Apologies for leaving you hanging for a month. I had to take a break from blogging to concentrate on real life endeavors and catch up on editing the massive number of photos I took from various events, including Anime Matsuri. I did do a feature on DISACODE vocalist AKIRA’s appearance in the Anime Matsuri fashion show for JRock247. However, there were lots more images that I wanted to share.
The show, titled “Monster”, featured designs by Atelier Boz, Angelic Pretty, Putumayo, and Metamophose. AKIRA played the hero whose complicated relationship with Queen Lilith, portrayed by Midori Fukusawa, is explored in the plot. In addition to this dramatic storyline, the show also contained contained contortionism, pyrotechnics, and guest appearances by shironuri artist Minori, cosplayer Reika, and several other lolita models.
AKIRA in Atelier Boz and Midori in Angelic Pretty
Putumayo, featuring Yui Minataka as the Atomic Queen
Metamorphose, featuring Chokelate
The fashion guests also hosted panels. I attended the boystyle one by AKIRA and Shiva, the designer behind Atelier Boz. They provided advice as well as personal details in the Q&A session. Many attendees were in elaborate ouji coordinates that would make Oscar Wilde jealous, but Shiva seemed to like my “working” boystyle outfit. It seemed like OTT (over-the-top) has been trending among both boystyle and lolita. I also noticed some dolly kei influences in some of the lolita outfits.
On the cosplay side, I learned about make-up from Reika and embellishments from Stella Chuu and Chubear Cosplay. Since Reika did a live demo on a lucky attendee, it was hard to see the finer details. She gave a lot of great tips though.
Chubear and Stella had some interesting tips about how to make your costumes really stand out in photos, which often require sacrifice in the form of compromising on accuracy or realism. Seeing their cosplays broken down helped make the process less intimidating. Stella also did a panel on nerdlesque, which provided an informative prelude to the show later that evening.
Because I covered three concerts plus a fashion show and wanted to catch some panels in between, I didn’t really get to take too many cosplay photos. It was a shame since there was an area with different backdrops for photoshoots. It was a great way to get pictures without worrying about blocking traffic, photobombs, or ugly hotel carpeting. Popular costumes included variations of the Sailor Scouts, Puella Magi Madoka Magica, and a bunch of things I didn’t recognize.
I have no idea what these guys are cosplaying, but they look so kawaii and fabulous.
Overall Anime Matsuri 2015 was an interesting experience. Although I liked the spaciousness of the George R. Brown Convention Center, it might have been a little too big. Getting lost and dealing with sore feet were inevitable, and the Houston construction outside didn’t help. I don’t do many anime cons and very rarely do I travel outside of Dallas for a convention so I enjoyed seeing what another city had to offer in terms of J-fashion and cosplay.
Click here to see all my photos.
Listening to: “Kirie Toroimen No Shirabe” by AKIRA
Jen
Lona Antoinette
/ June 23, 2015I just love that first picture. Such a beautiful dress!
–Lona Antoinette