Patron Spotlight: Roli (Patreon)

Photos from 変身スタジオ七色 浅草 Studio Nanairo Asakusa; The Enthusiast

For February’s Patron spotlight, I’m excited to introduce you to yet another multi-talented creator (why are my Patrons all so talented?? Surely this is statistically improbable…) Australian cosplayer and writer Roli’s given name is Caroline, but she says that “Roli” always stuck better. “I get a lot of doubletakes at the name,” she admits, “but it’s cute and I like it!”

Roli has over a decade of modeling experience, but has only in the last two years turned that skill towards cosplay. “My first proper cosplay was Rose Quartz from Steven Universe,” she says, “but I really fell headfirst into cosplay when I joined a Love Live dance group.” She stayed with the group for about six months (now she’s in a different dance group, called Kawaii Republic), and she says it set the tone for her cosplay aesthetic as a whole. She’s cosplayed Eli, Mari, and Kanan from Love Live, and is planning a Nozomi cosplay, too. Her cosplans include a lot of idols, magical girls, and cartoon characters.

Watch Spooky Scary Skeletons by Kawaii Republic

Roli says that her tendency to choose cute cosplays isn’t surprising, considering her everyday interests. “I use a Hello Kitty backpack, wear lolita and other cute fashions, and if there’s a choice, I usually pick the pink one of anything!” she says. “I don’t restrict myself to that aesthetic in cosplay, but cute is just my go-to.”

As for the dance group, Roli is a self-described bad dancer. “Fortunately, idol-style dancing is pretty forgiving! Energy and a big smile counts for a lot,” she says. “I’ve always loved dancing, and I love how dance can bring a cosplay to life.” Kawaii Republic does some dance covers, but also sometimes choreographs their own routines. They’ve performed at conventions and even once at a burlesque variety show. “The audience loved us,” she recalls, “but we were a bit out of place in our cute gijinkas when everyone else was just in feathers and pasties!”

While Roli can put a clear start date on her cosplay experience, her relationship with writing is much longer term. When asked how long she’s been writing, she responds “forever.”

“I started writing for Medium to try and make a bit of money from my writing,” she explains. “While I’m not interested in being a professional journalist, I did want to build up a blogging portfolio and start developing a platform for myself as a writer.” Roli blogs about whatever catches her attention, from playing video games to cleaning house. One of her favorites is the article she wrote about the downsides of wearing alternative fashion in public, “We’re Not Here For Your Entertainment.”

She’s also dabbling in fiction with her husband James. Together, they’re writing a fantasy novel tentatively titled Corhaven. She was kind enough to share the blurb:

Deep forest towns are rich and dangerous places, and no-one moves there without a good reason. The oddsmith hunts a giant beast, the forester and the herbalist are searching for a home, and the swordmistress craves adventure. These strangers meet in Corhaven, a town surrounded by that perilous forest, and discover that their reasons are closer linked than any of them realise.

They’re planning on self publishing later this year, so if you want to check it out (or if you want your feed to be a little more kawaii!) make sure to follow Roli on Facebook.