Wave Gotik Treffen, Prague & Berlin Goth travel guides. Tokyo Japan bagelheads gone viral. Part 2 of 2012.
As we approach the New Year, let’s reflect on the second half of 2012. One of my favorite moments was doing this professional photoshoot, involving latex feather dresses and sugar skull makeup, with my talented Vancouver team. The images were published in Sugar Heart, and Gothic Beauty Magazine — a total honor. (More images and full credits here.)
I also did a pro shoot with a blow-up bear, in a potato field…
… and it ended up making the cover of Vanity Magazine! I blogged more of these Goth modeling photos.
I got to cross off a “bucket list” travel destination, thanks to Go With Oh. The wonderful apartment rental company sent me to Wave Gotik Treffen, the largest Gothic festival in the world. I also explored Prague with Rock n Roll Bride, and Berlin with Yukiro, DJ SiSEN, G-sus and spooky friends. View our adventures in my Germany Goth travel guide.
After Europe came Asia. I spoke on the fashion blogger’s panel at Hong Kong Social Media Week. It was great to see family and John Skeleton, and do some hardcore shopping — especially at the Hello Kitty shop. See more of my favorite Hong Kong stores.
In betwen, I hopped around the USA. I was Guest of Honor at Animegacon in Las Vegas. Spoke at PRSA Travel & Tourism conference in Ohio. Flew to New York City to be a guest on Discovery TV’s Oddities (my appearance will air early next year). Did some heavy pre-Halloween partying in Los Angeles, and hosted Gothic club night Bar Sinister with Amazing Race’s Kent Kaliber.
I’ve been writing about Tokyo bagelheads for years, and nobody paid much notice. But then, my Tokyo TV company worked on National Geographic’s “Taboo” episode about saline forehead inflation, and the extreme body mod went viral! I even flew to LA to be on “The Doctors” talk show, where I discussed bagel heads and deflated misunderstandings about body mods.
What a colorful year! What’s coming up in 2013? More TV work and global travels (stay tuned to see where I go next). I’ve just completed a press trip to Phoenix, and will be in Tokyo to appear in a documentary. And I’ll be in a warm destination this January… announcement to come.
Above is a compilation of my television presenting clips; full videos are on my La Carmina bio page. PS: thank you to Hostelbookers for interviewing me about my life of travel blogging and cat-craziness.
Do you have any goals for the New Year? What do you hope to accomplish or improve? Any “bucket list” items you’re determined to cross off? Here’s to a grandiose 2013!
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Italy modeling, New York fashion week & Dancing for Japan. La Carmina travel blog: 2012 year in review, part 1.
Merry Christmas, pirates! It’s hard to believe we’ve reached the end of 2012. Let’s usher in 2013 with my annual “year in review,” beginning with reminisces and outtake photos from the first six months.
I spent January in Italy with Seby. We stayed with his family in northern Italy, and then ventured to Florence for Luisaviaroma’s Firenze4Ever (the event that flies in the world’s top fashion bloggers for photoshoots and fun). One of the many highlights was modelling designer fashion with the Duomo as my backdrop. You see more images from this shoot here.
I did quite a few TV hosting and fixing gigs this year, with my First Mate Naomi. It’s a pleasure to work with her, and team up with some of my favorite shows including National Geographic Taboo, Discovery TV Oddities, Fashion TV, and more. More TV hosting clips to come in 2013.
In February, Yukiro and I attended New York Fashion Week, and even sat front row at Lincoln Center shows. We also checked out NYC’s Goth Punk shops and nightlife, such as this romantic Dances of Vice party in a church.
For the one year anniversary of the Japan Earthquake, I teamed up with Industrial dancers tank9 and Mary Nine. We made a dance video in Seattle, as part of Ridley Scott’s Japan in a Day collaborative film (watch it here.)
As you know, I host a regular travel video series published in Huffington Post. My film crew and I got the chance to shoot in gorgeous Maui, Hawaii. We explored the local fashion and over-indulged in Japanese food (check out my Hawaiian travel guide).
I’m always looking to stretch my creative wings, and do something new… and one of my favorite projects was the release of DNR’s Rock Princess music video. Do you like my red hair and Vivienne Westwood disco dress?
Don’t worry: between all the adventures, I put in plenty of Basil-snuggling time! In the next post, we’ll take a look at what happened in the second half of 2012.
Did you travel anywhere this year? Try something new, or achieve a goal? What were your favorite memories? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
LA CARMINA
