Mild mannered Cosplayer, Performance Poet, and Model living in Bahrain, Layla Yousif is known as a calm Graphic Design student who never misses a due date. A dreamer, full of positivity and optimism, she believes in making the best of a situation and turning it into a fun ride. We sat down with this beautiful soul who is out to decorate the world in glitter.
Q. Before we start, let’s first talk about you and cosplaying. What got you interested and how long have you been into it?
A. What first got me interested was a close friend of mine I saw cosplay for the first time in one of the events.
Since then, just seeing everyone was so refreshing and interesting [I just had to try it]. I’ve been cosplaying (for about) 3 to 4 years now.
Q. What was it like dawning a suit for the first time?
A. Cosplaying for the first time was fun and nerve-wrecking at the same time. The character I chose to do (The Joker) was more complex than expected.
Q. That’s awesome. Being a student, how do you save money up for your hobby?
A. Well, finance wise taking care of cosplaying can be tricky. Since I’m a graphic design student, I don’t have enough time to have a job and balance my studies at the same time. So I save up as much money as I can from what I get from any part of my life (laughs).
Q. When you were just starting out, what were your biggest QUESTIONS?
A. Well, my biggest questions (starting out) were usually around how to fill in my eyebrows the same color as my wig, how to determine a good wig and a bad one quality wise, and (most importantly) how to stay comfortable with so many props.
Q. Spot on. How do you pick your costumes? Do you have a special connection to the character?
A. Connection to the character! Yup, I pick my characters through admiring them in some way or form. (I do feel a connection) with most of them, that is correct.
Q. What do you consider your most memorable outfit to be?
A. Ahh, my most memorable cosplay would be my “Classic Harley Quinn” cosplay. I love the character and I worked hard on it. I was glad to see the audience love it [just as much as I did].
Q. What’s the worst cosplaying advice you’ve ever received?
A. Ehh, the worst cosplay advice I’ve gotten is that I should let any type of confliction slide in the event. If someone bothers another person it is important to speak up.
Q. What are you planning on doing (or redoing) in the future?
A. I’ve already redone some but there are a few I can’t wait to do. (For instance) certain characters like “Marceline” from Adventure Time, “A Genderbend of Hades” from Hercules, “Belle” from Beauty and the Beast, and so on.
Q. What are some of the best things you’ve learned about yourself since you’ve started this new hobby?
A. Oooh! [I have learned so much]. I realized that i have so many sides to my personality and I believe that everyone is like that. It’s very fascinating to be able to see how I and other people are able to adapt to certain situations.
Q. Currently, how many costumes do you have?
A. I still consider myself an amateur so I would say I have over 6 (six).
Q. Not bad for an amateur. Are there any other cosplayers that you really admire?
A. I admire all cosplayers (because) I can see how much effort they put into their cosplays. Its always nice to see people doing what they love.
Q. Are you competitive when it comes to cosplaying or is it just a way to express your creativity?
A. For me, it’s not about being competitive, it’s all about having fun and being creative. Every cosplayer is unique and brings something different to the table for me.
Q. Lastly, where can we find you online?
A. When it comes to following me online, I use my Instagram to showcase my cosplays and just my life in general. My Instagram is @laylabalooshi96.
Thanks so much Layla for taking the time to talk with us.
Layla recently participated at the Ravens Nest Halloween party in costume and continues to hone her skills for future events.
The Team
- Cosplayer: Layla
- Photographer: Ibrahim Ansari
- Creative Assistant: Haneen Al-Farwan