The theme of this year’s Nova Albion Convention in Santa Clara, CA is Wild, Wild East.  The costumes I am planning to make for myself and my friends are based on Japanese-European Victorian fashions, and real fashions of the Meiji period.

This inspirational piece is posted to the FIDM Museum Blog, which is well worth looking through if you are interested in gorgeous photos and detailed descriptions of historic clothing items.

Kimono dressing gown

Kimono dressing gown

c. 1885

Gift of Anonymous Donor

80.40.1

Beginning in the late 19th century, Asian decorative arts, and those of Japan in particular, had a tremendous impact on Western culture. Many Americans and Europeans traveled to Japan, often returning with textiles and garments that… (read more and see more detailed photos)