With Halloween approaching, I decided to take some out of my very busy schedule (ha) to interview the best fancy dresser I know, the girl who spent real life money getting an ‘I <3 my dissertation’ t-shirt made: my good pal Rosie. Rosie has shared some pearls of wisdom on how to show everyone else up on the 31st, and it was a fabulous opportunity for a Skype catch up - and the chance meet her new boyfriend, Teddy, who couldn’t resist contributing to the conversation a little bit, too.
So, tell me Rosie, where do you get your inspiration from?
I usually just look at ASOS sales. My Christmas present costume was from ASOS, only 25 quid which I thought was a bangin’ deal. I suppose I’m always inspired by the theme, but I do tend to stretch it a bit and find a way to do ‘ultimate fancy dress’. When I have my mind set on an idea, time and money are no object.
Which comes first, the idea or the costume?
I suppose it depends on the event- I went to an ‘Aliens and Stars’ party once, and instantly decided I had to be Buzz Lightyear (I wasn’t very popular and I wanted to stand out- it’s easier to be funny than pretty).
Talk us through your favourite outfit to date and how it came about?
I think that has to be the Raven outfit- that was thanks to you Nina! You organised that social.
Thanks Rosie
That was how I met you as well, Teddy.
Teddy: Yup true.
I set it as my tinder picture, and that was what we started talking about. Well anyway yeah, you know you have to use your gown for fancy dress at some point. I got a black raven feather collar off Amazon, I think it was £11. I suppose that’s pretty expensive really isn’t it? I got a stick from the garden, put on the raven head to make the staff, used a monkey piñata and an egg box and it all came together. I had to walk there on my own into Cuth’s bar. It was really embarrassing. I drew the beard on with a sharpie.
Ok, be honest- do you do it for the likes?
No, I do it for the attention, likes are an extra little bonus. Dumbledore only got 50 – that wasn’t one of my best. Depressing when a picture of you dressed as Raven does better than any profile picture you’ve ever had. That was a really popular time actually, I uploaded a picture of a plate of donuts and got 97 likes. I think Raven was 175, pretty sure that was more than my sister’s PHD picture. Do you need me to fact-check that?
Nah you’ve said it now, too late. Any advice for people wanting to up their fancy dress game?
You’ve just got to be confident, gotta go for it. If it is a bit expensive just think, you can’t put a price tag on the likes. It’s better to go full heartedly than half-heartedly, that’s why a lot of people don’t enjoy fancy dress normally. Be confident, never back down. If you wish to achieve you gotta believe.
Thanks, that was a lot of clichés. What about your favourite fancy dress that someone else has done?
I don’t think anyone could possibly compare. *Struggling to think* When me and my sister went to the Harry Potter Studio Tour we thought it was compulsory to dress up. I went as Dumbledore, my sister went as the sorting hat. It was so funny, she was just walking around completely covered by this hat, she looked crazy. I haven’t seen anyone else do anything particularly interesting. No one else has topped me.
What are you doing for Halloween this year?
I don’t believe in Halloween, I don’t want to do the American thing of dressing up as just anything. I don’t like going really scary either, I can’t do that. I’ll be at work anyway, dressed up in my Waitrose uniform-
Teddy: Capitalism is scary
Thanks Teddy, that’s true.
Finally, how does it feel to be chosen for this interview?
Aw, it’s an honour and a privilege. I’m embarrassed but also grateful and proud…
That sounds sincere.
Yep, it’s all genuine.
Thanks Rosie!