Profile: Laura Kane… Design and the Rendering of Dreams | The Corvallis Advocate

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Profile: Laura Kane… Design and theRendering of DreamsPosted: August 22nd, 2013 ˑ Filled under: Feature, NWStories ˑ Comments Closed


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Photo by Laura Kane

Historical version of Snow


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White designed by ClaireHummel

Local designer Laura Kane is ebullient, inventive, and has a head of hair that would make Jean Greyjealous. Fitting since she spends a significant amount of her time inhabiting the personas of fictionalcharacters at cosplay conferences.

Cosplay is the “act of dressing in a costume of a character from popular media. This includes videogames, anime, sci-fi, anything goes,” Kane said.

Cosplay has millions of devotees worldwide with most doing it to pay tribute to a character or series.But designers like Kane have dual motivation.

Laura Kane and Lo Abdou asThe Evil Queen and SnowWhite from Once Upon a Time

“I like the challenge of taking a two dimensional design into a 3-D garment. I like breaking somethingdown and trying to rebuild it, and I like hanging out with like-minded individuals who can appreciatethe work and nerd out about it.”

She picks characters with nostalgic value. Disney is an inspiration, especially Thumbelina, as well asa Manga series like Sailor Moon. Kane will watch a series or movie countless times, takingscreenshots so she can recreate the character. Like a chemist, she breaks down the garment’scomponents and builds it back up until it is perfect. Once the design is done, shoes, wigs, make-up,and undergarments are chosen to complete the immersion.

Cosplayers do not necessarily take on the persona of their characters, though some may. There is afreedom of expression in the community, too. Gender, race, and ethnicity do not pose the sameboundaries as in the non-player world and there is a real esprit de corps.


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“You don’t want to be telling someone, ‘Oh, you can’t dress as this character because you are notblack. Or you can’t dress as a woman because you are a man.’”

Most cosplayers flock to large conventions where they can strut their stuff, or waddle since walking insome of the costumes is difficult. Some people will dress up at home, take photos, and share themonline, a growing and important community space for the group. Almost anyone can connect andKane is

Laura Kane and a group offriends as characters from theanime Paradise Kiss.

excited about her research into this world and what it can do for the community. She notes that mostmedia coverage of cosplayers focuses on the sexualization of the characters or stereotypes players asfreaks.

“I’m a big advocate for looking at it with an open mind,” she said. With a reality show in the works, itis an interesting time for the subculture and for her research.

Being backstage at a competition, allows her to see the costumes up close and study the technique andmaterials designers use. She loves meeting “all the people who are just as crazy and into it as I am, tolike one hundred thousand percent.”

Costumes require an incredible level of detail and patience so she only makes about one or two a year.

“It’s incredibly rewarding,” Kane said. “I will not do it unless I can do it right.”

Take a peek into Laura Kane’s design portfolio, including her commissioned work, atwww.laurakane.webs.com and www.facebook.com/LauraKaneDesigns

By Bridget Egan


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Profile: Laura Kane… Design and the Rendering of Dreams | The Corvallis Advocate