HONG KONG TIMES SQUARE, LAFORET, ISLAND BEVERLEY: CAUSEWAY BAY SHOPS & MALLS. CIRCLE CONTACT LENS, COSPLAY.
Why does Laforet department store look so different? Because we’re no longer in Japan, Dorothy. This is Laforet’s Hong Kong cousin, located in Causeway Bay.
Unlike the Harajuku Laforet, this one doesn’t carry your favorite Gothic Lolita Punk brands. On the bright side, it’s packed with affordable (yes!) J-style streetwear, from gyaru to Goth.
Generally, all clothes and accessories are cheaper in Hong Kong than in Japan. So you should shop freely, my friends. What better excuse to buy a barely-there cosplay maid outfit?
Next door is Island Beverley, a complex of restaurants and shops. The wearables are a bit of a hodge-podge, but they’re cheap and cute.
The current trend? Glittery, kawaii iPhone covers. (Which one is your favorite?)
Also in Causeway Bay is Times Square, a ritzy multi-level mall. The basement is home to Lane Crawford (the Barney’s of Asia).
Most of the boutiques are international luxury brands (Lacoste, LeSportsac) — not my cup of tea. However, the Jessica store had cute ghosts that remind me of Peace Now.
The character says “Wah” like my special cat, Basil Farrow!
Let’s finish our Causeway Bay mall tour with Sogo, the comprehensive Japanese department store.
You can stock up on gift items, such as Sanrio stationery or Scottish Fold goodies (doesn’t this character look like my kitty?)
Love these animal purses for adults, and the sparkly shoes.
The cookware model is a genius at posing.
And that concludes our tour of Causeway Bay’s major malls! Don’t forget to visit my favorite one, World Trade Centre — full details and photos in this post.
Are you surprised at how popular Japanese goods are in Hong Kong? Which brands would you love to get your hands on?
Tip: when in Asia, do your shopping in HK. You’ll get the same items (or almost), at a much lower price.
PS: Seba and I are currently in Venice! We can hear the sea and Italian singing outside our window. Next stop, Rome, for a glam-tastic musical project with DNR… You can keep track of my Italy vogage on my Twitter.
Song of the Day: Duke Lake – Do You (Went to an Italo Disco club in Milan. My live is now complete.)
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CASTING CALL! GOTHIC LOLITA JROCK GYARU PUNK YOUTHS: PHOTO & FILM PROJECT BY SUBCULTURE PHOTOGRAPHER.
Casting alert for you spooky kids! I’m consulting for an important photo and film project celebrating youth subcultures/fashion/lifestyle – and I really want you to be part of it. Please keep reading for how to join…
Are you passionate about Gothic Lolita, Jrock, Gyaru, Cosplay, Steampunk, and other underground cultures? Do you design your own J-fashion, or rock out at Visual Kei concerts? Get stopped on the streets because of your bright hair, piercings and torn-up clothes?
Notable photographer Danielle Levitt is looking for alternative youths like you — anywhere in the USA — to interview and photograph.
† Images are for her ongoing body of work on youth culture, and will likely appear in Dazed and Confused, Another Man, and other big magazines.
† Danielle has photographed celebrities including Katy Perry, Drew Barrymore, Mark Wahlberg and Tina Fey. Her work has appeared in Harper’s Bazaar, GQ, Time Magazine, NY Times.
I’m so excited to be part of Danielle’s project; she’s super talented (as you can see from these photos) and genuinely connects with the people she captures. I know many of us are marginalized and misunderstood – so this is a huge opportunity to celebrate YOU, just as you are.
† HOW TO PARTICIPATE: We’re looking for young, creative alternative youths living anywhere in the US. Please send a few details about you (such as the subcultures/styles you identify with), your full contact info (including phone and email), location (city/state), and at least 3 images of yourself.
† EMAIL the above info to: Stephanie (weareverywell@gmail.com) AND Danielle (daniellelevitt@mac.com)
† DATES & LOCATION: This is an ongoing project in the US; Danielle will figure out a time that works, and travel to you.
I urge you to take a few minutes to submit photos, and tell your friends about this awesome project. Your courage and creativity constantly amazes me, and here’s a way to get it out there!
If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment in this post. Any help in getting the word out (Facebooking, Tweeting about this casting opportunity) would be much appreciated.
† For more about Danielle and her work, here is her portfolio and We are Experienced teen subcultures project. You’ve also got to see her film interview with Wolfie Blackheart of the Texas teen werewolves.
PS: above is my updated TV hosting reel. As you may know, I specialize in travel, fashion, and subcultures; credits include: The Today Show, Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern for Travel Channel, NHK Japan, Dutch Pepsi, Sony Australia, Canal Plus France, Norway TV (NRK), Belgium TV (VRT) and CNN International.
La Carmina and the Pirates, my coolhunting and consulting business, has been busy lately. Naomi and I have been helping stores buy wholesale from Japanese Goth Lolita Punk brands, consulting on creative projects like NHK’s Kawaii TV, helping bands find concert venues in Tokyo, and even tour-guiding a a Japanese client around California.
If you’re interested in hiring us as consultants, connectors, TV hosts/fixers, or anything in our fields of expertise, please don’t hesitate to contact us for rates and more info.
What do you think of Danielle Levitt’s subcultures project? Can you think of anyone who would be the perfect subject for her photos/films — maybe even yourself? Please submit your info (details above) — I promise you, it’ll be a tremendous experience!
Song of the Day: The Cramps – I Was A Teenage Werewolf
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LA CARMINA
