Cosplay 2.0 Party at the Japan Society NYC

Get dressed and come in your best. In collaboration with their Graphic Heroes, Magic Monsters exhibit, the Japan Society is hosting their annual Cosplay party on the afternoon of Saturday, May 15th. The party will be held in the big screen theater for a screening of Evangelion and will feature a costume competition.

Guests include Uncle Yo, Mario Bueno, World Cosplay Summit 2009 Team USA, and manga Artist Hiroki Otsuka. Nibble on onegiri rice balls, snap yourself in the photobooth.

The contest is a test of creativity, so no rentals or store bought outfits please! More info here.

Photo by George Hirose

Mikio Sakabe's Manga Themed Fashion Show

Japan Fashion Week designer Mikio Sakabe staged a manga-inspired fashion show on Friday in Tokyo's Akihabara district, as part of the Akihabara Entertainment Festival. Not exactly Goth, but the looks did put an edgy spin to Kawaii and maid-inspired looks with tulle, candyland colors, and animal ears as accessories. Models were courtesy of the area's famous themed "Maid" cafes. The adorable ladies walked the runway in a tribute to anime, manga and other modern Japanese entertainment forms.

Gothettes In Training: Brooches and Creepy Cute Artwork by Jade Kuei

Jade Kuei is a designer and artist who has created a lovely collection of creepy cute art and wearable objects suitable for younger souls. Her Mumbot shop on Etsy (and other brick and mortar boutiques) "illustrates whimsical yet haunted abstractions of her own dreams and experiences."

Originally referred to as the "Hot girl in the comic shop" by one of the Courtesan's gentleman friends, her images acknowledge the scary things a child may encounter, but also embraces them. The little ones in her pieces always have the superpowers to overcome their fears, much like her son Everest.

My favorite piece is the sweet vampire/little red riding hood brooch...(seems like a theme this month).

Japanese Goth Fashion Icons - Kokusyoku Sumire

Kokusyoku Sumire is a music group that combines opera, rock, classical and electronica via its two musicians Yuka and Sachi. The talented pair are also gorgeous poster children for Japanese Goth and the Goth-Loli fashion style. They are also the models for Lolita-inspired "Angelic Pretty" collection. Their live shows and music show a multi-disciplinary range and are often cute and unsettling at the same time. Of course, each appearance and video is a beautiful showcase in elaborate Gothic and Lolita fashion