KakkoiCon
The first annual KakkoiCon anime, manga and Japanese pop-culture convention explores the connections between Japanese subculture and fashion. The highlight is sure to be the KakkoiCon 109 fashion show (8 p.m. Fri.) with local designers, such as Heather Luca's steampunk line Scoundrelle's Keep. There will also be demonstrations of various aspects of Japanese culture, panels of key members of the industry, a tea party, live music, gaming, contests and more.
Jim Lee signing
Jim Lee, Marvel Comics' "X-Men" illustrator, creative director of DC Comics' WildStorm Studios, co-creator of DC Comics' "All Star Batman" and art director of the upcoming DC Comics massive multiplayer online game, will be in town for a rare retail appearance at Source Comics & Games. The Source, one of the largest comic book and games stores in the United States, will also have costumed characters, the Batmobile and local creator appearances. Lee will sign comic books, sketch comic illustrations and review portfolios.
La Nouvelle Femme
Some of the youngest local talent in the art, fashion and music worlds come together for this multimedia show exploring La Nouvelle Femme ("The New Woman"). The show will have live art and mixed media by Ema C. Cook, 18; live music by Margaret Lane, 21, and a fashion show featuring the summer collection by Calpurnia Peach (Luci Kandler, 21, and Ashley Wokasch, 22). The eight-look collection of "onesies" (one-piece jumpers), miniskirts, tights and knee-highs screen-printed with images of flora and fauna will be worn by guest models, such as Emma Berg of mplsart.com, Laura Boland of Bella Koshka and this writer.
