Browse Exhibits · ICG Pat and Peggy Kennedy Memorial Archives

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! Morojo Douglas and Forrest J Ackerman at the first Worldcon/NyCon 1, 1939 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! Dave MacInnes, Jean Williams, Faye Nickel at Worldcon 1953 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! Ann Chancellor as Maleficent at Worldcon 1971 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

Snow Queen by Anne Brunsgaard at Costume-Con 22, 2004 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: Fire and Flames

NEW! Fire Demons from Hell by Stephen & Darla Vasilas at Costume-Con 5, 1987 It's fire! Costumers love the look of flames and fire, whether it's a burning fire, the light of the sun, or dark, otherworldy flames.

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.