Category Archive for Tokyo + Japan
STUDIO ALTA SHINJUKU: GYARU YOUNG WOMEN’S DEPARTMENT STORE, SHOPPING MALL. LIZ LISA, JAPANESE DOLL EYELASHES.
Let’s continue our Tokyo shopping trip. I took photos inside Studio Alta, the Shinjuku department store for gyaru / gal / youth street fashion.
From Shinjuku Station east exit, walk straight and you’ll find Alta. There’s lots of colorful, electro fashion here.
This Jaoanese shop girl, dressed as a pirate, won my heart.
She’s captain of a new boutique, Fernopaa.
It’s rocker-80s: loads of studs, leopard print, toy soldier hats.
Dig the pirate girl’s arm jewelry, and the punked-out doll at counter.
As soon as you enter the glass doors of Studio Alta, you’ll find doll eyelashes, nail polish, and Hello Kitty cosmetics.
Also near the entrance: Liz Lisa.
The girly, gyaru brand is very popular in Japan.
Shoe stores are scattered throughout the building.
Animal prints and cute accessories are always in season.
The basement has a cool stockings / socks store.
Don’t overlook Claires, or the takoyaki and taiyaki stands! (The octopus balls are only 500 yen.)
What else can you find in Studio Alta? Sweet lingerie and PJs..
Street, punky clothing (quite well-priced, around $30-50 per item).
Some of the latest styles are… questionable.
But you can’t go wrong with nail art decals, and AC/DC backpacks.
PS: Speaking of shopping, thank you to Racked for interviewing me about my favorite obscure shop in LA: Hyaena Gallery! And arigato Kyoko for the drawing on the left, inspired by Yukiro and me.
What do you think of gal style in Japan? Which items and stores did you like best, out of the photos in this post? Let’s chat in the comments.
❤ Aww-ed at this post? Please give it a Like (below) ❤
SHARE & COMMENT
GYARU HAIRSTYLE! TOKYO HOSTESS & HIME GAL HAIR SALON, KABUKICHO. MORTICIA ADDAMS DRESS, MAKEUP, COSTUME.
I know many of you miss my fire-engine red hair… so here are some photos from a modeling shoot last year, in Tokyo!
There’s only one place where you can get styled like this: a gyaru / hostess hair salon in Kabukicho.
You can flip through gyaru magazines like Ageha, and pick out the style you want. Not everyone can make an appointment at these salons, since they primarily serve hostesses. However, if a friend has a connection, you can squeeze in.
For only 2000 yen, you can have a stylized do like mine. It’s incredible how fast the hairdressers work, and the amount of hairspray used.
I did extreme makeup to match the hair, and have it stand out in the photos.
The ring and jewelry are gifted by Strange Freak, a Japanese brand closely associated with J-rock artists (they collaborated with Seba). The design is a tribute to Hide, the deceased guitarist of seminal Visual Kei band, X Japan.
Long, trailing vampire dress: gifted by Lip Service
Lace top: Moi-meme-Moitie, from Closet Child. (Designed by Mana-sama of Malice Mizer)
We took over an alleyway in Shinjuku’s Golden Gai.
Photos by the talented Joey Wong and Jim Ollett, who did my Bust Magazine shoot.
Prepping and goofing around with Sebastiano, between the shots.
He changed into a Hypercore t-shirt, and we mugged in front of the punk bar, Hair of the Dog.
Seba dropped my long Morticia Addams skirt in the puddle! He got yelled at for his bad behavior.
Seba’s a model for the Japanese menswear brand, Umbilical.
Do you like his distinctively Japanese hairstyle?
The red Hide Strange Freak pendant stands out.
We’re fast at photoshoots. About an hour later, it was time to pack up and head home.
La Carmina with hostess gyaru hair — yay or nay? Aren’t Japanese hairstyles fascinating?
PS: I’m having such fun at Luisaviaroma Firenze4Ever… please follow my updates via Facebook!
Album of the Day: Mindless Self Indulgence – Tighter
❤ Smiled at this post? Please support with a Like (below) ❤
LA CARMINA
