Cosplayer Spotlight: Abradorable!

Header image by Woclass_weeb on Instagram

The Cosplay Herald recently got the opportunity to sit down with our first Spotlight Cosplayer: Abradorable! Abra can found on Instagram and Twitch

Abradorable, or Abra for short, has been apart of the Florida cosplay community since 2008. She is best known for her over-the-top prop work using materials ranging from foam to fiberglass. She mastered her craft in cosplay through her professional work in Theme Parks, with various jobs in styling wigs, special FX makeup, scenic paint, and automotive bodywork.

What first sparked your interest in cosplay, and how did you take your first steps into the hobby?

My mom would bring me to comic book conventions growing up because she was a collector of comic books. I would see people dressed up and wanted to do it too. I told her that I wanted to be an anime character for Halloween and of course there weren't any premade costumes for it, so my mom asked one of her friends to give me sewing lessons to help build the costume I wanted.

Photo by Woclass_weeb

What was your very first cosplay?

Flonne from Disgaea 1 in 2008. I wore her to Jacon and had a great time and met lots of new friends!

What was your experience with cosplaying for the first time?Who or What inspired you to start cosplaying?

My mom brought me to Megacon in 2001 and I saw a giant Sailor Moon group with nearly every character. It made me want to cosplay. I still have a photo of the group saved on my computer. I look at it from time to time and I'm reminded why I cosplay.

What has been your most ambitious cosplay project to date, and what challenges did it bring?

While my Banbaro armor is certainly my most ambitious, it wasn't the most difficult. I would say my biggest challenge was my Barioth armor because it forced me to learn so many new skills. I built the armor to perform a skit in Winter Cosplay Championship so not only did I have to build it, I had to perform in it, making everything a tad more intense.

Photo by Woclass_weeb

How do you choose which characters to cosplay?

First and foremost, I have to connect with the character and enjoy the series. Cosplay is a big commitment of time and money, so I need to make sure I'm passionate about what I make.

Do you have a standout memory that perfectly captures why you love cosplaying?

In 2011, a group of friends and I cosplayed from a series called "Lunar Rabbit Weapon Mina" at Anime Festival Orlando. The series is about magical girl rabbits who use the power of fruits and vegetables to fight. It was the most ridiculous premise. My friends and I created a group chat and shared our build progress all spring leading up to the event. The photos were of us all building the giant fruits on our butts and rabbit ears. I can't think of anything less serious and more fun in all my years of cosplaying. It was for the love of it and nothing else. The group is still talked about between us all these years later.

Have you noticed changes in the cosplay scene over the years, and how have those shifts influenced your work?

The monetization of hobbies through social media has changed the cosplay community over the years. However, I don't look at my cosplay journey as being any different today as it was when I started in 2008. I just want to recreate the characters I love and make friends who enjoy the things I like while doing it.

Photo by Woclass_weeb

What advice would you give to someone who wants to cosplay but doesn’t know where to start?

You need to start somewhere. If that's wearing something out of your closet or sewing a simple scrunchie, just go for it. Share the things you made and the things you wear online and to conventions. Make friends who support your goals while supporting theirs and grow together. Never compare your journey to others. Just make and wear things that make you happy and you will find joy within cosplay.

If you could go back and give your beginner self one piece of advice, what would it be?

To stay out of cosplay drama.

Where do you see your cosplay journey going in the next few years?

I want to be Team USA for the World Cosplay Summit one day.

How do you hope your work influences or inspires others in the community?

I want people to feel good about the things they make and be a person they know they can go to if they need help, advice, or a personal cheerleader.

Photo by Woclass_weeb