I’ve been interviewing cosplayers with Aetherflow Media for over two years now (and shortly before joining AFM). So when the opportunity for a dream cosplay fell into my lap, I decided that my time had finally arrived to coalesce all the knowledge, skills, and advice I had gained from those incredible creators.
Yes, dear reader, I speak of that NPC most beloved by all FFXIV players, whose shining light we did not know we so desperately craved until the latest in lore-shattering patch releases. I am, of course, speaking of… Drippy!
I knew the build would challenge every skillset in my creative arsenal, so I gathered only the best tools for the job. As luck would have it, I scrounged up grocery bags of the exact colors I needed from the darkest corner of my cupboard. Balloons would likewise serve admirably to attain the roundness of his body. Old treasures of my bygone cosplay years—a cheap blue wig and ancient blue stockings—emerged from my closet, as if heeding the call to arms. Some appropriately-colored clothing from my wardrobe completed the base outfit underneath the main construction. Oh, and a large silver spoon from my kitchen, because… well, it’s the morning of the con and we’re stuck in our hotel room hot glueing like madmen to get out on the convention floor while it’s still daytime. Some compromises had to be made.
I had a rough idea how the body would come together, but it wasn’t until I had my arms through the first two grocery bags that the lights went off in my head. Strategically placed masking tape to keep the bags from swinging freely, paired with simply tying the bags together, made the body surprisingly stable while not sacrificing form. And, not to mention, comfortable!… so long as I didn’t have to pass through any narrow doors. I even managed to create space in between the grocery bags at my sides so I could lower my arms fairly easily, which I highly recommend for anyone else thinking about recreating this look. Once the wig and the ears were affixed to my head, the transformation was truly complete.
I knew the build would challenge every skillset in my creative arsenal, so I gathered only the best tools for the job. As luck would have it, I scrounged up grocery bags of the exact colors I needed from the darkest corner of my cupboard. Balloons would likewise serve admirably to attain the roundness of his body. Old treasures of my bygone cosplay years—a cheap blue wig and ancient blue stockings—emerged from my closet, as if heeding the call to arms. Some appropriately-colored clothing from my wardrobe completed the base outfit underneath the main construction. Oh, and a large silver spoon from my kitchen, because… well, it’s the morning of the con and we’re stuck in our hotel room hot glueing like madmen to get out on the convention floor while it’s still daytime. Some compromises had to be made.
I had a rough idea how the body would come together, but it wasn’t until I had my arms through the first two grocery bags that the lights went off in my head. Strategically placed masking tape to keep the bags from swinging freely, paired with simply tying the bags together, made the body surprisingly stable while not sacrificing form. And, not to mention, comfortable!… so long as I didn’t have to pass through any narrow doors. I even managed to create space in between the grocery bags at my sides so I could lower my arms fairly easily, which I highly recommend for anyone else thinking about recreating this look. Once the wig and the ears were affixed to my head, the transformation was truly complete.
Of course, a costume is only as impressive as its photoshoot, and Drippy demanded the best. There was only one space in my house that could rise to the occasion for such an icon, so I soon found myself squeezing into the most glamorous space in my house: my bathroom. Remember what I said about narrow doors?… yeah, I learned that the hard way. Nonetheless, the final shots were well worth the struggle!
Overall, I was incredibly pleased with how all the pieces came together, and I can’t wait to premiere Drippy at conventions (if I can manage to squeeze my way out the hotel room door, of course). If you somehow don’t spot me at the next con… Just listen for the distinct rustling of grocery bags, and I won’t be far behind!
