At NYCC this year, I had the pleasure of chatting with and meeting Ireland Reid. Based out in California, Ireland has been cosplaying for a few years but actually creating outfits, bikinis and theme wear for an even longer time period. 14 years to be exact. We chatted about how she got into this hobby, her juggling so many other things on top of her cosplay/modeling hobby, and just having lots of fun. Ireland was such a sweetie that she also agreed to do an Interview with me which is what I have for you all today! As I mentioned above, Ireland was always into designing clothes and outfits, from making her own Halloween costumes, to modifying what was worn on her dolls. All of Ireland's outfits were formed to fit her taste and body (which is super gorgeous by the way <3). At NYCC, she wore her Mara Jade, debuted Poison Ivy, and had a relaxing Sunday in her Cheshire Cat outfit. All of which highlighted something new that Ireland learned while working on them (to me at least).
According to her, Ireland was always into the kind of geeky things from when she was little. Watching Star Wars with her Dad, playing the NES when it first hit shelves alongside the original Zelda, and even working on computer hardware! How cool is that? She also mentions how crazy her life can be and the strain it can put on her body which you'll see down in the answers below. With the debut of her Poison Ivy, Ireland stated that it was more like a preview of upcoming outfits she has for throughout next year!
 |
| Photo by Kaminsky Kandids Photography |
Ireland gave some pretty awesome responses that definitely give you a glimpse into the life she is worked up in. From her contracting job, to working out and being one of my many fitness inspirations, she has her fair share of crazy. Nevertheless when I met her, I could see the happiness and passion she showed in her eyes. Ireland is definitely someone to keep an eye out on. This being ahead of my planned feature on her, I'm more than happy to share with you all this incredible cosplayer. Already miss her a lot and can't wait to see her again. Hope you guys enjoy the interview!
----------------------------------------------------------
What got you into cosplay and how long have you been
doing it?
I think I have always been into it. I was very insecure about physically
showing it out of my own house till about 2 years ago. I have been making costumes
& theme-wear for others for about 14 years now.
Which cosplay was the first you ever created?
It’s really hard to say. I helped out my mother and grandmother when I was a
child to design and create my Halloween costumes. When I did have dolls, I was
never happy with the clothes and thought that they needed something different,
something more. I always have been modifying, molding, creating my own clothes
and costumes to my taste and body.
Thinking
back to the last convention you were at, did you enjoy it?
I always enjoy going to conventions.
What cosplay(s) did you bring to this convention?
I brought Mara Jade, Poison Ivy and Cheshire to NYCC this past weekend. =)
What is your favorite cosplay you’ve made so far?
They are all my favorite in some way because they challenge me, each of
them, to learn something different.
 |
| Photo by ModelMosa |
What
got you into being a geek?
I have always been this way and can
credit my dad for that one =)
Do you
have any other members of your family who are into what you enjoy? Or are you
at present the only “geek” in the family?
I grew up with a very geeky household.
My dad had me watching Star Wars when I was 4-5, playing the NES when it came
out, battling each other with how many life hearts we had in legend of Zelda,
and had me swapping out hardware components in our Packard Bell computer to
upgrade things like hard drives, processors and graphics cards. So I have
always been this way my whole life.
So I
not only recently discovered your work after seeing you here and there, but I
also had the absolute honor of meeting you at this past NYCC. There, you
debuted an incredible Poison Ivy, which took about 7 months according to you. I
know we discussed it then, but can you go into just the process of what went
into it? It was incredibly inspiring to learn about it. Why was Poison Ivy your
choice?
Poison Ivy has always been my
favorite villain so naturally I chose to do something grand with her. The
process is so much to list, but I built it from the ground up. I posted a play
by play and description of the whole process on my Facebook page www.facebook.com/officialirelandreid under the Album Behind the Scenes-Making of Poison Ivy =)
You
seem to cosplay from a little bit of everything from video games, to comics and
pop culture. Do you have a favorite medium to cosplay from?
I just pull from the things that I love honestly. So whether they were
from games, movies, to pop culture, these are characters I know and can
relate too, which I think for me, is important when I portray a character.
=)
On top
of cosplay, you mentioned at NYCC that you’re juggling so many things such as
your gorgeous modeling hobby (I definitely need to grab your “Beach Bunny”
print <3), engineering job, and pursuing your Masters. Does it become
overwhelming at certain points?
I know that it is hard on my family and
loved ones. Personally I feel like I need to add 3 more things to that list and
wouldn’t sleep if I could get away with it. Life has so much to offer that I
don’t want to miss a moment of it for anything. I want to do it all, learn it
all, like yesterday status.
 |
| Photo by Sean's Photography |
You’ve
done a couple of Pokémon gijinkas with Pichu and Vaporeon! Both of which have a
unique look to them. How do you go about choosing Pokémon to create outfits
from and throw in your own flair to them?
I usually go with ones that I just loved
playing or finding while playing the games. It’s so much fun to make them into
a gijinka, and wear them for everyone.
If
there’s one thing you’re thankful for that the cosplay community has
shown/given you in the time you’ve been involved, what would that be and why?
Time. They give some of their time to
me, time which they will never be able to get back within this lifetime and
that is humbling. I feel very honored that so many appreciate what I do and
support me. I wouldn’t be where I am without the community, a community I was
heavily involved in way before I put on my own costume years ago.
What
do you think about cosplay as it is now hitting the mainstream?
More and more people are excited that it
is now socially acceptable to express fandom for their favorite characters and
what not, myself included which is awesome. I know that Yaya Han is bringing
things like cosplay patterns and fabrics to more and more people who are remote
so everyone can love the fandom no matter where you live. I just love it.
Do you
have any upcoming cosplays for this year that you’re able to share? When you
debuted Poison Ivy, you mentioned that it was a taste for next year. I think 9
cosplays was what you said you have in the pipeline?
I have 9 at least in the pipeline coming
out, some are way more intense then the others as I know I won’t be able to
travel with some pieces. Lets just say it’s going to be crazy!
Do you
imagine cosplaying being a part of your life within the next 5 years and do you
hope to evolve your skill set?
Cosplay will always be in my heart. I
have no idea what is going to happen tomorrow yet alone within the next 5
years! Lol.
What’s
a day in the life of Ireland Reid?
I usually get up early, around 6-7am
having gone to bed around 2-3am and start the day with emails & social
media over coffee and breakfast, then I usually work on orders with the girls
that we have for cosplay accessories and the bikinis/theme-wear for the fitness
girls, do my own work, gym, school, homework and then work on my cosplays.
Finally going to bed around 2am lol. This is when I am home, whenever that is.
Any
upcoming game releases you’re looking forward to?
Fallout 4, Battlefront and Black Ops 3.
Do you have a favorite convention?
They are all my favorite in some way, shape and form.
If you could date any fictional male character, who
would it be and why?
Why do we have to limit it to a male? Lol. Honestly I don’t know. I like the
loner thing, the independent woman thing. I never really thought of it. I know,
I’m lame. Lol. =)
 |
| Photo by ModelMosa |
 |
| Photo by Neeko Cosplay Photography |
I can't thank Ireland enough for not only taking the time out of her schedule to do these questions, but for being one of my highlights at NYCC with meeting her! She has such a good heart and loves what she does. Trust me guys, Ireland is someone to keep an eye on and I'll be sure to share with you all the amazing things she has planned. You're the best Ireland, thank you so so much <3. If you want to follow Ireland's life, check out these links!
