Category Archive for Fashion
Dublin, Ireland Goth travels: Visiting Trinity College Long Room Library without crowds, Irish Gothic art & fashion.
Can’t believe it is already the end of 2024! Let’s round things off with stories from my Dublin, Ireland trip earlier this year.
I’ll show you Irish Gothic architecture, and how I got these unobstructed shots and video inside The Long Room Library of Trinity College…
And we’ll recap a few of my other travels and adventures in 2024, such as this visit to the newly renovated Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver, BC’s UBC!
Let’s begin with Dublin, Ireland. I checked into the artsy Arthaus boutique hotel for my first time ever in St Patrick’s land.
As a book lover, I had to see the famed Long Library at Trinity College, which is filled with antique books and busts. Isn’t this a bibliophile’s dream?
To visit the library, you’ll have to make advance reservations for the Book of Kells Experience at Trinity College. You’ll get to see the famed 800 ACE illuminated manuscript and interactive museum exhibits as well.
Select the first entry slot in the morning, and rush to the library before the crowds. That way, you’ll have the 18th century Long Library filled with antique books and busts to yourself. Can you tell this is my happy place??
The Long Room is an 65-metre-long chamber of the Old Library, built between 1712 and 1732. It holds 200,000 of the Library’s oldest books, as well as a row of white busts of writers and philosophers like Shakespeare.
Here’s how I took photos in the Long Room at Trinity College Dublin without any crowds!
1) Reserve the first 8:30 AM entry to the Book of Kells experience
2) Race past the museum exhibits (which everyone else looks at first) to the Long Library up the stairs and in the back
3) You’ll have about 10 min to take unobstructed shots like this, before others arrive!
I also took a video of my Long Library visit — check it out on @lacarmina IG.
Long Library looks a lot like the Jedi archives of the Jedi Temple in Star Wars!
The chamber also holds “Brian Boru’s harp”, a medieval Gaelic musical instrument and a national symbol of Ireland.
I recommend staying in a central area of Dublin so that you can easily walk around and see the parks and sites. I laid flat at Arthaus Hotel near St Stephen’s Green.
The Art Deco decor and boutique amenities were right up my alley.
From there, I could stroll to Trinity College, Dublin Castle and other nearby landmarks. Spotted tons of decadent Irish brass doorknockers along the way.
Trinity College was founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I. Today, the campus has some rather Gothic and haunted elements, like this painting of a horned lady.
The eminent institution was straight out of a fantasy novel. I imagined taking magick potion classes at Trinity College Dublin’s School of Botany. (See my video of the School of Botany here.)
Dublin has quite a few quirky and Gothic attractions like The Church Café Bar & Restaurant, set in a converted 17th century church (the stained glass windows and organ remain).
Irish coffee (with whiskey and whipped cream) is a local must-try. My favorite was the elevated version at Vice Coffee.
Nothing like having a fresh latte outside in Europe. I said hi to Oscar Wilde’s statue at Merrion Square in Dublin.
Marsh’s Library is another book lover’s paradise. It is Dublin’s oldest public library – dating back to the 18th century.
I didn’t pay the fee to enter the library and take photos, so you’ll only get this shot of the exterior. (I also came across this Egyptian lamp-bearer while walking around.)
Dublin is one Goth destination… the dark architecture and moody skies are straight out of a The Cure music video.
Also very Gothic: The Dead Zoo, or natural history museum filled with taxidermy and bones. Entry is free, so why not come to see over 10,000 specimens including bats?
For a short day trip from Dublin, take the DART train to Howth, a scenic Irish fishing village on the peninsula.
Take the cliff walk by the water, and see nautical sites like Baily Lighthouse.
Although I’m not into the pub scene, it’s fun to walk around the Temple Bar area at night. Many of the classic pubs, such as The Long Hall, have been around for hundreds of years.
Have you been to Ireland, or dream of going? For more, see my reel (set to Enya) of my Long Room at Trinity College visit.
Let’s finish off with a few 2024 adventures that I haven’t yet shared on the blog. In the summer, my friend Sancho Angulo and I went to Vancouver’s Museum of Anthropology at UBC, which has re-opened after an 18-month seismic revamp.
Sancho and I spent hours exploring the UBC Museum of Anthropology, which has over 50,000 global cultural works lit up by Arthur Erickson’s modernist architecture. One of the centerpieces is Bill Reid’s sculpture of Haida creation myth “The Raven and the First Men.”
The Museum Of Anthropology has the world’s most magnificent collection of Indigenous northwest coast art, including towering totem poles and long houses outside. Whenever friends travel to Vancouver, I encourage them to visit my fav local museum – I think the photos speak for themselves!
You may recall that Sancho Angulo and I were both on CTV’s game show, Battle of the Generations. We have more travels and road trips planned ahead… stay tuned for our next escapades.
I also did a summer getaway to Harrison Hot Springs, the resort town near Vancouver. I enjoyed the hotel’s 90s vibe and swimming pool, and got to hang with the sasquatch statues.
Every summer, I make sure to get in some “Beach Goth” time (with lots of sun protection, always). Wearing a Beach Goth t-shirt from Cat and Bat designs, indie purveyors of Gothic cotton shirts.
I also did a work trip to Del Boca Vista, aka Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, Florida. Here are some snaps from my tropical Goth pool day at Lake Nona Wave Hotel.
I was fond of the Lake Nona sculpture garden, which contains a menagerie of large-scale works. This Miffy one spoke to me.
A funny airport story… I had to go through an extra security check because TSA didn’t recognize my 90s Nintendo Game Boy when it went through the scanner! Agents were confused and probably thought it was a b-o-m-b. Security said they hadn’t seen this device in forever. But Super Mario Land is the best game ever… And the reason I wanted to go to Easter Island!
I was in Florida to write about Michelin starred chef Ryan Ratino’s new Florida restaurants, Omo by Jont and Maass, for publications including Observer. Check out my video about dining at Ryan Ratino’s restaurants — yasss, chef. You can read my travel and food writing on my freelance journalism portfolio page.
And now, tis time for me to lie flat for the season… were you sassy or sweet this year? (From Elf’s Pub at Fairmont Chateau Laurier in Ottawa, with Sancho Angulo @sanchoangulo). Wishing you the best for the ho-ho-holidays, and see you in 2025!
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Tokyo Goth Halloween parties, events, clubs! Gothic Midnight Mess, drag queen shows, LGBTQ nightclubs.
Can’t believe it is this time of year again… This is Halloween, this is Halloween! Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to make it to Japan for 2024 spooky season… But I have tons to share from last year’s All Hallow’s Eve, including a look at parties you can attend this weekend.
(On Saturday, Oct 26, Mistress Maya is having a Bizarre Halloween Night in Kamakura — details here, hope you can go and bring your friends! Read on to see what the amazing alt art space and event is like, and see my reel from last year for a preview.)
I did change up my hair for pumpkin season — so here’s my latest face card. My hair stylist is Katya at Kore Salon in Vancouver’s Gastown — love how she gave me big, chunky red highlights for a Y2K lewk.
These days, Shibuya is packed like sardines on Halloween night. To prevent crowding and shenanigans, you’ll see sights like this one outside Shibuya Station, which try to cancel Halloween.
Regardless, Goths and normies alike will be out and about every year on Halloween weekend. I recommend avoiding the heart of Shibuya if you dislike crowds — instead, head to Ni-Choome (the Shinjuku LGBTQ district) like we did last year on Oct 31.
If you’re looking for a magnificent Gothic event to hit up on Saturday, Oct 26… then head to Kamakura for Midnight Mess’ Bizarre Circus. My friends and I arrived in the afternoon (it’s about an hour by train from Tokyo to Kamakura) to salute the Great Buddha or Daibutsu.
Do you recognize my costume from last year? I dressed as Catsy or Koan, the most extreme of the Black Moon Clan sisters in Sailor Moon! Leave it to be to be a manga/anime villain.
Kōtoku-in temple is home to The Great Buddha of Kamakura, a bronze statue established in the 13th century. Everything about the meditating Buddha and peaceful temple grounds evokes “serenity, now.”
For a small fee, you can go inside the Buddha (there are open windows in his back, but prepared for a stuffy experience!)
Then, we took a taxi to Mistress Maya’s Halloween party, a “Strange and Beautiful Circus” (which is also happening Sat, Oct 26, 2024).
Here’s the map and address: 22 Juniso, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0001, Japan
The artistic, Gothic event takes place in Salon de Suigeikan, an otherworldly art space chock full of leather art by Masamichi Ishimaru. The space is now managed by his son Kazuto Ishimaru, who is also a sculptor.
The night unfolds like the mysterious occult masquerade of Eyes Wide Shut. Last year, we were swept away by the operatic countertenor of vocalist Suguru Hachidori, and other talented classical musicians. This year, my friend Kenichi Nishizawa is the featured performer — wish I could be there.
Guests can mingle and enjoy the face paint booth, natural wines and champagnes, food, and performances by DJs, musicians, and drag queens.
Mistress Maya always puts on an innovative rope show (kinbaku, or Japanese bondage). Last year, she did a dark fairytale performance with mermaids, dancers, and live violin / piano / guitar.
You’ve got to see my IG reel from last Halloween to see what this mermaid rope show was like, and to hear the improvised music.
And then, Nattmara (Yukiro Dravarious) dominated the stage with a drag show inspired by M3gan — the AI roboto horror queen!
I think this photo illustrates how much fun we had at Maya’s Bizarre Halloween party in Kamakura.
If you love oddities like giant leather animal sculptures, then you’ll adore Salon de Suigeikan — filled with Ishimaru-san’s fantastical art.
The giant gorilla, whale, and flesh-like elements everywhere were to die for. I hope you can make it to Maya’s party on Sat Oct 26, or another upcoming Midnight Mess Goth / cyberpunk / underground event! (See info about the next parties and events on her Instagram.)
Last year, we celebrated to the nines for Halloween… I feel I’m still recovering from it! My friends and I met up at a private apartment party in Shinjuku…
Of course, we brought the darkness — and ate all the food, muahaha.
When Sailor Jupiter runs into Koan… there’s down to be a tussle! Talk about literally fighting evil by moonlight.
Such fun to dress up and celebrate Halloween in Tokyo with my Goth crew.
Do you recognize Yukiro’s costume? She is Maetel, the mysterious tragic woman from Galaxy Express 999 manga and anime.
Can you tell we love Halloween? Dressing up and being scary means we’re in our element.
Onward to Ni-Choome, the LGBTQ district in Shinjuku. The real action happens at the 7-Eleven (if you know, you know).
Friends gather here to get conbini drinks and snacks. We always wind up seeing familiar faces in the crowd outside the Ni-Choome 7-11.
Then, karaoke at Eagle Blue Tokyo, a favorite bar for bears. The venue also hosts a variety of themed nights like drag queen shows and RuPaul screenings.
Tokyo’s Gothic music and club scene continues to flourish. Takmi Remnant held “Die Nacht Zwei” at Sakuradai Pool, where his band and others played.
Guests can shop for creepy. handmade oddities from local vendors, like these.
DJ Chihiro and DJ Sisen have been part of the keeping the scene undead ever since the earliest days of this blog! Always happy to reunite and dance to their dark sounds.
Check out Takmi Remnant’s IG page for his upcoming musical performances and Gothic events like this one.
Look who crept out of his coffin to perform…
Yukiro and Haus von Schwarz hit the stage… got to say, they’ve got guts!
Haus von Schwarz holds regular drag shows and performances year round, such as Casket of Horrors. Check out my reel of our haunted izakaya visit for a taste of their werk.
You can see upcoming Haus von Schwarz drag queen events on their IG.
Here’s what went down at last year’s Casket of Horrors. Elon Musk even showed up in one of the acts…
Watch clips of the performers from the Gothic/alt drag extravaganza Casket of Horrors here on my IG.
And my bestie Yukiro Dravarious is constantly performing drag all around Tokyo! You can always count on sensational serves like these.
There are drag king events too… This prop went transformed from an office chair into a motorcycle, in one of the Kings of Tokyo acts!
Triesste belted out a wide range of songs — a joy to see her strut the stage.
Yukiro is a creative force — he also performs with his band Denanoma. I put together this video tribute to his various Goth / drag / music / film activities in the underground world!
I hope you’ll get to check out these Goth / alt / drag events whenever you visit Tokyo, as my friends are hosting parties year-round.
I’m “gutted” that I won’t be there this Halloween… but I’ll be back in Japan next year for sure, and have other outrageous travels ahead! Keep your eyes on @LaCarmina IG to see where in the world I head next.
And don’t forget, I’m still selling most of my possessions… so if you’d like anything, reach out! See all my sale listings (clothes, accessories, toys, and more) at @LaCarmina Depop. But no need to use the app, you can email me (gothiccarmina attt gmail. dotcomm) and let me know what you’d like.
LA CARMINA
