Today I share an interview with an amazing cosplayer who most of you will recognize. She is a member of the 501st so you know Star Wars is one of her major sources of cosplay, but she does the occasional comic book cosplay as well. I didn’t realize how much her work is all over the world wide web until searching for photos for this interview. Her name is Summer Ray, and this is what she had to say.
1. Who are you and where are you from?
My real name is Summer and I’m originally from East Tennessee. I grew up right outside of Nashville, TN
2. How did you discover cosplay?
A friend introduced me to costuming. He was a member of the 501st and suggested I join his friends on a troop wearing Slave Leia. After the first event in 2005, I was hooked.
3. You have so many great cosplays, but one of my favorites is your Mandalorian armor. How did that idea come about?
I became a member of the 501st in 2006 with snow trooper armor but my passion has always been the mandos. Later that same year, A couple of my friends in the 501st were making custom mandalorian armor. I decided I wanted in on the custom craze and made mine out of a combination of sinatra and old Fett armor that my friend gave me. It is still one of my favorite costumes to wear. We prided ourselves on being the first few people to make custom mando armor.
4. What other genres do you cosplay?
Other than star wars, I have cosplayed Marvel comic books, DC comics, GI Joe, video games, sci-fi movies and TV shows, Disney characters, Ninja Turtles, renaissance characters and fairies.
5. Do you have a favorite genre?
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is my true love. I’ve cosplayed as a body painted turtle and as April O’Neil. I have all of the original comic books, television series, guest spots in other comics and current shows and movies.
6. What is your favorite way to show off a new cosplay?
Dragon Con is my favorite place to show off a new costume. I also like to have photo shoots prior to wearing the costume in public so that I can give fans a preview.
7. What are your other hobbies besides cosplay??
I work a lot, so I don’t have time for many hobbies. I do enjoy playing video games. I’ve recently been introduced to Borderlands and am completely obsessed with it. I also like cars, especially American Muscle cars, so hanging out in a body shop and messing around with engine tuning and car repairs is something I would never say no to. Other than that, I’m a typical geek: I like movies, TV shows, and reading. My favorite type of books to read are medical thrillers.
8. What are your plans for the future?
I used to have grand imaginings about future plans. In 2008 I was hit with a dose of hard reality that proved to me that no matter how much I dream or plan, life can be taken away at any moment. So I live day to day. I enjoy the work I do, I enjoy costuming, I enjoy the friends I make along the way. If an opportunity presents itself that seems worthwhile I will take it. If it doesn’t, that’s okay, because I’m going to be just fine anyway. To use a quote from Jack Daniels and twist it a bit: “Every day I make it, I’ll make it the best I can.”
As for costuming, I’d like to branch out a little more with leather. I’m working for a company, Twisted World www.facebook.com/TwistedWorldLLC that creates high quality custom leather costumes. I have a few leather designs in the works there for future costumes.
9. Where can my readers see more examples of your work?
My Facebook page is the best way to see what I’m up to at any given moment. I do travel a lot for work and for play, and I keep that page updated regularly. Every time I have a photo shoot or new costume, it gets put there first. It is currently being updated with my older costumes that haven’t been worn recently. I’m currently working on an event tab as well so fans will know if I’m going to be attending a convention close by.
www.facebook.com/summerramey
10. If you had to pick one cosplay, which one is your favorite?
I know that it sounds very cliche, but my favorite is Slave Leia. It was my first in 2005 and I wear it still and love it still. It started me on this road to cosplay craziness and for that I am very grateful, because I really can’t imagine my life without costuming.
