Today we’d like to introduce you to Desiree Tigue.
Hi Desiree, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been a creative individual my whole life. As a child, I liked to make my own doll clothes using materials we had around the house. In Jr. High I was introduced to Sailor Moon by some friends. We played as the characters and I was Sailor Pluto. I was older and “more mature” than my friends so she was the obvious choice. I fell in love with her character. There were sometimes when I felt alone during school that I would remember how she was guarding the time gate and took strength from her. I was introduced to more manga and anime throughout high school and college. Then in the summer of 2013, just after I graduated college, I saw a flier at the card store that would change my life.
Comic Conway (Conway, AR). A convention held in a library. They had a Magic the Gathering tournament on that Friday and vendors and guests on the Saturday. The flier mentioned costumes and I wanted the full experience. I decided a modest Electra (Marvel) on Friday and Weeping Angel (Doctor Who) on Saturday. Mom helped a lot with this project. We went to yard sales and found a corduroy dress. Unfortunately it was brown, so we underwent bleaching and painting. Mom found a refrigerator box and cut out the wings while I knit the wig. It was so fun to do this project with my mom and figuring out how to take cheap items to make the desired outfit.
During the convention, Electra felt like dressing up to fit the vibe, but the Weeping Angel introduced me to cosplay. The interactions with other con goers gave me a love for cosplay. Many encouraged me to try for the cosplay contest because my outfit was handmade. When I was up on stage, the support for my outfit was wonderful. I decided the cosplay contest would be a way for me to showcase what I had learned and my love for cosplay.
I sought out more conventions and learned more techniques. From sewing to wig styling, foam craft to lights, it has been a very rewarding adventure. Over the past 13 years, I’ve been to conventions in 6 states and have won 7 awards including Best Craftsmanship and Trevor Award (which was for best in character). I have been a guest, panelist and cosplay contest judge for multiple conventions. I’ve met so many amazing cosplayers and have learned so many techniques thanks to them.
Over the years, I’ve discovered two types of cosplaying for myself; competition and casual. For competition cosplays, I focus on the technique and trying to be as perfect and to the character or design as possible. For casual cosplays, I focus on the being comfortable and having fun. I enjoy both, but it isn’t unlikely for me to be seen in casual cosplays just hanging with friends in public.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Cosplay is a fun hobby, but definitely has a learning curve. Some information you find online is not correct nor safe, so sorting through to find what is good can take some time. For example, the first time I wore the Weeping Angel, I used craft paint from Walmart. Fortunately, a cosplayer (now friend) noticed and informed me it was not safe for my skin and recommended face paints like Snazaroo or Mehron which have a variety of colors and are safe.
During one of the conventions, I was so set on competing that I spent the entire Friday of the convention sewing and prepping for the Saturday competition. My friends were worried cause they knew I was there, but no one saw me. They checked on me in my room and I was frazzled. My costume was no where near ready and I just burned out my sewing machine. They reminded me conventions were to have fun and it’s ok not to compete every time. I then was sad I wasted an entire day hanging out with friends. But learned the lesson and decided that unless the prep will take an hour or less, it’s best for me to wait until a different convention to wear that cosplay.
Because cosplay is a hobby that is on the body, changes in the body can change how your cosplay fits (or doesn’t fit). It is extremely frustrating to take a cosplay you’re excited to wear for a particular convention and the fit is completely wrong. I have started to try everything on during the packing process. But it has limited how many cosplays I have available.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am proud of my ability to see potential in items and use them for more than their intended use. One of the cosplays that showcases this the most is my Sylveon (Pokemon). I used wire coat hangers as the base for the ears and a cut a pool noodle for the tail. Bed sheets were used for the shirt and skirt. I took plain white shoes and dyed them and took sharpie to color the shoe laces. The only thing not upcycled was the pink fabric for the ears and tail (I still wished I would have found a baby blanket for those). This style of upcycling won me Best Craftsmanship at Spa Con (Hot Springs, AR) in 2021. Sylveon is such a comfortable cosplay and I have wore her to multiple conventions, including Naka Con (Kansas City, MO) where I met other Pokemon cosplayers.
I encourage others to grow in their craft and help when able. I help out with CosMedics (a traveling cosplay repair group) to aid cosplayers with costume emergencies. I’ve had a few cosplayers ask for recommendations on how to do a particular part of their cosplay and I give suggestions that are outside of what they may have considered. For example, my friend was needing help with a lantern their character carries, but could not find the correct style. I suggested using a plastic cup and foam to make a lantern and hiding the electronics in the bow. Sometimes having a different perspective helps get you where you need.
In 2024, I was asked to be the Cosplay Chair of White River Fan Con (Batesville, AR). I am using this opportunity to help new cosplayers find the love of cosplay and encourage them in their next steps.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I enjoy collaborations both in person and in distance. I have collaborated with other cosplayers via messaging on social media. Sometimes a random idea and enough time to make it happen can be so fun and work even in distance. Meetups at conventions are great ways to meet cosplayers interested in the same things you are.
That said, if you are interested in working with me or collaborating with me, just message me on any of my socials or email. I try to check them regularly.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notinvisibleangel
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/notinvisibleangel
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotInvisibleAngel
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@notinvisibleangel8
