by JR Cook - 10 years ago     show comments

Welcome back to BlizzPro! My name is Dannie “IAmDiR23” Ray, and today I got the chance to interview the multi-talented artist known as Ciwiel Cosplay. She has worked quite a few Blizzard inspired costumes, so I recommend that you check her work out. Now lets get right into the interview!

DR23: Before we start, I want to thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us. Personally, I love the sense of community that Blizzard has fostered within its games and I’m thrilled to be able to not only be a part of that, but also to contribute to it. With that said, I’d like to know a little more about you. Where are you from? How old are you? and How long have you been doing Cosplay?

CC: My name is Johanna, but I go under the nickname Ciwiel Cosplay on most places. I am from Stockholm, Sweden where I’m born and raised. I am currently 20 years old and I have been cosplaying since 2007 when I was 14 years old. 

DR23: 7 years is a pretty long time, but you can see how time has paid dividends. How did you get started on this costume-crafting adventure? Do you remember what was the first mantle you donned in your journey?

CC: I believe I got into cosplay making when I first heard about the phenomenon from friends. I started searching for pictures of cosplayers from my favourite series and got completely hooked on the amazing world that had opened up to me. My first ever costume was Rikku from Final Fantasy X, that I was currently playing at that time. I made it in two weeks and ended up competing for the first time at a convention. Good old times!

Photo by Konventsbilder.se

Photo by Joachim Karlsson

DR23: You mentioned that you’ve been a fan of Blizzard for many years. What got you started on Blizzard’s universe? And what are you still actively playing?

CC: I got into playing World of Warcraft back in the days because almost all of my friends were playing. I played throughout Wrath of the Lich King and I also ended up playing Starcraft II for a while as well as some Diablo here and there. To be honest, it’s hard to find the time to play games when you are constantly working on new costume projects, but I do feel the urge to play a lot and I try to find time to do it every now and then.

DR23: So who’s your favorite Blizzard character? Have you gotten to work that Cosplay yet?

CC: That is a very hard question! I have always been in love with Blood Elves and the Demon Hunter from Diablo III is just amazing. Finding a specific character is really tricky for me when there are so many to chose from! Maybe one day I will make a very specific Blizzard character and hopefully make it justice.

Photo by Ove Schramm

DR23: WoW is nice and all, but I’m a big Diablo fan. I know for a fact that you were working on a D3 Wizard costume. Have you finished that yet? Or is it still a work in progress?

   

CC: I was supposed to recreate a cutscene while on my Sarah Kerrigan Costume, but unfortunately we had to cancel it. I hope to be able to perform there some other time since it is such a great event.

Photo by Team Razer

DR23: Ever been to Blizzcon? What about this year, planning on taking the overseas trip?

CC: I’ve been wanting to go to Blizzcon for years, but there is still the issue of economy. I do, however, still have plans to go someday. Maybe to compete or to just have a really good time over there!

DR23: Besides your Wizard, what else is on your to do list? Do you have any conventions lined-up for the near future?

CC: I try to focus on the current costume I am making as much as possible, but I always have a bunch of dream costumes lined up in the back of my mind (and an album on my Facebook page, haha!). I am currently planning on going to Gamex Comic Con, Dreamhack Winter and perhaps another event in Gothenburg this winter as well. I am also planning on going to Norway for events next year.

DR23: I want to once again thank you for your time, I had a blast working on this and I can’t wait to see what you come up with next.

CC: The pleasure is all mine! I am very glad to have done this interview with you, and I wish you the best of luck with Blizzpro! Here, have some hearts: ♥♥♥

You can follow Johanna on her twitter @CiwielCosplay and Instagram, like her on Facebook, and Subscribe to her Youtube Channel.