As I wrote about a couple weeks ago, I went to Wizard World in Louisville this year. While I was there, I met The Glamorsteins: a relatively new group on the cosplay/costumer scene. I had my picture taken with them, and they handed me their business card. They were friendly and seemed passionate about what they do. So, when I got home, I got in contact with them and asked if they’d be open to doing an interview. They agreed. What follows is a short conversation I had with them about the convention circuit and their thoughts on horror films.
If you go to a convention, keep an eye out for them. You won’t be able to miss them. Step up and say hi. Despite what I reported in my Wizard World piece, they really are quite friendly.
As an added bonus, one of them is named Dustin (not Justin). In my experience, you can always count on a Dustin to be cool.
1. How did you decide to get into the world of professional cosplayers?
Sasha: I didn’t. Cosplay was a world that built up around me. Then I realized there was a community that was able to share in the same kind of happiness that costuming gave to me, as well as a strong love for movies.
Dustin: I don’t consider us Cosplayers necessarily. Cosplayers like to act out and be the character they have in mind. Sasha and I consider ourselves costumers and artists first. The love to create with each of us is a common theme. Each has their own niche, but are able to come together as one to create things that are truly breathtaking.
We like to stop the room, so to speak. We allow our art to speak; our characters don’t have to.
2. Your most popular outfit seems to Frankenstein’s monster and his bride. Is that your favorite classic horror? Do you watch modern horror?
Sasha: I like horror from all genres, Universal classics being the favorite. My liking of contemporary horror is normally limited to the content itself. I like my horror with a lot of color, a vibrant story; not torture porn and CGI. It also never hurts to make me laugh. A good horror should have a sense of humor.
Dustin: I have never been a huge fan of realistic gore, torture, and rape films. It seems there have been a lot of those that have come into popularity as of late. I prefer silly kitschy horror films as well as most of the classics, [with] Frankenstein being my all time favorite classic.
3. What are your thoughts on the recent trend of remaking/rebooting films?
Sasha: I believe there is a stark difference in a director that remakes a film because he loves it, instead of one that remakes a film to remake a profit. Generally, I don’t care for the idea, but with the right director, level of creativity, and respect a remake can be pretty special.
4. How many outfits do you have, and how long did it take you to build up your wardrobe?
Dustin: Currently we have around 8-10 outfits. But we tend to mix in elements of our daily wardrobe, depending on the event and situation. So our number of outfits can expand dramatically pretty easily. Sasha has been working on her character for over 3 years. I myself have come into it at about a year and a half.
5. If everything goes according to plan, how many conventions would you go to every year?
Dustin: Truthfully, as many as we can afford to go to. We both work full time jobs and have a home together. We generally pay our expenses out of pocket 100%. We were supplied with free early entry passes for the last HorrorHound Weekend in Cincinnati and that’s about it. If we could get more conventions to at least cover our entry, our options would be greatly expanded. So to anyone reading this that works for a convention, if you want us to come work your convention.. just contact us. theglamorsteins@yahoo.com
6. How long does it take you to get ready?
Dustin: It normally takes around 4-6 hours total. So if we are sociable and hanging out late on Fridays with everyone else, that Saturday when you see us… we are miserable. But we wouldn’t have it any other way. Sometimes we don’t sleep at all. We have gone entire conventions with only 2-3 hours of sleep total.
7. What’s your favorite part of doing what you do?
Dustin: We like having a vehicle for our artistic creations. But just as equally, we love having the respect and admiration for our work. The people, their reactions, and their love for what we do, makes it all worth it. We aren’t in it for the competition. We aren’t in it for the money. We do it because we truly just have a love for what we do and being able to share it with the world.
8. What do you do for a living? Do your co-workers know about this side of your life? What are their reactions?
Dustin: We both work for a local printing company. Sasha has been there about 6 months; I’ve been there 10 years. Some of my co-workers know about it. Some think it’s cool and want to know about it. Others think it’s weird. I work with a bunch of dudes [laughs]. Many of Sasha’s co-workers know about us. She actually works with a lady that’s photographed us many times. They are much more supportive in the office.
You can find The Glamorsteins on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Tell ’em Dusty sent you!
