This probably isn’t news to any of you geek gals and guys out there, but if you didn’t already know, A-Kon happened this past weekend, from June 27-30 at the Fair Park in Dallas, Texas. Since 1990, A-Kon has been the longest running American anime convention in the South. This event draws attention from not only domestic, but also international anime enthusiasts. Think of it as Halloween, but in June, and exclusively for the anime community. 

Here, you can find all things Japanese related: gaming, cosplay, manga, anime, music, art, film, and fashion—you’re sure to be entertained at all times. 

Enter J-fashion

Of course, what’s A-Kon without an extravagant J-fashion Show? For this year’s show, four brands elegantly strutted down the runway: Alice and the Pirates, Baby, the Stars Shine Bright, Hard Decora, and Hypercore. 

Recaps and photos by Emily Gogle and Jordyn Nguyen

Alice and the Pirates 

Alice and the Pirates is a lolita-inspired fashion brand. Inspired by elements of Alice in Wonderland, this brand looks into how the famous characters would look in a pirate-themed world. Alice and the Pirates comes from the designers of Baby, the Stars Shine Bright. The line originally debuted in 2004. 

Baby, The Stars Shine Bright 

Baby, The Stars Shine Bright is a brand started in 1988 by husband and wife Akinori and Fumiyo Isobe. The designers wanted to create a brand inspired by lolita elements as well as baby doll fashion.

Hard Decora

Kamilah Johns started the visual kei brand Hard Decora in 2014. Jones was inspired by the idea of a gang of misfits fighting for individuality. The brand takes elements of punk style and blends them into decora with pastel colors and cutesy designs. 

Hypercore

Hypercore is a fashion brand from Harajuku. Its distinctive look comes from the fusion of punk and decora style that favors oversized garments. Japanese artist Hisacy founded this brand.

Overall Thoughts

This was the first J-fashion show we both attended and it went spectacularly. We were stunned by the abundance of not only colors, but also styles showcased. From the darkest shades of dark to the lightest pastels, and from gothic punk to baby doll styles, this fashion show was the end result of a creativity eruption. The details and effort that went into each outfit were evident. By the end of the show, we both developed a new perspective and appreciation for this type of fashion.

Another thing we appreciated was the exceptionally diverse group of models that came on that runway. Watching beautiful people of all sizes and ethnicity working that stage and having fun—posing however the hell they want and making the coolest facial expressions—made the experience that much more memorable and entertaining for us. 

J-fashion encompasses the feelings of fearlessness and limitlessness—in a simpler term, it’s fun as hell. From completely outrages to just plain jane, and everything else in between, no outfit will bore you. In conclusion, 2019 A-Kon J-Fashion Show was a hit. Would recommend to friends and family. 

What was your favorite brand? Let us know by tweeting @geekgalsco and share your j-fashion looks!

Featured image credit: Emily Gogle/Geek Gals