Category Archive for J-News
H.NAOTO GOTH NIGHT TOKYO: 2010 FASHION RUNWAY SHOW, HEAVEN HARAJUKU. JAPANESE GOTHIC MODELS IN DECONSTRUCTED CLOTHING.
Frightening figures in feathered masks… where am I? At a cult gathering, like in the Eyes Wide Shut film? Close: I took the Sony Australia TV crew to h.Naoto Goth Night, a presentation of Naoto-san’s latest fashion designs (held August 28th in Harajuku).
PS: why am I wearing a maid outfit? Earlier, the TV show and I were at the Japan Cosplay Festival. I’ll have photos from that shoot (and more) coming up…
Each guest received and wore a mask, creating a dark carnival / ritual atmosphere inside. h.NAOTO designer Hirooka Naoto is a sweetheart. My coffin backpack was designed by him — hence my funny face!
Most of the onlookers arrived in their Goth-est garments. Some were dressed head-to-toe in h.NAOTO.
These Victorian ladies could star in their own fashion show. (The h.NAOTO Goth Night took place at the Heaven store in Harajuku; there are photos, maps and more here.)
The models walked up and down the long hallway, holding up numbers (which corresponded to their garments). The guests held clip-boards and wrote down notes about each coordinate.
h.NAOTO has many collections built around different motifs, such as Blood (punk) and Frill (Lolita). This runway show was all about Goth. Black, tattered tops and tiered Victorian skirts. Elaborate lace head-wraps. I’m a fan of the blue/black striped stockings and leather witch shoes.
h.NAOTO played up draping and deconstruction. Over 20 models walked, and the procession of styles held my interest until the end.
After the show, Naoto-san talked about the creation process of the latest Goth collection. His assistants brought out racks of clothing for the guests to browse and buy. In another room, there was the love of my life: free food and alcohol.
Wish you could have seen the models in motion? Above and here is an official video of the h.NAOTO catwalk. (There will also be clips in the Australian travel show, airing next year.)
Are you fond of h.NAOTO? What do you think about his latest runway show, and the Eyes Wide Shut atmosphere?
PS: I’ve been Tweeting the latest news about Gackt, Dir en Grey and Kanon Wakeshima. Please add me on Twitter to stay in the loop (I follow back all legit accounts).
Japanese Word of the Day: Shuyouna = Main
Song of the Day: VII Sense – Black Bird (A mighty promising Visual Kei band that Yukiro and Amiyu introduced me to. Juka from Moi dix Mois is the singer.)
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WIN DIR EN GREY LOS ANGELES CONCERT TICKETS! CLUB NOKIA, SEPTEMBER 8TH LIVE SHOW. VISUAL KEI J-ROCK GIVEAWAY PRIZE.
Dir en Grey is invading America! And guess what… you have a chance to WIN one of FIVE pairs of tickets to the Los Angeles concert, held on September 8th at Club Nokia. It’s easy to enter the giveaway — just comment on this post / spread the word. (See the full instructions below.) Ready, get set… let’s do it!
If you’re a Visual Kei / Jrock fan, you can’t go to Harajuku without hitting the merchandise shops. Hide and Gackt’s faces are plastered all over the walls.
I think everyone loves X-Japan’s 1980s look the best.
Who is your favorite Malice Mizer member? Typical of VK photography, everyone has white skin and a disappearing nose.
Hide is alive… do you remember my photos of the Hide Lemoned shop and anniversary memorabilia in Marui One Shinjuku?
In other Visual Kei news, X Japan has released its North American tour dates. Tickets are now available. Will you be at any of the shows?
† September 25, Wiltern Theatre (Los Angeles, CA)
† September 28, Fox Theatre (Oakland, CA)
† October 1, Paramount Theatre (Seattle, WA)
† October 3, Queen Elizabeth Theatre (Vancouver, BC Canada)
† October 6, Riviera (Chicago, IL)
† October 7, Massey Hall (Toronto, ON Canada)
† October 10, Roseland Ballroom (New York, NY)
How about the Dir en Grey concert in LA (Sept 8, Club Nokia in LA)? Well… here’s how to win 1 of 5 pairs of tickets to the show!
ENTER DIR EN GREY CONTEST
† What’s the best live music performance you’ve ever attended, and why? Please share your story in the comments. (If you are having trouble commenting, email me.)
† Please promote the contest in a blog or forum post, or link to it via Facebook, Twitter, Stumble or other social network. Include the link or username in your comment for verification. ALTERNATELY, you can subscribe to my mailing list (on the top right sidebar).
*** IMPORTANT *** You must fulfill BOTH requirements to be eligible. Many of you were disqualified from the Kanon Wakeshima contest because you forgot to spread the word…
Contest is open worldwide and ends Tuesday, August 24 at midnight Pacific Time. You may only enter once and must fulfill both requirements to be eligible. Winners MUST be able to attend the Los Angeles concert on Sept 8, 2010, and will be picked at random. Good luck!
PS: 6 mysterious monsters found around Asia, caught on video. Hoaxes, or is the truth out there? Come read my new CNNGo article.
PPS: Thank you for the birthday wishes — huge hugs!
LA CARMINA
