Designer: Caroline Liu
Title: From Rags to Riches – Cinderella
Caroline Liu is currently a technical writer in Dallas, Texas. She attended UT Dallas and received her B.S. and M.S. in Electrical Engineering before deciding that she wanted a more flexible job that allows her to develop her interests in costuming and fashion. Aside from cosplay, her hobbies include rock hunting, gardening, and video games, and she says she is very much looking forward to adopting a cat of her very own one day! As a technical writer, how did she get into fashion design? “My college friends were holding a Japanese fashion show in 2016,” Caroline answers, “and were looking for models as well as people who own pieces of certain fashion subtypes (ex: traditional fashion, Lolita, Mori Kei, uniforms). I signed up as a model for traditional and visual Kei fashions, but when we were notified that there wasn’t enough visual Kei clothing to go around, I quickly designed and made my own outfit within a week.”
While Caroline has predominantly made cosplay costumes, many of them are patterned from scratch without using commercially available patterns. “I do a lot of flat patterning, as well as draping on my body. Lately, I’ve used many textured fabrics or layering to add visual interest to otherwise plain designs. I like putting my own designer touches in my costumes, and am inspired and influenced by the opulent shine of burlesque costumes and the structured, sharp edges of military uniforms. Fashion throughout time has been a reflection of culture. As geek and nerd culture permeate into the mainstream, people like to outwardly show their fandom through everyday wear, akin to how sports fans love to wear jerseys of their favorite players, or how fashionistas like to carry a branded handbag by their favorite design house. Geek couture is another way to show a person’s love of a series or character that is important and meaningful to them.”