LADY GAGA JAPAN CLOTHING, PUNK ROCK LOLITA JAPANESE FASHION BRANDS. SINGAPORE GOTH INDUSTRIAL CLUBS & SHOPPING.
I think my new style direction is “not wearing clothes” — because it sure is humid in Tokyo right now!
In the basement of Laforet Harajuku department store, punk is not dead. The cat on the Sexy Dynamite London shirt is very similar to the Banana Fish one that I own (photos here). I’m still sad that Banana Fish, a whimsical clothing brand and one of my favorites, closed down earlier this year. I’ll always treasure my ghost dress (and I’m tempted to buy up all the BF items in secondhand store Closet Child…)
HellCatPunks has gone Gaga. There’s a Poker Face top with a lipstick kiss mark in the corner.
Lady Gaga is immensely popular in Japan. I hear her songs everywhere I go, and her recent concerts were a big hit. Too bad I’m missing the Vancouver ones that are happening now… (My dad offered to go and review the Lady Gaga show for me — “But it wouldn’t be as good as Simon and Garfunkel.” And I shudder to think of the pre-concert outfit post photos.)
h.NAOTO loves cats as much as yours truly. His Sixh collection has a stoned-looking black cat mascot, while the Hangry and Angry designs are based on two undead felines. (There’s currently a Hangry and Angry pop-up shop outside the Studio Alta building, in front of Shinjuku station east exit.)
Arrr, I heart these two coordinates…
Gothic meets cute at Black Peace Now. That’s the modus operandi in Harajuku!
Want more photos of Laforet Goth Punk Lolita stores? Delve into my extensive Tokyo shopping guide here.
I interviewed Saito Nagasaki, chairman of the Singapore Dark Alternative Movement, about Singapore’s Gothic fashion and nightcrawling scene for my new Global Gothic column for Lip Service. The cultural juxtaposition is fascinating, and I’m dying to attend the parties and visit Goth Lolita shop Black Alice. Come read my article here!
Which global Goth scene would you like me to cover next? I’m thinking Korea, Russia and Australia…
PS: Winners of the Dir en Grey contest tickets have been picked via random selection. Congrats to Yi Qiao, CeruleanThought, Darkviolette, Luluplur, and Stefania. I’ve sent you an email with details; have fun at the LA concert on Sept 8!
Japanese Word of the Day: Churitsu = Neutral
Song of the Day: Onmyouza – Kouga Ninpouchou (Heard one of the J-metal band’s songs playing at Closet Child Shinjuku and had a pang of longing for cruising around LA…)
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LA CARMINA
37 Comments
Rosin Murphy fan here but the Black Peace now is a favorite! Thailand and Malaysia have great goth scenes too!
Rosin Murphy fan here but the Black Peace now is a favorite! Thailand and Malaysia have great goth scenes too!
OH MY GOD – Since when was there a MASTER OF DARKNESS?!?!?! WOW…how….how….HOW DARK!!! What a BADASS!!! I doubt he’ll ever shake my hand…I doubt he even shakes other people’s hands.nnHe might be scared that we might scratch a mark on him so that we come with him to the afterlife! =OnnNo but in all seriousness – WOW…I didn’t even hear of a Dark Alternative Movement when I went to Singapore (that tells you how underground it really has become haha) – of course I heard that the whole gothic lolita stuff does happen in Singapore and I heard about Black Alice. But didn’t really see it.nnBut boy Mr. Nagasaki certainly has a story and it seems that this goth culture there is just continuously growing – I like the look of it from the pictures I saw in that article.nnCan’t wait to hear about Korea, Australia, and Russia next. nnTake care!nnnn
OH MY GOD – Since when was there a MASTER OF DARKNESS?!?!?! WOW…how….how….HOW DARK!!! What a BADASS!!! I doubt he’ll ever shake my hand…I doubt he even shakes other people’s hands.He might be scared that we might scratch a mark on him so that we come with him to the afterlife! =ONo but in all seriousness – WOW…I didn’t even hear of a Dark Alternative Movement when I went to Singapore (that tells you how underground it really has become haha) – of course I heard that the whole gothic lolita stuff does happen in Singapore and I heard about Black Alice. But didn’t really see it.But boy Mr. Nagasaki certainly has a story and it seems that this goth culture there is just continuously growing – I like the look of it from the pictures I saw in that article. And what I like about it is that everyone seems so determined to keep on building a stronger and more stronger community – especially Mr. Nagasaki. That’s fantastic!Can’t wait to hear about Korea, Australia, and Russia next. Take care!
hahah it does seem very underground… and I agree, the photos are amazing! Glad you are liking the column.
nOMG, congrats! DEG always puts on a terrific show and Tochi’s one of the best bassists on the planet. Have a great time!
XD Congrats! La Carmina’s awesomes.n
XD Congrats! La Carmina’s awesomes.
OMG, congrats! DEG always puts on a terrific show and Tochi’s one of the best bassists on the planet. Have a great time!
Oh! I’m glad to hear that the Goth scene exists in Singapore! :D Also….I want Lady Gaga clothes! mwahahahahaaha…nHope you’re surviving the heat in Tokyo!! (‘ _ _)nn
Oh! I’m glad to hear that the Goth scene exists in Singapore! :D Also….I want Lady Gaga clothes! mwahahahahaaha…
Hope you’re surviving the heat in Tokyo!! (‘ _ _)
Wahhh I missed the Lady Gaga concerts in Vancouver, and the Last Exorcism premiere… >__< did you go?
No unfortunatly not. I’ve had to give up on quite a few concerts because I’m saving up for my X-Japan tick. I would have loved to see Lady Gaga live. She did come last year too, so I’m hoping next year she’ll return as well. As for the movie, I was planning to see it with a friend but they work so they’re not always free. Maybe this week we’ll see it :)
Aw man, I’d love to go! I see a few things I’d be tempted by…<3 I think the best part of Japanese fashion, is that it shows how much potential each individual piece has, if you put your mind to it...which is my philosophy! Before I got into thrifting, I used to amaze people walking into a mall store and coming out with a style that didn't scream out that brand's image.
Aw man, I’d love to go! I see a few things I’d be tempted by…<3 I think the best part of Japanese fashion, is that it shows how much potential each individual piece has, if you put your mind to it…which is my philosophy! Before I got into thrifting, I used to amaze people walking into a mall store and coming out with a style that didn't scream out that brand's image.
Wahhh I missed the Lady Gaga concerts in Vancouver, and the Last Exorcism premiere… >__< did you go?
hahah it does seem very underground… and I agree, the photos are amazing! Glad you are liking the column.
Oh do Australia! I have a friend that lives there. And come on, Angelspit is from there!
Oh do Australia! I have a friend that lives there. And come on, Angelspit is from there!
Yesss I think it’s next!
No unfortunatly not. I’ve had to give up on quite a few concerts because I’m saving up for my X-Japan tick. I would have loved to see Lady Gaga live. She did come last year too, so I’m hoping next year she’ll return as well. As for the movie, I was planning to see it with a friend but they work so they’re not always free. Maybe this week we’ll see it :)n
Black Peace Now coordinates! <3
Black Peace Now coordinates! <3
Thaaaaank you! I’m very lucky to have been one of the winners! <3n
Thaaaaank you! I’m very lucky to have been one of the winners! <3
Korea, please. :)nnThe last time I was there four years ago, I only really was in the punk scene, which is FREAKIN’ TINY. The frontman of Rux, one of the bigger underground Korean punk bands at the time, came down into the crowd and poured everyone a drink, haha.nI wasn’t even aware there was a goth scene, to be honest… I know the metal scene is crap there, but other than that, the alternative scene in Korea was almost nonexistent when I was last there.nnBut I’d love to hear about anything that’s changed! :)
Korea, please. :)
The last time I was there four years ago, I only really was in the punk scene, which is FREAKIN’ TINY. The frontman of Rux, one of the bigger underground Korean punk bands at the time, came down into the crowd and poured everyone a drink, haha.
I wasn’t even aware there was a goth scene, to be honest… I know the metal scene is crap there, but other than that, the alternative scene in Korea was almost nonexistent when I was last there.
But I’d love to hear about anything that’s changed! :)
Omg, go to South Korea and see what the punk/alt. scene is like over there. If you check out this shop called SAIGO, they have a ton of fashions that I’m pretty sure you would definitely want to review. It’s a store that sells unisex clothing and I’ve started buying a lot of stuff from there >_> It’s amazing~nnI’m tempted to buy that whole store, but I’ve started to feel more comfortable in visual kei/androgynous clothes than gothic lolita (although I think GL is amazing and cute <3)~ I'll be sure to check this shop out once I can go to Tokyo.
Omg, go to South Korea and see what the punk/alt. scene is like over there. If you check out this shop called SAIGO, they have a ton of fashions that I’m pretty sure you would definitely want to review. It’s a store that sells unisex clothing and I’ve started buying a lot of stuff from there >_> It’s amazing~
I’m tempted to buy that whole store, but I’ve started to feel more comfortable in visual kei/androgynous clothes than gothic lolita (although I think GL is amazing and cute <3)~ I'll be sure to check this shop out once I can go to Tokyo.
I heard the Korean scene has exploded in recent years.. must check it out.
Yesss I think it’s next!
I heard the Korean scene has exploded in recent years.. must check it out.
OMG! Do Sydney, Australia. We have the amazing magazine Fiend, cool shops like In Visible Light (cybergoth, steampunk and costume) and Gallery Serpentine (Victorian style goth wear) and…well …I’m biased! Sydney is, after all, my hometown.
hehe I think this is the next one!
Loved the interview with Saito Nagasaki! I’m from Singapore, and I can tell you that the subculture is really underground. Only those that have an interest would notice all the signs. The sad thing about this is that there are so few stores that cater to the fashion, and even fewer that cater to music that’s non-mainstream. Just for your info, Black Alice is shutting down their physical store and will focus on running their business online.
I wish I had the chance to meet you when you dropped by! I hope you’ll come tour Singapore again. :)
Thanks so much! Ah, I actually have never had the pleasure of visiting Singapore. I hope I can very soon! xo
i hate lady caca whit my soul -__- she
is an insult to the visual kei