Sichuan Street Style - Throwback Hanfu Fashion

My Dad is traveling around the Sichuan province of China this month. He sent back a few photos of the Chinese street style trend he was surprised to see. Young students everywhere were donning silky robes in the style of historical Hanfu.
While most vintage fashion lovers rarely wear clothing dating back more than the last century, the Hanfu styles of this trend have not been worn in 400 years. The fashion fans are not wearing ancient ancestors garb, many are shopping for updated versions readily available online. They are not wearing them like cosplay. I initially thought perhaps they were emulating historical soap operas.
According to students interviewed in the South China Morning Post, Hanfu fans wear this trend as a way to connect with their roots and past. It is a sense of pride in their identity.
It is hard to imagine Americans dressing up as pilgrims on the street, heading to class or office. That doesn't stop designers from trying to send pilgrim fashion and prairie style down the runway every few years though.
Whether you are knowledgable about the Han people or Chinese history, the style of the Hanfu fashion is quite pretty. Flowing robes and embroidery look elegant and comfortable as far as style trends go. I also like the idea that students are wearing these outfits as a way to identify with their past and ancestors. With the way the United States is divided right now, I am wondering how fashion influencers here would incorporate patriotism and history into their street style, and whether that is possible without controversy?
What do you think of wearing traditional dress as your go-to work outfit? Could you pull off a vintage style that is four centuries old?
I can't wait to see what other trends emerge after Hanfu fashion for Sichuan street style.

photos by David TW Leung

This article - "Sichuan Street Style and Hanfu Fashion" - was featured on Links à la Mode fashion roundup by Independent Fashion Bloggers.
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Dances of Vice Neptune Ball

Taking another trip under the sea! The latest extravagant soiree by Dances of Vice celebrated all things nautical.

The party was hosted at the historic India House Foundation near the South Street Seaport Saturday night. 

The crowd arrived at the Neptune Ball in all manner of mermaids and sailors. There were plenty of elegant ship captains. Many of the costumes were accented by twinkling LED lights and El wire to add some glow. My Husband and another Captain Nemo both evoked Steampunk style with their electric charged fashion accessories. Formal wear was paired with clever, deceptively simple sea creatures like this sparkly anglerfish.

The historic India House was the perfect venue for the theme. Ancient maps and iconic ship models decorated the interiors. Harps and opera singers provided romantic cruising music on the second floor while the third floor hosted scantily clad burlesque dancers, sword swallowers, and mermaids. (These can be found on msfabulousnyc Instagram stories)

This is the same sexy crowd that made the Venetian Valentine Masquerade Ball such a treat to attend. I love that all of the guests know to bring creativity and elegance to their attire.

I love that this type of themed event attracts guests of all demographics. I saw guests of all ages, shapes, identities and cultures having a swimming time. Everyone feels included, united by their love of dress-up. A lavish soiree like this allows all of us to escape the ugliness of the real world. It's a small reminder that yes, creative nightlife still does exist in New York City.

Who would you be in the undersea world? Captain? Pirate? Fish or Mermaid at the Neptune Ball? Dances of Vice will host their next event in June. 

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#BestNine2017 of Ms. Fabulous

Happy New Year my darlings! I'm sure you have already checked out your Instagram #BestNine2017 for last year. What did you learn about yourself and your fans?

My past two years, the Best Nine told me I liked the color red, love fashion and my friends and family generally like to see photos of me.

Best Nine 2017 showed me my interests have changed somewhat. Based on the photos most highly liked, either me or all of you like to see comic-con photos more than runway photos. Either that's a shift in the overall love of geekery on my part, or yours? They account for 4 out of the 9 photos here.

Of the photos of myself you liked, one of them is one where I mock my puberty-plagued look. Three of them, I am wearing colors and patterns rather than my usual black.

The last photo is a posh plate of sushi. That's the oddball out here. I do post pics of food and my attempts at baking regularly, but this particular dish stood out. Perhaps it has to do with the combination of hashtags. Maybe Instagram viewers just like raw fish.

Here's to a healthy, prosperous and productive 2018 everyone! I showed you mine, now you show me yours! BestNine2017

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NY Comic-Con Cosplay Report

Another NY Comic-Con has come and went. I love the geekery news of course, but I am really there for the fashion show that is NYCC cosplay.

For the first year since I had begun attending comic-con in 2010, Harley Quinn was NOT the most popular female character (but a close second). Wonder Woman took first place this year, helped by the popularity of the movie and upcoming Justice League release.

While the majority of the costumes for Wonder Woman were inspired by the movie, my favorite version has to be the puffy dinosaur dancing around as the Amazonian superheroine.

I really enjoyed the diversity of cosplayers this year. The media and marketing "experts" love to pigeonhole who they think the fans are and what their demographic is.

There are, of course, the cosplay celebrity models with professional deals and mega-followings.
However, more grassroots, appreciation was shown for great costume executions by people of all shapes, gender expressions, and ethnicities.

I would say the most significant trend in cosplay is gender fluidity. It was so common to see male and female versions of any of your favorite characters that you only appreciated the creativity. Fans weren't doing drag. Instead, they adapted the essence of the character and made it their own. Take a look at these great looks. This woman styled traditional modest fashion into a great Joker cosplay. Strawberry Shortcake brought joy to fans in the form of a gentle giant with a full red beard and the scent of strawberries.

Hollywood's lack of diversity in casting blockbuster films seems even more out of touch when you see the NY Comic-Con floor. You see cosplayers of all ethnicities and sizes rocking the top superhero looks while being cheered on by other fans. You know, the same fans that buy the merchandise and movie tickets?

The diversity in comic books and the creators who exhibit at NYCC also do not represent what gets picked by Hollywood to be made into movies. Even so, it doesn't stop the fans from flocking to their booths. Again entertainment industry, take note.

So does NY Comic-Con tell us something about the population shift as a whole? Do cosplay trends show more about where society is headed more than the fashion industry does? Can Strawberry Shortcake save the World? Stay tuned.

photos by Mariana Leung

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Best Cosplay from Fan Expo Canada 2017

Hail Geekdom! Fan Expo Canada is a celebration of all things pop culture, comics, and gaming. Cosplay is the reigning fashion statement where fans dress as their favorite characters. What once started as a few themed t-shirts and store-bought costumes has evolved into an art form.

At Fan Expo Canada in Toronto, the organizers have catered to this group with everything from a multi-backdrop “play park” for themed selfies to high-stakes competitions. Harley Quinn, Doctor Who, and various companions were the most popular characters this year. Rocky Horror Picture Show fans came out of the dungeons, no doubt boosted by the appearances of the original cast of Tim Curry, Meatloaf, and Patricia Quinn. Other Batman villains made multiple appearances. Surprisingly, gender swapped Two-Face was a popular choice for women.

I did not see too many Goths; they were replaced by Steampunk looks, including Steampunk versions of popular comic characters like the Joker and Wonder Woman. Star Wars is as popular as ever with many variations of Rey and BB-8 as costumes. Of course, a massive march of Stormtroopers makes a great visual as you walk through the halls of the Metro Toronto Convention Center.

Disney has inspired two rapidly growing cosplay movements. First, there are the fans who create elaborate costumes for Disney Princess or Disney characters and take on their persona. The other is what is called “Disney Bounding,” a phrase coined by Leslie Kay, a Canadian local which has spread internationally. Dinsey Bounding is where fans style regular street clothes to fit into the looks of their favorite Disney characters. Both groups were well-represented at Fan Expo. Apparently, they gravitate towards each other and have formed a tight-knit community. My friend at DragonCon in Atlanta said the same groups found each other in that city as well.

Gaming and Anime characters inspired the most elaborate props on the Fan Expo floor. While the Walking Dead’s Negan cosplayers mostly had their baseball bats confiscated, the gaming fans had more theatrical (aka less threatening) props to wield during photo shoots.

So what character do YOU dress up as for your local Comic-Con? Did Fan Expo Canada’s cosplay inspire you?
Photos by Mariana Leung

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Coney Island Mermaid Parade 2017 Boardwalk Style

Summer is here in Brooklyn when the Coney Island Mermaid Parade hits the boardwalk. The creative mermaid costumes, sexy sea outfits, and marine creatures parade in this grass roots 35-year tradition. It originated within the artist and circus folk community.

The costumes range from simple bikinis, seashells, and netting to elaborately constructed wearable floats. There is a lot of skin, but the parade is family friendly. While colors and sparkle are the norms, there are a few Gothic fashion lovers in the mix. Mystical creatures of all sorts are mixed in, like unicorns and satyrs. There are a lot of pop culture hybrids, like "Clamilton The Musical", Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland mermaid group costumes.

This year, I saw a lot more protest outfits. There were the "Handmermaids of Gilead" in tribute to The Handmaid's Tale to raise awareness of feminist issues. There were several environmental protest looks, ranging from saving the oceans, the EPA and other organizations. A Trump impersonator getting caught in a net was a visual punchline. Performance groups sang and danced protest messages along the parade that were supportive of the Women's March.

My look incorporated a Diane Von Furstenberg blue wave wrap dress mixed with tentacles and paired with a mermaid crown I made. I walked and photographed the parade. What I love most about walking along the Surf Avenue route and boardwalk is the ecstatic expressions on everyone's face. Everyone is so happy to dress up as a fantasy creature or see others dressed as one. The crowd is incredibly diverse. People of all genders, ethnic, shape, orientation, and physical abilities are well represented and supported. I was pleasantly surprised to see minimal corporate sponsorship, so the parade really felt it was put on by creatives for creatives.

The Coney Island Mermaid Parade is an event you need to experience at least once in your lifetime. I highly recommend you dress the part to fully experience the fun. If you do, get ready for me to catch you in my lens!
Photos by Mariana Leung

Also on Ms. Fabulous:

Steampunk Style at the World Faire

Cosplay Trends of NY Comic-Con

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My Steampunk Cosplay on TV

I am not comfortable with personal OOTD blog posts. When I do post myself in an outfit, it is part of the narrative of a bigger event. This time, it was part Steampunk Cosplay, part description of my side gig. As a non-millennial adult, it is tough to rationalize the public documentation of your daily clothing choices. It becomes less rational when those outfits are categorized as a costume or alternative subculture.

Steampunk and Gothic fashion have always been a passion of mine, but outside of NY Comic-Con reports or the Steampunk Faire, I don't find opportunities to indulge myself. I moonlight as a background actor in between daytime gigs as part of my geeky nature. When the casting call came down from Central Casting for Steampunk fashion characters, I jumped at the chance.

I brought hand-tooled leather top hats, immaculate brass goggles. I wore an embroidered fascinator I made myself. I paired my look with a soft tulle bustled Byron Lars Skirt and Brocade Steampunk corset ensemble from Corset Story. The statement necklace, surprisingly, was from J. Crew. I sent my sister this Instagram pic that morning and told her I was required to look this way for work. Knowing me, she didn't even question why she just responded with "Of course you are."

Ultimately, they needed less Steampunk and more of a vintage fashion with an edge look. Many of the goggles were eliminated. The set was a gorgeous old private townhouse in Park Slope, Brooklyn. The shoot was for the season premiere of Difficult People on Hulu. The scene within the episode was brief but looked damn good!

It was a funny scene that starred Billy Eichner, Julie Klausner and guest stars Sandra Bernhard and John Mulaney. As talented as they are, the scene-stealer was the immaculate townhouse location. The scene itself was a parody of hipster, faux old-timey culture and the pretentiousness of the people who revel in it.

Shoutout to the beautifully dressed and eccentric, fun, friendly cast members who were also part of this Steampunk cosplay scene on Hulu's Difficult People!

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Coney Island Mermaid Parade 2016

After many years of admiring photos from afar, I finally got myself to the Coney Island Mermaid Parade. The attire of choice is, of course, sea-worthy chic. The tradition of the Mermaid Parade was born from the artist's community of this area of New York City. Fine artists, burlesque performers, circus folk and unique souls kept this parade going. I love the sheer diversity of the crowd. There are, of course, sexy, scantily clad ladies that the photographers fight themselves to shoot. There are all groups, ages, body types, entire families with children and dogs. I even saw a chicken in cosplay.

You'll find tons and tons of glitter and seashells on mermaid outfits. Some people just opt for body makeup. Parasols to block the midday summer sun was the most popular accessory. Like other alternative fashion trends, mermaid style has evolving trends. There were Goth mermaids, mermaids that incorporated pop culture, like the Star Wars, "Fish" Awakens group. There were superheroines Bat-mermaid and Wonder Woman mermaid.

For the gentlemen, sea creatures were popular. I loved the Steampunk vintage diver costume (with a strategically placed spigot!). Sexy pirates, sea captains, Triton and even a Popeye costume walked the parade.

My own outfit, I put together a pink skirt, embroidered tulle (fishnet) topper and I embroidered a bra top with seashells, jewels, and taffeta petals.

My DIY mermaid crown. I twisted a bunch of pipe cleaners into a coral fan shape (you can just wrap them around each other into any organic pattern). I used a headband as a base. The pipe cleaners are very easy to use (just a caveat, the sparkly ones tend to leave sparkly bits on the floor). Start twisting a few around the headband at first, creating branches that veer off at different sides, doubling up with other pipe cleaners around itself.

Then I glue gunned shells and jewels on top, using the pipe cleaners as a support frame. I originally wanted to use pearls, but the flat back jewels were easier to glue. That's it! A glue gun just makes everything quick and stable. Regular glue works too, but it just takes longer.

I hope you enjoyed the Coney Island Mermaid Parade peep show!

All photos by Mariana Leung and Adam Weinstein

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Cosplay Trends of NY Comic-Con 2015

NY Comic-Con has come and gone. Like fashion week, each season brings its own trends for cosplay and Halloween costume inspiration.

Batman has been one of the most popular brands of Comic-con every year though I dare say the villains are more popular than the hero himself. Harley Quinn remains the most popular character of female cosplayers, but I also see the trend of women dressing up as the male characters as well. I don't know if it is a feminist reaction to all of the "sexy" looks and the attention it gets, but I find it pretty cool. The other trend is dressing is very gritty, scary, realistic versions of the villains (rather than the bright, flamboyant cartoon versions). I don't know if this is the influence of videogames like Arkham Asylum or the upcoming Suicide Squad movie, but Halloween should be interesting this year.

Doctor Who is more popular than ever. The British phenomena was always on slow burn through the geek community but hit critical mass with the 11th Doctor. Then, there was a big interest in the previous ten incarnations going back 50 years. I saw cosplayers, both men and women dressed as Doctor Who from all eras. Companions to Doctor Who were also popular, including the blue TARDIS itself.

When you think fanboy, Star Wars is usually the first brand that comes to mind. Is there a more loyal fan base than the one from these games, movies or cartoon show? Unless you live under a rock, I'm sure you are well aware of the new movie coming out. Hell, just announcing the trailer will air or be ahead of another movie is enough to guarantee the success of any other show. While the classic Star Wars characters are always well represented in cosplay at Comic-con (there are entire armies of Storm Troopers walking around) fans have branched out into creative variations of characters. There was the death scene version of Darth Vader/Anakin Skywalker, fans that deliberatey dressed as characters in animated style, Steampunk versions, peripheral alien characters, etc. Even before the new movies are released characters from it were on the NY Comic-con floor.

photos by Mariana Leung

Deadpool and Arrow. If there was one breakout character for 2015, it would be Deadpool. The character made his big screen debut in X-Men Origins: Wolverine with Ryan Reynolds back in 2009, but he doesn't appear in his own movie until 2016. Why is it so popular? Ryan Reynold's too brief role as the "Merc with a mouth" was memorable and funny. While a Deadpool movie was announced way back then, it seemed to have been put on the backburner until test footage leaked in 2014. Fans loved the mix of violence and sarcastic wit. The movie was back on and teasers that have been released since have made this one of the most anticipated movies for next year. The costume works for guys and gals of all shapes and sizes. It lets you be as badass as you want from behind a mask, perfect for someone who is normally shy.

The Arrow and supporting characters were popular for males who want the "hot guy" costume (along with GOT's Rob Snow, Ichabod Crane in Sleepy Hollow, etc). It's the male equivalent of females in skimpy superheroine cosplay intended to primarily make the opposite sex drool rather than true fandom. Lots of leather, an unshaven face, a mask and long hair is a look that most dudes can pull off with a enough swagger. Hope they got lucky.

Check out Top Cosplay Trends of NY Comic Con
by Ms. Fabulous at Mode

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Cosplay Trends of New York Comic-Con

  Thanks to the popularity of cosplay, New York Comic-Con has the most fun street style of any event in NYC.  I also attended Toronto's Fan Expo in August for another dose of costumed fun.  Like fashion week, I observed seasonal trends that indicate the popularity of different pop culture brands year to year.  Like fashion week, there also seems to be a hierarchy of cosplay street style stars.  There are "celebrity" cosplayers (like Yaya Han who has calendars and a reality show) down to the grown adults who bought a supermarket mask and drew on their sweatshirt with a Sharpie marker.

For women, the most popular character by far was Harley Quinn. This Batman villainess did not even originate from a comic-book but was a sidekick in the 1990’s cartoon series.  She gained a huge following as a result and is now part of the comic book canon, even making cameos in live-action series like Arrow and Birds of Prey.  The original cartoon look and the edgier video game outfits are represented all over the convention floor.  Other hot characters were X-men’s Storm, Maleficient and other Batman characters like Catwoman and Poison Ivy. 

Another big trend this year? Ladies were dressing like femme versions of traditionally male characters.  I saw female Jokers, Penguin, X-men’s Magneto, Beetlejuice, Thor and many others.  Am I surprised? No. Comics, video games and Hollywood movies often treat female characters as window dressing, so women redefining iconic heroes or villains are due.

For men, the brand with the biggest rise in popularity over the years has to be Doctor Who.  In Toronto, it was the most popular character by far.  In addition to men, both children AND women love dressing as this quirky Brit.  Star Wars fans who used to dominate were noticeably less visible for me, but I didn't attend every day.

For the macho guys, fully-armored video game combatants are the acceptable "bro" costume.  Classic heroes like Batman and related villains will always be a staple.  

Goths and Lolitas were the hit alternative fashion genre when I first attended at Comic-con five years ago.  The move to Steampunk has increasingly hit the mainstream for both and women.  The ones that get attention are fans that co-opt a famous character and give them a Steampunk makeover like Iron Man and Boba Fett.  This year, though, I have seen not one, but two fans dressed as Steampunk Wonder Woman. 

I always find it fascinating when a seemingly obscure and older character has a disproportionate amount of popularity.  I have seen multiple, highly detailed “Rufio” cosplayers from 1991’s “Hook” show up in the last two years. The comeback is surprisingly considering the movie is over 20 years old and often mocked.  Dante Basco, the actor himself was originally mortified of his character’s look.   My guess is that character was one of the few cool Asian male characters in pop culture that hit fan’s childhood at the right time.

UNLIKE fashion week, those dressing up in cosplay do so for the sheer love for their character.  The great ones put a craftsmanship and ingenuity into their costume for no return other than possible validation of other fans. If you catch them in the wild, they are gracious about posing for you, and often throw themselves into character to give you a fun shot.  I love seeing fans who embrace their body type and find a costume that suits it. I found a surprisingly chic “Fiona” from Shrek and the universally flattering look of “Zatanna” who dons fishnets and curve-hugging top hat and tails.  Contrary to the reports in male-dominated websites, it’s not just the “hot” girls who receive appreciation.  People of all shapes earn the admiration of their peers if they rock a fantastic cosplay look.  If you have it, flaunt it!

photos by Mariana Leung

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How to Rock Cosplay at New York Comic-Con

After the runways NYC, Milan, Paris, comes the big promenade of New York Comic-Con.  Way over on the West Side of Manhattan, fans of not just comic books, the big "fashion" show had nothing to do with trends.  Cosplay, the art of dressing up in costume in tribute to your favorite pop culture character has become a huge movement.  

Once considered a bunch of super-geeks, cosplay has become an art form in its own right.  SYFY Network's "Heroes of Cosplay" starring competitive costume makers and professional cosplay celebrity Yaya Han have elevated the hobby into a lifestyle that prizes originality and craftsmanship.  Many of the best examples take a well known character and put their own spin on it, like a Steampunk Iron Man, gender reversed versions of comic book heroes and villains, mash-ups of time periods and fashion styles.  

The most popular character by far among women was Batman's Harley Quinn.  At one point, I ended up in a corner and four completely different versions of this character had randomly surrounded me.  One chose a fetish route, one chose a cute cartoonish one.  There was a punk version with tattoos, a child version, a sexy corseted one, etc. 

I saw some beautiful makeup jobs (see the Two-Face rendition above) and costumes with mechanized parts.  

However, with popularity, inevitably comes the mass commercialization racing to capitalize.  Almost every attractive female character with a well crafted costume seems to travel with an entourage (often a grateful male submissive type) who eagerly handed out her card and made sure you got her name right.  Big corporations that had nothing to do with the entertainment, comic or video game world had big booths there, but hired model brand ambassadors in costume to draw the male geeks in.  

With Halloween on its way, there is no shortage of costume inspiration for the holiday.  What comic book character do YOU most relate to?

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Japan Fashion Now Exhibit at the Museum at FIT

Inspiration from the East?  Avant-garde or Super-sweet?  Gothic? Anime?  What do you think of when you think of Japanese fashion?  The current exhibit at the Museum of FIT investigates the tipping point of Japan as a fashion heavyweight in the 1980's to current streetwear influences.  Edgy designers like Comme des Garcons and Yohji Yamamoto bridged philosophy and art with functional clothing.  

There is a gallery of a futuristic Tokyo and a range of styles representing subcultures of Forest Girl, Kawaii, Gothic Lolitas and Cosplay.

The exhibit runs until January 8, 2011 and is located at 27th street and 7th avenue in NYC.

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