2015 J-POP SUMMIT SHOWCASES ECLECTIC AND EDGY SIDES OF JAPANESE FASHION WITH A UNIQUE ARRAY OF PROGRAMMING, FASHION CONTESTS AND SPECIAL SHOPPING OPPORTUNITIES

S.F.’s Annual Japanese Pop Culture Festival Presents Stylish Exclusive Products And Special Live Programming From MARUQ, BABY THE STARS SHINE BRIGHT, SOU • SOU, JINS and MIKIHOUSE

San Francisco, CA, July 24, 2015 – The 2015 J-POP SUMMIT, the Japanese pop culture event held annually in San Francisco, has announced a colorful and exciting program of fashion shows, contests, celebrity meet-and-greet sessions and shopping opportunities that highlight the eclectic and edgy new sides of Japanese pop apparel. The 2015 J-POP SUMMIT takes place on Saturday and Sunday August 8^th & 9^th at the historic Fort Mason Center in San Francisco’s Marina district.

Throughout the weekend, J-POP SUMMIT attendees to Fort Mason can enjoy a colorful assortment of Japanese pop-influenced culture, fashion, pop art, live music, technology, and travel that will be complemented by celebrity Guests of Honor, anime programming, cosplay and J-pop idol contests, and a wide assortment of vendors and other programming. Tickets and V.I.P Passes are available now at: www.J-POP.com.

The popular Japanese Lolita fashion brand, BABY, THE STARS SHINE BRIGHT, located on the second floor of the NEW PEOPLE, along its more androgynous and mystic apparel line, ALICE AND THE PIRATES, present a captivating fashion show at Fort Mason and will delight attendees with fresh designs from their new Summer 2015 Collections. Additional event details available at: http://www.j-pop.com/events/baby/.

The vibrant fashionable styles of Tokyo’s famed Harajuku district come to San Francisco as MARUQ, the “Ultimate Kawaii” specialty boutique located on the Mezzanine level of the NEW PEOPLE venue, is hosting Harajuku Fashion Contest at Fort Mason. This contest is inspired by Japanese fashion brands to be showcased at J-POP SUMMIT 2015 including ACDC Rag, Milklim, AWATAPRO, OMOCAT and MILKBBI. Full contest details and information available at: http://www.j-pop.com/events/maruq-contest.

J-POP SUMMIT Guest of Honor Cosplay Mannequin Duo – FEMM – will make a special appearance in the SOU • SOU booth to showcase the Tabi footwear manufacturer’s new 2015 Summer collection.

Additionally, the eyewear brand, JINS and the Japanese children’s apparel brand, MIKIHOUSE, will participate in J-POP SUMMIT for the very first time and offer a wide array of unique accessories and other items for purchase.

“Every year, the fashion events at J-POP SUMMIT are among the most popular attractions as they give attendees a chance to see the latest styles and trends taking place in Japan and also the opportunity to shop for fun and exclusive apparel and accessories that are often not available outside Japan,” says Seiji Horibuchi, Chairman of J-POP SUMMIT.

2015 J-POP SUMMIT Presents Fashion Events & Special Programming

MARUQ Presents: Harajuku Fashion Contest

Sunday, August 9^th, 12:40pm-1:05pm; Fort Mason J-POP SUMMIT Main Stage

MARUQ, the “Ultimate Kawaii” specialty boutique located on the Mezzanine level of the NEW PEOPLE venue, comes to J-POP SUMMIT with a special Harajuku fashion contest! This contest is inspired by five distinctive Harajuku street style fashion brands being showcased at J-POP SUMMIT 2015 – ACDC Rag, Milklim, AWATAPRO, OMOCAT, and MILKBBI! These brands represent many different styles of Harajuku street fashion and will be the basis for the contest.

MARUQ also will have a booth inside the Fashion Area at Fort Mason Center to showcase and sell the latest pieces from these new brands in addition to a wide variety of other styles and accessories. Additional information is available at: http://shopmaruq.com.

BABY, THE STARS SHINE BRIGHT Fashion Showcase

Sunday, August 9^th, 12:10pm-12:35pm; Fort Mason J-POP SUMMIT Main Stage

BABY, THE STARS SHINE BRIGHT San Francisco presents the Summer 2015 Collection from Baby, the Stars Shine Bright and Alice and the Pirates on the Main Stage at J-POP SUMMIT 2015. Experience the fantastic and whimsical show featuring fairy tale favorites and more magical adventures on Sunday, August 9^th!

Alluring by design, BABY, THE STARS SHINE BRIGHT, brings its beloved Japanese Lolita fashion to their first U.S. flagship store at NEW PEOPLE. Leading the scene as the ultimate Lolita fashion brand, BABY showcases its playful clothing and accessories along with its more androgynous and mystic line of attire, ALICE AND THE PIRATES. Additional information available at: http://shop.baby-aatp.com/.

Additional Japanese Fashion Exhibitors

SOU • SOU

SOU • SOU hails from Kyoto, Japan and is renowned for unique designs based on classic Japanese "Tabi" work shoes and kimono-inspired clothing that features vibrant and modern graphic patterns. Each pair of SOU • SOU shoes is handmade by skilled artisans, preserving traditional craftsmanship and rare manufacturing techniques.

During J-POP SUMMIT, SOU • SOU will exhibit its 2015 Summer Collection and also give a free pair of “Tabi” socks as a gift with any purchase over $50 at the booth. Coinciding with J-POP SUMMIT 2015, SOU • SOU also hosts a photo contest campaign via Instagram from August 8^th to August 10^th (3 days) with contest winners to get exclusive gifts from SOU • SOU. For more details, please visit: http://www.sousouus.com/sou-sou-instagram-photo-contest.

The SOU • SOU San Francisco Store is on the 2^nd floor of the NEW PEOPLE building located at: 1746 Post Street San Francisco, CA 94115; Additional information available at: http://www.sousouus.com.

JINS

The JINS brand was founded in Japan in 2001 and has become a global leader in crafting stylish and innovative eyewear at affordable prices. JINS continues to pioneer the creation of glasses that go beyond simple vision correction, and opened its first flagship store in San Francisco in April 2015.

JINS has developed JINS SCREEN with modern consumers in mind: ones who spend long hours looking at computer screens and other gadgets. JINS SCREEN is designed to filter out 25% of eye-strain-causing blue light while also being light-weight. JINS SCREEN will be available for purchase at the JINS booth during J-POP SUMMIT.

JINS San Francisco Union Square Store is located at: 151 Powell Street San Francisco, CA 94102; Additional information available at: http://www.jins.com/us/.

MIKIHOUSE

MIKIHOUSE is a popular children's clothing brand from Japan that has gained many fans over the years through its reliable quality that puts the safety and security of children first. The brand comes to J-POP SUMMIT for the very first time and offers attendees the chance to browse the super cute and comfortable, best-selling MIKIHOUSE shoes at an incredible affordable special price! During J-POP SUMMIT, an expert will be present in the MIKIHOUSE booth to carefully measure children’s feet and help attendees browse and select the perfect pair of shoes. MIKIHOUSE also will give a limited edition novelty fan with every purchase.

The MIKIHOUSE San Francisco store is located at the Bloomingdale's San Francisco Centre at 845 Market St. San Francisco, CA 94103. Additional information available at: http://mikihouse-usa.com/

About J-POP SUMMIT

The J-POP SUMMIT is an annual Japanese Pop Culture celebration held in San Francisco, CA that features live bands and artists from Japan, pop culture panel discussions, film premieres, fashion shows and events, food and spirits, art, and celebrity appearances. Details on J-POP SUMMIT are available at www.J-POP.com.

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