Cosplay Corner Episode #14: Melodie Gore

Georgia-native Melodie Gore (formerly based in LA) has been offering her unique interpretation of cosplay for years. Not only has she made a name for herself in the cosplay community, she is also a successful make-up artist, go-go dancer, burlesque performer and erotic/fetish model. While drawing inspiration from Japanese animation and videogames, Melodie creates erotic fantasy images that push the boundaries of typical ‘costume play.’ Melodie’s combination of various subcultures (Japanese, fetish, tattooing) has resulted in many impressive and original projects; starring as an anime-inspired ‘mascot’ for the hardcore porn ‘Man’s Ruin,’ infusing her photoshoots at God’s Girls with Japanese pop culture, and collaborating in an impressive amount of photoshoots (which can be found scattered across the internet). In addition to all that, she has worked as an EMT in Los Angeles and has plans to work in the fire department in Georgia.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself; what you are currently doing and how did you become interested in cosplay?

Melodie: Well, in the 10th grade I dressed up as Chun Li for Halloween. I have always loved video games and anime, so it seemed only fit. My good friend Anthony Canney (The House of Canney) made the costume for me and is currently still working with me on projects. I had no idea at the time that there was a whole culture dedicated to this type of thing. I just loved playing dress-up.

Would you say that your exposure to Japanese Anime and cosplay made you more interested in other aspects of Japanese culture or vice versa?

Melodie Gore: Oh, most definitely, on both. I became more interested in the language and traditional culture such as geishas. I find Japan’s traditions to be beautiful but I had a wired fascination with Japan since I was little. I was obsessed with a hibachi and sushi restaurant here, but being from Georgia you don’t get much “real” Japanese culture [laughs].

What initially prompted you to mix cosplay with your work as an erotic/fetish model?

Melodie: Heh… Have you seen anime/manga? [laughs] It screams sex and perversion. I felt it was only natural to take it to that level. I mean, it’s drawn that way, so why not cosplay it that way?

Woah, that’s actually a damn good answer. Well put! Overall, do you think your erotic cosplay has been received positively or negatively by the cosplay/anime fandom community?

Melodie: Well, I have received both sides of feedback, negative and positive. Mostly, people who tend to be older and into more mature subject matter tend to appreciate my take on things a bit more than others. I have been called a slut and other terms by female cosplayers who are more like the ‘Fruits Basket’ types… Or to put it more bluntly, insecure.

Can you tell us a bit about Man’s Ruin and what it was like to be the film’s anime/videogame-inspired ‘mascot?’

Melodie: Well it’s a hardcore porn/ 70s exploitation/ live action anime, [laughs] and it was so much fun. Eon [McKai] and Octavio [Winkytiki] from Vivid Alt are amazing people to work with. I got to design all my costumes with my friend Anthony and some of the art in the movie was mine.

You have also had the opportunity to model a bit in Japan. What was that experience like?

Melodie: Awesome… It just kind of happened. I was in Tokyo for a month and it just sort of happened. A lot of my friends were there at the same time. I knew the photographer and when he asked me to shoot, I of course jumped at the opportunity.

While most cosplayers typically replicate costumes and characters as a hobby, your costumes and photo shoots always include a unique twist. Your ability to integrate so much personality and originality into a creative medium that is essentially based on imitation really makes your work stand out. Can you tell us a bit more about the creative process you follow when you create a new costume/character?

Melodie: Well, hmm, my creative process is one part fine arts training, one part A.D.D., a huge helping of costume fetish and a dash of mental illness. Ha!…I’m not sure. Honestly? It’s like I see a character or develop an idea and it just eats at me till I spend all my rent and gas money on a new costume and beg my friends to collaborate with me [laughs].

Another aspect of your work that really sets you apart is the quality of your costumes, make-up, and photography. Do you frequently make your own costumes or collaborate with others?

Melodie: Well, I do all the concepts, hair, makeup, and styling; but most my costumes are sewn by my friend Anthony Canney from The House of Canney. We have been collaborating for 13 years now! Also, my friend Die has made a few of the costumes as well. I suck at sewing. I made my Baiken [Guilty Gear] costume and let’s just say no one will see it close up.

Obviously, you have extensive tattooing over much of your body. How do you think this influences your cosplay?

Melodie: It doesn’t really. I hate when people get all wrapped up in my tattoos and bitch about the characters not having them. Seriously, fuck off mate, I’ll cosplay who I want.

Actually, I feel like your tattoos actually enhance your costumes and make you as a cosplayer standout. Have you experienced positive reactions to your tattoos as an aspect of your cosplay or would you say that people mostly gripe about the inaccuracy?

Melodie: Well, I have had people like my tattoos or compliment the fact I cosplay characters who are more likely to be tattooed in real life. I think it’s the same people who bitch about the sex [erotic pictures], who bitch about the tattoos. People who should grow up. It’s fucking cosplay!

What is your most memorable convention experience?

Melodie: Hmmm, you know anytime I’m with my girl YuffieBunny we always have a blast! I love that woman!

You recently moved from L.A. to Georgia. Why did you decide to leave California?

Melodie: Pursuing my career. [I'm] trying to get on the fire department since LA isn’t hiring and won’t for years. So, I came back home where they are hiring.

A few years ago, you had a much more extensive online presence and were starting to become very well-known in online cosplay communities. Since then, it appears that you’re retreated a bit from cosplay and begun to focus on other projects. What motivated this shift?

Melodie: I changed careers and became an EMT. School and the nature of the job slowed me down a bit. EMTs get investigated and get paid little, so it kind of changed things. I can’t afford costumes and rent on EMT money.

Do you have any upcoming projects that you’d like to share with us?

Well, now I work for a TV station and moved back home… so, yes, I will be making new costumes and going to cons in 2012. I have pages of costumes I want to make, so we’ll see what actually gets made, [laughs]. Currently, my site is mostly my Tumblr blog. I don’t have someone to code my site so it’s just sitting there right now.  I just recently posted some of my High School of the Dead pictures and will have some of my Marie Antoinette costume up soon.

Want to keep tabs on Miss Gore and see her 2012 Con schedule? Follow her cookie crumb trail below:

http://melodiegore.tumblr.com/
http://melodiegore.com
http://www.modelmayhem.com/4332
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzM_N12UOhw