Japan Festival Houston is an annual celebration of all things relating to Japanese culture. Each year it is held in the heart of Houston at Hermann Park. The festival features food, music, ceremonies, cosplay, fashion, and more. 2019 was the festival’s 26th anniversary which coincided with the end of the Heisei era. In honor of the transition into the new era, the fashion show showcased the various fashion styles during Heisei. Fashion styles dating 1989 to 2019 included gothic lolita, classic lolita, sweet lolita, punk. lolita, ouji, gothic aristocrat, visual kei, kimono, nanchatte seifuku, decora, menhera, yumekawaii, fairy kei, and many more.
Right before the fashion show start time, a huge downpour with hail passed through the park. Luckily enough, it passed by quickly and the show went on! Japan Festival Houston is a rain or shine event. Kudos to the models for surviving the rain.
In total, 26 unique looks walked the stage. The volunteer models showed off a wide variety of styles and subcultures each putting their own twist on their style. Some of the brands worn in this show included Angelic Pretty, Alice and the Pirates, Haenuli, Atelier Boz, and Houston’s very own Ota-Q Apparel. Though many of these looks consist of offbrand items proving you don’t need brand to wear J-fashion styled outfits. J-fashion is something for everyone to wear.
If you’re interested in participating in next year’s fashion show, make sure to follow the J-Fest Houston Japanese Fashion Show page. Now entering the Reiwa era, look forward to the new styles that will pop up!
