We recently had the chance to connect with Diana The Great and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Diana, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Creating, especially when sewing or crafting. It is true that making something can be very hard work, especially when you are building something from scratch. But when everything is finished, all the threads are snipped and the seams are pressed; it’s so fulfilling to look back and see what it is that you made with your own two hands. I find myself at peace when I’m making something; it allows me to focus, to escape from the real world for a bit, and to channel that energy and listlessness into something productive. That’s what makes me lose track of time and find myself again.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Diana The Great. I am a cosplayer and creator from the greater Kansas City metropolitan area. I build and create elaborate costumes, props, wigs and accessories. Additionally, I sew quirky, nerdy satin lined sleeping bonnets. I am mom to a twenty year old who you often see accompanying me to conventions here around the city, where I also serve as a cosplay guest or judge for their cosplay contests. I’ve been crafting for many years, but dedicatedly cosplaying for ten years. Currently I’m building inventory for my next convention appearance, as well as restocking bonnets for my Etsy shop.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
My father taught me the most about work. He was one of the most dedicated, loyal, hard working people that I knew, and I looked up to him so dearly. He was reliable; rarely missing work or taking vacation unless he was genuinely ill. He taught me the things that others necessarily wouldn’t teach their young daughter; one of my earliest memories was learning how to change a tire before I was allowed to drive. He also taught me some light handywork, and I’ve replaced a couple of pipes and gave me pointers on upgrading the submersible pump in the basement. One key phrase that he would say, especially during difficult times, is “You gotta keep on keepin’ on.” Essentially, we have to keep going. Though it’s necessary to pause and take a moment here and there for sure, the work ethic he exuded is a standard that I regularly hold myself to.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
One defining wound that I experienced was approaching the end of a romantic relationship; I came to discover that the person I dated had a more negative opinion of me than I thought. They very specifically stated, “she hasn’t accomplished anything since high school, but to have a baby.” It was really harmful to hear that someone who was supposedly in love with me, resented me so deeply. It also angered me so much that the first thing that I did, was to enroll into college. The second thing that I did was to break up with them. Spite can be quite a motivator. Though that spite helped spark the initiative to do more, I finished my educational journey for my own self and satisfaction. Additionally, it healed me to realize two vital things. First, there is no set timeframe or timeline for accomplishments, especially in today’s day and age. You don’t have to pursue higher education in order to accomplish something. Move when it’s best and safest for you to make a move. Additionally, and most importantly, my worth is not defined by what someone else thinks of me; my worth is determined by how I view myself, and what it is that *I* am proud of.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
I think that depends on what you would define as the “public” version. For my job, I do work with the general public, but I have to be cautious of how I express myself, as I work in an industry that is still a little buttoned up about things. It’s rare that my creative passions overlap with my work duties, but I’m very blessed that my coworkers and supervisor are very supportive of my endeavors.
Truly I think that I’m my most authentic version of myself is when I am outside of the work environment; the one that’s donning a cosplay at her favorite convention, chatting with other con-goers and geeking out over the other cool costumes that she sees.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope that people would tell others that I had a good heart. I hope that people will speak of how I supported them, fiercely and passionately, and that I championed for their success. I hope that people will remember that I wasn’t perfect; we all are flawed, but that at my core, I was a good person, who saw them for who they were. I hope that people will remember why my moniker came to be what it is: “not the first, not the last, but one of the Greatest.” I hope they believe that I am, and will always be, great.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.dianathegreat.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/diana.the.great
- Other: http://createdbythegreat.etsy.com
Image Credits
Ryme (Pokemon Scarlet/Violet) Credit: Micah Thompson
All other photos, credit to: Daniel Alexander
