How to Grow Roses

The story of 'The Rose Garden' begins at Anime Expo 2001. An Utena (Rose Bride) cosplay went to a special Utena Series Cosplay Contest, however upon arriving at the contest she soon realized that all the other Utenas had their own Anthys to pose with for pictures. No one wanted to pose with the Utena-Rose-Bride Cosplayer, and she was getting sad. Then up walks a beautiful Anthy-Rose-Bride Cosplayer all by herself. The two walked over to each other, and the Utena asked, "Corset?" to which the Anthy replied, "Hoopskirt?". It seemed each cosplay had determined that Utena and Anthy in their Rose Bride gowns were obviously wearing Hoopskirts and Corsets, and both Cosplayers wishing to remain faithful to what they believed, so did the same (regardless of how uncomfortable it may be). The two Cosplayers were very happy and began posing for pictures together for everyone to see. It also didn't hurt that two Cosplayers were similar in height and body structure (just as Utena and Anthy are in the Series). So from simple beginnings the friendship of Utena and Anthy that would bring forth 'The Rose Garden' was first seeded. But the story doesn't end there my friends...

It would seem that after Anime Expo 2001, Utena and Anthy would go their separate ways. Both tried to contact the other, but with no luck. Both were sad, but hopeful that one-day they would meet again. Our Utena of the story, set out to continue making her Utena costumes, and created the first Utena in Pajamas Cosplay, for Ani-Magic 2001. To her joy Ani-Magic 2001 had a staircase, which they had decorated with 'The Pointing Finger' from Utena. So Utena dubbed it, 'The Utena Staircase', and of course had to get a picture on said staircase. It was also at Ani-Magic 2001 that Utena would jump into the Convention's Pool, in full costume. (Later at Fanime 2003, Steve Bennet of Studio Ironcat would complement her on this action being very cool).

 
In 2002, Utena still had not located her Anthy and had almost given up hope of ever seeing her again. She ended up flying to Katsucon, where she entered their Cosplay contest. This would be Utena's first cosplay contest. At the convention/contest she would actually win an Honorable Mention, For Hand sewing a Ball gown (Katsucon 2002). One thing people didn't know when they looked at the gown was it was entirely hand-sewed. This is because Utena had no skill in operating a sewing machine. Originally Utena ordered the dress on-line, but when it came it was so hideous that it sent Utena into tears. She wanted to the Rose Bride dress so badly, that she became determined that she would make it, even if the only way was by sewing the entire dress by hand. So that is exactly what she did.

Meanwhile...Anthy was living in San Diego when she met Utena, and it was while in San Diego that an interesting event occured. While looking at pictures from Anime Expo 2001 with some friends she mentions how she had met Utena, and had lost contact with her, and wished that they could find each other again. It would turn out that one of her friends actually knew Utena, and was going to see that they get in touch with each other. But still there are problems, because Anthy has moved from San Diego to San Francisco. However word does reach Utena that she will be at Anime Expo 2002, and so at Anime Expo 2002 they would finally meet again. Anthy in her Rose Bride Dress, with Utena curled up asleep in her Pjs with her.

After Anime-Expo 2002, they were determined not to lose touch with each other, and so they did just that. Anthy stopped by Yaoi-con 2002, and costume Plans were made. They got a hotel room together for Fanime 2003. This would be the Premiere of Anthy in Pajamas. She had decided to do this costume after she saw how cute and comfortable her Utena was. There were problems, because by Fanime Anthy had moved to Maryland. Anthy ended up missed her plane to California, but luckily Anthy eventually got there, and the next day they made a scene at the convention. Dressed in their Rose Bride Dresses, smelling of Roses, along with their theme music!

  To Sprout

Utena already had plans to visit Shoujo-con 2002 to see a friend, but with Anthy in Maryland it was added incentive. They booked a hotel room together, along with Anthy's roommate in Maryland. Utena and Anthy's goal this time was to dress up as Utena & Anthy in thier Christmas Outfits, but our friends wanted to cosplay with us. So a Nanami and Miki was added to our group. Nanami in her School Uniform, and PJs, and Miki in his PJs. There was also a PJ contest at Shoujo-con, and with four characters complete with PJs we couldn't resist making an appearance and ended up winning. Later that evening, Nanami and Miki in their PJs would help us with our Christmas Themed Cosplay Skit. We premiered the first ever Utena & Anthy in their Christmas Outfits as the very first skit in the contest. We wouldn't win the contest, or even place in the top three (because they judged only on skits not costumes), but we would rank in the high end of performances. (We actually sewed stars into Anthy's hair!)

Yaoi-con 2003
Anthy would travel across the country once again to visit Utena at Yaoi-con. Borrowing Nanami's School Uniform, Anthy had her new Anthy look. Utena was busy running around as staff for the convention, but thankfully Anthy was there to support her. (Ahhhh....)

This was also the first appearance of Akio Otihori. Anthy was tired of waiting around for her brother, so made the costume herself. She was a hit at the convention, hitting on all the females, just as Akio would do. With a winning smile and everything. To soon the convention ended and Anthy flew back home.

Fanime 2004
We would add Juri to the group in her PJs, and Utena in her female school uniform.

Meanwhile across the country, Miki finally got his duelest costume. The group was coming together despite the distance between us.

While our Nanami moved away to Germany. Anthy returned to her home in Sacramento.

To Bud

Yaoi-con 2004
Utena and Anthy have never been known for their intelligence. Some how they got it into their heads that with Yaoi-con happening on Halloween Weekend, they would make the Utena Cast in their Halloween Outfits (as was done on the Animerica Extra cover). This cosplay group is all about doing the unusual cosplay costumes from Utena, but did we have the time for these costumes? We managed to finish them, and we had originally planned to do ‘ghetto’ versions of the costumes, but as you can see, they turned out rather well. (Anthy’s fur was sewed onto the dress about 10 minutes before we headed down stairs.) Sadly Nanami was in Germany now, and Miki wasn’t old enough to attend Yaoi-con. But we did pick up a few potential new Rose Garden Members

 Fanime 2005
Juri would arrive in her Duelest Uniform, spuring on a rush for Duelest Uniforms. Utena's Halloween outfit was converted into a Duelest uniform. Nanami in Germany has been working on her own. Beautiful Duelest Rings and Roses have been made for the group.

Otakon 2005
Miki alone on the East Coast had his twin sister cast. Who better to play his twin sister then himself. Kozue the Rosebride was born, and so continues the growing of the Garden!

Yaoi-con 2005
Off handed comments at Fanime were taken seriouslly and a Touga outfit was created, and Jacob was forced into it. Ren couldn't resist the temptation to put on our Akio costume and pose with Touga. Sarina became a shadow play girl, as our flowers continue to grow and expand to include more and more colors. Touga is located near Juri and Utena, but to add to our spread out flowers, Ren is in Canada, while Sarina is in Washington.

To Bloom

  Where to go from here... Anthy moved to Germany, living with Nanami. More costumes are planned, and more people are to be added to our blooming garden. Ren plans to take on the role of Dios, while a new friend will be taking over as Akio. We have a Saiounji lined up, and Sarina will be changed into our 'Chu-Chu'. The current goal for the group is to have a full cast for Yaoi-con 2007, when Miki will finally be old enough to attend, and we can gather everyone together for the first time ever!

Utena, Anthy, Touga, Saiounji, Juri, Miki, Nanami, Akio, Dios, Chu-Chu, and who knows who else...