Browse Exhibits (30 total)
Costume-Con: CC1
Costume-Con 1 was held on January 14-16, 1983, in San Diego, California.
This is the first Costume-Con, created and chaired by Karen Schnaubelt, then Karen Schnaubelt Turner. Many of our "traditions" started at this con, including the Future Fashion Folio, where designers could submit designs for others to make.
Costume-Con: CC29
NEW! Costume-Con 29 was held in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey on April 29-May 2, 2011.
The theme was "Give My Regards to Broadway."
Costume-Con: CC37
NEW! Costume-Con 37 was held March 22-25, 2019, in Danvers, Massachusetts.
The theme was "Witches, Wizards, and Warlocks."
Costume-Con: CC39
NEW! Costume-Con 39 was held on April 21-24, 2023, in San Jose, California, and had the theme "Things that Go Bump in the Night."
CC39 was originally scheduled for 2021, but was not held that year due to COVID-19. Instead there were virtual events in 2021 and the full event was moved to 2023, so CC39 actually happened the year after CC40.
Costume-Con: CC40
NEW! Costume-Con 40 was held in Bethesda, Maryland, from April 1 to 4, 2022, and had the theme "Rogues, Royals, and Renegades."
Costumes and Costumers of the 1960s
UPDATED! Costuming and Cosplay are not a recent thing. Convention costuming really started at the first Worldcon in 1939 (NYcon 1), when Myrtle ("Morojo") Douglas dressed herself and her then-boyfriend Forrest ("Forry") J. Ackerman in costumes inspired by pulp magazine covers:
But costuming really took off at conventions in the 1960s, paving the path to become the huge international convention and costuming/cosplay community that it is today.
Costuming in the 1950s
UPDATED! While convention costuming really started at the first Worldcon in 1939, masqurade balls--the precursors to our modern masquerades--became more common at conventions in the 1950s. This was the first step in starting costumers and conventions down the the path to launch masquerade competitions.
Costuming in the 1970s
UPDATED! There was a huge boom in science fiction and fantrasy in the media in the 1970s, and with it a boom in local and regional conventions and costuming.
Favorite Themes: Snow, Ice, and Winter
It's a wintery wonderland! Everyone loves seasonal costumes, but snow and winter queens and icy creatures from folklore, books, and media seem to have a special place in our frozen hearts. ❄❅❄❅❄❅❄❅❄❅❄❅❄
Favorite Themes: Spring and Summer
Ah, spring, primavera, when flowers bloom and so do the imaginations of costumers, along with summertime, full of color and midsummer celebrations.
NASFiC (North American Science Fiction Convention) 2023
NEW! Pemmi-Con, the 15th NASFiC (North American Science Fiction Convention), was held July 20-23, 2023, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Worldcon 2000: The Chicon 2000 Masquerade
NEW The 58th World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), also known as Chicon 2000, was held on August 31–September 4, 2000 in Chicago, Illinois, United States.
This is a recreation of the Science Fiction and Fantasy masquerade in its original run order, and identifies the awards that entries received.
Worldcon 2002: The ConJose Masquerade
NEW The 60th World Science Fiction Convention, also known as ConJose, was held on August 29–September 2, 2002 in San Jose, California, United States.
This is a recreation of the Science Fiction and Fantasy masquerade in its original run order, and identifies the awards that entries received.
Worldcon 2003: The Torcon 3 Masquerade
NEW The The 61st World Science Fiction Convention, also known as Torcon 3, was held on August 28-September 1, 2003 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
This is a recreation of the Science Fiction and Fantasy masquerade in its original run order, and identifies the awards that entries received.
Worldcon 2004: The Noreascon 4 Masquerade
NEW The 62nd World Science Fiction Convention, also known as Noreascon 4, was held on 2–6 September 2004 in Boston, Massachusetts, United States.
This is a recreation of the Science Fiction and Fantasy masquerade in its original run order, and identifies the awards that entries received.
Worldcon 2005: The Interaction Masquerade
NEW The 63rd World Science Fiction Convention, also known as Interaction, was held on 4–8 August 4-8, 2005,in Glasgow, Scotland.
This is a recreation of the Science Fiction and Fantasy masquerade in its original run order, and identifies the awards that entries received.
Worldcon 2006: LACon 4 Masquerade
LACon 4, the 64th World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), held on August 23–27, 2006, in Anaheim, California.
This is a recreation of the Science Fiction and Fantasy masquerade in its original run order, and identifies the awards that entries received.
Worldcon 2007: Nippon 2007 Masquerade
Nippon 2007, the 65th World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), held on August 30th - September 3rd, 2007. Yokohama, Japan.
This is a recreation of the Science Fiction and Fantasy masquerade in its original run order, and identifies the awards that entries received.
Worldcon 2008: Denvention 3 Masquerade
Denvention 3, the 66th World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), held on on 6–10 August 2008 in Denver, Colorado, USA.
This is a recreation of the Science Fiction and Fantasy masquerade in its original run order, and identifies the awards that entries received.
Worldcon 2009: Anticipation Masquerade
Anticipation, the 67th World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), held on on 6–10 August 2009 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
This is a recreation of the Science Fiction and Fantasy masquerade in its original run order, and identifies the awards that entries received.
Worldcon 2011: Renovation Masquerade
Renovation, the 69th World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), held on August 17–21, 2011, in Reno, Nevada.
This is a recreation of the Science Fiction and Fantasy masquerade in its original run order, and identifies the awards that entries received.
Worldcon 2012: Chicon 7 Masquerade
Chicon 7, the 70th World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), held August 30-September 3, 2012, in Chicago, Illinois.
This is a recreation of the Science Fiction and Fantasy masquerade in its original run order, and identifies the awards that entries received.
Worldcon 2013: LoneStarCon 3 Masquerade
LoneStarCon 3, the 71st World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), held August 29-September 2, 2013, in San Antonio, Texas.
This is a recreation of the Science Fiction and Fantasy masquerade in its original run order, and identifies the awards that entries received.
Worldcon 2014: Loncon 3 Masquerade
Loncon 3, the 73rd World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), held August 14-18, 2014, in London, England.
This is a recreation of the Science Fiction and Fantasy masquerade in its original run order, and identifies the awards that entries received.
Worldcon 2015: Sasquan Masquerade
Sasquan, the 73rd World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), held on August 19–23, 2015, in Spokane, Washington.
This is a recreation of the Science Fiction and Fantasy masquerade in its original run order, and identifies the awards that entries received.
Worldcon 2016: The MidAmericon II Masquerade
NEW MidAmeriCon II, was held on 17–21 August 17-21, 2016 at the Bartle Hall Convention Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
This is a recreation of the Science Fiction and Fantasy masquerade in its original run order, and identifies the awards that entries received.
Worldcon 2017: Worldcon 75 Masquerade
NEW Worldcon 75 was held 9–13 August 2017, in Helsinki, Finland.
This is a recreation of the Science Fiction and Fantasy masquerade in its original run order, and identifies the awards that entries received.
Worldcon 2018: Worldcon 76 in San Jose Masquerade
NEW The 76th Worldcon--referred to Worldcon 76 in San Jose-- was held August 16-20, 2018, in San Jose, California.
This is a recreation of the Science Fiction and Fantasy masquerade in its original run order, and identifies the awards that entries received.
Worldcon 2019: A Worldcon in Dublin Masquerade
NEW The 77th Worldcon--referred to as A Worldcon in Dublin-- was held August 15-18, 2019, in Dublin, Ireland.
This is a recreation of the Science Fiction and Fantasy masquerade in its original run order, and identifies the awards that entries received.
Worldcon 2021: Discon 3 Masquerade
Discon 3, the 79th World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), held on December 15-19, 2021, in Washington, District of Columbia.
This is a recreation of the Science Fiction and Fantasy masquerade in its original run order, and identifies the awards that entries received.
Featured Exhibit
Favorite Themes: Snow, Ice, and Winter
It's a wintery wonderland! Everyone loves seasonal costumes, but snow and winter queens and icy creatures from folklore, books,...