Cosplay Corner Episode #78: Lutetium

Lutetium is a beautiful, quirky cosplayer who also doubles as a biomedical scientist, freelance model, aspiring burlesque dancer and full-time geek appreciator! Her goal? Well, she is aiming to bring Sexy into Science and the Science into Sexy. She specializes in geeky pin up and high fashion, but has dabbled in everything from art nudes to fetish. Read below for the full interview…

How does someone like yourself get into fetish, nude, cosplay, and general modelling? Most people only specialize in one form but you seem to juggle multiple. What is your secret?

Lu: Firstly, become friends with people with cameras, or persuade your current friends to purchase cameras! No really, surround yourself with people who share your interests and with whom you can collaborate with. Support is very important, especially when you are starting out. Even after several years of modelling I still spend 99% of my time doing unpaid shoots and ‘jamming’ with people. It’s about loving what you do.

Secret? No secrets. I just really like expanding my portfolio. I have a little obsession with trying to become the ‘Renaissance man’ – where one is well rounded and have many areas of expertise. Plus, I never know what I’m going to like unless I try it right? Most of the time I just go with the flow. As long as it doesn’t impact on my morals and ethics I’ll all ears, and limbs and other body parts.

Do your tattoos play an important part in the overall aesthetic of your costumes?

Lu: Not really is the short answer. But I think it’s important to have your chosen costume and your personality really mesh. So in a way being a fan of strong tough characters and having some somewhat ‘badass’ ink can help bring me and my characters together. Except for Fan Dancing Slavegirl. She just likes the aesthetics I think, I don’t know, you’ll have to ask her.

Some of your costumes are well known why others I have a hard time putting my finger on them. What contributing factors go into a particular photoshoot/costume choice?

Lu: Above all else, I must really like and enjoy the show the character is from. It’s always a little disappointing when talking to a person in costume about the show in question and they don’t know it all that well so you can’t share jokes with them. In jokes MUST be had, without a question. Other considerations like body shape and facial features needs to go into it as well. The perfectionist in me likes to keep the portrayal true to the character – or true to my interpretation. I just want everything to be pretty.

Is cosplay a major focus in your many hats you wear at the moment? Do you plan on attending any conventions next year?

Lu: Costuming is not a major hat unfortunately; I usually wear my Jayne hat. But most of all I wear my science hat, being a molecular biologist with a research background I spend most of my time trying to get experiments to work OR as I am doing now, hunting down jobs in a very competitive employment climate. Right now, I’m doing free work after my contract has ended. It’s actually really great being in the lab – but being paid for it would be good. Pay = money for costumes. As for conventions I’ll usually try to attend all the Sydney ones, and selected Melbourne conventions. I’m all about the sci-fi, so as long as they are bring out good sci-fi guests which contribute to my need to get DVDs signed I’ll be there!

A few years ago you proclaimed that numerous negative reactions by people forced your hand to allow modelling to take a backseat to your professional studies. How has this decision progressed and do you have a different outlook on how people perceive you?

Lu: Wow, that was a long while ago! It was really difficult dealing with some of the things that were coming up because I’m naturally loaded with empathy and sometimes it’s not that healthy taking people to heart. I used to be upset for weeks and months over the things I was hearing. But now I’m back in the scene so to speak, because apparently people who have a negative effect on my life have no place being there. I also realized I can’t help what other think. As long as I’m happy with what I’m producing I’m doing no wrongs. I really love doing modelling and meeting the contributing individuals who are passionate about their art. The enthusiasm is really quite contagious so I just couldn’t keep away. Right now, I’m doing any paid shoots that come along, and collaborating with friends. Basically just doing what I enjoy.

Do you have any favorite Asian films or Anime?

Lu: I don’t really watch many of the above genres. I do however enjoy Yu-Gi-Oh The Abridged and Spirited Away had a good healthy dose of the whimsy that I enjoy.

Slave girl is a costume not many women can pull off successfully. Has your nude modelling given you the confidence to portray bolder costume choices? Or were you a person who never struggled with confidence issues?

Lu: It’s funny actually; I’m not the most confidant person ever, far FAR from it. I consistently look over shoots and deem many ‘unpublishable’ because either my face looks retarded, I’m not sucking in my tummy enough or there’s a lack of any rounded girly features (I really don’t like overuse of Photoshop so that’s out). But in the context of modelling in person, I’m always rather relaxed, as models eventually get – because you see so many boobs backstage and in the change rooms that it becomes normal and subjected to immature jokes. So in a way the modelling helps. But as with all things there will be some hatin’ from somewhere. In the end I just remember that my friends and fans enjoy what I’m doing and that I enjoy what I’m doing.

How is the cosplay community is Australia? Have you seen it become weaker or stronger in the past couple years?

Lu: The cosplay community in Australia is amazing and getting better every year. There’s a large group of dedicated costumers who have been consistently produce phenomenal work every year – and then there are the surprising new comers who are contributing immediately to increase the calibre of the costuming community. It’s really fantastic to see the overall growth in both quantity and quality. I’m convinced that we are rivalling the costuming community in US and Europe. It may notseem like it but we need to remember that Australia is not as densely populated and for the amount of people we have on our little rock we are doing smashingly.

For those that don’t know much about the subject, what special set of skills and preparation goes into an effective fetish shoot?

Lu: It’s like with any other type of modelling really. Flexibility is always very beneficial, in attitude and in limbs. It needs to be approached in a certain way. I find it very beneficial to approach it in a fun crazy way – which usually ends up in some fun photos and sword fighting with things not designed for such purposes…

Lastly, what can we expect to see from you throughout 2013?

Lu: MY CUSTOM MANDALORIAN! I’m really excited about this project, it’s already underway and I can’t wait to finish it off so I can troop with the Sandhawk Clan of the Mandalorian Mercs. It’ll be the most involved costume I’ve ever put together since I’ll be hammering my own metal armour. Squee! But in other news I’ll be putting together a River Tam as well. Depends what else tickles my fancy really. I do have new projects which will see me taking to the stage with geeky aerial and burlesque routines! Stay tuned and keep flying! ^__^

Want to stay current on all of her latest adventures? Follow her cookie crumb trail below:

http://www.facebook.com/LutetiumKittyToxin
http://kittytoxin.deviantart.com/

Photography Credits:

Kris Ezergailis - http://whatabigcamera.com/

Robin Orlic - http://robin-orlic.com/

Kris Ezergailis - http://whatabigcamera.com/

Zaneth Simpson - http://z3d5.tumblr.com/

Peter Coulson - http://www.koukei.com.au/