LA CARMINA IN WOMEN'S WEAR DAILY: JAPANESE GOTHIC LOLITA ARTICLE, VALERIE STEELE WWD.
As Basil Farrow would say: “Wahh!” I’m in today’s Women’s Wear Daily – the fashion trade journal sometimes called “the bible of fashion” – quoted along FIT’s Valerie Steele and Japanese Goth author Tiffany Godoy!
The cover story is about dark glamour on the runways, the influence of Goth on couture, and the “Japanese take” that has “refreshed it.” Below is the section that quotes me; you can read the entire article on WWD.
Fall ’09 Japanese Goth Trend: Good Mourning
by VENESSA LAU
Posted WEDNESDAY MAY 06, 2009
From WWD ISSUE 05/06/2009
“Western Goth responds to a lot of religious imagery and potentially controversial connotations,” explains La Carmina, who’s made a career out of blogging about the Gothic Lolita culture on lacarmina.com. “Whereas in Japan, it’s just an aesthetic. It’s all visual, without the context.” She points to other examples of similarly co-opted looks: Japan’s popular rockabilly or American surf style. “Can you imagine?” remarks Carmina. “California-style board shorts — in Japan?” Even though the Gothic Lolita look isn’t exactly bum-rushing Western shores, it’s begun to filter over. The popular style guide “Gothic & Lolita Bible” — part fashion glossy, part McCall’s pattern book — just launched an English version last year. (Available at Barnes & Noble and Borders, spring 2009 is “The Wedding Issue.”) This August, the Japanese entertainment distributor VIZ Pictures is opening a multistory “J-Pop Center” in San Francisco, which will include a cinema, bookstore and Gothic Lolita shop. The sweet Lolita label Baby, The Stars Shine Bright, meanwhile, has announced plans to open up a store in that city as well. (There’s already one in Paris on 72 Avenue Ledru Rollin.) And Faoflex, an Italian eyewear company, is launching a line called Dandy’s Collection later this month, with one style dubbed Gothic Lolita.
Carmina herself is another example. The Vancouver native, with a BA from Columbia and a law degree from Yale, lives between New York and Tokyo, has a Goth cooking show on YouTube and just launched a capsule collection of Loli-Goth-style coats. Also in the pipeline: a collaboration with London Underground shoes and two book projects. “I go to Gothic club nights,” she adds, “and every single time, there are more and more people. It seems like things are only going to get bigger.” Come March 2010, GothLoli even goes Hollywood; Tim Burton is coming out with his own spin on “Alice in Wonderland.”
Some notes…
† The models are wearing designs by Jeremy Laing, Staerk, A la disposition, Sass + Bide, and others. No Japanese designers, sadly.
† The article mentions my upcoming collaboration with London Underground Shoes, a hot LA-based brand known for its Gothic, subculture-influenced designs. I haven’t mentioned this yet, but I’m working hard and can’t wait to tell you more… “wahhh!”
† The last bit in the article about people going Goth because of the sinking economy – ridiculous! The interviewer asked me the question, and my response was the same as Valerie’s.
Don’t forget to bookmark or subscribe to this blog… there’s much more in the works. How about photos of every floor of the new Marui One, Swimmer, Fairy Kei shops in Harajuku, Midnight Mess, a Death Cookbook episode, and a new project involving my Scottish Fold cat, Basil Farrow? All together now: “Wahhh!”
Song of the Day #108: Rammstein – Engel (one of my fav bands as a teen.)
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LA CARMINA
43 Comments
cute!
Oh cool. Congrats, Carmen!
Sweet! So glad to hear you're doing well – and Alan, Shana, Bacon and I can say “we knew her when…”
brilliant.xx
Congrats!!! That's totally cool… but I'm with you about going goth due to the economy? HUH?
I know! Silly people!
Bad ass! Congratulations.
holy sh*t!! congrats!!
WAHHHH! Can't wait. :)
Personally, I don't really like any of the examples of Goth they showed, except for that outfit on the top right (minus the coat thing). I think I like that one because it looks like something I could do comfortably, but maybe minus the heels, as I have flat feet.
And I don't think people are dressing darker just because of the economy–that doesn't make any sense. It's not like bright colors are more expensive or anything. XD
I think that Japanese goth being visual-only makes it easier for people who aren't a part of the culture (but are genuinely interested) to try. I feel like one of those people. I am not goth. But I see the cute dresses coming from brands like Angelic Pretty (I know, that's sweet, not goth, but they often get lumped together), and I think, “Wow, I could totally get into that!” And since Loli is mainly about feeling pretty and feeling good about yourself, I don't have to worry about having the same ideals, or liking the same music, or having the same attitude as the rest of the group.
Congratulations on article! I enjoyed reading it. :D
cute!
Oh cool. Congrats, Carmen!
Sweet! So glad to hear you’re doing well – and Alan, Shana, Bacon and I can say “we knew her when…”
brilliant.xx
Congrats!!! That’s totally cool… but I’m with you about going goth due to the economy? HUH?
I know! Silly people!
Wonderful article though for the mainstream and I can’t wait to see the shoe collaboration! You simply amaze me, you know that?
Ahhh but you’re the one who amazes ME! :D
Thanks! I think darkness/morbidity is always an influence on art, even in Medieval and Renaissance times. It's always there; it's simply more or less visible – and right now, I think it's flourishing in Japan. Definitely understand what you mean.
Bad ass! Congratulations.
holy sh*t!! congrats!!
WAHHHH! Can’t wait. :)
Personally, I don’t really like any of the examples of Goth they showed, except for that outfit on the top right (minus the coat thing). I think I like that one because it looks like something I could do comfortably, but maybe minus the heels, as I have flat feet.
And I don’t think people are dressing darker just because of the economy–that doesn’t make any sense. It’s not like bright colors are more expensive or anything. XD
I think that Japanese goth being visual-only makes it easier for people who aren’t a part of the culture (but are genuinely interested) to try. I feel like one of those people. I am not goth. But I see the cute dresses coming from brands like Angelic Pretty (I know, that’s sweet, not goth, but they often get lumped together), and I think, “Wow, I could totally get into that!” And since Loli is mainly about feeling pretty and feeling good about yourself, I don’t have to worry about having the same ideals, or liking the same music, or having the same attitude as the rest of the group.
Congratulations on article! I enjoyed reading it. :D
Thanks! I think darkness/morbidity is always an influence on art, even in Medieval and Renaissance times. It’s always there; it’s simply more or less visible – and right now, I think it’s flourishing in Japan. Definitely understand what you mean.
Wonderful article though for the mainstream and I can't wait to see the shoe collaboration! You simply amaze me, you know that?
I just wonder about the poor fools who point to the economy for our reason for loving this fashion as we do..weird that. it sometimes irritates me when people over analyze things, can't it be as simple as just 'cuz I like it' sometimes?
and the designers may not be Japanese but I dig em nonetheless
and I'm so excited to hear about that movie!!!
Totally agree – I think too many people scrutinize and intellectualize fashion – and miss the point entirely! Sure, there are important artistic and cultural reflections (as Tiffany put it well), but overall, fashion is an enjoyable form of expression… (to me at least)…
Ahhh but you're the one who amazes ME! :D
I just wonder about the poor fools who point to the economy for our reason for loving this fashion as we do..weird that. it sometimes irritates me when people over analyze things, can’t it be as simple as just ‘cuz I like it’ sometimes?
and the designers may not be Japanese but I dig em nonetheless
Totally agree – I think too many people scrutinize and intellectualize fashion – and miss the point entirely! Sure, there are important artistic and cultural reflections (as Tiffany put it well), but overall, fashion is an enjoyable form of expression… (to me at least)…
and I’m so excited to hear about that movie!!!
WOW WWD, that's impressive, who else could they interview in america?? there is only you carmina.
i'm excited for the J-pop center in SF! ^^ i need a job! haha!
WOW WWD, that’s impressive, who else could they interview in america?? there is only you carmina.
i’m excited for the J-pop center in SF! ^^ i need a job! haha!
aw! Congraduations!
aw! Congraduations!
absolute pleasure ;D
wish i had gotten that issue. . .
absolute pleasure ;D
wish i had gotten that issue. . .
La Carmina is not a reliable source for Gothic Lolita. She is, however, reliable for La Carmina Japanese Gothic Lolita Inspired Gothic Industiral Fashion, which is NOT lolita in any way, shape or form.
Just ask any lolita.
La Carmina is not a reliable source for Gothic Lolita. She is, however, reliable for La Carmina Japanese Gothic Lolita Inspired Gothic Industiral Fashion, which is NOT lolita in any way, shape or form.
Just ask any lolita.
I hope to read the gothic article pretty soon. Right now I am a little busy, but have gone through your article. It gave a great enthusiasm to read the article itself. You did a great “gothic” overview……:P
I hope to read the gothic article pretty soon. Right now I am a little busy, but have gone through your article. It gave a great enthusiasm to read the article itself. You did a great “gothic” overview……:P
Hey I'v been reading your blog from quite some time now and I just wanted to say keep up the good work.
Hey I’v been reading your blog from quite some time now and I just wanted to say keep up the good work.
Hey I'v been reading your blog from quite some time now and I just wanted to say keep up the good work.