Hong Kong street style fashion photography: Gothic Beauty article, South China Morning Post interview.
Modeling in the streets of Hong Kong was quite the adventure — and garnered quite a few stares from the locals! Here’s the rest of the photos, plus a press round-up (including my feature in the current Gothic Beauty Magazine). And soon, I’ll unveil a new fashion magazine cover… featuring photos shot in Tokyo.
Image credits:
Photographer: Ken Yuen
Assistant Photographer: Jacqueline Kwok (noircorner)
Male model: John Skeleton
Hair: Emma Woodall of Toni & Guy HK
Wardrobe: Spider by Natalie Lam, Hong Kong
Hong Kong’s major newspaper, the South China Morning Post, calls me a Goth Queen. They interviewed me about subcultures, dark fashion, alternative travel and TV hosting (read it on SCMP).
Jacqueline’s photo, taken with a film camera, is also on the first page of the current Gothic Beauty Magazine.
I contributed photos from Japan and Germany, to this story about Goth culture/fashion around the world. Gothic Beauty previously interviewed me and published my sugar skull makeup shoot.
My outfit is entirely from the Spider store in Hong Kong.
Compare these raw images to the edited versions by Kanae Hamatsuka.
Mongkok streets in motion. Quite funny how we stood out, compared to the locals around us.
We wanted to capture the city’s energy, color, and excitement.
The small version of this image doesn’t do it justice — what an epic shot.
A random woman in this Women Street shot. (A great destination for kooky souvenirs.)
Love John’s deathrock makeup and Mohawk hair.
My crimped hair was like a hot air balloon.
Watch out, spooky kids…
… there’s a trolley stacked with bags, coming through!
Revisit my Dark Beauty magazine shoot for behind-the-scenes shots, and see travel tips on Discover Hong Kong’s Facebook.
Would you like to see more Hong Kong coverage on my blog? Which aspects of Chinese culture interest you?
PS: Thanks to Leyla of SassynPunk for sending Basil this “Careers For Your Cat” book! (I think he qualifies for “plus sized model.”) She has a wonderful selection of kittycat goods and other kawaii accessories in her store, check it out.
Thank you also to Anteela for interviewing me about the Goth travel lifestyle. To Tasnim for this lovely feature on her Wish Upon A Smile blog. And to Minaa for sketching and featuring me on her blog.
Funny enough, my earless cat’s Vine videos are featured in this Vice Magazine article about how cats are evil.
Basil Farrow sends a hug to all of you, plus an extra squish to Lily who sent him this catnip toy. More of his cute photos are on our Instagram, Tumblr and Twitter.
Have a happy day!
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Shimokitazawa secondhand stores & vintage clothes: Tokyo hipster neighborhood, Japanese thrift shopping.
Shimokitazawa is a Tokyo district known for its vintage stores and hipster vibe. In this post, I’ll give you a tour of the best boutiques — including one that sells secondhand Gothic & Lolita clothing.
My lion t-shirt is from the I.T / Izzue store in Hong Kong. The image reminds me of my Scottish Fold kitty, Basil Farrow.
Met up with my Tokyo friends, Yukiro and Michelle. Their purple and blue coordinates happened to match.
Attempting an avant-garde pose underneath the subway tracks. Not sure if we succeeded.
Faux leather skirt: GladNews in Shibuya 109 (more photos from this shop soon)
Leopard print tights: from a random boutique
Silver stud ankle boots: Yosuke, from Shibuya 109
It’s easy to get to Shimokitazawa; the ride takes only 10 minutes by subway, from Shinjuku or Shibuya. “Shimokita” is a favorite hangout for Japanese youths, packed with retro anime stores, music shops, coffeehouses and second hand fashion.
We had lunch with Jake Adelstein, crime journalist and author of Tokyo Vice, a gripping memoir of his yakuza reporting escapades. Jake and I recently worked together on a TV show, but we can’t say much about it yet… lest we lose a finger!
Yukiro was so hungry that he began eating the flowers outside the Thai restaurant. (Tokyo in the spring is beautiful, isn’t it?)
After eating, we browsed the various secondhand stores in Shimokitazawa. This one had crates of old anime, manga and retro character goods. Michelle was tempted to get the Sailor Moon VHS tapes.
Gotta love Japanese programs for kids, which always leave you scratching your head in wonderment.
Not only young people live here… this neighborhood is a nice mix of residential and indie businesses.
Yukiro couldn’t stop laughing at the “Toy n Gay” stamp on the wall.
We all love Sailor Moon, crosses, spikes, and cats.
Upstairs, in the secondhand store Grand Bazaar, there were racks of Sweet Lolita fashion. Brands included Jane Marple and Justine et Juliette, which you can’t always find in Closet Child.
This intriguing boutique had Alice in Wonderland decor on the outside. But it was marked “Members Only,” so we dared not enter.
This thrift store looked like a repurposed bathhouse, and had a large selection of colorful sweaters, long skirts, and clothing from the 1970s and 1980s. Love the style of these two girls.
Marilyn Monroe overlooks a row of 70s-style tops. If you’re a fan of vintage shopping, you could spend all day here.
Haight & Ashbury is much-loved among treasure hunters. Items are pricier, but you’ll be sure to find high-quality, rare or designer pieces.
There’s an outstanding antique / dolly section, with faded lace and Victorian-style purses.
Shimokitazawa’s a fun place to spend the day, shopping and people-watching.
Be sure to bring your camera, stop for coffee or pancakes, and wander aimlessly.
You’ll be sure to stumble upon oddities, like this Doraemon (earless robot cat) store.
Or a skeleton playing a cello.
Have you heard of Shimokitazawa, or been to this Tokyo hipster neighborhood? Which are your favorite vintage stores?
And what do you think of our outfits in this post? Let us know below…
LA CARMINA
