Category Archive for Tokyo + Japan
SWEET & GOTHIC LOLITA BOOTS IN JAPANESE DEPARTMENT STORE MARUI ONE. DOC MARTENS, GLADIATOR SHOES, LECHE BY YOSUKE, ARTHERAPIE.
Do you recall drooling over photos of Shoe Heaven, the footwear floor of the old Marui One? Well, get ready to spill some more saliva. The fifth floor of the new Marui One Shinjuku is Seventh Heaven. It has not one but TWO sections for Gothic Lolita Punk shoes.
My jaw hit the floor when I encountered Leche by Yosuke’s pretty cut-out boots. I can’t sing this brand’s praises highly enough; no matter how hard I pound the pavement, these shoes do not scruff. They’re remarkably well-priced, mostly in the $60-150 range. Lucky for us, Marui One offers international shipping – so you can grab a pair on their website.
Hans Christian Anderson wrote a gruesome fairy tale in which a vain girl becomes so attached to her red shoes that they won’t come off and must be chopped off by an executioner. This story came to mind when I saw this lovely display of Lolita pumps and Mary Janes. Hello drop-dead prettiness!
Moving on… to pink and black GLADIATOR shoes? (Tissue please; saliva flowing…)
The men’s section reminded me of Romper Stomper – both the Russell Crowe skinhead movie and the South Park juvenile delinquent. (Yes, there are random influences floating around in my head…) Knee-high Doc Martens and studded leather boots with a three-inch rise: now that’s the way a boy should dress.
In addition to the sea of shoes on this floor, there is an Artherapie boutique. The brand’s black leather bags and wallets are Gothic yet classy. As my friend said, “I could see my mother carrying one of these.”
Which pair of shoes would you snatch up? I’m selling a few doll-heeled leather boots in my Online Garage Sale…
Song of the Day #141: Tristesse de la Lune – Eiskalte Liebe Feat Erk Aicrag
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HIME GYARU PRINCESS KEI, JESUS DIAMANTE SHOES. KEWPIE, BLYTHE, BALL-JOINTED DOLLS IN SHINJUKU YOUNG WOMEN'S DEPARTMENT STORE, MARUI ONE 0101.
On the kawaii-kowai scale (cute to scary), I’d place hime gyaru, aka princess kei fashion, near the latter end… The exploding-silk-flower dresses and Valley of the Dolls hairdos aren’t exactly my speed. But the shoes – oh, the shoes! A five-year-old girl’s stacked bows and pink lace fantasy, on top of a three-inch heel. Hidoi meets sugoi: hideous and awesome. Same goes for the heart-shaped and giant bow purses (which I compared with Lolita ones in this post).
We’ve ascended to the fourth floor of the new 0101 Marui One shopping center in Shinjuku. The Jesus Diamante shopgirls style themselves like cartoon Stepford Wives and hover closely as you browse. Let’s just say that I didn’t spend too much time in this boutique.
The center section displays and sells dolls. Blythe, Kewpies, Dollfies… I don’t really know. I was more interested in the handmade and screenprinted stuffed toys.
I’ve never been a doll person, so I don’t really know what to say. You tell me: what do you think of the fourth floor of the new MaruiOne? Would you wear Jesus Diamante? (More princess gyaru photos here.)
In kitty news… Basil Farrow’s big fat head has gotten larger. A pretty Scottish Fold girl-cat named Karma sent him a love letter with a photo of herself! She meows and rubs against the laptop whenever her mommy plays his videos. Check out more cute kitty pics on Basil’s blog.
I have a busy weekend ahead… I have to plan and shoot a demo reel, complete several writing tasks, and ship some items from my Online Garage Sale. What are your plans? You’re always free to go off-topic in the comments; this is the best way to chat with me.
Song of the Day #137: Roisin Murphy – Movie Star (Ronan just found this vid; the giant lobster and styling are hilarious and the song is so good. “You little wench!”)
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