NYCC 2017 Recap!

An October tradition for my friends and me is attending New York Comic Con (NYCC).  This is a time when I, and my fellow geeks from the metro area, can escape reality for a few days! The merchandise and cosplays at this year’s New York Comic Con didn’t miss a beat.

I dug The Big Lebowski and The Professional cosplays the most! Cosplayers dressing up as 90s movie icons? Oh the 90s nostalgia!

A few of my fellow geek gals participated in a ClulessXHarryPotter mashup (shouts to Chavon of Geeky & Creepy for the idea). It was awesome! Yes, that is me being the only Slytherin (a lovable Slytherin) in the group.  The blazer is killah, snagging it on Esty along with the Harry Potter Patch bag from Hot Topic.  I predict there will be more group cosplays in the future for me, including a repeat of this one :) 

ROLLCALL! Che: Ravenclaw, Kos: Slytherin, Arkieda: Ravenclaw, Robyn: Gryffindor, Isake: Ravenclaw, Christina: Gryffindor, Akua: Ravenclaw

AS IF!

Since I’ve been attending regional comic cons recently, I have become stoked about the panels!  Connecting with fellow geeks on topics that matter: mental health, diversity, and geek journalism, this year at NYCC they didn’t disappoint. A highlight for many was “Fashioning Fiction: The Aesthetics of Fantasy Worlds” panel, which included Geek Girl Brunch co-founder Yissel Ayala. Yissel along with 6 panelists broke down what makes fashion fantastical and how they find inspiration in the real world to clothe the denizens of their imaginary realms.

Yissel is a visual merchandiser and has a BFA in Women’s Sportswear from the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT Alum Woot Woot), she’s has been mentored by Carolina Herrera and studied knitwear at Politecnico Di Milano in Milan, Italy   

I had the opportunity to speak with YIssel after the panel, check it out:
O.C.O: What led you submit for the panel

Y.A: My friend and cheerleader Erica Shultz encouraged me. We'd gotten to know each other through me moderating her panels at New Jersey Comic Expo, so she knew I was beyond capable.  Actually, "encouraged," is an understatement.  She'd regularly e-mail and text me reminders to brainstorm ideas and the panel submission deadline. Ha! She really pushed for me to do this, and for that, I am forever grateful.  

Soon after, I visited my friend Melissa Grey to get her take and bounce ideas off of her over wine (like you do). I knew I had to do something around fashion. Around design  - A subject I'm passionate about, knowledgeable, have credibility in. But, what else? Well, I love books.... It was Melissa that suggested the aesthetics of fantasy worlds. It was pretty perfect. Here I was talking to my published author best friend, so I knew I'd at least have one guaranteed panelist onboard. 

I went home and drafted out some copy, came up with the name, "Fashioning Fiction", had Melissa reply to my e-mail with even better copy, sought out potential panelists with her help, and the panel was born. 

O.C.O: What did you want to teach/accomplish with the panel?

Y.A:  I wanted to talk about fashion for an hour without it becoming as superficial as red carpet coverage before a major awards show.  

When people think of literature, what words spring to mind? Smart. Profound. Classic. How does the average person view fashion? Is it fun? Well, you and I know that. But then there are people who think: "superficial," who don't realize that, "smart," "profound," and, "classic," are all terms that apply to fashion too. 

It was important for me to be able to celebrate fashion as a crucial world-building tool. So, I put a lot of thought and care into my questions and presentation as a whole. Through PowerPoint I created a visual narrative. I told an easy to follow story, first on Literature’s contributions to fashion, citing prominent literary works and designer achievements, which allowed me to dive into the heart of my panel, fashion's very necessary contribution to storytelling. My approach worked. It really fucking worked. 

O.C.O: How'd you come to know your panel mates?

Y.A: They're my friends, and friends of friends. I find already knowing someone makes asking them to be on your panel way easier!

O.C.O: If you could have a follow up panel to this one, what would it focus on?

Y.A: I think I may just do a round 2 of this panel, as I already have some interested parties. It's more than I could've hoped for.

I do like the idea of discussing the great style icons of literature and their influence on modern fashion. Maybe I'll attempt that at BookCon? We'll see!

Follow Yissel on Instagram and Twitter @Thedesignergeek

As I left New York Comic Con, I could not help but notice the increased attendance from last year!  I learned later that attendance rose to over  200,000 to be exact!!  How awesome is that?!  New York Comic Con continues to get better and better.  I started going in 2013.  Each year I leave the con more confident, inspired, and creative. Until next year!

xo

Kos

Today we Create: Hunter Haute Issue #1

Hi Friends!

First and foremost, I hope everyone is coping as best as they can during these difficult times.   It’s easy to get sucked into negativity (points to self), and I am sure we are seeing the same TV and Social Media messages saying “we need to come together” yes that is true. But if we are getting together just to point the finger, then what’s the point?!

Bottom line, times like these we have to CREATE.  Putting more effort into creating right now can unify people. I strongly believe that.

I have been working on HUNTER HAUTE for 6 years now.  It’s an idea that came from my love of fashion and comic books/pop culture. I have my amazing sister’s and brother’s to thank for that.  I remember coming up with the concept on a Friday night writing character descriptions and plots for particular issues.  When I got laid off 2 years ago and had a lot of time to revaluate LIFE. I came across the file while cleaning out my computer.  Reread it, got inspired to look at how I can make this a reality instead of a unfinished project.

The next steps I took were the following:

·      Researching folks to help me I want to give a special thanks to my team Phil Buck and Candace Lee, this was a long process and I am forever grateful.

·      Saved $$-cause well being creative can cost ya J.

·      Revised plots-things change between 2009 and 2014.

·      Got the series Copyrighted-cause this is the Internet.

AND HERE WE ARE :)

Early this summer,  I spoke my with aunt Gwen about the upcoming completion; she was very excited for me!  She was ecstatic and I sent her the issue via email for her to read.  The next day, she passed away; I dedicate Issue #1 of Hunter Haute to her.

Without further ado, I would like to introduce Hunter Haute Issue #1:

About Hunter Haute

Amina Williams has just returned home from Brazil after taking a gap year from her studies at The Design Institute. Her mother, Alexia Williams, was a fashion industry mogul and the CEO of her own company, Williams Industries. There was much controversy surrounding the “accident” that killed Amina’s mother. After a year away, Amina must come home to deal with the fallout in her personal life and the within the business dealings of her mother’s empire.

THE END! Ha ha! What do you guys think?

Folks can also view the comic here. 

xo

Kos

The cool girl: Jessica Jones Review

She’s a cool girl. Being the Cool Girl means I am a hot, brilliant, funny woman who adores football, poker, dirty jokes, and burping, who plays video games, drinks cheap beer, loves threesomes and anal sex, and jams hot dogs and hamburgers into her mouth like she’s hosting the world’s biggest culinary gang bang while somehow maintaining a size 2, because Cool Girls are above all hot.” - Gillian Flynn, Gone Girl.

I wonder when Flynn was writing this description of “the cool girl” if she was describing Jessica Jones? She’s drinks whiskey, kicks ass, doesn’t give a shit and gets things done. Case in point:

For those not familiar with the comic, Jessica Jones, a woman with limited superhuman abilities whose brief career as a "hero" was cut short by Kilgrave's toxic interference prior to the start of the show.  Jessicaescaped Kilgrave's hold, and has become a private investigator who relies on her natural ability to read people.

I was excited for the debut of this and gradually watched all 13 episodes since the in between finals, work, the holiday madness, back to work lol.  It’s fantastic! You don’t need to be a comic book fan to enjoy it. The series is very different from current shows based on comics: The Flash, Marvel’s Agents of Shield, and Supergirl. Jessica Jones is very dark, hence one reason why Marvel may have chosen to showcase on Netflix.  The themes are more violent, bloodier then what we seen even in Marvel movies (of course that will change since R rated Deadpool debuts Feb 12).  The series tackles a variety of trauma: rape, torture, emotional abuse, drug addiction, and most particularly, the struggle to be believed after trauma has occurred.  It’s very clear after completing the season 1: The trauma made Jessica who she is.

Kristen Ritter as Jessica Jones and David Tennant as Killgrave are the best character castings since Hugh Jackman as Wolverine.  Ritter plays Jessica so bitter, flawed and yet she is so human. I think this is why people who are non-comic fans can dig this show. She isn’t really trying to be a hero she is trying to take down Killgrave.  Now to Killgrave, he disturbs me, you barley saw the dude and he disturbed me.  Fellow super-villians Ultron and Loki got nothing on Killgrave!    Supported of course by that British Accent, there is a scene (yes this is a spoiler) where he orders two children in a closet…. That’s all I’m going to say, but it shook me…. Tennant’s performance is chilling and terrifying and asks dark questions about what we would do with ultimate power over those around us, and about what would become of us.

Mike Colter as Luke Cage.  AMAZING! His bar fight scene had me cheering.  It was way too short.  I had to rewind it and watch it again.  There's that moment when you really see his superpowers. That’s all I will say, but it’s brilliant!  I.  Cannot.  Wait.  For.  His.  Show.

Jessica Jones proves that Marvel is building a great line up in the Netflix family it will most likely get better with season 2 of Daredevil and the debut of Luke Cage in 2016.  Whether you love Marvel, or don't know the difference between The Winter Soldier and Thor, the Marvel Universe entries on Netflix should not be missed by anyone who likes great television.  This is easily the darkest, most personal, and least action-oriented entry in Marvel's canon of film and television, and also among the best.  Whatever trauma they have experienced, the women of the show are all consistently portrayed as either having control of their lives or working hard to regain it. I think many women can relate to that. No Marvel show, not even Agent Carter (which I love and adore Peggy Carter) has ever done that so effectively.  I recommend Jessica Jones as great TV to binge watch this winter!

What are you guys binge watching this winter? I’m almost done with Mr. Robot, that will be my next review!

XO

Kos

New York Comic Con 2014

Hey everyone!

I can't believe it's mid-October already! I had a busy few days at NY Comic Con 2014, a time to band with fellow geeks, Cosplay, and leave reality for at least a few days. It is great to see so many different people from different backgrounds, occupations have the same joy I have in attending. New York Comic Con’s attendance surpassed San Diego’s this year! Well done NYC!

Anyone that knows me knows I dress up every year along with my niece Akua and our friend Kimani. This year, I dressed up as Rogue from X-Men, Daenerys from Game of Thrones, and Retro Catwoman:

Apologies for the Catwoman picture, I forgot to take one actually, Sunday was way too busy since I was taking my nephews to comic con.  What is also great about NY Comic Con is the exercise you get! There is so much to cover all over the Javits Center, heck even walking to the Javits Center lol Here are a few of my favorites:

                                                             My goodies, yes that is an Optimus Prime helmut :)

Check out Fashionedits.com and read my NY Comic Con article, I spoke to a few veterans about the astonishing popularity over the last few years!

Also an outfit post is coming soon, adjusting to going back to being Bruce Wayne lol, until next year!

xo

Kosi