Goths and Lolitas are posers – in the best possible meaning of the word! At most of the Tokyo club nights I attended, I saw professional “photogs” clicking away at the fashion funeral procession. I couldn’t figure out where (or if) these images were posted online – until Candiman (the comic-grotesque rooster from The Dark Marchen) sent me the link to Qhoto, the site of live photographer NAO. Here I am with the scream opera performers at the last Alamode Night.

Candiman (center) wanted to emphasize that contrary to my prior report, his parrot was not mutilated. I concur – it was merely roughed up and bashed to the ground.

Here are some portraits of the Pays des Fees models from the fashion show. The nostalgic Big Top theme – with nods to acrobats, ballerinas, and clowns – was a nice spin on Lolita design.

Many of the DJs and performers wore Gothic Lolita or some variant thereof. One of the Pudding Alamode singers (middle) would have been lynched by certain… persons… for her short skirt and arm decals, but I think it’s an eye-catching look.

Why so serious? The Japanese club kids are not. Playing dress-up is the name of the game in subculture style, isn’t it?

All of these portraits are from Qhoto, a pro site that debuted in 2006 but only made its way to Tokyo’s major Goth events this year. The gallery includes Design Festa, Chihiro Theatric Fire, Gothic Bar Heaven and other recent happenings. I’ll be sure to be posting more!