Category Archive for Tokyo + Japan
NEW DARK PURPLE DYED HAIR COLOR & STYLE! NHK KAWAII TV SHOOT AT ABILLETAGE, VINTAGE GOTHIC LOLITA CORSET SHOP.
Behold, my new hair color! I’ve been a red-head since March, so it was time for my superb stylist (Isolde from Avant Garde Hair in Vancouver) to turn me dark purple. Note that it’s not one solid color: there’s plum and chocolate brown textures weaved in. Happy.
Here’s what I wore for the first part of my NHK Kawaii TV shoot:
Babydoll dress with key pattern: Banana Fish (so sad the brand is gone), from Closet Child Shinjuku
Lace Gothic Lolita purse: gifted from ModaRevise. More photos and info about the brand in this post.
Lace circular hair decoration: gifted from my friend Heathyr
I wore purple eyeshadow to match my new hair. The doll eyelashes cost a meager 100 yen; gotta love Japan.
Horror necklace: gifted from Sourpuss
Blue gem ring: from Closet Child
The ever-transforming Yukiro Dravarious wore flaming red.
Our first stop: Abilletage, a recently-opened Gothic vintage and handmade corset shop in Shinjuku. The NHK cameraman filmed me meeting my spooky friends, exploring the boutique and doing my coolhunting-blogging thing.
The lovely owner Bambi (right) is a talented corset-maker, who made outfits for Jpop stars Koda Kumi and Ayumi Hamasaki.
Abilletage is lushly decorated with thick red curtains, chandeliers and antiques. There’s also a coffee and tea section, popular with Tokyo’s Gothic ladies and gentlemen. (Order the ice chai, you won’t regret it.)
Bambi laces me into a purple-and-black lace corset that she sewed and decorated with crystals.
Her studded black design is perfect for Mistress Maya. On the right: “Despite all my rage, I’m still just a rat in a cage!”
The NHK Kawaii TV segment is about La Carmina’s world: the spooky places and people that inspire me.
Bambi’s accessories are lovingly scouted from vintage and foreign sources. Many of the items are handmade by her designer friends.
There’s currently a steampunk-fetish leather display. My first mate, Naomi, tries on a mask. (Photos by Naomi and me. Have you seen her comic series Domestic Animal, about her travels?)
When Yukiro gives the middle finger… deadly.
Abilletage is a gem of a store, created and supported by Tokyo’s vibrant Goth-steampunk-fetish subculture. Step away from the big brands and give this boutique a visit (Bambi speaks some English).
It’s located here (map) in Shinjuku, next to the AM/PM in a white building. Go up stairs and take the elevator to 3rd floor. The address is 東京都新宿区千駄ヶ谷5-32-6 大西ビル303; it opens 1:30pm.
Filming with NHK TV was a wonderful experience, and I’m excited to see the program! Coming up: reports from the next two locations we shot. And before you ask — yes, I’ll let you know when the show airs, and put up clips.
But the important question… what do you think of my new hair? Were you surprised by the color?
Song of the Day: The Smashing Pumpkins – Bullet With Butterfly Wings (“The world is a vampire”)
❤ Smiled at this post? Please support with a Like (below) ❤
SHARE & COMMENT
RENTING A CELL PHONE IN TOKYO, JAPAN: RENTAFONE. SHOPPING FOR CUTE JAPANESE GIRLS FASHION, HELLO KITTY SANRIO STORE.
Take my hand and let’s continue our tour of Laforet Harajuku. I previously posted photos of the Gothic Lolita Punk clothes.
Now, we’ll discover the sweeter, more casual (and wearable) side — and I’ll reveal the best cellphone rental service in Japan! Keep scrolling…
“mmts” is girly and simple — a contrast to the bells-and-whistles decora of a brand like Angelic Pretty.
Hats off to the basement level of Laforet, which houses street style.
Kawaii-decora accessories heaven.
Candy colored bags, fuzzy pastel hair clips.
The Nile Perch fairy kei store was packed.
Angelic Pretty shop. I prefer the more subdued Lolita prints, like the navy JSK on display, to bells-and-whistles frills.
Super Lovers is as bright and bold as ever.
A bonus snap from the Hello Kitty store in Shibuya 109.
Let’s talk travel. Many of you have asked — what’s the best way to rent a cell phone while in Japan? My favorite cellular rental service is Rentafone, which I’ve been using for years.
You order a keitai via their website, and it’s mailed to your Japan address. The cost is eminently reasonable (less than $40 a week), with discount calling charges and text messaging. (The Japanese number is even written on the back, lest you forget.) When you’re finished, simply put the rental in the pre-paid envelope and mail it back.
Japanese mobiles are always ahead of the curve — especially the cute emoticons! I always recommend that you have a cell in Tokyo (it makes contacting friends much easier), and Rentafone is the solution.
What’s your experience with cell phones and travel in Japan? Did anything catch your eye in the Harajuku store photos? You can drool over more street fashion in my Tokyo shopping guide.
Song of the Day: Savage – Twothousandandnine (Italo 80s dance party)
❤ Did you smile at this post? Please support with a Like! (below) ❤
LA CARMINA
