AP: 1. What got you into cosplaying?

YH: Before I ever knew Cosplay existed, I was a big anime/manga fan and avid artist. I started attending 

anime conventions to exhibit  my artwork in the art shows, but throughout the events I kept seeing people 

dressed up as these cool anime characters! It really inspired me to expand my artistic interest into 

making costumes.

AP: 2. What was the first character you cosplayed, how do you choose your characters?

YH: I consider two costumes as my first true Cosplay experience, because I made them simultaneously 

for A-kon 2000. Mill-chan from "Megaburst Maze" and Mana from Malice Mizer's "Au Revoir" video. 

Both were challenging because I really didn't know what I was doing. Not only was I a beginner 

seamstress, I also had to experiment with making up patterns, dyeing fabrics and flowers, lining, wig 

styling and cutting, appliqués etc. Before those projects I had never learned about any of these things. 

But I think it was the trouble-shooting aspect that got me hooked on Cosplay after all. Since then I 

have been choosing costumes and characters that draw me to them, design-wise and personality wise. 

I've made costumes of favorite characters who speak to me profoundly, and I've made costumes 

simply because I wanted to challenge myself to recreating a particular design. For me Cosplay is all 

about enjoying the end result as well as the creation process.

AP: 3. On average, how long does it take you to make a costume from concept to finish product?

YH: For a fairly complicated costume involving beading, props, or extensive wig styling, I'd say 

between 20 - 30 hours. I've never cranked out a costume in a day before, usually because you always

end up waiting for certain components like shows or wigs to arrive in the mail, or because you're

missing certain materials. Sometimes shopping for the right material can take longer than the costume 

making itself!

AP: 4. When not working, what can we find Yaya doing?

YH: I love traveling! Be it within the US or to other countries, I have always loved visiting new places. 

I'm still fairly new to the city of Las Vegas, so I like to explore the Strip and the surrounding areas 

sometimes. There is always something to do here! I also am a huge movie buff, and it's always

nice to just hang out with friends. Generally I don't have that much free-time, and I devote much of that

to being creative, designing and making costumes.

AP: 5. What current projects are you working on?

YH: I just finished three new costumes for a big convention in Mexico City! After I come back I have 

to make one new costume for a convention in Milan, Italy, called Cartoomics. Aside from that I have 

some modeling projects lined up, and I am trying to build up and expand my website AngelicStar.net.

So check back often for updates!

AP: 6.  You have sold some of your designs, have you ever thought of creating your own clothing line?

YH: I certainly have had that dream, and it would be an amazing career indeed. I would like to learn a 

lot more about the craft of sewing and pattern making before I would consider taking that leap. But you 

never know what the future holds!

AP: 7.  What's the craziest thing, that has happened to you while cosplaying?

YH: You would not believe some of the weird personal e-mails I receive! In person I have received some 

beautiful gift art at cons which are super special to me.

AP: 8.  Right now, what music would we find on your MP3 or CD player?

YH: A large cross section of trance and remixes, but also Rob Zombie, Peter Gabriel, and Dave Matthews. 

I am such a forgiving listener, I love just about any type of music!

AP: 9: Who are your role models, personally and professionally?

YH: My mom has always been incredibly supportive of all my crazy ideas. Even though she lives in 

Europe and worries about me all the time, she understands how important it is for me to live a creative 

life. She loves my costumes and artworks! When I was young she left China to pursue a happy life in 

Germany and I left Germany at age 18 to try to make it here in the US, so I think we share a bond 

through those experiences. I love her so much!

AP: 10: Tell us something about YaYa, which you would like your fans to know?

YH: Look out for some major changes from my end in 2007! I have some great ideas that I would like 

to realize. I also would like to travel to more International cons and meet Cosplayers and anime fans 

from other countries!