Year Archive for 2008
HAPPY SOCKS: BRIGHT, COLORFUL FASHION SOCKS, DESIGNER HOSIERY FROM SWEDEN.
In Japan (and much of Canada), visitors take off their shoes before entering a home. Years of experience have taught me the following: a) leave the thigh-high corset boots at home because you’ll spend 15 minutes unlacing them in the doorway; b) your socks will be exposed to the world, so they’d better match your outfit… and each other.
Swedish company Happy Socks asked me if I wanted to hop around in some of their products. Sure, why not? I slid their High Heel socks over leopard-print tights. My cute jumper is by Banana Fish and the sweater is from NYC’s SoHo.
Barring any foot odor, everyone will be praising your cute cotton hosiery when you take off your boots. The Switched Color adds a splash of purple to a monochrome outfit, while the black lower half maintains balance. I’m wearing an h.NAOTO Blood cardigan (vintage from Closet Child) over a black lace dress with a heart-shaped corset to (from a Seattle secondhand shop).
Here are some of my favorites from Happy Socks. They’re a nice addition to a Japanese Fruits-style outfit, and cost only $10 a pair. Now that’s something to smile about.
What are your plans for New Year’s Eve? I’ll be at a fetish ball… you can expect some wild photos!
Song of the Day #17: Miyavi – Happy New Year
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THE CABINETS: LOLITA PUNK BAND FROM JAPAN, SWEET LOLI MEETS HARDCORE MUSIC.
Reader Trashtastika alerted me to one of her favorite Japanese bands, The Cabinets. Four dirty punk rockers sandwiching a Sweet Lolita? I was instantly intrigued.
The story began over two decades ago; The Cabinets were an all-male hardcore unit that evolved into Beat Punk before calling it quits in 1989. Last year, the band re-united with a new musical direction (Lolita + Punk) headed by pretty vocalist Mikako. The Cabinets’ first EP, “Pierrot,” is now on sale in Japan.
I discovered an interview with the band on Ambi-Japan (the website is currently down). Here are excerpts, which I’ve translated from French.
Q: The Cabinets has been on hiatus for a long time. Why have you returned to making music?
A: We think that punk music is now a rarer genre, so we wanted to give a new life to our music.
Q: And why did you invite a girl to join you?
A: In the 80s, there was a new wave of culture; punk groups had a lot of Lolita fans, but today, they listen to Visual Kei. So we want to bring Lolitas back to Punk. Our Lolita also adds liveliness to our group.
Q: What does Mikako bring to your band?
A: Mikako is a respectful and cultured Lolita with a distinctive voice. Her presence is important for our group at the present time.
Q: You’re entering the world of Sweet Lolita; how do you mix this with your old musical style?
A: We think Lolita culture is an antithesis to popular culture. In this way, it’s a lot like Punk culture.
Q: Are many of your fan-girls Lolitas?
A: Yes. The number of our Lolita fans, both in Japan and worldwide, grows every day.
Q: What are your plans for the future?
A: We always want to put 1980s Punk and Lolita style at the forefront.
Q: Do you want to tour around the world?
A: Yes, we’d love to travel worldwide and play at outdoor festivals.
Q: A word for your fans?
A: We love you all! Thank you for supporting us!
Song of the Day #16: The Cabinets – Pierrot
LA CARMINA
