Category Archive for Tokyo + Japan
JAPANESE DRAG FASHION IN AKIHABARA, TOKYO CROSSDRESSING. FAIRY DECORA HARAJUKU GIRLS STYLE, PLASTICGOD JROCK ART.
Cute Japanese girls wearing street fashions? Close, but not quite. Look closer…
… all of these models are males! Tokyo New Tribe did an encouraging report on the changing face of drag fashion in Japan. Thanks to prominent TV hosts and cosplay, people are now more open about crossdressing, and realize that it’s not necessarily indicative of gender or sexuality. Once a month in Shinjuku, a drag event presents the opportunity to meet others.
Style Tribe also snapped Neo Fairy Decora girls at a Popples exhibition in Tokyo. (Wow, I’d love to go to that!)
I’ve done many posts on this 1980s-girly-pastel style before (type “Fairy Kei” in the Google search box on the sidebar for more). Here are some closeups; many of the girls are wearing 6% Dokidoki and Spank! (Coming up: a behind-the-scenes report from a New Tribe photoshoot.)
While at the club night Mr. Black, I met LA pop artist Plasticgod. You may have seen his Lego-form renderings of celebrities — they include Malice Mizer and Dir En Grey (above), and X-Japan (below)!
Plasticgod tells me, “I can’t remember when I first saw J-rock but it must have been in the mid 90s. I remember walking around LA’s Little Tokyo and looking at all the Japanese magazines that I’d never seen before. The J-rock ones stood out with all the amazing outfits and creativity but mostly because I couldn’t believe they were boys. I thought they were cool looking rocker girls!”
“The bands I chose to depict I thought had the best sense of style and seemed to have the best following. My favorite is Malice Mizer; every outfit I’ve ever seen in pictures was an absolute uncoiling of the brain. So inspiring and fun to re-create/parody in my style.” Check out Plasticgod’s distinctive artwork on his website.
Isn’t it nice to see Visual Kei bands inspiring American artists? And for drag and fairy decora fashion to be making waves?
PS: My new CNNGo gallery about how Buddha is everywhere. In a pear, a chair, a scary gold costume…
Song of the Day #327: D – 7th Rose (Do you like the new song and PV? I do.)
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HORROR HIGH SCHOOL: JAPANESE INDEPENDENT SCARY COMEDY, GORY TEEN MOVIE. VISUAL KEI, GOTHIC LOLITA FILM.
Velcome, darklings… to Spook-Movie Week! All week long, we will be dazzling you with our eerie filmmaking from Tokyo and Los Angeles. Prepare thyselves for Comedy! Horror! Scandal and drama!
Let’s commence with this brilliant work made in Tokyo, from the minds of your favorite recurring characters on this blog. Ghouls and goblins… presenting HORROR HIGH SCHOOL (which can be viewed on the official website!)
A note from Professor Fearstone (above left): “Ever feel like your education was a waste of time? Maybe you need to start again? Whether you’re a child of night or just a social outcast, REMEMBER… You’ll always be welcome at Horror High School!!!”
(All photos from the film are © 2010 Lionheart Productions; you can see more on the HHS Website and this Flickr set.)
Meet Headmaster; Prof Fearstone (The Happy Phantom of England) – teacher of Language, Literature and Creative Scares.
Madame Morganna; Deviant Witch from another Dimension (played by Yukiro Dravarious). Learn the correct ettiquete for an aspiring Fairytale Villian. Do you have what it takes to make Beauty sleep!?
I hand the mike to the visionary, Jim McGee (Professor Fearstone): “I would like to say that this project is meant as a prototype (episode Zero) for an internet show that hopefully I’ll be able to make on a semi-regular basis. The Official Episode One is already in the works. My goal with HHS was to take all my interests and hobbies; composing melodies on my piano, fantastic fashion and of course illustration and mix them up in a big cauldron of fun!”
Intrigued? Come watch the film and meet cute Japanese vampires, witches, Sweet Lolitas, and a former Visual Kei rocker hidden by a mask. Just be sure to do your homework!
How do you like the classroom madness? What would you like to see in the next episode? Let us know in the comments, and the cast will respond to you!
Song of the Day #324: The song that accompanies the amazing DANCE SEQUENCE in Horror High School!
LA CARMINA
