasts-further-than-500-feet radio station. I was aware of the program in middle school, and when it came time to pick our electives for our first year, I selected radio. Actually, I ended up going to summer school that year just to get the base class out of the way, and was working in the station on my first day of my Freshmen year. It was an amazing experience and I would recommend anyone who is still in school, or has children in that age, to explore the different vocational options offered by your school. CD:In addition to your career as a “geek goddess” you’re a freelance journalist. For you, what job would be the perfect marriage of cosplay and journalism? AA: If I could ever host a show about comics, anime, technology and general pop culture I would be in heaven! And reporting live from a convention floor as the Phoenix? Who wouldn’t want to do that! But I’ll be honest, the whole reason the pseudonym “Ana Aesthetic” was created was so I wouldn’t have to worry about my co-workers and other journalists in the industry finding out about my “secret identity.” At one station I worked at, the lead investigative reporter DID find out about my alter ego and ended up regaling me with tales of her burlesque days! Some though, do think it’s a little off, while others think it’s kinda cool. Plus, being more open about my hobby helps to dispel rumors in the general media that we are all a bunch of deviants and other social stigmas people like to put on “geeks.” LINKS
Interview by Caitlyn Darr .
               
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