Calling all Fashion Designers and Fashion Lovers: We want YOU to dress up and showcase your freshest outfits with us to prove that Miami is a fashion capital of the world! Our skilled judges will be grading your creativity as a designer and how you incorporate this year’s theme of “Ani-May” into your original outfit, so wow them and our live audience with your unique style for fabulous awards and prizes in this runway-style competition. So think of this contest as getting dressed up for the Met Gala with an OtakuFest twist: You’re the designer, and every type of fashion is encouraged to participate from show-stopping couture dresses and suits, punkish street wear and cutting-edge sportswear and even your favorite historically re-created garb from an ancient time period just to name a few. Be sure to dress to impress, and we’ll see you on the Fashion Show Contest red carpet!

PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED AS FOLLOWS:

• Best in Show: $100 Cash Prize + Award Trophy + Prizes from our Sponsors

• Emcee Award: $75 Cash Prize + Award Medallion + Prizes from our Sponsors

• Best Craftsmanship Design: $50 Cash Prize + Award Medallion

• Best Store-Bought Design: $50 Cash Prize + Award Medallion

• Judges’ Award(s): Award Medallion

• *Additional Awards may be presented at the Staff’s discretion

COMPETITION RULES:
1. The OtakuFest theme of “Ani-May” must be incorporated in your outfit, so what does Ani-May (Anime) mean to you? We’re looking forward to seeing your answers!

2. One entry per person, per day. No separate entries from the same person.

3. Group entries are allowed with a maximum of three people per group. However, once you are in a group entry, you may not also compete as an individual entry.

4. You are allowed to use model(s) to showcase your work. However, there will not be additional awards/prizes awarded, so please inform your model(s) accordingly.

5. Craftsmanship Designs must be at least 50% handmade from scratch or significantly altered from the original garment in order to qualify for this category.

6. There is a limit of 40 entries. There will be 20 slots available online for pre-registration until 12pm(EST) on 4/15/24 unless capacity is filled and 20 slots available at the Cosplay Info Booth before the competition until 12pm(EST) on 5/19/24 unless capacity is filled.

7. All contestants must fill out the entry form.

8. All outfit designs must be rated PG-13 or less. No nudity or risqué outfits allowed.

9. No bad behavior. You know what that means! No trash talking, sabotage or poor sportsmanship. Improper behavior will get you removed from the competition and possibly even the convention. Remember, we’re all here to have fun!

10. No harmful or potentially harmful materials will be allowed. This includes, but is not limited to: water, cigarettes, flames, fireworks, silly string, and any other substance that can be fired, launched or dripped.

11. The most important rule: HAVE FUN!!!

If you have any questions, please direct them to otakufestfashion@gmail.com

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ):
How is “Fashion” different from “Cosplay”?
Fashion is the original use of clothing, footwear, accessories, and cosmetics that are handmade, altered or store-bought as a means of self-expression in one’s outfit. A statement is always made with fashion. It is this unique combination of items that makes designers, their models and their brands both distinguished and coveted in the wonderful world of fashion. Whereas Cosplay, short for ‘Costume-Play’, typically refers to the specific recreation of an existing character from an existing property such as anime, manga, video games, etc. Competitions are held all over the world now in order for people to bring their favorite characters to life, so most Cosplays involve dressing up as both popular and easily recognizable characters from current series.

Is there ever any crossover between Fashion and Cosplay?
Of course! For example, when Usagi, the main character from the popular mahou shoujo series Sailor Moon, wears a kimono, this would qualify as both traditional Japanese Fashion as well as Cosplay if you wanted to make it happen on stage. However, we’re really looking for everyone to showcase both your originality and creativity as a designer, so what if your favorite Revolutionary Girl Utena character attended the Met Gala this year? Could you also see yourself as an awesome Jujutsu Kaisen character in the latest sportswear at a sneaker convention? Or what if you even designed a stunning Rococo ball gown for a Legend of Zelda character to wear at tea time?! We’re so excited to see what you come up with as the answer!

Who can enter?
All attendees who have an event badge or bracelet for OtakuFest can enter this contest. Participants can enter as individuals or in groups (up to three people per group). This will be a runway-style competition, so no pre-judging will be involved.

How do I sign up for the contest?
There are two ways to register for the competition:
(1) Register Online before 12pm(EST) on April 15, 2024. This is the most preferred method. You will receive an e-mail confirmation with your contestant number. When you get to OtakuFest, you will need to sign-in at the Cosplay Info Booth, located at Booth #TBD, where you will be given further instructions.

(2) Register at the convention before 12pm(EST) on May 19, 2024. Participants will be able to sign up for the contest at the Cosplay Info Booth located at Booth #TBD, located in the Exhibition Hall. Please fill out and return the entry form to the registration table. You will be given a contestant number and further information.

What to expect at the contest:
When you arrive at OtakuFest, there will be a Cosplay Info Booth located at Booth #TBD in the Exhibition Hall. This is where all questions regarding the competition can be answered and where you will need to go to sign up and/or check-in.

Roll Call: All entrants must show up 45 minutes prior to the competition for roll call, or they may be disqualified at the staff’s discretion prior to the contest.

You (and your group if you have one) will have up to 20 seconds on stage. We recommend doing at least three different poses and holding those poses for five seconds at a time so our judges, live audience and convention photographers.

If you have any questions, please direct them to otakufestfashion@gmail.com