Costume Con: HSQ is through the roof.
Costume Con is not for the faint of heart, especially if you plan to compete. It is an intense eye-gasm of color, beading, detail, and fabric. It is where the normal outfit is an endangered species, and beads, bangles, and thread are eaten for breakfast. (With the occasional alcoholic drink as a chaser) It is where the words "holy shit" ring out like an hourly prayer. This is not an anime con. It's not even a sci-fi con. The best way I can describe it, is as a costume con.
Firstly, to explain a few things, the way it is run is completely different than most cons I've attended. There are two types are programming, workshops and panels. Workshops come with a price, and usually run longer than panels. They go into more detail on how to complete a project or learn new techniques. For example, one workshop was "How to Build a Victorian Bustle." The fee was explained, what the participant needed to bring and what would be supplied at the workshop. A panel was more related to a specific topic, such as "Color Theory" "Designing a pattern from media or historical sources" or "How to do a presentation" These panels are very informative, and often feel like college classes with intense research. All of these panels were finished between 5 and 6 PM. This gives a break for the attendees to get food, plus to change into costumes that will either be presented in that night's Masquerade, or will be worn in the audience.
And as for Masquerades, there were several contests throughout the weekend. There was the single pattern contest on Friday, which took a pattern from somewhere like McCalls or Simplicity and allowed people to alter it while keeping the basic shape of the pattern. It allowed for a *lot* of creativity on what people did with the patterns. (There were 2 patterns this year, a Medieval robe with long sleeves, and a cowboy overcoat with a shoulder covering) Saturday night consisted of the Fantasy and Sci-Fi contest, which could cover just about anything that people liked. Sunday afternoon was the Future Fashion show, which consisted of drawn patterns sent in months before and selected by a panel of judges. Either you could do a pattern you designed, or something that another person came up with. Sunday night was the Historical competition, which either went for accuracy or interpretation. Plus there's the Hall contest, which unlike anime cons, is when judges/staff from the con hands you a ribbon stating they like your outfit. The closest thing that I can refer to this is like the Anime Boston staff voting contest, save there's only 1 vote and no signing sheet for the ribbon.
Another thing that was different from Anime Cons, is the existence of a con suite. Usually, this is a small location in the hotel which offers things like snacks and drinks. It's something that I would wish could happen at an anime con, but the logistics would be impossible, plus the exploitation would be quite easy. Just wishful thinking.
Anyway, onto the review:
I arrived into Baltimore around 11 Thursday night. I stayed with stardust462 and her mother for the weekend. Another thing about Costume Con is the length. It ran for 4 days, not just 3. (Although Monday was a major cooldown day, and many people had left Sunday night.) Friday morning, I get up to get my badge. There was no line whatsoever; in fact, all of the registration consisted of two guys at a table, looking up a card. Right around the corner was the Masquerade registration table, which had to be the busiest table all weekend.
Put it this way: Con registration had a shoebox full of cards for people who pre-registered and paid. Masq registration had 2 computers for keeping tally of entrants, and 4 computer stations for people who wanted to enter.
I spent Friday attending panels and gathering information. The panels were amazing. You could tell that the presenters were master costumers who had been doing their craft for as long as I've been alive. There was an excellent panel on hat-making, with sheets for reference and instructions. There was also a panel I attended for making appliques, couching, and other fabric manipulation techniques. (There's a book I really need to get, as I couldn't even remember all she had said)
The dealer's room was spread out in 3 rooms, one of which looked to be 2 rooms without the divider. The dealers sold things like fabric trims, strange accessories for costumes, steampunk and corset items, unorthodox patterns and instruction books, and there was one thing that surprised me. Unlike anime masquerades, there was a dealer selling past Costume-con masquerades on DVD and tape. This struck me as odd, to say the least. I'm not quite sure how they handle the copyright issues, if at all.
Next to the dealer's area, there was a place to display quilts, dolls and doll costumes, and past costumes.
After 5, all the workshops stopped, and people were given time to eat. I used this time to chill before changing into my Single pattern outfit. It was something I had made for Costume Con, but had finished earlier than expected. I used this at Arisia back in January.
I'm using some of stardust462 's pictures, since I couldn't get them all. (The trim on the sleeves lights up, BTW)
Other entries consisted of a version that looked very Chinese, and very beautiful. There was one person, who didn't even alter the pattern at all, to humorous entertainment as she walked on the platform. Now, Friday night's contest was done in the larger meeting room. (This room would become the green room for the Saturday and Sunday masquerades) The stage was built in half of the atrium of the hotel. (It had been finished at the time, but the contest was held in the room for a more informal feel) I ended up winning the "Best First Costume" for the contest, surprising the heck out of me. (It was my first costume for Costume-Con, I will admit) The contest itself started at about 8:30, and was done by about 10. This gave enough time for people to socialize outside in the other half of the atrium. This is when you realize how small the con really is. I'd say there had to be 500 people. Tops.
Some of the attired people at the Friday Night Social.
By about 12, it was winding down, and people slowly made their way back to bed. Another thing about the con was the demographics. The vast majority of the people here were older folks. Older as in 40s, at least. The cosplayers I met along the weekend, and I were the young ones here. It was a very different dynamic. Doesn't mean these folks didn't know how to have a good time! (I ended up winning a mini-plaque saying "Electric." If you saw my sleeves, you understood why.)
Saturday started out the same way as Friday, dressing lightly and making my way to the con suite for breakfast. There aren't too many people wearing hall costumes during the day. One, you may be going to a workshop, and there's no need to ruin a good costume. Two, there's a bit of the art of surprise here. Masquerade costumes aren't supposed to be worn around all day. It ruins the effect while on stage. There was an interesting panel on the differences between Anime and Sci-Fi cons, and what was mentioned about anime cons surprised and even shocked some of the older Sci-fi attendees. Many of them seem to be shocked that skits can be 2 minutes long, let alone 3. There was also an interesting panel on color theory, and how to make colors compliment a costume. There was also an introduction to cosplay panel, stating some of the basics.
However, a lot of my day was taken up by competition items. For the historical competition, judging times were given at the masquerade table. The Sci-fi judging was done in the green room. What took up a portion of my time was the tech time. Even for such a small con, lighting and entrances were planned out for the best effect. The idea is to show off the costume, not simply entertain with a skit. There isn't a set time limit, but nobody ever goes over 90 seconds, unless with a large group. Once I got to the green room, my thoughts were "Oh Crap." There was such a high quality of costumes, that it was impossible to determine which ones were the best. (The judges couldn't determine it either, they ended up giving 3 best in show awards) I entered as Beryl, something I had put together over a weekend, and was small enough to fit into my suitcase. Now that I know better, I felt that I needed something more the next time around. Not to say that it wasn't fun, but really not up to par.
The halftime show was a memorial to those who had died in the costuming community. It's apparent how close-knit the group is, when several of the master division were crying due to seeing their past friends remembered. Even I felt a bit teary-eyed, and I never even met any of those people.
After that, Marty Gear, the Con-Chair stated that as he has judged competitions at anime cons, he's heard the comments. The ones about be intimidated, that "they don't appreaciate cosplayers." As he said, cosplayers are welcome to 'play in our sandbox'. I think, and many of them realize, that the costumers can't really reject cosplayers, since this is where the future is coming from. Those who were under 30, (and some who were barely above it) came from a cosplaying backrground, somewhat disillusioned from the way anime cons have become. They were quite welcoming, moreso than a screaming fangirl giggling over the character and asking for strange yaoi requests. They know what we, as cosplayers can do. Heck, many of the cosplayers did very well at the competition. After the Masquerade was over, I returned to my room, removed my makeup and nails, and went to sleep.
Sunday started out the same as before, I went to panels and browsed around in the dealer's room. During the afternoon, there was the Future fashion show. What made this interesting was that not only did we get a show of people's designs, but one of our main panelists was Andrea Schewe. Who's she you ask? Well, next time you look at a Simplicity pattern:
Check the name. If you're looking at a costume pattern, chances are that she's the one who designed it. She brought some costumes of her own to model to us, and showed us some patterns that either had just come out, like a Tudor dress with underwear, or some things that will come out soon. For example:
Do you recognize that dress? It's based off the movie "Legend" (I just remember Tim Curry in a *lot* of makeup) But Simplicity is coming out with this dress, plus a Medieval dress to go in the package. Plus, there's the Twilight vampire cloaks, and a werewolf outfit. Plus a few other things.
I can't wait to go to Joann's and see them on sale.
After the fashion show, I needed to attend to tech rehearsal for the Historical masquerade, but the biggest thing I planned to attend was the fang making panel.
It was similar to the one I had went to at Dragon-con, but more hands-on. (A bit of underestimating the demand of people who wanted to come, so it never got fully completed). We did learn how to make some good dental impressions, and I know now where to get the kit.
After that, it was time for the Historical Masq. The judging had taken place on Saturday, which was good for showing how historical underwear and corsets were worn. I had made my own corset, and when tailored to yourself, is surprisingly comfortable (For up to about 6 hours, without being trained).
Pictures of the Historical Masquerade green room.
And for those who have been looking, some pictures of me in my Historical outfit.
Yep, I'm scandalously showing a bit of bootie there. Also a bit of confirming that yes, I did do all of the undies. That would also be the award I got for it. "Best Underpinnings"
If the rules are right, that means I may no longer be a novice in the Historical category. *shiver*
This competition only had 23 entries, compared to the 45 in the Fantasy & Sci-Fi masquerade. It actually took longer for the judges to deliberate than the presentations had been. In the end, they had to split the best in show to a specific ballet costume, and a Christian Dior outfit from 1959, that looked like it had been sealed in a time capsule and worn to the masquerade.
At this point, there were awards given out by Simplicity, including a $250 gift-card prize, and patterns that were out of print. Once all of the awards were given out, the Masquerade was over and people congregated and socialized on a Sunday night. For a group of less than 500 people, the supply of the bar was depleted. (They had even made specialties at the con's request, and they kept running out of ingredients since Saturday) I tried a Yungling, which just confirmed how much I dislike the taste of beer. But the contingent of French Canadians had brought sake, which was wonderful. People stayed up, chatted until about 2:30 in the morning, and then went to packing to return home.
Monday was spent at some last minute panels, the dealer's room was dismantled by Sunday evening. There was one panel on presentations from past Costume-Cons and Worldcons which had made their mark. It's amazing how easy one's point can be made in 30 seconds. It really makes me think on how I'm gonna do my own presentations. By then, it was past 1, so I made my way to the train so I could get to the airport to get home.
So, how do I sum up Costume-Con? AMAZING! It was so different than anything I had been to before. Of course, they have had nearly 30 years to perfect how to run a con, but the differences were huge. Would I do it again? Shoot, I'm already planning on costumes for Costume-Con 29 in NJ in 2011. It just felt so refreshing to go to a con that was so personal, but yet professional at the same time. (Without it being related to school or work) The dynamic was completely different than the last time I went to Baltimore, and when I will return again for Otakon. Give anime cons 20 years, maybe they'll evolve into something like this. However, Costume-Con isn't for everyone. If you're not into making a costume, or viewing how a costume is made, it would bore you to tears. If you're into skits, this is not the con for you. There are no skits here, merely presentations. But if this is your niche, and if you feel like cosplay is about the effort and construction of the piece, then I'd say give Costume-Con a try.
Now then, I'm gonna catch my breath. And some zzzz's while I'm at it.
Firstly, to explain a few things, the way it is run is completely different than most cons I've attended. There are two types are programming, workshops and panels. Workshops come with a price, and usually run longer than panels. They go into more detail on how to complete a project or learn new techniques. For example, one workshop was "How to Build a Victorian Bustle." The fee was explained, what the participant needed to bring and what would be supplied at the workshop. A panel was more related to a specific topic, such as "Color Theory" "Designing a pattern from media or historical sources" or "How to do a presentation" These panels are very informative, and often feel like college classes with intense research. All of these panels were finished between 5 and 6 PM. This gives a break for the attendees to get food, plus to change into costumes that will either be presented in that night's Masquerade, or will be worn in the audience.
And as for Masquerades, there were several contests throughout the weekend. There was the single pattern contest on Friday, which took a pattern from somewhere like McCalls or Simplicity and allowed people to alter it while keeping the basic shape of the pattern. It allowed for a *lot* of creativity on what people did with the patterns. (There were 2 patterns this year, a Medieval robe with long sleeves, and a cowboy overcoat with a shoulder covering) Saturday night consisted of the Fantasy and Sci-Fi contest, which could cover just about anything that people liked. Sunday afternoon was the Future Fashion show, which consisted of drawn patterns sent in months before and selected by a panel of judges. Either you could do a pattern you designed, or something that another person came up with. Sunday night was the Historical competition, which either went for accuracy or interpretation. Plus there's the Hall contest, which unlike anime cons, is when judges/staff from the con hands you a ribbon stating they like your outfit. The closest thing that I can refer to this is like the Anime Boston staff voting contest, save there's only 1 vote and no signing sheet for the ribbon.
Another thing that was different from Anime Cons, is the existence of a con suite. Usually, this is a small location in the hotel which offers things like snacks and drinks. It's something that I would wish could happen at an anime con, but the logistics would be impossible, plus the exploitation would be quite easy. Just wishful thinking.
Anyway, onto the review:
I arrived into Baltimore around 11 Thursday night. I stayed with stardust462 and her mother for the weekend. Another thing about Costume Con is the length. It ran for 4 days, not just 3. (Although Monday was a major cooldown day, and many people had left Sunday night.) Friday morning, I get up to get my badge. There was no line whatsoever; in fact, all of the registration consisted of two guys at a table, looking up a card. Right around the corner was the Masquerade registration table, which had to be the busiest table all weekend.
Put it this way: Con registration had a shoebox full of cards for people who pre-registered and paid. Masq registration had 2 computers for keeping tally of entrants, and 4 computer stations for people who wanted to enter.
I spent Friday attending panels and gathering information. The panels were amazing. You could tell that the presenters were master costumers who had been doing their craft for as long as I've been alive. There was an excellent panel on hat-making, with sheets for reference and instructions. There was also a panel I attended for making appliques, couching, and other fabric manipulation techniques. (There's a book I really need to get, as I couldn't even remember all she had said)
The dealer's room was spread out in 3 rooms, one of which looked to be 2 rooms without the divider. The dealers sold things like fabric trims, strange accessories for costumes, steampunk and corset items, unorthodox patterns and instruction books, and there was one thing that surprised me. Unlike anime masquerades, there was a dealer selling past Costume-con masquerades on DVD and tape. This struck me as odd, to say the least. I'm not quite sure how they handle the copyright issues, if at all.
Next to the dealer's area, there was a place to display quilts, dolls and doll costumes, and past costumes.
After 5, all the workshops stopped, and people were given time to eat. I used this time to chill before changing into my Single pattern outfit. It was something I had made for Costume Con, but had finished earlier than expected. I used this at Arisia back in January.
I'm using some of stardust462 's pictures, since I couldn't get them all. (The trim on the sleeves lights up, BTW)
Other entries consisted of a version that looked very Chinese, and very beautiful. There was one person, who didn't even alter the pattern at all, to humorous entertainment as she walked on the platform. Now, Friday night's contest was done in the larger meeting room. (This room would become the green room for the Saturday and Sunday masquerades) The stage was built in half of the atrium of the hotel. (It had been finished at the time, but the contest was held in the room for a more informal feel) I ended up winning the "Best First Costume" for the contest, surprising the heck out of me. (It was my first costume for Costume-Con, I will admit) The contest itself started at about 8:30, and was done by about 10. This gave enough time for people to socialize outside in the other half of the atrium. This is when you realize how small the con really is. I'd say there had to be 500 people. Tops.
Some of the attired people at the Friday Night Social.
By about 12, it was winding down, and people slowly made their way back to bed. Another thing about the con was the demographics. The vast majority of the people here were older folks. Older as in 40s, at least. The cosplayers I met along the weekend, and I were the young ones here. It was a very different dynamic. Doesn't mean these folks didn't know how to have a good time! (I ended up winning a mini-plaque saying "Electric." If you saw my sleeves, you understood why.)
Saturday started out the same way as Friday, dressing lightly and making my way to the con suite for breakfast. There aren't too many people wearing hall costumes during the day. One, you may be going to a workshop, and there's no need to ruin a good costume. Two, there's a bit of the art of surprise here. Masquerade costumes aren't supposed to be worn around all day. It ruins the effect while on stage. There was an interesting panel on the differences between Anime and Sci-Fi cons, and what was mentioned about anime cons surprised and even shocked some of the older Sci-fi attendees. Many of them seem to be shocked that skits can be 2 minutes long, let alone 3. There was also an interesting panel on color theory, and how to make colors compliment a costume. There was also an introduction to cosplay panel, stating some of the basics.
However, a lot of my day was taken up by competition items. For the historical competition, judging times were given at the masquerade table. The Sci-fi judging was done in the green room. What took up a portion of my time was the tech time. Even for such a small con, lighting and entrances were planned out for the best effect. The idea is to show off the costume, not simply entertain with a skit. There isn't a set time limit, but nobody ever goes over 90 seconds, unless with a large group. Once I got to the green room, my thoughts were "Oh Crap." There was such a high quality of costumes, that it was impossible to determine which ones were the best. (The judges couldn't determine it either, they ended up giving 3 best in show awards) I entered as Beryl, something I had put together over a weekend, and was small enough to fit into my suitcase. Now that I know better, I felt that I needed something more the next time around. Not to say that it wasn't fun, but really not up to par.
The halftime show was a memorial to those who had died in the costuming community. It's apparent how close-knit the group is, when several of the master division were crying due to seeing their past friends remembered. Even I felt a bit teary-eyed, and I never even met any of those people.
After that, Marty Gear, the Con-Chair stated that as he has judged competitions at anime cons, he's heard the comments. The ones about be intimidated, that "they don't appreaciate cosplayers." As he said, cosplayers are welcome to 'play in our sandbox'. I think, and many of them realize, that the costumers can't really reject cosplayers, since this is where the future is coming from. Those who were under 30, (and some who were barely above it) came from a cosplaying backrground, somewhat disillusioned from the way anime cons have become. They were quite welcoming, moreso than a screaming fangirl giggling over the character and asking for strange yaoi requests. They know what we, as cosplayers can do. Heck, many of the cosplayers did very well at the competition. After the Masquerade was over, I returned to my room, removed my makeup and nails, and went to sleep.
Sunday started out the same as before, I went to panels and browsed around in the dealer's room. During the afternoon, there was the Future fashion show. What made this interesting was that not only did we get a show of people's designs, but one of our main panelists was Andrea Schewe. Who's she you ask? Well, next time you look at a Simplicity pattern:
Check the name. If you're looking at a costume pattern, chances are that she's the one who designed it. She brought some costumes of her own to model to us, and showed us some patterns that either had just come out, like a Tudor dress with underwear, or some things that will come out soon. For example:
Do you recognize that dress? It's based off the movie "Legend" (I just remember Tim Curry in a *lot* of makeup) But Simplicity is coming out with this dress, plus a Medieval dress to go in the package. Plus, there's the Twilight vampire cloaks, and a werewolf outfit. Plus a few other things.
I can't wait to go to Joann's and see them on sale.
After the fashion show, I needed to attend to tech rehearsal for the Historical masquerade, but the biggest thing I planned to attend was the fang making panel.
It was similar to the one I had went to at Dragon-con, but more hands-on. (A bit of underestimating the demand of people who wanted to come, so it never got fully completed). We did learn how to make some good dental impressions, and I know now where to get the kit.
After that, it was time for the Historical Masq. The judging had taken place on Saturday, which was good for showing how historical underwear and corsets were worn. I had made my own corset, and when tailored to yourself, is surprisingly comfortable (For up to about 6 hours, without being trained).
Pictures of the Historical Masquerade green room.
And for those who have been looking, some pictures of me in my Historical outfit.
Yep, I'm scandalously showing a bit of bootie there. Also a bit of confirming that yes, I did do all of the undies. That would also be the award I got for it. "Best Underpinnings"
If the rules are right, that means I may no longer be a novice in the Historical category. *shiver*
This competition only had 23 entries, compared to the 45 in the Fantasy & Sci-Fi masquerade. It actually took longer for the judges to deliberate than the presentations had been. In the end, they had to split the best in show to a specific ballet costume, and a Christian Dior outfit from 1959, that looked like it had been sealed in a time capsule and worn to the masquerade.
At this point, there were awards given out by Simplicity, including a $250 gift-card prize, and patterns that were out of print. Once all of the awards were given out, the Masquerade was over and people congregated and socialized on a Sunday night. For a group of less than 500 people, the supply of the bar was depleted. (They had even made specialties at the con's request, and they kept running out of ingredients since Saturday) I tried a Yungling, which just confirmed how much I dislike the taste of beer. But the contingent of French Canadians had brought sake, which was wonderful. People stayed up, chatted until about 2:30 in the morning, and then went to packing to return home.
Monday was spent at some last minute panels, the dealer's room was dismantled by Sunday evening. There was one panel on presentations from past Costume-Cons and Worldcons which had made their mark. It's amazing how easy one's point can be made in 30 seconds. It really makes me think on how I'm gonna do my own presentations. By then, it was past 1, so I made my way to the train so I could get to the airport to get home.
So, how do I sum up Costume-Con? AMAZING! It was so different than anything I had been to before. Of course, they have had nearly 30 years to perfect how to run a con, but the differences were huge. Would I do it again? Shoot, I'm already planning on costumes for Costume-Con 29 in NJ in 2011. It just felt so refreshing to go to a con that was so personal, but yet professional at the same time. (Without it being related to school or work) The dynamic was completely different than the last time I went to Baltimore, and when I will return again for Otakon. Give anime cons 20 years, maybe they'll evolve into something like this. However, Costume-Con isn't for everyone. If you're not into making a costume, or viewing how a costume is made, it would bore you to tears. If you're into skits, this is not the con for you. There are no skits here, merely presentations. But if this is your niche, and if you feel like cosplay is about the effort and construction of the piece, then I'd say give Costume-Con a try.
Now then, I'm gonna catch my breath. And some zzzz's while I'm at it.