Ireland 🇮🇪

Dia duit! I’m Cat, aka Bambi Lashes, and I’m a 32 year old Irish cosplayer. I work as both an instructional designer and a cosplayer, so I have a busy double life! I’m passionate about community learning and I enjoy creating tutorials and patterns for the cosplays that I craft. I’ve represented Ireland before at EuroCosplay 2019, CRX Hime Cup 2022, and PGEC 2024. I can’t wait to be back on the stage!

How did you discover cosplay and what made you start in this hobby? How long ago?

I first discovered cosplay many years ago as a teenager when my friend brought me to my first convention. After seeing other teenagers running around having fun in cosplays, I wanted to try, and I purchased my first cosplay! However, it wasn’t until several years later that I started making my own cosplays, and as soon as I did I was hooked. I’ve now been making cosplays for 11 years!

What does cosplay mean for you? And what is your favorite part of the hobby?

I think cosplay is a very unique hobby in that it can mean so many different things for different people. For me, it’s a way to express both my love of the art and stories of others and my own creativity. It’s also a way to connect with other likeminded fans and creatives and appreciate each others’ art and passions as a community. My favourite part of the hobby is definitely crafting, but I get my inspiration to craft from attending conventions and judging and competing in cosplay competitions. Whenever I come home from a convention, I feel fired up to get back to crafting!

What changes do you see in the cosplay community in your country compared to when you started?

The cosplay community has come a long way here in Ireland since I started cosplaying! In particular, crafting has taken off in a huge way and it’s so inspiring to be surrounded by so many crafters now. Cosplay photography has also developed hugely in Ireland, and it’s been so cool to watch it grow.

Tell us about your experience in the online selection! Did you already have the costume ready, or did you make it specifically for this event? What motivated you to choose that character or costume?

I decided to make this cosplay out of a combination of love for the character and the beautiful design, and because I wanted to challenge myself to create something that involved such complex fabrication. It was only after I started making it that I decided that applying for ICL would be my goal with this cosplay. With so many details in one cosplay, the solo craftsmanship-only division seemed like the perfect choice.

Is this your first time competing in an international cosplay competition? What advice would you give to someone who wants to start cosplaying or join competitions?

This is my fourth time competing internationally, but it’s my first time competing in a craftsmanship-only division. I’m looking forward to a different challenge! For anyone who wants to try out competing, my biggest piece of advice is to just jump in! I think cosplay competitions can be intimidating if you haven’t experienced them, but the best way to learn whether you enjoy competing or not is to give it a go. Smaller local competitions can be a great place to start.

What has been your most memorable cosplay experience so far?

It’s so hard to pick just one, but I think I would have to say competing in the final edition of EuroCosplay at London MCM. It was my first time competing in an international competition and my first time at a big convention outside of Ireland. I was incredibly nervous as I had no idea what to expect, but it ended up being an amazing experience. I’ve experienced cosplay competitions in many different countries since, both as a judge and a competitor, and looking back on it reminds me of how much I’ve grown since then!

What inspires your work the most—series, characters, craftsmanship, other artists…?

I definitely take my inspiration from multiple sources. What usually inspires me to make a cosplay is a love for the character, story, and design. For crafting, though, I’m most inspired by fellow cosplayers and crafters. I’ve learned so much from the online community in cosplay and I love discovering new guides, techniques, and resources. I am also hugely inspired by the cosplays I see at conventions and one of my very favourite parts of competing is getting to ‘talk shop’ about all kinds of crafting with fellow cosplayers. I also love to venture outside of cosplay to incorporate techniques and fabrics inspired by my favourite designers.

What are your expectations for your visit to Spain? Is it your first time in the country?

I’ve been to Spain a few times, and I’ve also been lucky enough to visit Japan Weekend before! I love the energy and atmosphere at Spanish conventions so I hope we can give them a good show. I can’t wait to be back and am particularly excited to take a trip to the Artist Alley, which my wallet may not be happy about.

Describe the cosplay community in your country using five words.

Bambi Lashes (solo): I think I would use two words in English; ‘welcoming’ and ‘creative’, and three in Irish;‘craic agus spraoi’. Roughly translated, it means ‘fun and play’, but it’s a phrase we use for the kind of good-natured antics that you can only find in Ireland!

Tara & Sammy (duo): Warm, special, openminded, excited and curious

Link to your Facebook page, Instagram and Twitter (add other social media if relevant):https://www.instagram.com/bambilashesdesign/
https://www.tiktok.com/@bambilashesdesign
https://www.facebook.com/bambiilashes

Bambi Lashes was selected Online.