Category Archive for Fashion
PIRATE HATS BY CARRIBEAN ROSE: HANDMADE GOTHIC VINTAGE MILLINERY, CUSTOM VICTORIAN STEAMPUNK CAVALIER HAT.
Swashbucklers, avast! Behold my new favorite hat — a custom-made gift from Caribbean Rose Pirate Emporium. Designer Allison named this new design after me: La Carmina Pirate Siren. So you too can own one of these gorgeous tricorns!
Allison works with velour felt fur, which is unbelievably luxurious to the touch. The hat is custom-fit to my big head, with vintage details like black velvet flocking, satin and lace embellishments, and — yes! — ostrich plumes.
Come take a peek at Caribbean Rose Pirate Emporium’s Etsy shop, and you’ll understand. The range of handmade hats, from Victorian to Steampunk to Renaissance Faire, is constructed with love and detail. Allison makes custom designs, so you can create anything to your fancy.
Grey dress: Viola per Donna, from Hong Kong
Black buckle ankle boots: gifted from London Underground Shoes
My sweet friends at Annabelle Cosmetics sent me the new 4Show Eyeshadow Quads, a four-pack that’s perfect for travel. Plus a few Volumelip Lip Plumping Glosses, which come in a fun squeeze tube.
Makeup tutorial: I lined my eyes with Annabelle black Smudgeliner, softening it with the blending tip. I layered the four brown shades over it, with the darkest ones at the outer edges. I stuck on a white bow sticker, and false eyelashes with gems (from Japan). Finally, Vivid Volume fuchsia gloss.
Recently, I’ve been coloring my eyebrows red, to match my new hair color. First, I line them lightly with a brownish-grey pencil from Japan. Then, I sweep over a burnt-red shade.
Another friend, jewelry and accessories company Soho Hearts, sent me a massive parcel. I’m wearing the crocodile ring and black velvet necklace with layered bead strands. Love their cute, hip designs.
My current DIY nail art is purple and sparkly.
I encourage you to visit Caribbean Rose Pirate Emporium and support the designer Allison. She’s had a rough year but is pulling through bravely, and you can’t find anyone with a bigger heart (she checked in on me and Seba after the earthquake, and even offered us a place to stay.)
Her daughter Hillary is also a talented hat-maker. Her Etsy store, Bandersnatch Designs, has an adorable selection of crotchet animal hats — pandas, foxes, you name it! Dear Hillary is donating a percentage of each sale to The American Red Cross to aid in the relief efforts in Japan.
Do you have many hats in your wardrobe? What type of headwear styles do you like best? I got a few new ones to show you… more outfit photos coming right up.
PS: be sure to come back Monday, for a clothing and shoe giveaway!
Song of the Day: Tracy Spencer – Run To Me (My Italo fever is raging.)
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DIAMANDA GALAS SWEDEN CONCERT REVIEW & PHOTOS, BY EVIL QUEEN YUKIRO. AVANTGARDE GOTH OPERATIC SINGER & PIANIST.
The Evil Queen Bitch is back! Yukiro Dravarious will be doing some guest posts, so you’ll see more of his Fashion-Forward looks on my blog. And guess what. He’s starting a Visual Gothic band in Tokyo. Can’t wait to tell you more.
Let’s begin with Yukiro’s concert review of Diamanda Galas, the witchy-woman vocalist and pianist. Take it away, my dark one. (All photos below by Yukiro, except the third by Kristofer Buckle.)
My Swedish partner in crime Linn/Johan bought tickets to the Diamanda Galas concert in excitement. We went to Uppsala by bus from Stockholm, which was a big mistake. It took twice as long as the train and was not one kronor cheaper. We noticed that we had come to the right place when “interesting” looking people started to gather. The new Konsert & Kongress hall was beautiful and big — a perfect place for a gothic Mega Queen like Diamanda.
We had second row tickets, so we were basically as close as we could be to Diamanda Galas. Before she entered the stage, some guy screamed HAIL! and everyone shut their traps. At first we thought it was part of the show but we soon realized it was just some random guy screaming. Awesome.
Everything turned black and then a lot of foggy smoke spread from the stage. One spotlight shone on a black classic piano standing in the center. The diva came out and the audience went crazy. She didn’t look as old as someone told me she’d be. I’d say she looked vampire-ishly fresh for her age.
The half-Greek, half American performer played the piano like only she can. She’s described in a Swedish paper as an undead salamander-queen out to take revenge upon the living. Serious, unlimited and frightening: Diamanda puts on an emotional show that is unique and amazing.
The concert tour was called “The Refugee.” It’s dedicated to people who have been forced to flee due to their lifestyles or ethnic backgrounds. Diamanda is a well-known fighter against homophobia and religious dogmatism. Her voice breaks all the boundaries; the piano was explosive and virtuous. With her provocative ways, she tells us not only that it’s possible to break every wall of discrimination but also to live out your inner mad world.
The repertoire was mostly old Greek traditional and re-made tunes, or songs by Jacques Brel. She played both of my favorites, “Heaven Have Mercy” and “Gloomy Sunday”. They’re covers, but you can barely hear the original similarities.
Her Highness played three encores. When she finally took her flowers and thanked the audience, all of us stood up for the fabulous queen! It was an honor to see her live, and I hope she continues for a long time.
Coming up… Yukiro will bring you exclusive dispatches from Tokyo Spookyville. Is there anything in particular you’d like to see?
PS: Today, Seba and I had a thrilling phone call with a Goth-cute fashion brand that I know you love. We’re working with them on a fashion design to benefit Japan! More info ASAP — as well as a giant clothing giveaway.
Song of the Day: Diamanda Galas – Gloomy Sunday
LA CARMINA
