Category Archive for Visual Kei + Music
HARAJUKU STREET STYLE: PUTUMAYO, VISUAL KEI MUSIC STORES, KAWAII KIDDYLAND.
If you haven’t made it to Tokyo yet, fear not – Harajuku remains ruled by Gothic Lolita Rococo Punk. I took some more photos of the two Putumayo boutiques; you can see photos from last fall here. Dog, the secondhand cyber/couture store, is also a must-visit.
The same goes for 6% Doki Doki (see interior photos here), any store with a bunny-head mannequin, and the incredible Kiddyland (a 5-story shop stuffed with Sanrio/San-X/Ghibli character goods).
Next, I headed to Shinjuku’s Edison music store, known for its Visual Kei and J-rock selection. My friends joined the long lineup for Versailles concert tickets. Good thing that there were band outfits, signed posters, and cardboard cut-outs to pass the time!
Fairy kei and Marui photos to come! Clickey the Related Links (below) and my Tokyo Goth/Lolita Shopping Guide for more.
Song of the Day #121: Vidoll – Cryptic Tokyo
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MIDNIGHT MESS: TOKYO GOTH LOLITA NIGHTCLUB, JAPAN FETISH PARTY, LIVE BANDS, EBM.
O Midnight Mess, Tokyo’s “dai ichiban” (#1) Gothic club night – how do I love thee? Let me count the ways. One: thou encourageth me to don my Gothest, glammest finery. I found these cute, heart-print over-the-knee socks in an Ikebukuro stand… for only $3.50!
Cute panda ring: from a kawaii outlet store in Ikebukuro
White Rabbit charm (worn as a necklace) and watch: Putumayo
Black layered dress: h.NAOTO, from Closet Child Harajuku
Jacket with gathered sleeves: Metamorphose temps de fille, from Close Child Shinjuku
Diamond body sticker: Daiso.
Bindi: my friend Melissa got me these from India!
Two: Midnight Mess, thou art the playground upon which the children of the night frolic. Yukiro Dravarious, one of the club night’s doormen, came over to play dress-up. The glitter tattoos and body stickers are from the dollar store, Daiso; the dress is… well, the length at the front is scandalous!
Three: the mass, the madrigal, the motet… aka the pounding EBM and industrial tracks of party organizer DJ Maya. Sisen, Chihiro and others often come to play – as well as bands such as Skinny Puppy.
Four: a Canterbury Tales cast of characters! Many of the partygoers speak English (including DJ Maya). You’ll be sure to meet new friends and find dark fashion inspiration.
Five: the iron maiden, the wheel, the rack! Mistress Maya (yes, she wears many hats) displays her Japanese bondage and suspension techniques on a willing victim.
The next time you’re in Tokyo, come join the danse macabre! Visit the Midnight Mess website for upcoming event details. How about location and price? Keep watching this page… I’ll post a YouTube video explaining it all!
Song of the Day #110: Skinny Puppy – Candle
LA CARMINA
