If you are into the American anime cosplay scene, chances are that you know who Ginny McQueen, aka G-Chan is. If not, here’s your chance to find out about her, as she took the time to talk with me as the first person featured in the Fandomania Superfan Spotlight. The Superfan Spotlight highlights people who take their fandoms seriously and have given something back to the fandom community, either through a specific project or by becoming a well known persona. Ginny has been a high profile costumer for a long time, and she’s had her work shown on MTV and in many magazines and websites. Here’s what she had to say.
Fandomania: Hi Ginny! Can you share a little about yourself for folks who might not already know who you are?
Ginny McQueen: Well, I’m a huge nerd first and foremost. I am a costumer and have been making costumes and attending conventions for 10 years now. I also work for Cosplay. com which is the largest costuming website on the planet and also for Cosworx. com, which is the lead cosplay supply store in the US.
Fandomania: Your costumes are very well known and popular at conventions as well as on the Internet. What first got you into costuming, and what was your first costume project?
Ginny McQueen: Well, I attended a convention back when I was 16 years old and all my friends told me that people dressed up. So since I have a resemblance to the character, I dressed up as Minnie May from the manga/anime GunSmith Cats. From there I just learned more and more about making costumes and sewing.
Fandomania: How many different costumes would you say you’ve made by now?
Ginny McQueen: At least over 50. Probably more. I have lost count!
Fandomania: Any favorites among them? And which ones have gotten the biggest responses?
Ginny McQueen: They each get different responses. The more skimpy they are, the more general attention of course. My favorite is probably Ayanami Rei from Neon Genesis Evangelion, because she is my favorite anime character of all time.
Fandomania: How do you decide what your next project will be?
Ginny McQueen: It depends. Sometimes I need specific costumes for certain events, and sometimes I can just go with whatever characters or designs I fancy at the moment.
Fandomania: Do you have any dream costumes you would love to make and wear in the future?
Ginny McQueen: I have a whole list that gets things added to it quicker than I can make things.
Fandomania: Sometimes cosplayers gain fandoms and followings. Do you have any funny or crazy fan stories of your own that you can share?
Ginny McQueen: Just your usual stalkers and crazies. None of them are really funny as much as they are a sad example of humanity. In general, my fans are awesome though.
Fandomania: You attend and work at a lot of conventions around the world. Do you have an overall favorite con?
Ginny McQueen: My favorite is Dragon*con. It’s the only convention I attend that isn’t for work or as a guest. It’s just pure fun.
Fandomania: You started with cosplay as a hobby and now are able to make a career out of it. Can you tell me how that came about and how things have changed for you with costuming over the years?
Ginny McQueen: Wearing costumes is always something I do for fun. When it stops being fun, I won’t do it anymore. Luckily my work doesn’t fully rely on me being in costume every day.
Fandomania: Fandomania. com is all about being involved in fandoms. Can you tell me some things that you are a fan of?
Ginny McQueen: Firefly, Buffy (Joss Whedon is love), Harry Potter, Rome… I don’t think I could name everything!
Fandomania: What are three things you’d like to do at some point in the future?
Ginny McQueen: I think my three priorities are to get married, have a baby, and find the cure for death.
Fandomania: Anything else you’d like to share?
Ginny McQueen: Hmm. I guess just that I love my fans and I would not have all this fun without their support. Thank you!
Fandomania: Thanks for talking with me today, Ginny!
You can see more of Ginny’s costumes and photos on her website at www.GinnyMcQueen.com. Credit for all the photos in this spotlight goes to photographer Kyle Johnsen and to Ginny herself.
If you have a suggestion of someone who should be in the Superfan Spotlight, feel free to drop me a note through the Contact page.
