Interview with the cosplayer Praskovya SALT Pelmenchkina
Greetings, inhabitants of the cozy pear. While pondering how to surprise you once again, I decided to conduct a small interview with a very lovely girl. Her name is Praskovya, and she hails from Voronezh — the birthplace of domestic anime festivals. She has been cosplaying for two years now, and during this time, her portfolio has accumulated a vast number of good works. The jewel of all this magnificence is her cosplay of Hermione Granger - the main female character from the Harry Potter film and book series. How Praskovya decided to cosplay Hermione, what she thinks about Russian anime festivals, and why she finds girls much cuter than guys — you can learn all this and much more by reading the interview.
Hello. Here’s a question right away: why did you choose the nickname SALT? After all, you like Hermione more. Or was it difficult for you to choose between two favorite characters?
Praskovya as Hermione Granger
Last year, I had a non-cosplay photoshoot where I looked somewhat like Salt. Well, actually, later someone told me that the image was similar. At that time, I couldn’t decide on a nickname, I needed something catchy and short. So, I thought I would take this one, SALT. So, I don’t feel much love for this character, just a nickname. I never thought of taking the nickname "Hermione." It sounds kind of silly.
Tell me, is Praskovya Pelmeshkina your creative pseudonym or your real name?
That’s a pseudonym.
From what age have you been cosplaying, and who was your first character?
I've been cosplaying for two years, and my first character was Lucy from Elfen Lied (Elf Song).
Praskovya as Lucy
Praskovya, can you tell me about your first cosplay? What impressions do you have?
Well, Elfen Lied was the third anime I watched. I liked Lucy, and a friend kept insisting that I looked like Lucy. The time for our Voronezh Anime Christmas came, and I decided to do Lucy. Although I had three cosplays before her, I don’t consider them good enough to call them cosplays.
How did the idea of cosplaying come to you? Did someone inspire you?
As soon as I learned what that word meant, I understood that it was for me. Because I've been doing this since childhood. I didn’t even know what it was called. Hermione, Lena from t.A.T.u., The Little Mermaid... I loved dressing up similarly and observing even a slight resemblance.
Praskovya as Lena Katina, ExHex as Yulia Volkova
Tell me, how did you decide to cosplay Hermione? After all, she’s an incredibly popular character with a huge number of fans. Weren’t you afraid that fans would criticize you?
Well, as I said, it comes from childhood. I have loved Hermione since the very first film, since the first book. Back then, I was often told that I resembled her, and I began to emulate Emma Watson a lot. I knew all her outfits from premieres, photoshoots, poses, interviews, and of course, all the lines from the films and a large part of the books. I really love her. This went on for several years. Then I started experimenting with my hair and somewhat stopped following Emma. But a year ago, I had the thought: "Well, people cosplay Harry Potter... I would kill myself if I didn’t fulfill my dream; I’ll do wonderfully.” I wasn’t scared at all.
Do you have a favorite cosplay?
If it’s my own, then it’s Hermione.
Do you make all your costumes yourself?
Many of my costumes were made together with my mom. She mostly did the sewing on the machine, while I worked on different details, like painting the tights, making a collar with a cross, crafting a hat… in short, all sorts of things. Out of all my costumes, I bought two, and lately I decided to hand over the sewing of cosplays to a seamstress because it's hard for my mom. I still make the lighter things myself.
How do your friends and, say, your girlfriend feel about your hobby?
My best friend fully supports me and has recently started cosplaying herself; we cosplayed t.A.T.u. together. The rest of my acquaintances are mostly anime fans and cosplayers, so everything is good. I don’t have a boyfriend; I have a girlfriend, and I love her very much.
You have a girlfriend. Quite unexpected. Are boys not interesting at all? Have you lost faith in the stronger sex?
Rather, I’m not interested in them because girls are much kinder, nicer, and prettier. And I myself love gentleness, without vulgarity, I’m shy, a big romantic and an admirer of beauty. And I also can’t perceive anyone as my partner because I need no one besides my girlfriend.
Praskovya and her girlfriend Ekaterina
Does your girlfriend happen to cosplay as well?
Yes, she cosplayed Belarus from Hetalia, and in the future, we are planning joint cosplays.
Ekaterina as Belarus (Hetalia)
I’ll be looking forward to it. You live in Voronezh — the cradle of anime festivals in Russia. How developed is the cosplay culture in your city? Do you have many competitors, or are there more friends?
Since our city has a smaller population than Moscow, for example, there are also fewer cosplayers. I can’t call them competitors or friends. They are just people; I have a better attitude towards some and a worse toward others.
Is there any idea to create a cosplay band?
No. It’s very difficult to agree with everyone, hard to gather for rehearsals, to make costumes at the same level. I prefer individual cosplays or pairs.
A good cosplayer can already be called a celebrity nowadays. Do you have fans or admirers? Maybe people recognize you on the street?
Yes, I have both fans and admirers; they often let me know of their existence, especially on Formspring, which I really appreciate. Though on the street... I wouldn’t say I get recognized. I’m acquainted with most of the Voronezh anime fans, so we greet each other.
Tell me more about your participation in anime festivals. You probably have winning places. Are there any negative aspects? I often hear that they are held at a not very high level here.
No, I’ve never won any awards. In Voronezh, and in Rostov-on-Don too, there’s no competitive program, while in Moscow — yes. I’ve been to two Moscow festivals, and to be honest, I didn’t like it very much. The atmosphere is totally different. I don’t know how to say it, it’s not family-like, so to speak. By the end of the festival, almost no one remains in the hall, and I believe that awards are given not by merit. But I really like our Voronezh All-Russian festival and Tanibata in Rostov-on-Don.
Praskovya, what title did you start your anime fascination with, and what are your genre preferences?
Everything started with Loveless, and I like fantasy, mysticism, shoujo-ai (yuri), shounen-ai.
Are you not interested in computer games?
Harry Potter games are my favorite. Also, games based on films and cartoons, and The Sims, yes. But now I hardly play at all; I have no time whatsoever.
Praskovya, what do you do in life besides cosplay? What are your hobbies?
I study graphic design. I also love singing and photography.
Can you tell us about your cosplay plans? Who do you plan to cosplay soon?
In January, with a fellow cosplayer, I’m doing a joint cosplay of Eji and Natsuo from Loveless, then later there will be Stocking in a winter coat. For the All-Russian festival, we plan to form a cosplay band for Strawberry Panic, and I will be Nagisa. Also, Lucy in a new costume. Ciel from the OVA Alice in Wonderland, Hatsune Miku, The Little Mermaid Ariel. That’s what I’m planning for the next 8 months.
Eji and Natsuo (Loveless)
Stocking (Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt)
Nagisa (Strawberry Panic!)
Lucy (Elfen Lied)
Ciel (Kuroshitsuji II OVA — Ciel in Wonderland)
Hatsune Miku
Ariel (The Little Mermaid)
What can I say, the plans are grand. It’s a pity that there are no characters from computer games among them.
Who knows, maybe someday I’ll make something from games.
Praskovya, thank you for finding some of your time to answer my questions. It was very nice to chat. I wish you success in cosplay and beyond!
Thank you.
Praskovya's Works
Harry Potter
Praskovya as Hermione Granger
t.a.T.u.
Praskovya as Lena Katina, ExHex as Yulia Volkova
Rosario + Vampire
Praskovya as Moka Akashia
Elfen Lied
Praskovya as Lucy/Nyu
Death Note
Praskovya as Mello, MON as Matt
When Seagulls Cry
Praskovya as Lucifer
Pandora's Hearts
Praskovya as Will of the Abyss
Black Butler
Praskovya as Ciel Phantomhive
K-On!
Praskovya as Akiyama Mio
Non-cosplay photos
All photos are taken from Praskovya's personal dA gallery
Enormous gratitude for proofreading to — fr4ntic