Category Archive for Visual Kei + Music
HISTORY OF THE DANDY: FLAMBOYANT FLANEUR MALE FASHION, FROM ROCOCO WIGS TO NEW ROMANTIC, STEAMPUNK & NEO-VICTORIANA.
Male flamboyance: a centuries-old tradition that has evolved but never gone out of fashion. Today’s ruffled riff-raff — think Japan’s Goth Aristocrats and New York’s Dances of Vice (above) — are but the modern incarnation of the European dandy. So let’s raise our bowler hats to our foppish forefathers who paved the road to Visual Kei and Harajuku boys.
The male peacock bared his tail-feathers in 18th and 19th century Europe. “Laconically witty clothes-horse” Beau Brummell and “Dandy King” Joachim Murat set the stage for the slightly eccentric but always stylish gentleman. Let’s not forget the infamous Oscar Wilde and Lord Byron. (Come on, fellow contemporary writers — live up to the decadence of your predecessors!)
In mid-18th century Britain and America, the ornate man “stuck a feather in his hat and called it maccaroni.” These caricatures capture the maccaroni’s outlandish tailed jackets and towering powdered wigs.
After suffering through the French Revolution and Reign of Terror, the bourgeoisie just wanted to have fun. The Incroyables and their female counterparts, the Merveilleuses, ornamented themselves in floppy collars and bows. Long hair on men has always been a mark of bad boy hedonism, hasn’t it?
Frilly shirts and powdered visages came back to life in the 1980s New Romantics. The Blitz Kids’ club fashion influenced some of my favorite 80s synth-poppers: Visage, Adam and the Ants, Ultravox, Duran Duran, Human League, Spandau Ballet.
Today, the male dandy lives on in Japanese Gothic Aristocrats, Visual Kei J-rockers, Steampunks and other Neo-Victorian/Goth sartorialists. As for their female counterparts: no matter what era you’re living in, there’s a place for long gloves and ostrich feathers. And ding-a-linging your young boytoy… well, that never gets old!
PS: DJ SiSEN in Malaysia? Nope, it’s a Harajuku Look-Alike contest!
You may also enjoy Funny money in Asia: my new gallery on CNNGo. Which one is the most Monopoly-like?
Song of the Day #279: 12012 – Heart (J-rock dandies carry the flame forward.)
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JUNGLE CURE VISUAL KEI & J-ROCK STORE IN LOS ANGELES. WHERE TO BUY JAPANESE CDS IN AMERICA, CURE MAGAZINE.
If you want to pick up a cute Visual Kei boy or two in Los Angeles, where do you go? Jungle Cure, a one-stop shop for Harajuku fashion, anime, manga, J-rock, robots and more.
The Little Tokyo shop has shelves of manga for your perusal. J-pop hats and t-shirts make a great gift.
Jungle Cure specializes in collector’s items and special editions, such as this Ponyo book (artwork from the Miyazaki movie).
All your favorite Sanrio and anime plush toys are available, including Pika-pika-pikachu. There’s a selection of non-brand Japanese and Gothic/Lolita clothing near the entrance.
My money would go to the Visual Kei CDs, DVDs, and magazines (such as Cure and band booklets). If you’re in Los Angeles, I recommend taking a trip to Little Tokyo in the downtown area. Visit Jungle Cure, do the Dance of Despair in Weller Court, stop for a bite of sushi at Oomasa, and top it up with fresh fruit bubble tea from I Heart Boba. Ooh, and don’t forget to stop by Kinokuniya to pick up a copy of my books (now out)…
WASHINGTON DC spooks: there is a Harajuku Japanese Street Chic Demonstration and Fashion Show this Sunday, Jan 10th at the Textile Museum. Go!
PS: The Selby’s photos of Tokyo homes are a must-see. Vivienne Sato (artist and drag queen) and Yoshiko Kajitani (designer of Yoshiko Creation Paris jewelry) are my favorites.
PPS: Marilyn Manson and Evan Rachel Wood are getting married??
Song of the Day #278: E’m – Eternal Melody (Heavy metal harpsichord!)
LA CARMINA
