Community Spotlight is a regular feature that highlights and celebrates amazing fan projects in the Remedy community. This time, we're focusing on a cosplayer who perfectly captures Jesse Faden's curious but no-nonsense attitude and style, Olga Haku, also known by her username, Frau Haku.
Olga is a tremendous cosplayer whose incredible eye for detail in costuming and body language has led to an extraordinary collection, captured and edited by local photographer, Kira. She was one of the first cosplayers to step into the role of Jesse back in early 2020, and for her first photograph, Olga brought together Jesse's standard look, complete with a leather jacket. Soon she expanded to recreating another iconic outfit from the game...and she definitely didn't choose an easy costume to bring to life!
Referred in Control as the "Asynchronous Suit", the outfit can be after players acquire Level 6 Clearance and complete the Self-Reflection side mission. In the mission, Jesse is transported to a mirror world where she encounters her own Doppelganger wearing the complex, layered grey and teal cloak. The design itself in the game is fitted at the top and expands out below the waist in controlled shapes, paired with form fitting trousers. In close ups of Olga's outfit, you can see the various contrasting materials used and how they've been carefully and neatly stitched together over the course of a month. Not only is her costume screen-perfect but in it, she becomes Jesse (or Essej, depending on your read of the piece).
Jesse's experiences growing up has strengthened her resilience and, even while stepping into the role of Director, holds the FBC at a cautious arm's length. While occasionally witty and snarky, Jesse's friendly but direct demeanour fits naturally with the authoritative role presented to her. Olga's body language and expressions perfect convey Jesse's sense of cautious fascination, and mixes both familiarity with the situation with a prepared stance.
Her Control cosplay is not her only work! Over the years, she's been inspired by the Metal Gear Solid series, Cyberpunk 2077, Death Stranding, What We Do In The Shadows, The Witcher, Mad Max: Fury Road, and many more, creating amazing outfits and breath-taking photos. You can follow her extraordinary adventures at DeviantArt, Patreon, Instagram, and Twitter.
Olga very kindly agreed to answer some of our questions about her work and what it's like stepping onto a photoshoot set. Check out the interview below!
We would love to learn more about you! Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I am a cosplayer from Russia, I live in Siberia. My name is Olga. I have been cosplaying since 2017. I have already done more than 40 cosplays and I don’t plan to stop!
What inspired you to get into cosplay?
My friends. That's how I got into cosplay. I was surrounded by cosplayers for a long time and at one point, quite by accident, I also decided to try this hobby.
Why did you decide to cosplay as Jesse/Essej?
The photographer with whom I always shoot [Kira] said that we are similar. And we really do have something in common in appearance. Well, actually that was enough for me to make this cosplay.How did you create your incredible Jesse costume and how long did it take?
As well as my other cosplay. Not to say that it was very difficult tailoring, but I had to suffer with it. I did it for about a month.
You often collaborate with Kira for your photos. What is it like working with them and stepping into the studio?
Oh yes! We have been working with Kira since 2018. I really love this photographer, she really works wonders. But every shoot is a test. For she lives in another city on the other side of the country. And a couple of times a year I come to her with new costumes to shoot several at once.
What are you most looking forward to about Control 2?
Oh, I don't even know. The first part seemed pretty complete to me, I don’t even know what to expect from the next!
What adventures or cosplays do you have scheduled next?
Yes, there are plans. I really hope that I can get to the scheduled festivals. And also finish what I started to sew. But for now, I don't want to announce new projects.
Do you have any advice for aspiring cosplayers?
Don't be afraid to start! Don't be afraid to make mistakes. Mistakes help you learn from them. Try new things more, and don't be afraid to find like-minded people. And of course, work harder and not be afraid!
