Ever imagine that there was someone just like you who lived on the other side of the globe? In the net age, there’s no need to dig a tunnel through the center of the Earth to find out.

Fate (or a random Google search) led me to Akina, a multi-award winning fashion label based in Sydney, Australia. I’ve been exchanging emails with designer Lang Leav (wearing the red belt in the above photo) – and it’s sort of like communicating with Bizarro Carmina. Both of us are 20-something designers heavily influenced by Gothic Lolita, Japanese kawaii, and the darker side of life. Both of our paths have led to Tokyo (I’ll be there next month to work on my theme restaurants book; Lang just completed a fellowship). As Lang writes, “It’s really cool we are in two completely different parts of the world but are doing similiar things!”

Ready for another uncanny parallel? Lang and I come from families involved in the garment industry. But Lang has a real Cindarella story – she’s the daughter of a seamstress who grew up in the sweatshops of Cabramatta, a suburb of Sydney. Following the creation of her label Akina in 2005, Lang was awarded the Qantas Spirit of Youth Award (to support young Australian designers). In 2007, she received the Winston Churchill Fellowship to research Goth Lolis and the fashion market in Tokyo. Her label was picked up by key Australian boutiques, and her inspiring story was featured in an ABC documentary.

It’s recognition well-deserved. Lang’s fashion line has a charming Alice in Wonderland feel, with signature lace collars, ruffle hemlines, and puffy sleeves. My personal favorite is the tuxedo top (top right) with a smart little bow tie. The central character is the cute-but-malevolent Akina, a villain with a button fetish. Watch out, Basil Farrow – she attacks teddy bears to steal their eyes!

And like me, Lang doesn’t limit her design work to clothing. She also produces these intricately-detailed sterling silver charms. Each features a moveable head and comes tucked away in hand-made gift packaging.

Lang’s dark fairytale world crosses over to her limited edition storybooks. Marvel over the accordion design, button closure, ornate edging, and rivet detailing! “A little treasure for yourself or a friend to keep forever after.”