I’ve adored Steampunk for years, and have exciting news to share. Today, the latest issue of Ladies of Steampunk Magazine is out, with devil-haired Carmina on the cover!

The magazine does a wonderful job of capturing this unique subculture and its fashion. In a six-page feature, they interviewed me about the colorful Japan Steampunk scene, including the groundbreaking party Steam Garden. You can get a digital or print copy here, and see more on their Facebook.

Can you tell I had fun shooting these photos in Nakano? I worked with the same team that did my Adone Magazine shots: photograher Said Karlsson and hairstylist Kukukachoo.

Octopus corset: gifted by Dracula Clothing (remember when I visited their steampunk-Victorian showroom in Prague?)
Skull and crossbones necklace: gifted by Ghostlove
Long lace skirt: gifted by Corset Chick

We enjoyed putting a Japan-anime twist on traditional Steampunk style. Do you like my two-horned hair?

My blue and purple hair extensions are the masterwork of Lulu Kukukachoo, Tokyo-based stylist. She used an ingenious method to create the cone shapes, then twisted and pinned these acrylic hues into place. She’s available for everything from avantgarde styling to basic haircuts, via Hair by Kukukachoo.

It was fun to look for Victorian-esque backdrops around Nakano. This curving gate was a great find.

As was the wooden front of a Japanese restaurant.

Brown, beige and black graffiti. I like how my hair flips up at the ends.

Photographer Said is wonderful to work with; he’s easygoing and has a great feel for shots and lighting. He also runs Tokyo Faces, a street fashion photo-blog with daily photos.

In my Q&A, I talk about the emerging scene in Japan, led by my friends Kenny Creation and Luke Chaos, who organized the party Steam Garden. Soon, I’ll post photos from their most recent event, which shows the spectrum of steam-punk fashion in Japan (including Lolita versions).

Want to see and learn more? Pick up a copy of the magazine. Thanks to Ladies of Steampunk for the grand honor.

Do you like how I added inspiration from Harajuku style tribes into this outfit? How do you like Steampunk culture and clothing?

I’m honored to show you my latest photo editorial, which made the cover of Adone Magazine, released today!

Huge hugs for my Tokyo-based team: photos by Said Karlsson and Hair by Kukukachoo.

“ADONE presents our newest issue: Street. We explore this theme with content that is original and not mass-produced, with a feature on the Punk style in this year’s Met Gala and an interview with subculture queen, La Carmina.” The issue is available digitally; you can read it via Adone’s website.

We shot these images in the streets of Nakano, an anime-culture neighborhood that’s a five minute subway ride from Shinjuku. Said’s photography comes to life as the sun is setting, and lanterns are glowing.

White lace dress: Liz Lisa, Japanese gyaru-romantic brand
Black heels: Michael Kors
White long coat: from ages ago, in Camden Market London

I loved working with Lulu Kukukachoo, a freelance professional hair stylist specializing in avantgarde, extensions and cuts. She made these hair flowers herself, out of colorful acrylic strands! Lulu’s skilled at everything from basic cuts to editorial works of art. If you need a Tokyo hairstylist, I hope you’ll reach out to Hair by Kukukachoo.

(Capturing a natural moment: I’m talking to Seby in these shots above.)

In front of Nakano subway station, north exit, with my ultra-cute Luxy Loli phone case.

Such fun to shoot in Nakano; there’s anime, manga and video game culture everywhere. I peered into a crane game machine.

We darted into a Broadway retro video game center for this shot. My baby-blue lace dress is Liz Lisa x My Melody, bought in Shinjuku Studio Alta.

Lulu took a few behind-the-scenes shots. Said also runs Tokyo Faces, a Japanese street style photo-blog updated daily.

The rainbow mural, dotted with animals, made a nice backdrop for this outfit (notice my bunny-eared hoodie, by Peace Now).

Lacing up my Peace Now pirate creeper shoes. I’m still sad that this Japanese brand closed down.

I leave you with a casual snap with an inflatable maneki neko, outside a Nakano pachinko parlor. Enjoy my full Adone Magazine photos and interview — kudos to my hair and photo team for the beautiful work!

PS: arigato to
– Heather On Her Travels, for interviewing me in a travel podcast. I shared my favorite food, activities and tips for visiting Tokyo.
– My Destination for the Big Blogger Interview. We talk about cats, costumes and keeping things cool on the road.
– Style In View, an addictive fashion search engine, for inviting me to curate a vintage alternative collection.

What do you think of my colorful-girly-pop look these days? Did you enjoy these street style images? I’ll post more from this series soon, and unveil yet another magazine cover!