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Fashion and Cosplay at The Edwardian Ball

Feb 4, 2025

The Edwardian Ball, held Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 in San Francisco, provided a cornucopia of eye-popping art and entertainment, but the attendees themselves were also part of the spectacle.

“One of the key successes of our event is that we do not have a dress code, no kind of look or fashion is ‘right’ or required,” the organizers write on the website. “Our only request—and please, this we beseech of you—is that you dress up in some manner, step out of your ordinary life, and join the celebration.”

Steampunk, goth, and Victorian-style garb were common sights, as were styles from the 1920s. But if we had to give an award for the most creative costuming, it would go to a pair of brothers who showed up as pop-up books. That was in keeping with this year’s Edwardian Ball theme, “Pop-Up! Edition.”

We’ve compiled the highlights into the gallery below. It also features some of the vendors who were on hand in case attendees wanted to augment their outfits, or prepare for next year’s edition.

Event info: 

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