CNN INTERNATIONAL & CNNGO TV SHOW: TOKYO GOTH FASHION DESIGNER KENZO-A, TAKUYA ANGEL HARAJUKU SHOP.
I write for CNNGo (all my articles are here), so when the CNN site launched a TV show, they asked me to be part of the Tokyo episode. And I got to choose the topic! I immediately suggested that we interview my friend Kenzo-A, designer of Goth clothing brands Rituals. To my delight, I got the thumb’s up. Here’s what I wore to the shoot…
Little cake hat: gifted from Agent Lover. So cute, and easy to attach. Remember when my fat cat tried to eat it?
Fake eyelashes: from a Japanese dollar store. I split one in half for the lower lids.
Eyeshadow: “The real gold” gifted from Sugarpill, swept over grey and light blue shadows gifted from Aromaleigh.
Lips: Purple eye pencil to outline, followed by purple lipstick from Daiso (dollar store).
Stickers around the eyes: from Daiso.
Gothic Lolita dress: Innocent World, from Closet Child Harajuku.
Long, sheer overcoat: Ozz Croce, from Closet Child Shinjuku.
Orb-print tights: Vivienne Westwood, from Marui Womens Shinjuku.
Swashbuckler boots: Alice and the Pirates, from Closet Child Harajuku.
Coffin backpack: h.NAOTO, from Closet Child Ikebukuro.
It was a bi-polar day… rain-sun-freezing-sweltering. Kenzo-A arrived on his motorcycle and met the CNN crew at the entrance of Takeshita Doori.
(With story producer Alex.) Whenever there’s a TV camera around, passersby will stop and gawk as if there’s a bloody accident. While we were preparing, dozens of people gathered around and took photos. Even the Japanese schoolgirls insisted on posing with me, V-fingers held high!
Kenzo-A and I strolled and chatted about Harajuku street style. He told me about coming here as a teen and being inspired by the Goth/punk clothes worn by youths. The district is much more commercial today (think Forever21 and H&M) but Yellow House and Takenoko are two old-school indie stores that are still standing.
Kenza-A began his career designing t-shirts for Sexy Dynamite London. The boutique was located near Takuya Angel’s shop, and they became fast friends. Kenzo-A suggested that we visit him; unfortunately, he was away, but we showed CNN around the store and tried on Takuya’s cyber-meets-samurai designs.
Kenzo-A hit the nail on the head when he said: “We’re a village people. The Gothic/alternative subculture here is small, and we should all support each other.” I agree wholeheartedly: there’s cattiness in every scene, but in the end, everyone benefits if we share the limelight and help each other out…
The Tokyo episode of the CNNGo TV show aired on CNN International last week, and is now online. Our segment is about halfway in the video above. Unfortunately, they cut out Kenzo-A’s fashion show but I’ll have photos and video of that coming right up, don’t you worry! Check out his Rituals site to see his latest clothing collection.
Did you enjoy the CNN TV show? Have you seen Kenzo’s designs or met him?
Japanese Word of the Day: Itareritsukuseri = graciousness, politesse
Song of the Day: Yoko Nagayama – You’re My Love (1980s Japanese Italo Disco! My heart, my heart.)
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LA CARMINA
72 Comments
I love Kenzo’s designs! One of these days I shall go to Japan just to buy his clothes.
And go to the parties… you’ll find him there!
yes! went to his NYE party last year. friend of friends. : )
Ohh really? Where was the NYE party, in Tokyo?
I love Kenzo's designs! One of these days I shall go to Japan just to buy his clothes.
yes! went to his NYE party last year. friend of friends. : )
Your AATP boots are my most coveted loli item :o Cake hat is making me jealous also. Great video, look forward to seeing more pics.
Thank you! Hahah they’re one of my current favorite items right now too
Now that’s one fashionable guy!
You bet! Have you seen his Rituals fashion line?
Kenzo-A’s quote is spot on. I’m tired of punks and skinheads and goths and metalheads and hippies and people from other “alt” scenes fighting each other. Get over it. in the end, we’re all the same.
Right on, right on!
Your AATP boots are my most coveted loli item :o Cake hat is making me jealous also. Great video, look forward to seeing more pics.
Tokyo looks damn cool! too bad about the international brands invading harajuku. >:l
Harajuku is still vibrant and full of treasures. It’s one of the best places in the world to buy Goth Punk clothing.
Now that's one fashionable guy!
Kenzo-A's quote is spot on. I'm tired of punks and skinheads and goths and metalheads and hippies and people from other “alt” scenes fighting each other. Get over it. in the end, we're all the same.
oh i see where youre at, that costume store is wild, but nothing you can wear on a day to day basis, lol
Hahh not if if your name is Yukiro!
I <3 those boots lady!!! one of my fave outfits ever btw.
Thanks! They’re comfortable to walk in too. I was amazed when I saw them in Closet Child… got them for a great deal.
i love Takuya! I met him 2 years ago the first time i went to Tokyo to study. I always stop at his store when I am in Harajuku. I can spend hours in his store! i love his style. Expensive, but great! I bought a few pieces. At least you met his wife Akiko. She is very sweet!
i love Kenzo-a’s designs too.
I hope you get to meet him next time you are in Tokyo!
Yeahh they’re so sweet! <3
<3 <3 luv it………s0ooo kiutttttttt……….. <3 <3
It’s perfect on you pretty lady!!
Mwahh thank you!
oh….so cute bag…..beautifullll
It’s my new favorite bag… I’ve been looking for a backpack, and I’ve never seen a soft coffin bag…
yei!! i was so bored infront of the tv when i saw you..i’m in colombia btw and you two … hugs!
That’s awesome that you saw it on TV! Hugs!
Lisha Wright
I still adore that hat, & yes it was SO cute when basil tried 2 eat it. lol
& I LUV ur dress & bag SO much! <3
that CNN video turned out brilliant, the band at the end listen 2 alotta the same stuff as me & they sounded great, I'm gonna have 2 check them out…
There’s no hiding that he’s a fat cat.. sigh!
Thanks, I love the band too!
I really like the combination of clothes, make-up and accessories you choose! :) they really suit you ^.^
very cool. luve the hat
wow :) keep up the good work :))
awesome outfit. I bet people are emailing CNN asking who you are and wherevthey can get your clothes. :-)
Tokyo looks damn cool! too bad about the international brands invading harajuku. >:l
That’s too cool. You got to hang out w/ Kenzo-A and went to Takuya Angel’s shope ;D
LOVE the coffin purse btw ;D
Aw thanks! I was looking for a backpack for a while, and found this for about $20… ^___^
oh i see where youre at, that costume store is wild, but nothing you can wear on a day to day basis, lol
I <3 those boots lady!!! one of my fave outfits ever btw.
i love Takuya! I met him 2 years ago the first time i went to Tokyo to study. I always stop at his store when I am in Harajuku. I can spend hours in his store! i love his style. Expensive, but great! I bought a few pieces. At least you met his wife Akiko. She is very sweet!
i love Kenzo-a's designs too.
I hope you get to meet him next time you are in Tokyo!
<3 <3 luv it………s0ooo kiutttttttt……….. <3 <3
It's perfect on you pretty lady!!
oh….so cute bag…..beautifullll
yei!! i was so bored infront of the tv when i saw you..i'm in colombia btw and you two … hugs!
Lisha Wright
I still adore that hat, & yes it was SO cute when basil tried 2 eat it. lol
& I LUV ur dress & bag SO much! <3
that CNN video turned out brilliant, the band at the end listen 2 alotta the same stuff as me & they sounded great, I'm gonna have 2 check them out…
There's no hiding that he's a fat cat.. sigh!
Thanks, I love the band too!
That's awesome that you saw it on TV! Hugs!
It's my new favorite bag… I've been looking for a backpack, and I've never seen a soft coffin bag…
Mwahh thank you!
Yeahh they're so sweet! <3
Thanks! They're comfortable to walk in too. I was amazed when I saw them in Closet Child… got them for a great deal.
Hahh not if if your name is Yukiro!
Harajuku is still vibrant and full of treasures. It's one of the best places in the world to buy Goth Punk clothing.
Right on, right on!
You bet! Have you seen his Rituals fashion line?
Thank you! Hahah they're one of my current favorite items right now too
Ohh really? Where was the NYE party, in Tokyo?
And go to the parties… you'll find him there!
I really like the combination of clothes, make-up and accessories you choose! :) they really suit you ^.^
very cool. luve the hat
wow :) keep up the good work :))
awesome outfit. I bet people are emailing CNN asking who you are and wherevthey can get your clothes. :-)
That's too cool. You got to hang out w/ Kenzo-A and went to Takuya Angel's shope ;D
LOVE the coffin purse btw ;D
Aw thanks! I was looking for a backpack for a while, and found this for about $20… ^___^
So cool and stylish too.
<3 Thanks!
So cool and stylish too.
<3 Thanks!
you look gorgeous! i love the eyelashes and the hat cake. your makeup is impeccable.
you look gorgeous! i love the eyelashes and the hat cake. your makeup is impeccable.