Models/Designers/Photographers/MUA's wanted for Harajuku Fashion show 2016

Photos from the last LAGC on http://www.darkangelphoto.net/

Hello all my creative friends ^_^

Once again we will be hosting a Fashion show celebrating Japanese fashion this coming February 2016. On Sat 6th Feb - because it is called the 'Harajuku Fashion Show' we are showcasing great creativity from fashionistas or fashion enthusiasts to put their twists on stage.

What we are looking for:

*Models - styling together there own Japanese Style including: Lolita/punk/gothic/visual kei/fairy kei/roccoco/creepy cute/hime/rave/sweet/classic/kimino/mori/prince/decora/gyaru/yomamba.


*Designers - to showcase their Japanese style or fusion rage of clothing/accessories.


*Makeup Artists/hairstylists - not afraid to try bold looks or soft and natural for mori styles


What you get out of this:


All Models, hair stylists, makeup artists, Designers, will receive a free entry ticket to the event on Saturday 6th Feb 2016. Since this is an event you will be able to walk around freely and watch other stage events, look at the merchandise, access the bar, watch movies, play games - including the after party.


Models: You will get at least two digital professional photos of you in your outfit for your portfolio and many cat walk photos and from backstage.
Hair stylists/Makeup artists: you get to practice your skills and also obtain photos for your portfolio
Designers: Showcase your pieces on a catwalk


If you are interested, please message me with the information listed below ^_^
Application Form:

Name:
Modelling name:
Gender:
Description of proposed outfits(s):
Photo of outfit or something similar.


Please message me on:
the anime league forum - @Aisha
email - doomed.prinny@gmail.com
twitter: @aisha_anime

Christmas edition Hyper Japan Lineup

So Christmas edition Hyper Japan is closely approaching, where you literally are set lose in Tobacco dock for all your kawaii shopping needs. Amongst the cute Japanese trinkets there will be a variety of entertainment on offer including great live music, cosplay and the fashion show.

To follow great performances at Hyper Japan they have asked the newest metal sensation Lady Baby to perform. My favourite aspect of Hyper Japan will be LadyBaby coming to the Uk to perform ! If you aren't aware of Lady Beard and his back up singers read up about them here.

Other things to enjoy would by Minori a shinori fashionista famed in the Lolita world, the fashion show showcasing all the fashions from Japan featuring British and Japanese models, the Sake experience where you pay a fee and try over 10 varieties (make sure you eat before!) and Ramen cooking by Ippudo in the first-ever Hyper Creative Studio, more acts will be announced closed to the event.

HYPER JAPAN originally started in 2010 in a modest venue in Brick Lane, and the Christmas Market will mark the 9th event in London. HYPER JAPAN festival 2015, the most recent festival held at the 02 Arena, finished successfully in July with tens of thousands of participants.

Read what I got up to last time at 2015 Summer Hyper Japan Festival.

For more news on anime, cosplay, games and Japanese culture follow me on Twitter and Facebook.

Aisha Anime ^_^

Hyper Japan Festival 2015 Review

Assassination Classroom Cosplay - Koro Sama

 Hyper Japan 2015 summer edition launched at the new venue of 02 arena which normally hosts concerts and a great place to enjoy restaurants, pubs and cinema. Since the closing of Earl's Court - hyper Japan decided to try a completely different venue to host their cultural event.

The first rule of thumb, get all the organisation sorted, they unfortunately did not have the press/vip/guest desk ready on time so press wondered in on time and were refused access and told to walk all the way back from the far end of the corridor back tot he front to collect passes from a tiny and hidden make shift table that appeared after 10.30am on the Friday of the event. Furthermore there ran out of the performer passees which I needed to enter to be in the Fashion Show - the worst part was the staff shrugged and didn't help me in the slightest till I then firmly approved the press representative who radioed some one at the meet and greet desk. This wild goose chase ended me with going to the organizers office where no one understood what a performer pass was and I then (at least in the venue now) went tot he fashion show pass-less.

Nervously I walked around till the show meet up time where I approached the Fashion show organiser who had a spare performer pass. I do not understand why they had not had the right number and that the language barrier was so great for British event. Also the security provided by the 02 were rude and almost aggressive towards attendees and there costumes obstructing passes. No one was aware of the queuing system for the building 6 or Nintendo Land.

Apart from that the event was entertaining - they brought over fantastic music guests who were huideen away in building 6 for music performances which were hard to get between stages as of the distance between everything...the event was made for trainers and determination.

Performers included: Yoshiki, Toshi from X Japan, Vamps, Eir Aoi, Dempagumi.inc, Dir Milch, [Alexandros], One Not*e, Heisei Kotohime, Katanaya-Ichi, Rio Hiiragi, TOMOCA, Hibiki Ichikawa and Akari Mochizuki, Honey Spice, Lost Ash and more.

Photo courtesy of Critchell Photography - more photos on his page of the Japan night concert.

Also as part of buying X Japan concert tickets you were entitled to a complimentary 'Greet & meet' with Yoshiki and Toshi. After a 20 minute wait you got to hi five them on camera. this is a customary procedure in Japan for fans to have hand shakes, hi fives and give them gifts swiftly. Many fans were crying tears of joy after touching their idols who promoted their upcoming gig.

The fashion show was one of my favourites as it drew in total 50 models on Saturday and half as many on Sunday and we had a large and supportive crowd of attendees, cospayers and fashionistas to watch. Mcing on stage was Leader Loi who introduced each model alias and style with banter with Hello Kitty. On Saturday we were accompanyied by Die Milch who chose their favourite model on stage and audience members co-ord. Whilst on Sunday keytarist  group Kotohime Heisei  did so on the sunday followed by a performance of the Mario theme tune !

Kotohime Heisei on stage at Fashion show on Sunday

Nintendo Land as I call it, was huge, probably the biggest Nintendo stand I've seen to date. This was all in promotion of Mario's 50th Birthday, where he himself posed fro photos alongside Pikachu. Games available to play were Smash, Mario Maker, Monster Hunter, Dragon Ball Zenoverse, Yuu could also pose for photos holding digital characters from Animal Crossing New Leaf. There was also an epic Attack on Titan blow up titan head to take photos with next to the cosplay desk where my good cosplay buddy was taking photos with fans - Vcosplay as Totoro. More cosplay guests were in attendance such as Chiquitita Cosplay, Hekady and Tasha Cosplay Mackenzie.

The Fringe market was fantastic showing the best of Japan with a western twist - where talented and budding crafter came selling their wares and promoting their brand and love for Japanese items. You also had a mixture of artists selling there art and comics including a famous Doujin artists from Japan - naturally his hug pillows were soldout on the friday.

For more news on anime, cosplay, games and Japanese culture follow me on Twitter and Facebook.

Aisha Anime ^_^

Summer London Anime & Gaming Con 2015

Harajuku fashion show

We have hit the July the month for back to back conventions, it started off with London Anime & Gaming con. This one is held locally in London at the Metropolitan University and Rocket Complex. Due to popularity Anime League have used more parts of the building to accommodate more attendees and entertainment.

I actually ran and hosted the Harajuku Fashion show; with a new stage team, we dealt with the late start due to previous performers diva-ish attitudes causing issues and sound difficulties but the models hit the stage like pros. We had a selection of Gal, Gothic Lolita, Punk, Visual Kei, and Steampunk. The Steampunk section was in collaboration with The Toggery UK bringing an insight into steampunk fashion.

Special thanks to League of Extraordinary Cosplayers for this photo of me & Ani-mia

Most of the highlights of the event were the panels for me including the body confidence talk with American Cosplayer Ani-mia who was very open in telling the attendees to cosplay for themselves and to promote confidence. Not only that Ani-mia also did a cosplay group photo with all her fans int eh courtyard as a lovely souvenir for all the attendees to remember her by. If she wasn't at her booth selling signed prints and generally chatting to people she was out and about doing interviews, photo shoots and judging the cosplay contest with fellow judges Enja Cosplay and Kerri Louise.

Mojo Jones and Marcus "dice wizard" Gill also did a panel on how the geek community has helped them with mental and social disorders. Alot of attendees came to listen and also share their experiences and supported. Mojo later preformed a saucy burlesque show with Dixie Rocket and two new ladies.

Mojo Jones & Marcus talking about Mental Illness

There was also a new panel for blogging in the Geek community which featured Eddie from Food and Cosplay (tumblr expert), Becca from League of Extraordinary Cosplayers(photographer), Sophie from Sophie's Japan Blog(twitter expert) and me Aisha Anime (veteran blogger). We shared our insight into social media and blogging. You write about what you like and do so for fun not free stuff. if you prove yourself or get notice you can gain benefits. This isn't a profession that can sustain you more of a hobby.

Last but not least was Mike Pollock, the voice of Dr Robotnik/Eggman he was scheduled for signings in the TCG room where fans brought their collection of Sonic and Pokemon memorabilia to get signed. Some of the interesting items were hand painted canvas shoes, a water colour drawing, tins of Evil Ham and a metro article about Mike but calling his character Dr Eggplant. Him and his family roamed around the con and were happy to take photos and sign things.

The event was small and intimate where everyone virtually knew each other but had so much fun catching up with friends. The array of guests including British cosplayers in attendance was excellent. There were two stages of great entertainment including the charity cosplay auction, dub that anime at the bar stage and even Karaoke as-well as the gaming building. Alongside great stalls to purchase your merchandise and snacks.

See more of my photos here.

For more news on anime, cosplay, games and Japanese culture follow me on Twitter and Facebook.

Aisha Anime ^_^

London MCM Expo 2013: The Highs and Lows

Tara Platt, Yuri Lowenthall voice actors XD

(Originally this article was written for Anime Picks.)London MCM Expo 2013 really out did themselves as an expo for providing great anime guests this year including:

• Wit Studio (Attack on Titan, Hal)
• Ryo Mito (Saint Seiya Brave Soldiers)
• Kunio Hashimoto (Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Z)
• Hideo Baba (Tales of Symphonia Chronicles, Tales of Xillia 2)
• Hiroshi Matsuyama (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle)
• Troy Baker (Voice actor, Joker, Bioshock, Last of us, Trinity Blood, Tekken, Tales of Vesperia)
• Richard Craig Smith (Voice actor, Bruce Wayne, Assasin’s Creed, Tekken, Tales of Vesperia)
• Yuri Lowenthall ( Voice actor, Naruto, Obscure)
• Tara Platt (Voice actor, Tekken, Naruto, Obscure)
• Ellyn Stern ( Bleach, Patlobar, Ghost in the Shell)
• 
  

One of the main highlights of the convention was the attendance of the creators of Attack on Titan, Wit Studio. We managed to get hold of the very busy guys to talk to them about the series, some changes, the music and their new anime Hal. Listen/watch our inteview with Wit Studio here.

Wit Studio

As much as everyone is willing to queue hours to meet their idols, it didn’t end well for everyone sadly. Unless you followed specific people on Twitter, aka Yuri and Tara who posted their signing schedules for everyone to come see them. It became a mission to find the stall to queue, or if you needed to get a wristband and timings. This is something companies need to liaise with MCM about so that MCM have a schedule to release to customers. These changes need to be made known before or on the day. We had many reports coming in of attendees missing their chance to meet certain guests including Wit Studio. The chances of this Japanese team returning is unpredictable.

My highlight was participating in the League of Legends UK cosplay meet, it was an experience I enjoyed through finding the ‘Fringe’ section on the London MCM Expo 2013 site. This page is a must for cosplayers, it has a list of all cosplay meets on all three days with locations, times and even links to Facebook groups. Especially since we have so many cosplayers attending the Eurocosplay awards that we need somewhere universal for people to connect through. Then the official Konami Cosplay competition where Konami sought out cosplayers to cosplay as Konami characters. A lot of Snakes surfaced with a Raiden, Female Dracula and myself as a retro character, Viki from Suikoden.

Check out the great photos taken by the Konami Uk team photographer Ace: http://www.konami.co.uk/mcm-expo-gallery-day-1

The lows were seeing the poor organisation of staff. Sadly there were reports of bad behaviour towards people in wheelchairs, no facilities or allowances were made to make them comfortable. Being in crutches and fighting my way through thick crowds of cosplayers, I can relate. Luckily the attendees were polite and understanding but looking at the MCM group from the amount of complaints shows the lack of training with London MCM Expo 2013 staff/volunteers.

Yugioh life size playing board

What added further insult to injury was if you were at the wrong place at the wrong time, dockland staff were confiscating cosplay weapons. With no justification cosplay weapons or props were taken away and destroyed. This is alarming, as London MCM Expo is known for cosplay, and staff around the area should come to recognise this. However precious works of art and hard labour were taken away and destroyed un rightfully. Please comment us with any updates on this controversial issues.

Our favourite stalls this time round include:

Good Smile Company

Founded May 1st 2001, Good Smile Company is a Japanese manufacturer of hobby products such as the Nendoroid and figma product lines. In addition to production and manufacturing, its business includes design, marketing and distribution. They have come back to the UK after two years as unsure of their popularity, this time around I personally made sure they knew how popular their products are. Releasing a new line of Attack of Titan figmas and an exclusive Europen Sakura Miku.

Watch our Interview with Mr O about GSC and figuring out a fake here..

Pixiebunny.com

Launched by fashion icon and lolita Pixie late who has sold various products in the past but know has her own Pixie Couture line. The many facets of Tokyo street fashion have influenced her shop’s cute, fun and unique aesthetics. Pixie believes that style is a combination of makeup, hair, clothes and accessories, which is why Pixie Bunny strives to be your one stop shop for the hottest kawaii looks and trends. Pixie Couture sprinkles a bit of magic and fairy dust to whoever wears it. The debut line focuses on the preppy cute look of Japanese school uniform (seifuku) and plaid patterns because she adores that look. The shop currently stocks quality Japanese cosmetics, fashion accessories as well as one of a kind hand crafted fashion goods but there will loads more to come!

Facebook: facebook.com/PixieBunnyShop

Sheep hand warmer from Kekiko!

Kekiko.com

Kekiko’s founder also has a passion for pandas like Anime Picks. She sells cute stationary and fashion items, one of the popular ones being the car ear clips, light and real for kids and adults to enjoy for casual day or cosplay. The online store should be up and running by the end of November, you can visit it at: www.kekiko.com. The headgear were the top sellers at the Kekiko stall, these included the kitty and bunny ears, the tokidoki snapbacks and the bunny ear beanie hats. Everyone loved them and thought they went well with almost any outfit. Pandas are Amy’s all time favourite animal. They are cute, huggable and just adorable fluffy creatures. This is why she chose to have them as her mascots.

Watch our compilation video here.