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BEST OF 2011, PART 1: LA NEW YEARS, JAPAN FUNDRAISING, HONG KONG GOTH STORES, FASHION MODELING IN ITALY.

Posted by La Carmina on December 27, 2011

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What a wild year! As New Year’s Eve approaches, let’s take a moment to reminisce. Do you remember my travels and adventures, from last January to June?

I rang in 2011 in Los Angeles, at a Hollywood alt party with Seba and friends. We had a crazy time in LA, with gigs that included modeling for Lip Service.

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In March, I was about to go to Japan for two TV hosting jobs (German and Belgian travel shows), and help bring the NOH8 Campaign (a photo-protest against inequality) worldwide. The earthquake struck the week before my flight – and needless to say, everything got cancelled.

First and foremost, I made sure my friends were safe. Seba flew to LA, and we threw ourselves into charity projects for Japan. I also interviewed Black Veil Brides about their experiences during the quake.

Seba and I released a benefit t-shirt with Like Atmosphere, and a panda bear necklace with Soho Hearts. All funds go to helping Japan; you can learn more about the designs here.

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Since the disaster shifted my work away from Japan, I broadened my focus to dark culture and travel worldwide. First stop: Hong Kong (where we stayed in a Roomorama apartment) and Macau (for the Galaxy resort opening!)

Favorite memories include visiting the Charlie Brown theme cafe, and baking cute panda bread at my cousin’s cooking school.

Read all my HK and Macau articles, including Gothic Lolita shop recommendations.

This year, my TV hosting work blew up. The Norway host club documentary aired, and won the equivalent of a Grammy award. (Catch up on my video clips.)

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I wasn’t able to make it to Wave Gotik Treffen, due to a conflict with a fashion event in Florence. In the next post, I’ll share photos from the second half of 2011: Italy, Tokyo, Wisconsin, Mexico and beyond!

Bonus photo: my extreme makeup for a 1980s Italo Disco party in Milan. The heart sweater is from Mongkok in Hong Kong. Radical.

Did you know I’ve been running this blog since September 2007? You can see the Archives using the drop-down menu on my right sidebar.

What did you accomplish in 2011? Do you feel you grew, or challenged yourself this year? How so?

Song of the Day: Duran Duran – Girl Panic!

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Filed Under Hong Kong + Macau, Japan Earthquake, Los Angeles CA, NOH8 Campaign
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MANGA ANIME FANS & VENDORS AT ANI-JAM, CALIFORNIA. JAPAN TOURISM BOARD GIVING FREE PLANE TICKETS TO TOKYO?

Posted by La Carmina on October 13, 2011

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So far, I’ve only blogged about Day 1 of our Ani-Jam Convention appearance (as Guests of Honor). Let’s continue with the second day’s adventures. (My hair’s purple now; these photos are from August.)

Can you guess how this remote control affected the bed?

Absinthe necklace: made by my friend Rose
Tank top and holy tights: from Hong Kong
Rose Lolita skirt: from Spider in Hong Kong (see store photos)
Mini Lolita hat: Putumayo, from Closet Child Harajuku
Gothic Lolita dolly shoes: Yosuke, from Marui One Shinjuku

Seba wears Strange Freak rings, and a top by Umbilical. Thanks to everyone who made fanart for us!

The vendor’s area was bursting with colorful cosplayers. Can you identify these characters?

On camera.

I gave over a hundred autographs that day.

We signed some unusual objects, including this mask.

All of Ani-Jam’s guests doodled on a T-shirt. Seba and I both drew cats. You can probably recognize Basil Farrow.

Seba’s panel was a bit of a Sebastrophe… but in the best way possible!

I interviewed him, and we showed photos of our collaborations such as the Soho Hearts panda bear necklace to benefit Japan.

Someone brought our NOH8 photo for us to sign.

Another brought a bunny bag.

In addition to signing his name, Seba drew pictures of me. My cat isn’t that fat, is he?

Thank you to Ani-Jam for inviting us and treating us like royals. And to everyone who came: it was wonderful to meet you!

PS: Have you heard? Japan Tourism proposes giving away 10,000 free round-trip tickets to boost travel. The program hasn’t been confirmed yet. But if it happens, what would be YOUR reason to want to visit Japan? Join the discussion on my Facebook Wall.

I’ve worked with the Japan Tourism Board, so I’ll keep you posted as soon as I hear more.

Song of the Day: Roxette – Listen To Your Heart

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