I’m glad you are enjoying my WGT 2012 coverage! Thanks for all your feedback on my Facebook.

At the end of the day, a travel experience isn’t about the place — but the people you share it with. One of my favorite memories of Wave Gotik Treffen (largest Goth music/culture/fashion festival in the world) was drinking absinthe with friends from around the world.

On Day 2, we met up outside the Pagan Village, one tram stop away from the main festival site (Agra). If you don’t have a WGT wristband, you can’t access Agra or any of the concerts. However, you can purchase a separate ticket to enter the Village.

WGT is a wonderful excuse to bring all your friends together. I met up with dark souls from Japan, Switzerland, Czech Republic…

Flower and metal fascinator, worn as brooch: provided by Angelica Brigade.
Purple pirate hat: gifted by Caribbean Rose (more photos and review)
Velvet vampire jacket: gifted by Lip Service
Gothic jumpsuit: gifted by Lip Service

We shared “Goth-since,” 90-proof black absinthe from the Czech Republic.

A wonderful moment, relaxing on the grass outside the Pagan Village.

Inside, it felt like a Renaissance faire mixed with a heavy metal concert. We browsed shops that sold Medieval swords, mead, honey wine, and cherry beer (above – a fruity taste).

We returned to the main site, Agra, for more shopping at the “Black Market.” Hundreds of stands with handmade, dark fashion and accessories. I loved the elegance of Bibian Blue…

… and the space-Gaga corsets of Cyberesque.

That evening, we went to the New Romantic party. I’ve never been to an event like this: undead aristocrats swaying to electric Renaissance sounds.

Beautiful aristocratic fashion. Unfortunately we weren’t able to make it to the fetish and Japanese Visual kei parties, but I hear they are also excellent.

Onward to Moritzbastei: a cavernous, maze-like club with five different dancefloors. The Japan gang reunited here — a perfect ending to the grandest festival I’ve ever attended.

Here are more photos of WGT fashionistas, taken by my friends Truls and Ida of Dracula Clothing. We met up later in Prague for steampunk adventures (check back for the photos!)

I don’t often see steampunk and fairy fashion in the clubs I frequent, so it’s a treat to view outfits like these.

My friends photographed the band Eisbrecher.

And Diary of Dreams.

At the Victorian Picnic, DIY steampunk contraptions were on display.

Have you worn Steampunk fashion before?

Elegant ladies from past centuries.

Such imagination goes into the outfits.

This is why I love alternative fashion and subcultures, with all my heart.

The Hello Kitty man is a WGT legend. He’s featured in my video (to be uploaded soon).

I can’t thank Go With Oh enough for sending me on a life-changing journey to Wave Gotik Treffen!

For more WGT coverage, see my photos from the first day and Goth fashion snaps.

How about you — what draws you to alternative, underground cultures and style? How have they impacted your life?

One of my favorite parts of Wave Gotik Treffen was basking in fashion inspiration. Everywhere you looked, there were dark, intricate, flamboyant outfits.

I enlisted pro photographers Seventh Sin to shoot the best outfits of WGT 2012.

Love for Gothic Lolitas and deathrock princesses.

Among the most head-turning: long aristocratic dresses, and evil queen collars.

There’s a lot of deathrock style in Europe. I’m inspired to play with this look more.

Medieval and Renaissance lords and ladies.

Mohawks and masks.

Goths, goths everywhere!

Let’s not forget the bands. Clan of Xymox performed at WGT this year.

More photos of Wave Gotik Treffen bands and fashion on Seventh Sin. Also check out their WGT 2011 photos on my blog.

Where do the festival attendees stay? Many camp out, but we believe in modern comforts. (It’s worth it, if you’ve come all this way).

Yukiro and I were hosted by the ultra-modern Pentahotel Leipzig. They won our hearts with free breakfast and cupcakes!

The check-in counter doubles as a bar… and sits beneath disco balls. Win, win, win.

The hip lobby is ideal for evil photoshoots.

Billiards and a fireplace. Spacious, brand new rooms.

Hats off to the Pentahotel Leipzig – we’d stay here again!

Pirate hat: gifted by Caribbean Rose (more photos and review)
Long sleeve vampire jacket: gifted by Lip Service
Goth jumpsuit: gifted by Lip Service

Yukiro made the witch hat himself.

Flower and metal fascinator: provided by Angelica Brigade. Love the elegant design.

A funny outtake… you can see how we dress up and take photos of ourselves.

An evil witch salute to Go With Oh, the European apartment rental company that made our trip possible! Soon, we’ll show you videos of WGT, as well as Berlin and Prague’s underground scene.

Which Wave Gotik Treffen outfits did you like most? What are your favorite alt fashion styles (lolita, deathrock, steampunk, cyber?)