NEW DARK PURPLE DYED HAIR COLOR & STYLE! NHK KAWAII TV SHOOT AT ABILLETAGE, VINTAGE GOTHIC LOLITA CORSET SHOP.
Behold, my new hair color! I’ve been a red-head since March, so it was time for my superb stylist (Isolde from Avant Garde Hair in Vancouver) to turn me dark purple. Note that it’s not one solid color: there’s plum and chocolate brown textures weaved in. Happy.
Here’s what I wore for the first part of my NHK Kawaii TV shoot:
Babydoll dress with key pattern: Banana Fish (so sad the brand is gone), from Closet Child Shinjuku
Lace Gothic Lolita purse: gifted from ModaRevise. More photos and info about the brand in this post.
Lace circular hair decoration: gifted from my friend Heathyr
I wore purple eyeshadow to match my new hair. The doll eyelashes cost a meager 100 yen; gotta love Japan.
Horror necklace: gifted from Sourpuss
Blue gem ring: from Closet Child
The ever-transforming Yukiro Dravarious wore flaming red.
Our first stop: Abilletage, a recently-opened Gothic vintage and handmade corset shop in Shinjuku. The NHK cameraman filmed me meeting my spooky friends, exploring the boutique and doing my coolhunting-blogging thing.
The lovely owner Bambi (right) is a talented corset-maker, who made outfits for Jpop stars Koda Kumi and Ayumi Hamasaki.
Abilletage is lushly decorated with thick red curtains, chandeliers and antiques. There’s also a coffee and tea section, popular with Tokyo’s Gothic ladies and gentlemen. (Order the ice chai, you won’t regret it.)
Bambi laces me into a purple-and-black lace corset that she sewed and decorated with crystals.
Her studded black design is perfect for Mistress Maya. On the right: “Despite all my rage, I’m still just a rat in a cage!”
The NHK Kawaii TV segment is about La Carmina’s world: the spooky places and people that inspire me.
Bambi’s accessories are lovingly scouted from vintage and foreign sources. Many of the items are handmade by her designer friends.
There’s currently a steampunk-fetish leather display. My first mate, Naomi, tries on a mask. (Photos by Naomi and me. Have you seen her comic series Domestic Animal, about her travels?)
When Yukiro gives the middle finger… deadly.
Abilletage is a gem of a store, created and supported by Tokyo’s vibrant Goth-steampunk-fetish subculture. Step away from the big brands and give this boutique a visit (Bambi speaks some English).
It’s located here (map) in Shinjuku, next to the AM/PM in a white building. Go up stairs and take the elevator to 3rd floor. The address is 東京都新宿区千駄ヶ谷5-32-6 大西ビル303; it opens 1:30pm.
Filming with NHK TV was a wonderful experience, and I’m excited to see the program! Coming up: reports from the next two locations we shot. And before you ask — yes, I’ll let you know when the show airs, and put up clips.
But the important question… what do you think of my new hair? Were you surprised by the color?
Song of the Day: The Smashing Pumpkins – Bullet With Butterfly Wings (“The world is a vampire”)
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LA CARMINA
71 Comments
i love your vidios and basil it’s so cute well i truthly like your gothic lolita look <3
kawaii!
That is way too cool
This new color looks gorgeous on you.
Lovely!
Hair looks amazing! I went purple and black a few months ago myself. You look astounding!
Its flattering for your style.
I love it!!! You’ll look good in any hair color:)
All I have to say is dam I wanted that beautiful dress it is so my style!
It’s my new favorite. I bought another Banana Fish item; pics soon!
Awesome change.
Thanks!!
That spiky mask looks so bad ass. And that glove Yukiro had on it looks cool too.
It’s wonderfully made.
I love it!
I absolutely LOVE your new color!!!!!
Aaah! La Carmina’s new purplish hair is absolutely lovely!
I DO LOVE IT
You new hair color looks great! I think the matching eyeshadow looked awesome with it. Do you use a special shampoo or anything to keep the color bright?
Thanks dear!! I simply use salon-grade shampoo and conditioner, like Schwartzkopf. and i don’t over wash.
waaaa your hair! looks awesome.. but I will miss your intense red hair *–*
Omg you look awesome i love your hair but im gona miss the red
I love the hair, that color is great…
Love the new hair, so cool you also got to shoot with NHK Kawaii TV, I’ll be filming with them next month ^^
Ohh can’t wait to hear about your experience with NHK!
Love the hair, I think this color suits you better b/c of all the dark colors you wear… but more importantly, I LOVE that key dress! I need to raid your closet!
Hehehe same, closet swap!!
Thank you LaCarmina for loving our Gothic Black Lace Lola Satchel!
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thank you so much agaiN!!
You’re new hair is very lovely ^ ^
And that place looks amazing! I always like seeing one of a kind shops, everyone always looks so friendly and happy with what they are doing. Bambi is a genius with those corsets! Definitely a lover of those.
you can tell that these places are one of a kind… very special, the moment you walk in.
I really like your new hair colour! <3 And corsets are a great thing! *–*
<3 <3
What an interesting post, it’s so refreshing to see someone feature a corset maker in a post rather than blogging about the mass-produced off the rack corsets that are so common (they have their place, but I do prefer the handmade kind).
I love the contrast between that girl’s Lolita outfit and her gasmask, it’s a very interesting look :)
Yeahhh no kidding! The next shop we went to has handmade corsets too. Masterful.
I LOVE YOUR HAIR! it’s so…classy lol XD
looks royal!! ( ´ ▽ ` )ﾉ I want that color~♥
Wow that purple is stunning, u look creepier then ever ;P in the drop dead gorgous way :) i think u officaially can pull anything off
Aww you are so sweet :3
like for her hair and the styling!fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!
love the new look!!!
I love it! it looks great on you! any color would i guess! :)
damn! XD you beat me to it! i was going to go purple next XD
Classy. Love it
burlesque beautifulllllllll
you look beautiful dear^^
love the photos :) the horror necklace is awesome e.e
Black Goddess ♥
hair looks great! ♥ did you end up buying anything you liked in the shop?
Your new hair colour looks way better. Super beautiful! ♥
Thank you lovely!
sorry for this fangirlish comment but you’re the beauty in person :x
I love it and love your hair!! I really want to see this place someday! Resharing!
I still haven’t been able to find an affordale corset……..i hate not having the money for one.
A beautiful princess :) you’re so sweet ^_^
your not going to see that key dress ever!
I think your hair looks gorgeous with the new hair colors. I actually like it more than the red! Keep up the awesome posts.
Thank you so much! More to come!!
Im working in Abilletage!(*^^*)And love Bambi-ちゃん☆☆☆
She’s a doll1
Sexy lady!
Your hair looks wonderful! The store looks amazing, too. Did you end up buying anything? That first picture of the shop that shows a table full of necklaces and jewelry – that’s my favorite!
Ahh sadly I didn’t have much time to browse since we were busy filming. I’ll need to come back to shop!
Your hair looks gorgeous and I love the shop pictures (must visit) A little concerned about the rat though :(
Yeahhh the rat was slightly disturbing >_<
love these photos carmina
Ohh, I love your horror necklace. You always look so amazing. ;)
Was searching everywhere for trendy hair style and glad was able to get here. These are all cool hair styles. will bookmark and share this. Thanks
great color choice! and I must get that deadly finger!!!!
Hehehe the Finger of Death!
Hey, I have found some of most coolest hair styles from this post. And the the colours of your hair are really looking just heart touching. It’s really looking one of the most appreciative post about exotic fashion. Thanks for sharing.