VERSAILLES JAPAN VISUAL KEI CONCERT, TOKYO JCB HALL, APRIL 2010. CUTE JAPANESE GOTHIC & SWEET LOLITAS, ELEGANT GOTH ARISTOCRAT BOYS, COSPLAYERS.
We are VERSAILLES! I first saw the aristocratic Visual Kei band perform in Shibuya in 2008, in the glorious purple days of Jasmine You. Yukiro has seen them multiple times, most recently at V-Rock (read his review here). But we can never get enough of Versailles Philharmonic Quintet… so we headed to Tokyo’s JCB Hall on April 30th for yet another live. (How cute is the Hizaki cosplayer?)
This, my friends, is why I had to buy a new camera (a Canon Powershot S9). The quality of my old Sony Cybershot has simply become unacceptable. You’ll have to wait a little longer for better pics of these new (used) clothes…
Lolita dress: Alice and the Pirates, from Closet Child Shinjuku
Lacy short cardigan: Moi-meme-Moitie, from Closet Child Shinjuku
Velvet Alice in Wonderland headband: Spank, from Marui One Shinjuku
Quality issues aside, I was able to get some decent shots of the beautifully dressed EGL and EGA fans outside the concert hall. The girl on the left is wearing nearly the same outfit as me!
Three typical Japanese hand poses: heavy metal, V-fingers, and cutely clutched in front.
This girl made the black veil with blue Mana-sama flowers herself. I adore the Lolita dress on the right.
Sweet meets spooky. Yukiro got a lot of attention and photo requests, as always.
What are your favorite Lolita styles? I’m personally not a fan of pink/Sweet, or black with white lace. But I love the bows and fabric on the middle girl. On the right: a young Versailles fanatic!
Coming up next… more photos and a hilarious video report that involves torturing a clueless Japanese boy, and footage from the Versailles concert itself. You know you want to see it!
Which outfits from the Versailles concert do you like best?
Japanese Word of the Day: Theme park = Yuenchi (learned this word today as we passed by Tokyo Dome)
Song of the Day: Vanished Empire – Ghost (video from DJ Chihiro’s Club Theatric show. Now off to his Gothic Bar Heaven all-night party with my spooky spooks…)
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GOTHLOLI OF THE WEEK #99: BLOODMYER. BIG NEWS: HOSTING CNN INTERNATIONAL & CNNGO TOKYO TV SHOW, INTERVIEWING GOTH DESIGNER KENZO.
† Name: Samanteina Bloodmyer
† Age: 19
† Location: England
† How were you introduced to Gothic Lolita fashion?
I grew up with Japan. My grandmama *rest her soul* and Mother raised me with a Japanese culture. My mother dressed me in Gothic Lolita dresses and my grandmama taught me about geishas and Japanese history. I myself dress mostly Sweet Lolita but do dress Gothic Lolita when I attend more formal events.
† What do you find appealing about GL style and culture?
To look like a doll or princess daily. I admire the courage and guts people have to be a lolita, as I myself am one in England and in England its very difficult to be yourself without a lot of criticism. And of course I adore dresses.
† What are your favorite Gothic Lolita clothing brands?
Moi-meme-Moitie / Angelic Pretty / Metamorphose / Secret Garden / Baby the Stars Shine Bright / Original designs (self made)
† Any other comments (inspiration, tips, favorites)?
Don’t be afraid to be who you are. Some of you may be Lolita, other may be VK to normal, but whatever you choose to do to express yourself follow your heart and stay happy. For love truly makes the world go round!
Wahh some fabulous news… I’m staying in Tokyo a bit longer… to host a CNN TV special! As you probably know, I write for CNNGo (my recent article made the CNNi front page, above). A CNN International producer asked me to take part in a new TV program, which explores pff-the-beaten-path aspects of Asia’s major cities. (There’s a preview of the Shanghai episode online.)
So I’ll be in the Tokyo CNN show… interviewing Japanese Goth designer Kenzo-A! (Above, with Kanae and me at Midnight Mess.) Kenzo-A is the mastermind behind Stigmata and now his own brand Rituals, sold in Kera Arena (Marui One) and other major stores. We’ll chat about Japan’s Gothic/underground culture, and then CNN will film his fashion show — which features EBM/Goth DJs and Visual Kei band MUCC.
SO excited that CNN will bring Tokyo’s vibrant Gothic and Visual Kei cultures to a larger audience… I’ll have photos and updates for you. The program will air 4-6 times in mid-June on CNN International, and then will be posted online.
Some Basil Farrow photos, since I miss my Scottish Fold. He’s doing well at home. Charming the pants off his grandparents and their friends.
That’s the major downside of travelling: no furry stomach to rub when you come home. All of Tokyo’s cat cafes have at least one fold-eared kitty, but none of them are as soft, round or earless as my baby…
There’s a whole lot more Basil Farrow on his blog, Facebook (add him!) and YouTube.
More French TV filming this week, followed by the CNN show. My Andrew Zimmern Bizarre Foods episode airs next next Monday, I believe. I’m loving this recent TV work. Let’s hope the cameras keep rolling!
Have you seen Kenzo-A’s Gothic fashion designs?
If you would like to be the next Gothloli of the Week, please read the submission instructions here. For all your Lolita shopping needs, check out the links to clothing brands on the right column of my blog.
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LA CARMINA
