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MCM London Comic Con October 2015

November 4, 2015 by AJ 1 Comment

The MCM London Comic Con that took place on 23-25 October 2015 was a huge success with more than 130,000 people attending. Although the place was overcrowded, I much enjoyed the event. I met interesting people, learned a few things, and cosplay was fabulous!

Cosplay - photo from MCM London Comic Con October 2015

Steampunk is increasingly popular with cosplayers.

Cosplay - photo from MCM London Comic Con October 2015

The steampunk tent was strategically located near one of the entrances and drew thousands of visitors.

Cosplay - photo from MCM London Comic Con October 2015

Fantasy was not forgotten: both the light and the dark sides of fantasy were represented.

Cosplay - photo from MCM London Comic Con October 2015

Cosplay - photo from MCM London Comic Con October 2015

Cosplay - photo from MCM London Comic Con October 2015
Fantasy queens at MCM London Comic Con

Last but not least, Halloween celebrations were in full swing. Fun and spooky!

Cosplay - photo from MCM London Comic Con October 2015

Filed Under: Alternative cultures, Events, Fantasy, Science fiction Tagged With: Comic con, event, fantasy, fashion, photos, sci-fi, science fiction

Whitby Goth Weekend: April 2015 (Part 2)

May 25, 2015 by AJ 2 Comments

Whitby Goth Weekend, April 2015. Photo.
Whitby Goth Weekend, April 2015. WGW turns 21!

Read the first part here: Whitby Goth Weekend, April 2015 (Part 1)

Okay, so now we climbed the 199 steps leading to the Church of Saint Mary and the cemetery surrounding it. Photographers huddle around the entrance of the church—the show is on!

Whitby Goth Weekend, April 2015. Photo, Gothic fantasy model
Whitby Goth Weekend, April 2015. Gothic fantasy model.

The lighting is perfect, making colors rich and vivid. We meet gorgeous models competing for the attention of numerous photographers and visitors.

Whitby Goth Weekend, April 2015. Photo, steampunk men and a woman
Whitby Goth Weekend, April 2015. Elegant Victorian steampunks!

All imaginary worlds meet here: medieval fantasy, steampunk, cyberpunk, science fiction, horror …

Whitby Goth Weekend, April 2015. Photo. Death and a witch

I saved my favorite image for the end. Amid grim tombstones, we meet a lovely fae straight from an urban fantasy novel! What a delightful encounter, isn’t it?

Whitby Goth Weekend, April 2015. Photo. Beautiful Gothic fantasy model
Whitby Goth Weekend, April 2015. A lovely fae straight from an urban fantasy novel!

I would like to thank all the lovely people who allowed me to take a picture of them. Very kind of you indeed!

Also read Whitby, in the footsteps of Dracula (Part 1)

 

Whitby Goth Weekend: April 2015 (Part 1)

Whitby Goth Weekend: April 2015 (Part 2)

Filed Under: Alternative cultures, Events, Fantasy, Science fiction Tagged With: fantasy, fashion, Gothic, horror, sci-fi, steampunk, Whitby

Whitby Goth Weekend: April 2015 (Part 1)

May 22, 2015 by AJ 2 Comments

Twice a year, Goths, steampunks, vampires, and other alternative culture lovers flock to Whitby, a small town located in North Yorkshire, to attend the Whitby Goth Weekend. This festival has been running since 1994 and is one of the largest of its kind in the world. It’s a brilliant opportunity to see some imaginative, wonderfully scary, sometimes phantasmagorical costumes.

Sunday 26 April 2015, Saint Ann’s Staith. Weather—wonderful. Atmosphere—surreal. Mood? Gothic, yet festive.

Whitby Goth Weekend, April 2015. Photo of Gothic men and women in Whitby
Whitby Goth Weekend, April 2015. Gothic parade!

Now let’s cross the Whitby Swing Bridge and venture into Church Street. We meet couples in gorgeous Victorian or steampunk costumes. Some of them are kind enough to pose for the camera!

Whitby Goth Weekend, April 2015, photo, Victorian dress
Whitby Goth Weekend, April 2015.

The feeling of unreality grows stronger. It’s difficult to believe we are still on Earth!

Whitby Goth Weekend, April 2015. Photo. Gothic gathering.
Whitby Goth Weekend, April 2015. Fantastical gathering in the middle of the street!
Whitby Goth Weekend, April 2015. Photo. Vampires in Whitby
Whitby Goth Weekend, April 2015. Vampire gathering in broad daylight!

What? Vampires gathering in broad daylight! Did they drink fae blood? Call vampire slayers! I dial 913. “Hello, Whitby vampire hunters. How can we help you today?” I tell them what I saw. “Vampires on Church Street? Oh, this is normal, you see. No worries; they are vegetarian.” Ah. That explains a lot. “Good day, sir.”

Vegetarian vampires on the streets at noon? There is something fishy going on in Whitby. I’m glad I brought my vampire slayer kit with me. Just in case.

Okay, now let’s go up the stairs toward the Church of Saint Mary and Whitby Abbey.

Whitby Goth Weekend, April 2015. Photo. Street performance.
Whitby Goth Weekend, April 2015.

I would like to thank all the lovely people who allowed me to take a picture of them. Very kind of you indeed!

Also read Whitby, in the footsteps of Dracula (Part 1)

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Filed Under: Alternative cultures Tagged With: fashion, Gothic, photos, vampires, Whitby

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About the Author

A. J. Blakemont is a novelist and essayist interested in speculative and gothic fiction. He is also passionate about music, history and its mysteries. He grew up in Paris where he studied literature. He lives near London and he is a member of the Society of Authors.

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