CostumeCon is an annual event
that came originally out of science fiction conventions. The first organizers
were unsure they had enough people interested to hold a viable convention,
so they also invited a number of historical costume groups to participate.
The result is an exciting long weekend of classes, discussions, displays
and fashion shows; covering subjects ranging from Elizabethan corsetry
to Klingon's wedding clothes.
One of my favorites is the Future Fashion Folio. Some
months before the convention designs are sent in of one's notions of fashion
trends of the future, often involving distant planets and new cultures.
The best are chosen by a committee and a folio of the winners is sent out
to members of the convention. The members may choose one of the fashions
to create, to be worn in the fashion show, using little more than a line
drawing and a brief paragraph of description. It's very educational.