Ethereal Creatures
Carnival of Masks presents Canadian cosplayer and costume designer, Ethereal Creatures Mtl / Glitter Bats and Chaos, as part of our Beyond the Carnival: Interviews with Costume Folks Around the World series.
CoM: Ethereal Creatures, tell us about what you do.
EC: I am a cosplayer/costume designer for over 25 years. I dabble in fabrics, paper mache, foam work, wig work, set design, mermaid tails and props. I create costumes based on existing characters with Harley Quinn being a favorite. I also create costume designs of monsters, whimsical fairies, alluring mermaids, and other magical creatures.
CoM: What inspires you?
EC: I find my inspiration in many artists, JW Waterhouse, Tim Burton, folklore, comic books, fan art, what ifs, art nouveau, horror, and fantasy. Music highly inspires me and motivates me to create. My partner (who is also a cosplayer) supports me and encourages me in all my crazy creations. The art of drag is a big inspiration too. The power, beauty, and strength it takes to let go of what people think you should be and just be your most colorful self. The costumes, the imagination, the transformations, the self-esteem and command of the stage. We as artists can learn a lot from all art forms and each other.
Photo by Cyber Fox 007
CoM: How did your life in costumes begin??
EC: I have always had a love for costumes but creating them and wearing them started way back in the 90's with a certain Tomb Raiding brunette with ruby red sunglasses. I discovered a fan site devoted to dressing up as Lara Croft, the hero of the video game. Cosplay was not a common word back then, the term "lookalike" was used. I met so many amazing people and began creating costumes for other characters. I found my passion expanding when learning "cosplaying" was a real thing but Lara will always have a special place in my heart.
CoM: What's your favorite thing about costumes?
EC: The benefits it brings to mental health. And the connections you can make with other people. The transformation one does from a scrap of fabric into a magical ball gown or a cardboard box into dragon slaying armor. The transformation of one’s self is also so amazing.
I love seeing how I can almost shapeshift into so many characters or versions of myself. Seeing myself as powerful beautiful, scary, magical beings brings me so much hope during darker days when my body isn't willing to move as much. And I love being a disabled older cosplayer who shows people you can enjoy creativity and imagination no matter what.
Photo by Cyber Fox 007
CoM: Anything else you’d like to share with us?
EC: What drives me: at first it was the adventure of creating the costume and taking photos. Meeting interesting people with like minded excitement. Now, I do it for my mental health.
I am a disabled artist. Some days are harder than others, some days my legs and arms don't work as well. I use creating costumes to escape but I also revel in it for the days I cannot. I work though sadness and chronic pain to create something beautiful.
I do the shoot on (hopefully) a good day to bring joy to myself when I'm feeling low. I look at myself and say, wow, that's me! I have done so many costumes that I have a wall of photos of all the creations I have made. So many years of crazy creations with stories to tell!
CoM: Who are some cosplayers you love in the costume world?
EC: Joining the Threads app allowed me to speak to so many amazing people Buttery Rose Cosplay, a powerful, fun, and kind person who has made the iconic BloodRayne costume from same named video game. Fancy Fairy Angela makes the most gorgeous fairy wings. Say No To Scrunchies is multitalented and an absolute icon. Carr Hunger are professional husband and wife costume designers and prop makers who worked on Stargate and X-Men films.
CoM: Thanks so much, Ethereal Creatures Mtl / Glitter Bats and Chaos!
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