JAPANESE HOST BOYS: KABUKI-CHO HOSTS HAIRSTYLE. SHINJUKU HAIR SALON, CLUB AI, JROCK VISUAL KEI TUTORIAL.
Hello, pretty host boys! I guest-hosted a Norway TV show about love in Japan, so of course, we explored the unique phenomenon of the host boy. Women pay these spiky-haired creatures to sing karaoke with them in Kabuki-cho clubs, drink copious champagne and whisper sweet nothings. A rent-a-boyfriend, if you will.
The Norway TV show went to the home of Club Ai’s #1 host boy (yes, they are ranked and their “bite-me” photos displayed outside the club). Keiju greeted Ari and Per in nothing but a bath towel.
Ari Behn, bestselling author and husband of Princess Märtha Louise of Norway, is quite the Prince Charming himself.
But how can anyone compete with these slick-suited, vaguely foreign smooth-talkers?
Bracelet buddies. (Super Exclusive Lothario Host Friendship Club?)
Like many of you, the Norwegians wanted to know — what’s the secret to Japanese host boy hair? How do they get it so stylized? So we took them to Kurokami, a hair salon that specializes in these matters.
Ari and Per got host-ified!
The amount of hairspray used is unbelievable (almost a can a person). Using a small comb, the hair stylists sectioned, straightened and sprayed.
Voila: Ari Behn as a host boy.
We got a host-style wig just in case. The cameraman modeled it for us!
Naomi and I had so much fun working with Norwegian TV (she took these photos). Our coolhunting and trend consulting firm, La Carmina & The Pirates, helps film/TV crews shoot in Japan and elsewhere. We help with arranging locations, translation, business dealings and more. There’s more about our services on our website.
Do you swoon in the presence of host boys? Have you ever been to a host club? What was it like?
PS: I think my host boy is much more attractive than the ones on the Norway TV show…
Japanese Word of the Day: Makaseru = Coordinate
Song of the Day: Chthonic – Forty-Nine Theurgy Chains (A Taiwanese metal band!)
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BLABLAHOSPITAL JAPANESE PUNK FASHION PHOTOSHOOT, HOLLYWOOD SIGN & BATCAFES. KERA MAGAZINE, TOKYO BOYS PUNK MODELLING.
Isn’t life random? In January 2010, I wrote a blog post about my friend Ako’s punk brand, Blablahospital. I included two photos of her main model… who happens to be Sebastiano Serafini! We were both friends with Ako, but didn’t end up meeting each other until Halloween 2010.
Ako made me this punky red dress, which was featured in Kera Magazine. What a fun and unique design; you could never find this in a big-box store. Sebastiano tried to put on the dress… and got stuck!
We did a Blablahospital shoot with Shannon Cottrell, photographer for LA Weekly. She drove us near the Hollywood sign, at the “batcaves” where the Batman TV series was filmed. Seba’s hat and shirt are by Blablahospital.
Striped socks: gifted from Artisan Socks
Shiny black boots: Alice and the Pirates, from Closet Child
Patched up punk jacket: Yellow House Harajuku
By accident, Shannon caught these incredible shots of me dancing at the mouth of the cave.
Reminiscent of Little Red Riding Hood.
Inside the spooky caves. Aren’t Blablahospital designs adorable?
You can see Ako’s latest designs and purchase them internationally here. She speaks English and can custom-make something for any body size.
Bonus photo: Sebastiano in Like Atmosphere, a Japanese brand he also models for. Hollywood, baby.
Punk fashion — is it alive and thrashing in Japan? Got any favorite punk bands or designers?
Japanese Word of the Day: Mechakucha – Messy, chaotic
Song of the Day: Joy Division – Chance
LA CARMINA
