Category Archive for Tokyo + Japan
LADY GAGA JAPAN CLOTHING, PUNK ROCK LOLITA JAPANESE FASHION BRANDS. SINGAPORE GOTH INDUSTRIAL CLUBS & SHOPPING.
I think my new style direction is “not wearing clothes” — because it sure is humid in Tokyo right now!
In the basement of Laforet Harajuku department store, punk is not dead. The cat on the Sexy Dynamite London shirt is very similar to the Banana Fish one that I own (photos here). I’m still sad that Banana Fish, a whimsical clothing brand and one of my favorites, closed down earlier this year. I’ll always treasure my ghost dress (and I’m tempted to buy up all the BF items in secondhand store Closet Child…)
HellCatPunks has gone Gaga. There’s a Poker Face top with a lipstick kiss mark in the corner.
Lady Gaga is immensely popular in Japan. I hear her songs everywhere I go, and her recent concerts were a big hit. Too bad I’m missing the Vancouver ones that are happening now… (My dad offered to go and review the Lady Gaga show for me — “But it wouldn’t be as good as Simon and Garfunkel.” And I shudder to think of the pre-concert outfit post photos.)
h.NAOTO loves cats as much as yours truly. His Sixh collection has a stoned-looking black cat mascot, while the Hangry and Angry designs are based on two undead felines. (There’s currently a Hangry and Angry pop-up shop outside the Studio Alta building, in front of Shinjuku station east exit.)
Arrr, I heart these two coordinates…
Gothic meets cute at Black Peace Now. That’s the modus operandi in Harajuku!
Want more photos of Laforet Goth Punk Lolita stores? Delve into my extensive Tokyo shopping guide here.
I interviewed Saito Nagasaki, chairman of the Singapore Dark Alternative Movement, about Singapore’s Gothic fashion and nightcrawling scene for my new Global Gothic column for Lip Service. The cultural juxtaposition is fascinating, and I’m dying to attend the parties and visit Goth Lolita shop Black Alice. Come read my article here!
Which global Goth scene would you like me to cover next? I’m thinking Korea, Russia and Australia…
PS: Winners of the Dir en Grey contest tickets have been picked via random selection. Congrats to Yi Qiao, CeruleanThought, Darkviolette, Luluplur, and Stefania. I’ve sent you an email with details; have fun at the LA concert on Sept 8!
Japanese Word of the Day: Churitsu = Neutral
Song of the Day: Onmyouza – Kouga Ninpouchou (Heard one of the J-metal band’s songs playing at Closet Child Shinjuku and had a pang of longing for cruising around LA…)
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MONOMANIA, WORLD WIDE LOVE, KYOYA TEDDY MONSTER IN LAFORET TOKYO. KAWAII CUTE JAPANESE JEWELRY, WOMEN'S CLOTHES, HAIR ACCESSORIES.
Exciting news — I’ll be hosting and fixing (scheduling) another TV show in Tokyo! This time, I’m working with two ebullient young Australians, both named Tim. They’re the creators of a new travel show with Sony Australia and Elsewhere Productions. I can’t wait to take them to my favorite Gothic / bizarre places in Japan — and I’ll be sure to put up clips for you to see. The other TV shoot, with Dutch Pepsi, is going insanely well… I’ll have photos and videos on this blog in a week or so!
There are a few new stores in the basement of Laforet Harajuku. Monomania has a light, upscale-casual collection. The cute animal prints and pastels are a bit reminiscent of Fairy Kei. (Search for “fairy kei” in the box on the sidebar, to see photos.)
Monomania isn’t really my style — not sufficiently alternative-flamboyant — but I think the concept is well-conceived.
However, I am very fond of the new accessories and jewelry shop at the foot of the staircase. (I can’t recall the name…) You’ll find handmade, indie accessories here, including Kyoya Teddy Monster. Eyeballs and bloody teddy bears have never looked so enticing!
Everywhere you turn, there’s J-rock and Visual Kei inspiration… heaven in a department store. Coming up: Sweet Lolita brand boutiques in Laforet. For a full Gothic Lolita Punk shopping guide to Tokyo, please visit my shopping guide.
Bonus photo: Yukiro and I are obsessed with eating kabocha (Japanese pumpkin) pizza. Asia is known for strange pizza toppings, and pumpkin slices are no exception. But trust us — it’s scrumptious. Best of all, each wedge is only 200 yen ($2). It WAS being sold in the Sunpierrot bakery, located to the right when you enter Shinjuku Station east exit… but the pizza has now been discontinued. Sad face. (Is life worth living any more?)
Reader Angela and her friends created a school publication, A|WARE Magazine, and featured me in their article about blogging. (Thank you for the mention!) Their insight about blogging as self-reflection is well put: “Blogging forces an individual to face his or her feelings and sort them out. Being able to look back at previous posts is also very valuable — to reflect upon what has changed, what has stayed the same; to feel regret, happiness, nostalgia; and to put things into perspective.” (You can see the entire magazine here.)
Thank you also to Black-Mana (left) and RunawayCosplay (right) for the pretty drawings! I love seeing your La Carmina / Basil artwork; send me an email and I’m happy to feature your work on my blog.
PS: Drool or vomit over my new CNNGo article: Asia’s 10 most dangerously decadent desserts.
PPS: Don’t forget to enter my Dir en Grey contest: you can win one of FIVE PAIRS of tickets to the Club Nokia Los Angeles show, on Sept 8. Contest ends TOMORROW so hurry here (and tell all your LA friends!).
Japanese Word of the Day: Dousa = Action, movement
Song of the Day: Suzy Q – Computer Music (Oh 1985…)
LA CARMINA
