Hyper Japan, 2012

Yes, I went to Hyper Japan again! This time just for the one day.


I had to get up at 5.30am to give myself enough time to get ready and walk to town for my 7.13am train! Thankfully I got to the station in plenty of time, there were no delays and I didn't get lost when trying to figure out the tube!

I ended up arriving at the venue at around 9, where I accidentally waltzed into the venue when only staff and exhibitors were supposed to be in there! I casually used the toilet there and then left to join the actual queue which was the other side of the building, opposite Earl's Court tube station as opposed to West Brompton (the station the website said to use...booooooo!). They didn't let us in until around 9.45am.


I scooted around quickly to get my bearings, dropped off my Milky Planet replica at the bring and buy, and watched the sake awards while waiting for the others to arrive! When they did, we started to look around. The bring and buy didn't open for aaaaaaaaaaaaages so we kept hanging around there so we could snatch up the things we wanted! Unfortunately all the items I wanted were really overpriced, or were bought before I had the chance to get them =[ my dress sold though!


We made sure to be at the stage for the fashion show, although it was soooo busy that we were stuck right at the back where we could barely see! And then my camera ran out =| so all my photos were blurry and it became too slow to catch people when they were posing!


Afterwards we wandered again, and took photos! I was glad that we were able to go outside for fresh air every now and then, which also gave me a rest from my bags (they were soooo heavy, the day after I was barely able to move my arms!). The day was so sunny and warm!


Monika, myself, Amy, Bexy, Ziggi.


And again, but with a panda =P


We each got our bows tied by the cute lady on the Baby, the Stars Shine Bright stall! There were some gorgeous things for sale, but their prices had been bumped up by around 40%! There was an Alice and the Pirates brocade JSK I fell in love with, but I can't afford a £300 dress right now =[

When I went to collect my money from the bring and buy, I saw these cute two-way clips made of foam! I really wanted the swan one but couldn't justify the spend...but I really want to make some foam things myself now =3


In the end, we left at around 3.30pm. I got a lift back with Lloyd, Bexy, and Amy. I was sooooo grateful - my train wasn't until 9.30pm as I thought everyone would stay until the end of the event! We'd already exhausted our browsing possibilities, wallets, and ourselves though. We had Burger King on the way back =P

Here are the things I picked up throughout the day!


Flyers!


Magazines. I was hoping the main stall would have Keras, but it didn't...so I had to splash out on a GLB! I couldn't resist the Popteen either (oops, backwards in this pic). I bought them as soon as I arrived, which was just as well since they both sold out, but they were so heavy and it meant I blew £30 as soon as I entered! The Keras were from the bring and buy. I wanted more, but there was no way I could have carried any more than I did! I also bought a glow-in-the-dark blind bag Pinkie Pie from the My Little Pony stall. I don't get why there was one as MLP isn't Japanese...but not as weird as the punk in the fashion show (he wasn't even wearing Japanese brands, so he couldn't have been more British!).


Totally cute Wonder Story rings made by Kyra! Eeek they were so expensive though...I assumed they were £5 as that label was much closer to them than the £10 label =| I managed to snap the little bunny off on my bag when I was wearing it, so I have to buy some decent glue so I wear the cute little guy again!


I also got some gifts from my friends ♥

When I got back home I was so exhausted, but got excited when I saw a big pile of packages outside my door! I thought I'd share the cute things here since they tie in to the Japan-themed day. I also had some velvet leggings and a velvet skirt.



Book of Clow! I've wanted one since I was a child. My dad tried to buy me one once, but they would go for ridiculous prices on eBay! I lucked out and found this one for a mere £14 =D


Creamy Mami tee from RetroMagicStore. The print is odd as she looks like she has cuts all over her, but you only notice it close-up.

I had a really good day, although I'm still recovering from it now! Did anyone else go too?

Hyper Japan, 2011 ~ Day Three

There was a lolita fashion show again on the final day! Only this one was for more classical styles. Couldn't get as good a seat, but the pace was slower so we got longer to admire everyone's outfits. Everyone looked stunning once again!


...and yeah, they made all the lolitas go up again!


Yay no hair-fail today! Well, apart from before leaving when I'd tried to curl my hair, but as you can see by its obstinate straightness I was unsuccessful. I was wearing Baby, The Stars Shine Bright's Circus Tutu with BTSSB headbow and bag, Bodyline blouse, offbrand tights, handmade wristcuffs, Antaina rocking horse shoes and necklace and bracelet by BTSSBxCharmmy Kitty. I didn't get any good photos of my outfit which is a shame. My clunky shoes turned some heads, I even had one woman ask to take a photo of my feet!

We watched a little of the Square Enix cosplay battle (well, we were stood at the back so I couldn't see a damned thing even with my massive platforms). Some of the costumes were really epic! I don't know many Square Enix characters though, so I don't know how accurate they were. After it finished we had to rush to snatch a seat for Kanon Wakeshima's second Charity Live! I had a seat a few rows from the front, so a much better view than before (although people's heads still blocked my flash). She was amazing again! Rob stuck around for it this time and even he had to admit that she was good.



I'd wanted to watch the Kawaii Star of the Year show, but we didn't in the end. We just took a last look around and played video games again. I can't believe I forgot to mention them before! We played Kirby on the Wii, Dragon Ball on PS2 and Xbox and a few other things...so much fun! And for some reason some guy wanted to film me in front of some of the games. I hope that footage never surfaces 8| We then went to the Sake Cocktail Seminar for a sit down as we were so exhausted from the weekend. Even got to try a cocktail (even though apparently I'm not old enough to drink sake...though I don't understand that one at all).

Then it was pretty much over! Headed back to the Lolita Bring & Buy stall to pick up money and unsold items to find that only one my items was left unsold (after I'd lowered prices on everything earlier that day). I sold £280 worth of lolita! I was amazed. Really sad that my Angelic Pretty shoes are gone, but they were too small for me anyway...and all the other things I sold were either too big or just not my style, so I suppose it's all good.

Here are the goodies I picked up on the last day!


The bird clip is by Now Voyager, they had so many awesome items so it was hard to pick one. I thought this one was the most subtle haha. Rob bought me the Chocobo =3 I was also very tempted by the BTSSB stall, but the accessory pack was £45 and only had a tote, some socks, a headbow practically identical to the one I was wearing and a phone charm so I didn't get one. Kinda regret that now though...I've never had any brand new BTSSB before =[


Here's some pretty Pixiv pictures that I wanted to buy...I didn't have any money when the stall was still open for them so I just took a photo. I wish I could do art like that! I really need to start trying again.

Back at the hotel was odd as Kai and Rai had already left. The rest of us stayed up until midnight and then went for a drink as it was Vicki's birthday! The bar played pretty naff music...was expecting better since it was decked out in rock and punk posters. And then much needed sleep!

Hyper Japan, 2011 ~ Day Two

Finally got the photos for this and just back from Reading, so I'll try to get these last few Hyper Japan posts up asap! Also our table photo with Kanon has been added to the Day One post.


On the second day we had another early start! The venue (Olympia 2 in Kensington) opened to the public at 10am, which was also when the Sweet Lolita fashion show was scheduled! We were pretty lucky to know about it as it wasn't on the programme. Plus by turning up that early, we beat the worst of the queues! Loads of people were unable to get in that day, or had to queue for hours because somehow more tickets were sold than the venue could cope with.

The fashion show was great fun! I managed to get a seat right at the front with Vicki, although the show was pretty fast moving so I didn't manage to get photos of all of the models...it was great seeing everyone's coords though.


The group shot!


My outfit for the day! Angelic Pretty's Sugary Carnival JSK, Bodyline blouse, BTSSB headbow and bag, offbrand socks, Antaina shoes, handmade bracelet and wristcuffs (not by me), and necklace by BTSSBxCharmmy Kitty.

At the end of the show all the lolitas in the audience were told to go up on stage! It wasn't very scary though (but my hair was hooked over my headbow and no one pointed it out to me until the afternoon...AFTER all of the photos! *embarrassed*)


Afterwards I met back up with Rob for wanderings. We went to the Maid Café for a drink, but it wasn't a very pleasant experience! It was really uncomfortable being called 'Lord and Lady', plus our maid disappeared after our first drink so we had a cup of tea and coffee for £10 when it was supposed to be unlimited for half an hour.

Had super-delicious yaki-udon for lunch...SO YUMMY! I was a little paranoid about getting grease on my dress. A lady told me I was sitting wrong on the floor too...apparently sitting cross-legged isn't ladylike. I'd figured as much already, but sitting sideways hurts my back so much and doesn't look elegant either! I also bumped into Hayley which was nice, and I got to meet Georgie irl, which was super exciting for me since I've known her online for a while now. She thought we looked like Ichiko and Momoko from Kamikaze Girls when together:


Then it was time to head back to the Main Stage for Kanon Wakeshima's Charity Live! We went quite early but it was already packed. Had to pick a spot on the floor right at the side with a bunch of other lolitas. Thankfully I could just about see! However the heads of the people in front blocked my flash so I had to turn it off, resulting in my photos coming out all fuzzy! Her performance was incredible though - beautiful singing, perfect cello-playing and a cute little act too. She's definitely one of my idols now.



More stall-browsing afterwards. I went back to the Lolita Bring & Buy to buy an Innocent World OP I'd wanted the whole time, but it was gone! Typical that when I managed to get money someone else had bought it D= so jealous of that person! However a jacket I'd had my eye on had been reduced by £5 and had a headbow attached to it, so I bought that instead. There were plenty of cute dresses still there too, but all the bargains had been had already and I didn't want to spend over £50 on one item. I also picked up a Kera magazine, Kanon's CDs and her art book (Flower Sound Orchestra)...and also some yummy candy! I didn't want to spend too much money but couldn't resist getting some Marshmallow Fluff as it sounded delicious!


At 4pm there was a signing with Kanon! Luckily when I bought her merchandise I was put on the list for the signing...they couldn't see everyone I guess as there were so many people. The queue was all the way to the stage but we didn't have to wait too long. It was a shame the BTSSB stall wasn't open that day as it would have been a good opportunity to look closer at the merchandise.

We didn't win anything in the raffle so we made our way back to the hotel. We went out to a Japanese restaurant for tea, but the place was pretty rubbish. They had NOTHING vegetarian on the menu! My meal came with some kind of fish sauce =/ there was nothing on the menu to say that it would but I kinda knew since there were no 'V' signs by anything. My vegetable tempura had obviously been cooked in the same flour, batter and oil as the prawns, but it was either eat it or be very hungry. Had to pinch Rob's soy sauce so my rice wasn't as dry...he'd been dipping fish in there, but it was more vegetarian than actual fish sauce!


So that was my second day. Woah these posts are so long! Only one or two Hyper Japan posts left to go though, and then I won't have any ideas of what to write.

Hyper Japan, 2011 ~ Day One

Yes I know, late post is late...but it took a while to sort out my photos! I still haven't managed to get the photos for the other days yet as they're stuck on the camera. Also if you click an image, larger versions/original source will appear =3 (need to change my layout so larger photos look okay).

Last weekend I had my first experience of a convention! I really had no idea what to expect, and in the morning I was grumpy from having to get up early and my suitcase was MASSIVE and would barely close as I hadn't realised how much space lolita outfits take up. Travel was a bit of a nightmare too. Our bus into town got held up as a Sainsbury's lorry crashed through a wall on the main route to town, so we had to wait a while before reversing all the way down the hill and taking the long route, resulting in us missing the train we were supposed to get. Thankfully we had general off-peak tickets so we didn't have to fork out any more money! Trains were fine and so was the tube, but we took a while to find the hotel we were staying at (even though it was right under our nose the whole time!)

Once we'd ditched our luggage there it was off to the convention! I was a bit freaked out at first as there were so many people there and I hadn't expected it to be like that. We arrived some time after 1 I think, so we had a little wander before I headed to watch the talk show with Kanon Wakeshima (Rob wasn't interested in it, I don't even know what he was doing at that point). Her voice was so cute, and outfit so beautiful! I was a little offended though as she said that anyone who wears the clothes but doesn't live the lifestyle isn't a real lolita, but over here it's more that the clothes make the lolita (or at least you can't be considered one without the clothing). But I don't want to get too much into the lifestyle/fashion debate...or at least not today!



I also dropped off some things to sell at the Lolita Bring and Buy stall...it was great to see so many lolitas and so many items for sale. I also finally met Chrissii for the first time!

Afterwards it was soon time for the tea party with Kanon Wakeshima! I was a little nervous as I didn't know any of the other lolitas and they all seemed to know each other, but I met some lovely people. I'd also worried that my outfit wasn't good enough as I was dressed casually for travel in a rather toned-down mix of lolita and fairy-kei. I didn't get a photo and I haven't been able to find a full one of me yet (there must be some, when we were waiting to enter the cafe loads of randomers papped us), just this one from the tea party.



I was wearing Angelic Pretty's Dream Sky skirt and barrette with Asiajam tee, Hello KittyXNike sneakers, BTSSB bag, Hello Kitty necklace and cupcake earrings from Claire's, Primark legwarmers and offbrand tights. Need moar accessories!

While there was no tea at the so-called tea party (there was no tea =P), we had the most delicious cakes! Plus some free cleansing oil and cute place-marker.



Kanon looked lovely and was so cute. It was so nice of her to agree to come and answer some of our questions...my heart beat so fast! These were my delightful table buddies, Clare and Kyra:


With Kanon! My face is so happy-derp haha:


And all of us together with Kanon! (Photo by Saoirse Clohessy Photography)


Afterwards I found Rob again and we looked around the stalls. I ended up buying 2 Chibi Vampire novels and a Cardcaptor Sakura manga from the Tokyopop stall that day, as well as acquiring a number of cards and leaflets. I also picked up a Hangry & Angry keychain - I was reluctant to pay £4 for a keychain, but it's really cute and it was the last of that type there.


Irritatingly there was nowhere to get free water, so we had to buy expensive cans of Diet Coke. For tea we had Yo! Sushi which was going cheap at the end of the day...so yummy. And we had blueberry Pocky for when we got back to the hotel OMNOM.

After meeting up with our hotel group (Aisha, Vicki, Kai, Rai, Rob and myself) we went back to the hotel for check-in...but we weren't all in the same room despite us changing which nights we were staying so we could be grouped together. They wouldn't move the other so we had to be separate. I didn't mind too much, but their policy made no sense - surely you'd fill up rooms before putting people in new ones, and you'd try to keep groups together? Apparently not.

So there's my summary of 22nd July! Hope it wasn't too boring to read ^_^'

Oh and if anyone finds blogs or pictures of the event please link me! I want to see everything!