Category Archive for Fims + Videos
BLACK SWAN MAKEUP: MOVIE STARRING NATALIE PORTMAN. BEST OSAKA SHOPPING DISTRICT: SHINSAIBASHI GOTH LOLITA JAPANESE PUNK SHOPS.
I was looking forward to the film Black Swan ever since I saw the poster of Natalie Portman in winged-eyed Gothic makeup. I went to the advance screening last night, and yes, the Oscar buzz is well deserved. Portman is terrifying as a perfectionist ballerina teetering towards insanity. Be prepared for to wince — nail cutting, scratching and peeling — as she falls to pieces. Darren Aronofsky (director of Pi) keeps it tense throughout, especially in the spiraling scenes where she dances to Swan Lake. Black Swan opens today… go see it. You may leave the theater perturbed, but you won’t be disappointed.
Tis the season for Christmas shopping — how have you been faring? If only we could transport ourselves to the Shinsaibashi district of Osaka. There’s a one-shop stop for your favorite Japanese Goth Punk and Lolita clothing.
The last time I visited, Sex Pot Revenge, Regulus and Busoh Sensen were on display. Can’t go wrong with neon electro graphic prints.
Iron Fist shoes are big in Japan. Do you remember the Zombie and blood-dripping shoes that Iron Fist sent me? These stompers are also sold in Tokyo’s Nude and Rude store (here is a full post with photos).
I rarely buy new clothes in Japan, but I love going into stores and examining the displays. I always come out with new ideas on how to coordinate outfits.
Many of you liked my Listen Flavor cat punk sweater. This playful alternative brand is a gem.
Listen Flavor’s cheeky characters and electric colors are a nice change from black-black-black.
This Osaka basement store also carries Hypercore.
Punk and New Wave are not dead. For Osaka shopping maps, photos and reports, please visit my Japan store guide.
What’s everyone doing this weekend? Perhaps some DIX-mas shopping, and watching Black Swan?
PS: I’ve decided! I’m adding a new color to my hair. Hmm, what do you think it will be….
Japanese Word of the Day: Kotonaru = Different
Song of the Day: Janne Da Arc – Hysteric Moon (Old school Visual Kei, suggested by my lovely Lemon)
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FRANCE JAPAN TRAVEL TV SHOW, FILMING AT DON QUIJOTE, SHINJUKU DISCOUNT DOLLAR STORE. CAT NEKO COSPLAY.
It’s true… travel TV hosting and arranging is the best job in the world. You get to be your silly self, bring in your friends, and showcase alternative culture in (what I hope is) a positive light, to a multitude of viewers.
Merci to everyone who wrote to me after seeing my Canal + France documentary, Toque de Tokyo — I’m glad you were enticed by our spooky world. On the last night of filming, the TV crew met up with me, Comte de Sang, Yukiro Dravarious, and Naomi (First Mate of the Pirate Ship) at Don Quijote, the famous Japanese discount chain store.
Despite weeks of shooting on a tight schedule, Antoine de Caunes was dressed up and ready to rock. He’s a prominent TV presenter and actor in France, perhaps best known for the BBC late-night program Eurotrash.
My makeup is inspired by my Scottish Fold cat, Basil Farrow. I wore feather eyelashes and gold eyeshadow, drew on a brown nose and W-mouth, and added a kitty sticker.
Who says Goths can’t be colorful?
Floral Lolita dress: h.NAOTO Frill, from Closet Child
Leather studded corset: Bed Behavior in Hollywood
White bunny purse: Innocent World
Kitty hair clips: gifted from Komodokat
Naomi sewed the orange ring-collar herself. The original Sebastian and Vincent stopped by to say bonjour to Antoine.
We had made arrangements with “Donki” (the store) — so we used the opportunity to run around and be crazy! My friends and I grabbed giant orange hammers and chased each other through the cramped aisles. The shocked reactions of the customers were priceless.
Wigs and vibrators are recurrent themes in our escapades. Have you seen the drag queen film, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert? Our lives are eerily similar (as you know from our YouTube videos)…
Antoine de Caunes is a fantastic sport. He went along with all of our nutty antics.
Someone looks a little too happy to be tortured.
After we ravaged Don Quijote, we took the French TV crew to Tokyo Decadance for the grand finale. Photos and video clips coming right up.
So many exciting projects are happening in December and January! I’ll let you know what’s going on as soon as I can…
Have you visited Don Quijote or a Japanese dollar store? They’re the greatest places on Earth.
Japanese Word of the Day: Shouganai = It can’t be helped
Song of the Day: Rebecca – Vanity Angel (1980s Japan pop power. As Yukiro says, “The dance is so random and amazing.”
LA CARMINA
