Year Archive for 2008
GOTHLOLI OF THE WEEK #52: CONOR.
† Name/URL: Conor MacLeod Keenan.
† Age: 28 (*^_^*)
† Location:I’m loath to choose just one (>_^) I’m currently in LA for grad-school. Originally from upstate NY, and prior to grad school, lived in Tokyo for four years, where I’m tentatively planning to return after finishing school.
† How were you introduced to Gothic Lolita fashion?
On the streets of Harajuku when I was living in Tokyo after college. I didn’t really fall totally in love with it as something i might try though until I saw “Kamikaze Girls” and connected more with some of the personality behind it. More generally, I was first introduced to some of the breadth of Japanese fashion when working on a student film shoot in college directed by a Japanese friend of mine. And as for doing drag, I got my start at the tender age of 14 in a talent show. I’ve done it regularly since, including in at least one of my own short films, and in a few others. Sadly I have yet to try strutting the streets of Tokyo in full “new half” (drag/ transgendered) regalia. (ToT)
† What do you find appealing about GL style and culture?
That cuteness as a way of life doesn’t have to be shallow or self-indulgent; it’s quite open and giving in a way! In the U.S. there tends to be, if subconsciously, the puritanical notion that high fashion = vanity. When I was living in Tokyo I quickly realized that being well dressed was simply a courtesy to the thousands of people that have to look at you every day. I also love that in Japanese fashion, while clothes are definitely an expression of your interests and who you are, there’s much less social baggage and “meaning” behind what people wear. Outfits tend to be worn in the light hearted way a costume is, rather than the robes of some religion, and GL fashion is *the* prime example of this.
† What are your favorite GL clothing brands?
Of course, I have to say Baby… but I’m so indecisive, I tend to find something to like in just about everything. And of course, there are no major brands that I can afford. (ToT) For drag I’ve gotten the occasional designer stuff gifted, but usually I mix and match – anything from cheap costume shops etc. to Victoria’s Secret. The actual maid dress I wore to Rococo Rendezvous the other night I had a friend of mine pick up at a Don Quixote in Tokyo, and the rest (shoes, petticoat etc.) I got on line. I’m totally hooked on GL now though, and am eager to find more stuff!
† Any other comments?
Well, besides what I just mentioned, I guess for me the key has always been to feel attractive, feminine (and preferably hot (>_^) ) in whatever I wear. I always try to push the boundaries of my comfort zones, but when doing drag – and I think any time anyone puts on a dress – it’s either pure elation or absolute terror. If I like it though, if I think it’s hot/ cute, I know that it will translate to those around me – even if it’s not what they were expecting. (>_^)
If you would like to be the next Gothloli of the Week, please read the submission instructions here. For all your Lolita shopping needs, check out the links to clothing brands on the right column of my blog.
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PERVERSION GOTH INDUSTRIAL FETISH NIGHT AT EVIL CLUB EMPIRE IN LOS ANGELES.
December 4th: brunch at M Cafe, secret business meetings all day long, and then an interview with an LA Weekly reporter. Together, we went to Perversion a goth/industrial/fetish night at Evil Club Empire on Hollywood Blvd. I wore a black & white striped Atelier Pierrot dress, an h.NAOTO Gouk cardigan with long Vampyra sleeves, and old magenta floral tights. Woooo, woooo!
Perversion comes in two flavors. The main room blasted industrial/EBM/noise; by midnight, the giant floor was wrenching with hammer-on-nail, herky-jerky dancing. In the back, two DJs spun “a nostalgic web of dark and mischievous tunes from the old school to the new” – from 80s Goth/darkwave (The Cure) to electro/synthpop (The Knife).
American Goth club fashion is much more casual than Tokyo Goth/Lolita. There were only a few standouts – how about 80s Goth hair, charcoal-smeared pants, and a vest with a hand-sewn glove and ring! Most of the industrial boys wore boring black Ts and studded-belted pants, but one person kept things interesting with duct tape over the nipples… and not much else.
I wish I got her black faux-fur leg warmers in the left photo – they were spectacular! As for the cyber fashion at the club… well, it’s a far cry from Takuya Angel and DJ Sisen.
Here’s a closeup of my Black Peace Now choker and a cybergoth’s peacock feather nail polish. The girl in the middle rocked the adorable trinity of bell skirt, eyepatch, and cherry bob.
“Come on baby, come on darling / Let me steal this moment from you now / Oh come on angel, come on come on darlin’ / Let’s exchange the experience oh…”
Song of the Day #5: Kate Bush – Running Up That Hill
LA CARMINA
