Ukraine 🇺🇦
DUO
Hola! My name is Hanna (Orion) and I’m a Ukrainian cosplayer from Kharkiv. For more then 8 years, impersonating favorite characters is my main hobby. During this time I became a winner of several Ukrainian cosplay events: Nekomata (2016), Asia dance party&Cosplay show (2018), Interactive Fantasy Festival «Al mor» (2019), Khanifest (2019), Pokemon Fest (2019), Pokemon Fest (2020), GeekONFest (2021), Comic Con Ukraine (2021), Tanoshi Genshin party (2022). Nowadays I work as a surgeon and combine my professional duties with favorite hobby.
Hello, my name is Cheshire, Im 23 years old and Im a Ukrainian cosplayer. I was born and live in Kharkiv. I work as a tutor in the charitable foundation «Trohi vognyu» for orphans and children from disadvantaged families. Because of the war, now our foundation is helping and teaching children from ordinary families too. Also, we help refugees a lot. Im an artist and have been cosplaying since 2016. For 7 years I have made more than 25 characters. Most of all I like crafting. I won prizes at a several cons in Ukraine. For me and Orion, the most important victory was at ComicCon Ukraine.
How did you discover cosplay and what made you start in this hobby? How long ago?
Orion: It all started when I was a teenager — I was watching anime and it was inspiring me a lot. It will soon be 9 years since I started cosplaying.
Cheshire: I learnt about cosplay at the age of 11, but didnt understand how start. I always wanted to create costumes, dress up as characters from movies, games and anime. I liked it. In 2016, I met people who helped me with my first cosplay. Finally, I was very happy to do a hobby that I love. In 2017, I met Orion and later we started working together. She was a boost to the development for me.
Why did you choose Sakizou as your project for the ICL preselection? Is this your first time joining an international cosplay competition?
Orion: Yes, I will be at such significant international con for the first time. I think that Sakizou qeens is our most impressive duo project.
Cheshire: I’ll be honest. It was an accident, but I’m very happy. This is my first international competition and Im very excited.
What does cosplay mean for you? And what is your favorite part of the hobby?
Orion: It means a lot to me. Despite the hard work schedule, I try to find time for a photoshoots or making new details for my costumes almost every week.
Cheshire: Cosplay is an important part of my life. Sometimes I have bad life period, when I’m not cosplaying and I feel miserable. Most of all in cosplay I like to make craft and small details. I love to make armor, wings, swords and staffs. Also, I love making beautiful jewelry, something shiny. And, of course, I really love painting.
If you weren’t selected before the pandemic, please let us know how did it affect to your cosplay projects and motivation and how you approached the selections.
Orion: We were not chosen before the pandemic, but we were chosen during the war. Now this trip and the opportunity to represent my country on the world stage inspiring me a lot.
Cheshire: We were chosen after the pandemic, but during the war. For us, this is a chance to do something worthwhile for our country and for ourselves. I think were very lucky to get this opportunity.
What do you expect from your visit to Spain? Is this your first time visiting the country?
Orion: To be honest this is my first time abroad. And Spain is a country whose culture is well-known in the whole world. I`m very excited and looking forward to the journey!
Cheshire: I’ve never been to Spain and I`m very glad that I will go to this country. I have heard that Madrid is a very beautiful city and I want to see it with my own eyes. I think we will have a very busy weekend.
Have you decided your project for the finals in Madrid? Can you give us a clue?
Orion: I can say that it will be related to Alice in Wonderland story.
Cheshire: Yes, we already decided. We are taking costumes of the White and Red Queens from Alice in Wonderland by artist Sakizo.
Describe the cosplay community in your country using five words.
Orion: Parties, workshops, meeting new people, friendship, competition.
Cheshire: Evolving, rapid, bright, friendly and amazing.
You can follow Orion and Cheshire on:
Instagram: @der_siebte_himmel
Instagram: @cheshire_13_cat
SOLO
Hello. I’m Lauveya, a cosplayer from Kyiv, Ukraine. I am 37 years old, two years ago I left my career as an HR manager to fully dedicate my life to cosplay.
How did you discover cosplay and what made you start in this hobby? How long ago?
The first time I made a costume for my daughter, and then I wanted to make it for myself. That’s how it all started. So I’ve been cosplaying for 8 years.
Why did you choose Lagertha as your project for the ICL preselection? Is this your first time joining an international cosplay competition?
I have been planning this project for a long time until I gained the experience and necessary skills and craftsmanship to create this cosplay.
What does cosplay mean for you? And what is your favorite part of the hobby?
Currently, cosplay is the main component of my creativity. I love all the stages of creating a costume, starting with the development of the layout and the selection of materials and ending with the performance on stage or a photo shoot
If you weren’t selected before the pandemic, please let us know how did it affect to your cosplay projects and motivation and how you approached the selections.
I did not participate in the selection before the pandemic began. But all the time I was working on new projects and preparing them for the future. Unfortunately, the war in my country disrupted all plans and took away my usual life, but despite everything, my costumes survived, and I really want to show them to the world.
What do you expect from your visit to Spain? Is this your first time visiting the country?
Yes, I will be in Spain for the first time. I am very interested to know your country. I also want to see other participants, get to know them and simply feel the atmosphere of the holiday again.
Have you decided your project for the finals in Madrid? Can you give us a clue?
I have several costumes that I am proud of and really want to show them, but I can’t bring them all, so I present my favorite cosplay. I love the Middle Ages.
Describe the cosplay community in your country using five words.
Positivity, brightness, beauty, meticulousness, support
You can follow Lauveya on:
https://www.instagram.com/lauveya_/
Team Ukraine was selected by International Cosplay League as a Spot of Honor
