Sad face… one of my favorite Harajuku Goth fashion brands, Black Peace Now, is no more. Please read on for a eulogy, and photos of the very last collection.

All the BPN Japan stores have already vanished. USA operations remain open, but I doubt they’ll last for long.

Things haven’t been great for Japanese Goth brands in recent years. h.NAOTO is closing its San Francisco boutique, and both Banana Fish and Sexy Dynamite London are gone for good.

How fitting that I wore this outfit to Hanzono Shinto shrine in Shinjuku, two weeks before the end. My Pirate first mate Naomi Rubin (comic artist and web designer at Naomiyaki) shot these photos.

Ghost top: Peace Now, from Closet Child Shinjuku
White fuzzy coat: got it in London years ago. It reminds me of the one the girl wears in Last Tango In Paris.
Starlet white hat: vintage, from ages ago
Gothic Lolita purse: Spider, Hong Kong
White sunglasses: Dolce and Gabbana (more photos here)
Black heels: Michael Kors

In front of Shinto prayer boards (ema). I should have wished for Peace Now to live on…

Nobody had any clue that the brand was on its last legs, especially since their last collection was strong. Highlights include these epic creeper shoes, which I bought. The pirate bear reminds me of Basil.

I took these photos of the BPN in Vivre (Yokohama department store) a mere fortnight before the brand folded. The last collection had Pastel Goth elements and cute ghosts.

I wasn’t a big fan of their Moi-meme-moitie style Lolita dresses. However, I liked the scalloped jacket collars and cloud prints.

Star-studded platform sneakers, enough said.

Unlike some other Gothic and Lolita labels, Black Peace Now showed evolution over the years, and didn’t stick to the same old formula. It’s a shame that they had to say goodbye (apparently, they went bankrupt).

This is what the Peace Now boutique looked like at Vivre Yokohama, right before the fall.

And then… everything disappeared without a trace. No warnings or clearance sales. Two days after the announcement, there was nothing but empty space in Laforet Harajuku.

Rest in peace, Peace Now. May your ghost guy live on in the secondhand shop, Closet Child.

Let’s hope that the remaining Japanese Goth Punk brands stay strong. (Here are links to the shop websites, along with photos of coordinates.)

Were you a fan of Black Peace Now? Surprised by its death? What do you foresee for other J-Goth clothing lines?

PS: Hope you’ve been enjoying Tokyo Fashion Week! Don’t miss the Jeremy Scott smart forjeremy car, on display until Mar 23 (10am-9pm daily at Hikarie, ２丁目 Shibuya). Love how Berlin-based blogger and illustrator Nancy Zhang visualizes the road show in a fashionable comic.

I’m in Tokyo for a TV job, as you may have seen on my social networks. I’ll confess — I’ve been itching to re-visit my favorite Goth, Lolita and Punk stores.

This blog has come a long way. My content has expanded to alternative culture, fashion and travel worldwide. Nonetheless, Harajuku street style remains my passion, and was the seed that sprouted this colorful life.

Many of you tell me you enjoy my old-school coverage, and miss my sidebar links to Japanese Gothloli brands. So I’m going back in time, and dedicating this post to you… as well as this giveaway!

How’d you like to win a sushi scarf and socks, from Yummy You by Twinkie Chan?

Simply Like this cute company on Facebook and comment in this post, telling me what’s your favorite YY product. Keep scrolling for the full details.

And here are links to major Japanese alternative clothing brand websites. The groupings are general, as many of these designs span various style tribes. Model images courtesy of Kera Shop Japan (where these pictured items are sold).

♥ Department Stores: Laforet Harajuku, Marui One Shinjuku, Shibuya 109
♥ Sweet Lolita: Angelic Pretty, Baby the Stars Shine Bright, Emily Temple Cute, Innocent World, Justine et Juliette, Metamorphose temps de fille, Milky Ange, Mille Fleurs
♥ Classical Lolita: Atelier Pierrot, Chantilly, Jane Marple, Victorian Maiden, Mary Magdalene, Heart E, Antique Beast
♥ Gothic Lolita: Alice and the Pirates, Elements, Excentrique, h.NAOTO, Maxicimam MA/MAM, Moi-meme-moitie, Visible, Miho Matsuda
♥ Punk Rock Lolita: Kera Shop Arena & Angel, ScoLar, Listen Flavor, Super Lovers, Deorart, HellCatPunks, Sex Pot Revenge, Toxic Star, Dangerous Nude, Ghost of Harlem, Putumayo, Algonquins, Nile Perch
♥ Elegant Goth Aristocrat & Kodona: Atelier Boz, Black Peace Now
♥ Goth Fetish: Rituals by Kenzo-A, Alice Auaa, Suppurate System
♥ Cyber & Wa: Takuya Angel, Qutie Frash, Lacrima, Ozz On & Ozz Croce

Where are these stores located? See maps, addresses, and photos of the boutiques in my Tokyo shopping guide. I also have an Osaka Gothic Lolita Punk store guide.
What are the best Tokyo and Osaka Goth alternative clubs? Read my overview of the Japan nightlife scene. Once again, there are maps, addresses, photos, and descriptions of the club nights.

I hope you found these links and tips helpful. You can support by linking to this post, sharing it on your social networks, and adding my Facebook page (below). Thank you.

Here are some coordinates to get you inspired. Clockwise from left: Sex Pot Revenge, Toxic Star, Metamorphose temps de fille, Dangerous Nude.

Elegance meets pop punk. Clockwise from left: Miho Matsuda, Angelic Pretty, Deorart, HellCatPunks

A whiff of kitty-cat, a hint of devil. Clockwise from left: ScoLar, Listen Flavor, Super Lovers, Midas Laputa

When I say “spooky-cute,” this is what I mean. Clockwise from left: Ghost of Harlem, Putumayo, Algonquins (both bottom photos).

Goth crosses and teddy bears. Peace Now, Nile Perch

Which Tokyo street style brands are your favorites? Did you find the website list useful? (If so, I’d appreciate if you spread the word.)

Inspired to wear kawaii style? Then I hope you’ll enter my Yummy You giveaway! Pink-haired, LA-based Twinkie Chan designs crochet and knit accessories, with food influences — like sushi scarfs, eggs and bacon pins, and cupcake socks. (Tons of inspiration on her Twitter.)

She’s giving away a bento box to one lucky reader, containing a pair of sushi socks and scarf. Contest open internationally, and ends March 5, 2013. To enter…

1) Like Yummy You on Facebook
2) Check out the YY site and tell me your favorite product, either by commenting in this post or on my Facebook. Good luck.

Thanks for reading and supporting me through the years. Lots of Japan adventures coming up… peep at my Instagram for previews.