Costume Con 26 thoughts.

[gurdymonkey]

Thought#1. After getting 404 errors for a week, the website let me post a proposal for a class. In my tradition of trying to come up with titles that hopefully pique interest, I used "Before The Shogun." My area of interest and experience is in re-creating pre 17th century Japanese dress, so hopefully that captures the essence. Assuming that they accept my proposal, fun with PowerPoint will ensue shortly. I should probably shoot notes to my Samurai Eye gang and get their OK to use some of their photos - this is, after all, a costume convention and those are damn fine examples of what us amateurs can do to replicate historical fashions that look and feel right. Besides, I can't afford to fly any of 'em in to model their work. (Sigh.)

Thought #2. Once upon a time, during the "Let's ply her with LOTS of expensive sake" phase of my Seduction To The Dark Side By A Certain Pair of  Evil Genius Types, it was suggested to me that I could easily "tweak" one of my Japanese outfits for the Fantasy/SF masquerade and then wear one of my medieval European things for the Historical. I almost fell for this suggestion. However, being completely new to the whole con thing and masquerades, I figured I should actually look at the rules. Lo and behold, I find the following "strong" suggestion: "This is a Fantasy & Science Fiction Masquerade. Please respect our theme. There is a Historical Masquerade for your historical costume."

Yes, there is! This SO vindicates my gut feelings! It's not Tuesday and I'm not Kitsune, thank Kannon the Merciful. Especially since every stitch of my Japanese kit was built as historical dress. Especially as I've just offered to teach a class on this stuff from the historical re-creationist's POV and a little credibility would be nice.  It clearly qualifies under both the "Historical Reproduction" (I have good excuses for both the hand seam finishing treatment - which Japanese textiles would not have required - and the use of paint to replicate period textile decoration!) AND the  "Ethnic Dress" portion of the HM. If I'm going to bother entering one of these things, it should be the Karaginu Mo. It deserves to be shown off.

What to wear to the Underwear Party though? I don't DO Victorian....

Comments

[reynardine.livejournal.com]

What to wear to the Underwear Party though? I don't DO Victorian....

Wear kosode and hakama? That's Heian underwear, after all... ;-D Or is the party specifically Victorian?

It's not Tuesday and I'm not Kitsune, thank Kannon the Merciful. Oh, great. Now I've got a vision of you wearing one of those HELLO MY NAME IS badges with "Kitsune, and today is Tuesday!" written on it. XD XD XD

[gurdymonkey.livejournal.com]

Here's the party description: http://www.cc26.info/main.php?section=events&page=social
I could do kosode and hakama, or even just kosode. It's that or a one piece red Union suit with the trapdoor in the back. (Or I could go for total dorkitude and wear my 17th century chemise, corset, stockings, latchet shoes and stupid cap.)

I think the "Hello, my name is" has potential as a CafePress T-shirt design.

[joycebre.livejournal.com]

well after trying on my Vic drawers, chemise and petticoat, I vote for your 17th c. kit. At least I'd have a partner in dorkiness. My petticoat is a furniture toppler.

[reynardine.livejournal.com]

[joycebre.livejournal.com]

the Friday night party is sub themed 'time travel, wear what you want', isn't it? so wear some other cool underwear.
you could wear the 14 Heian underlayers, right? (or is it 22 umderlayers) nevermind - I just made up both of those numbers.

[gurdymonkey.livejournal.com]

THIS is Heian underwear, see Renardine's suggestion:
http://mikusigedono.hp.infoseek.co.jp/mikusigedono/gosinpuku/gosinpuku-nagabakama/gosinpuku-nagabakama.htm

[danabren.livejournal.com]

If you think that any of my (admittedly bad) photos can help, let me know.

[gurdymonkey.livejournal.com]

I wish you had better! I'd be all over 'em for Samurai Eye in a heartbeat. Instead, you have this staggering collection of things that are blurry, badly lit, or have too much visual clutter in the background. It is The Sad Making. ;-(

Blurry photos

[danabren.livejournal.com]

I try to excell in all things ;)

[bebemochi.livejournal.com]

I hope they accept your proposal! Good luck! :)

[mamapduck.livejournal.com]

While just slapping a blaster pistol on the hip of your kosode is Right Out, using pieces of your historical gear improperly is a good base for a SF/F costume- lots of the genre has a base of Asian influence (think Firefly) and a single layer of multilayer clothing or an obi over a totally different outfit allows you to use what you've already got in a way that actually does fit their expectations.

If you took The Dress (you know the one- the blue one) and added your best obi, hair sticks and a blaster pistol you'd have a look. The traditional white makeup base is a good jumping off point- add elaborate eye swirls- hell, maybe even tiny sparkly bits in the corners... it could be cool.