Category Archive for Books + Magazines
PINK LEOPARD PRINT NAIL ART. CRISPIN HELLION GLOVER: FILM SCREENING & BOOK SIGNING TOUR. LIP SERVICE CYBERGOTH JACKET & MINI-SKIRT.
Remember when Rob and I interviewed Crispin Hellion Glover about his spooky career and current movie-making? That weekend, we attended his film event at Pacific Cinematheque, as press. I did leopard print nails for the occasion…
DIY leopard print nail art: I painted my nails pink, using OPI polish that I got from a New York Fashion Week swag bag. Using $1 black Daiso nail art polish (it has a fine tip), I painted leopard swirls and splotches. Finally, I filled in some of the “rings” with sparkly magenta polish from Don Quijote in Shinjuku.
The Body Needs sent me their signature TBN eyeshadows to play with. I am officially in love with Shimmers Teal, a white shadow that reflects like ice — perfect for highlighting the inner corners. I’m also impressed by TBN’s Blue-brown Sparkle a modulating mix of colors that I swept over the outer lids. I lined my lids with Graphite for a dark, smoky effect.
While in LA, Sebastiano and I invaded Lip Service headquarters. The mini-skirt and ruffle shrug jacket are from the Nocturnal Rendezvous collection.
Corset: Spider, Hong Kong brand. Seba tried very hard to fit into it.
Bowler hat: an old hat I customized
Purple tights: Old as well.
Crown royal necklace: Black Peace Now, from Closet Child
Crispin Glover began his one-man vaudeville show by reading passages from eight of his books. Each page is gloriously defaced with his unique handwriting and slightly discomforting collages (rats turned inside-out, elephants and swastikas). He then screened his film “What Is It?,” a reaction to the restraints of the corporate film industry, which refuses to distribute any material that might make a youngster slightly uncomfortable. Finally, he answered questions from the audience, such as the motivation and challenges behind using actors with Down’s Syndrome in the production.
Crispin then signed books, and we talked for quite some time. We’re thinking of teaming up and doing something together in Japan… More to come!
Crispin was gracious and genuinely interested in his fans. I think we can induct him in the Super-Exclusive Spooky Friendship Ring Club! Here’s what he signed for Rob; you can pick up his books from his website.
Rob models my new pink-and-black Hello Kitty iPhone cover, a gift from Sparklebee (world’s largest licensee of Sanrio products; check them out for more cute Japanese goods). He customized his bag: Warhol-Gaga-horror.
Crispin Hellion Glover’s is currently touring his films and books in the Pacific Northwest and England! Each event consists of “different combinations of the following”: Big Slide Show (one hour dramatic narration of eight different profusely illustrated books he has made over the years), film screening, Q & A session, book signing. The dates, venues and showtimes are here.
Apologies for the low quality photos… I’ll have more makeup tutorials soon. The Body Needs has a large line of mineral eye shadows and blushes, including MAC samples — can’t wait to keep experimenting!
What do you think of my leopard print nail art? Do you like to experiment with DIY nails? For wild inspiration, come see Yukiro’s nail art masterworks.
Japanese Word of the Day: Hyougara = Leopard print
Song of the Day: Hatsune Miku – World is Mine Live (The Japanese vocoloid teen is taking over the globe.)
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OSAKA OCCULT TAROT CARD & FORTUNE TELLING PARLOR, BLEEDING MARIA. RETRO 1980S TOY SHOP IN AMERIKAMURA, SHINSAIBASHI JAPAN.
Do you remember our adventure at the ridiculous Ridiculous clothing boutique in Osaka? It’s not the only wonky place in the building. As we were leaving, we found a door marked with pentagrams. The signs read “Bleeding Maria” and “Protected by Witchcraft.”
Gingerly, we pulled back the beaded curtains — and stepped into a witch’s parlor or haunted apothecary. Shelves cluttered with scary dolls and animal skulls. Potent potions, gems, and spells for sale.
This Goth Punk lady is the proprietor. She offered to give us a tarot card reading or tell our fortune. We were weirded out not by the macabre atmosphere or her styling… but because she spoke perfect English. What’s going on in this ridiculous shop?
She welcomed us to take photos. Virgin Mary statues, scattered rose petals, arachnophobia.
Next to voodoo dolls, a cute bunny and a Nightmare Before Christmas pillow, several of her friends were eating junk food and drinking Coca-Cola. We tentatively said hi and high-tailed it out of there. I think the Bleeding Maria occult shop should be renamed… Ridiculous!
And that’s not all. On yet another floor, we found a rainbow toy shop packed to the brim with 1980s toys such as My Little Ponies and Troll dolls… If you want to check out this ridiculous cluster of shops in Amerikamura (Shinsabashi), the building address and directions are in this post.
PS: Thanks to Jenna for the colorful interview in My Life As A Magazine. I’ve fallen behind on Gothloli of the Week… if you’d like to be featured on this site, please read the submission details here.
PPS: Anyone remember this cartoon theme song? “Sometimes, some crimes, go slipping through the cracks but these two, gumshoes, are picking up the slack there’s no CASE too big no CASE too small, if you need help just call: Ch-ch-ch-Chip ‘N Dale! Rescue Rangers!” I watched Rescue Rangers and Garfield and Friends obsessively in the late 1980s. That’s probably the reason I have an Adventure Team and funny fat cat today.
PPPS: Got any Steampunk literature recommendations? Joe R. Lansdale’s steampunk pulp short, “The Steam Man of the Prairie and the Dark Rider Get Down,” is the most tilt-a-whirl tale I’ve read in ages. Dark humor, spike torture, spaghetti western heroes, time traveling vampires and a giant steam man. Very well written and action-packed. It’s in the Steampunk anthology of short stories.
Japanese Word of the Day: Gaikotsu = Skeleton
Song of the Day: Abney Park – Dear Ophelia (Now it’s time to dress up a la Steampunk!)
LA CARMINA
