Category Archive for How-Tos
GOTH LOLITA PUNK CLOTHING STORES IN TOKYO & OSAKA. GUIDE TO JAPAN ALTERNATIVE FASHION, BOUTIQUES MAPS.
Shiver me timbers! With much bloodshed and toil and Photoshop, I’ve over-hauled my Tokyo Gothic Lolita Visual Kei Punk Shopping Guide and Japan LGBT Goth Alternative Nightlife Guide. These sections have photos, videos, maps, directions and reports of pretty much EVERY Goth/Lolita/Alt boutique, bar, and club party in Tokyo (and soon, Osaka). Yo-ho-ho.
Here’s one of the many comprehensive Japan maps I’ve added. (Click it or go here to enlarge.) The rest are in the Clothing Store and Club guides.
La Carmina Blog has become a No-Face (from the anime film Spirited Away) — growing bigger by the moment, and chock full of stuff! More now than ever, maintaining it is a big responsibility, both to readers and collaborators in the J-rock/Goth universe.
In the Laos episode of No Reservations, Anthony Bourdain reflects on whether revealing a little-known destination on TV effectively destroys it. He comes to the conclusion that all he can do is try to live the experience, understand it and present it the best that he can.
Likewise, I’m going to keep working hard to bring you the best possible content. (There are over 50 blog posts on my to-do list!) I think that if readers have a genuine interest in Japan / dark culture / Visual Kei, they’ll be respectful when they visit the underground clubs and stores. And at the end of day, the vibrant scene remains very small. Many Goth parties only have 30-40 people in attendance. Anything I can do to get the word out for my friends, I will.
So I hope you enjoy the updated Tokyo and Osaka guides. It would make my day if you could share the links and tell your friends. I have much more ahead for you — including Osaka Gothic Lolita Punk store guides/maps and a compliation of Visual Kei / J-rock concert reports.
I don’t want to turn this into a subscription site (where you pay for access), or sell you an e-book. However, my Scottish Fold cat does get hungry…
So if you found my Harajuku / Tokyo Goth maps and photos helpful, please consider:
1) Buying one of my Jpop books here. My Crazy, Wacky Theme Restaurants book includes addresses, photos and stories about all of Tokyo’s best themed cafes.
2) Ordering a La Carmina x Basil Farrow t-shirt (this is your LAST CHANCE for a limited edition tee!)
† Pick up a Girls shirt here.
† Nab a Mens shirt here.
3) Leaving me a tip (click the donate button below). Even a few bucks for a spot of catnip is much appreciated.
Thanks everyone for your support — I will keep working hard for you! Please feel free to contact La Carmina if you’d like to work with me in any capacity (TV hosting, arranging, writing, etc.) You can also keep in touch via my social networks below. Domo arigato gozaimasu.
Ready to see the new, improved guides? Click the images below!
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GOTH FEATHER EYELASHES, STEAMPUNK LIP SERVICE SKIRT, GREEN LIPSTICK, FEATHERED BOA. D'ESPAIRSRAY VISUAL KEI CONCERT OUTFIT.
Rose and I made an epic road trip to Seattle for the D’espairsRay concert (full report and exclusive photos by yours truly coming right up). It was great meeting many of you there! We did dramatique makeup for the occasion…
Hair: I gathered the hair in the back and tied it over the front. The bottom is secured with a skull hair tie, gifted from Hellcatpunks. I put black and gold flower clips from Daiso on the side.
Eye makeup: I applied green sparkly eyeshadow with a wet brush (gifted from Sugarpill) over the lids. My feathered eyelashes are from Don Quixote in Tokyo: they cost way less than similar ones than Shu Uemura or Make Up Forever Professional. The bottom lashes are also from a Japanese dollar store, as are the gem stickers on the inside corners.
Lips: Outlined with a dark green eye pencil from Japan, and filled with light green Limette Smudgeliner gifted from Annabelle Cosmetics. Finished with a fake mole.
The Visual Kei concert took place at the Showbox, right by Pike Place Market. The bouncers were a little brusque, but we were saved by James of Sword Records. (A million thank yous for the tickets, photo passes and general awesomeness.)
Rose looks like she stepped out of a Goth Jungle Book: leopard print boots, taxidermied mouse headband and fox purse. She made both of the animal accessories herself! The best part: she put gems on the eyes to make the faces cute rather than creepy. Before you freak out, rest assured that Rose is an avid supporter of animal rights and makes sure all her materials are from cruelty-free sources… If you have questions for her, feel free to leave a comment in this post.
Vivienne Westwood jewelry always pairs well with Gothic Lolita dresses. Can you read the tattoo on her arm? Do you know where the song lyric is from?
We spent quite a bit of time tearing and pinning materials while dressing up…
Top: Muji
Lace mini-corset: Spider, a Hong Kong Lolita brand
Steampunk gathered skirt: gifted from Lip Service (buy it here.) Amazing “old newspaper” print and buckle/rivet detail.
Black feather boa: got it for next to nothing at a Paramount movie wardrobe sale.
Gold bead bracelet: made it myself
Tights: Vivienne Westwood, from Marui Shinjuku
Shoes: Leche by Yosuke, from Marui One Shinjuku
We’re standing behind the Gum Wall at Pike Place Market. Now that’s what I call a sticky situation. (Sorry, couldn’t resist…)
PS: please read my new CNNGo article – 72 hours in Osaka: an alternative and traditional “greatest hits” of the city. I included Fu-ki’s heavy metal Bar Midian, DJ Taiki’s Black Veil Goth party, and quotes by Takumi’s Heart. And cute panda bears!
What do you think of our extreme concert outfits and Rose’s fox bag? Have you ever tried feathered eyelashes? D’espairsRay coverage and Seattle Goth / absinthe adventures still to come!
Japanese Word of the Day: Ke = Fur
Song of the Day: reach up to the universe – S.T.A.R.S (Available from Hearjapan.)
LA CARMINA
