5 PACKING TIPS FROM KENT & VYXSIN, AMAZING RACE ALL-STAR GOTH TEAM! MY NEW HUFF POST VIDEO SERIES: TRAVEL SOS.
Ahh, ahh, ahh! Here it is — my new video series for Huffington Post, Travel SOS!
In each episode, I tackle a travel question or dilemma, with the help of my expert friends. In the debut episode, I team up with Kent Kaliber and Vyxsin Fiala — the Amazing Race Goth team!
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Kent and Vyxsin know all about packing light. On two seasons of the hit show, they raced around the world with their belongings in a single backpack — black eyeliner and glitter polish included.
In our video, they share five tips for minimizing luggage.
1) Be a space cadet.
Fill empty spaces, such as inside hats and shoes. Vyxsin protects a camera by stuffing it in a sneaker.
2) Multi-task.
The Goths demonstrate how a scarf and handkerchief can be used in many ways: a sarong, a headband, a washcloth.
3) Travel size it.
Vyxsin recommends buying toiletries in mini-size and refilling them. Instead of a bulky flat iron, she brings a tiny version.
4) Avoid panic packing.
Start early. Make lists so you won’t forget your passport and mobile charger.
5) Leave non-essentials at home.
Before you put something in your suitcase, consider whether you really need it. Keep out items you can easily get on the road.
Coming up: more episodes, filmed in different cities with celebrity guests. Keep your eyes peeled to the Huffington Post Travel Video page, and your favorite blog ever (this one, right??) for updates.
Thanks to Kent and Vxysin, the Orlando Hotel in West Hollywood, Alice and the Cat for the intro graphic, and Lov/Recs for the music (“Human” by Trans-X).
If you want this series to continue, PLEASE visit this Huffington Post page and Like / Share / Tweet the video. Every little gesture of support makes a difference — thank you so much!
Did you enjoy Kent and Vyxsin’s “Travel SOS” advice? What are your favorite ways to save space when packing?
SUGIZO, LUNA SEA & X JAPAN GUITARIST: HONG KONG CONCERT, JROCK LIVE REVIEW. ANGELICA BRIGADE FLOWER HAIR CLIPS.
It’s a big week… my new travel video series debuts tomorrow. The first episode co-stars the Amazing Race Goth team, Kent and Vyxsin! Are you excited to see what we’ve come up with?
I’m pumped for New York Fashion Week, thanks for your big response. Can’t wait to cover runway shows for you: Vantan Tokyo, Leather Japan, Project Runway, Emilio Cavallini, Heart Truth Red Dress, Venexiana and more.
A few quick snaps from my secret filming project in Rome.
Flower hair fascinators: handmade for me by Angelica Brigade. Perfect for Gothic Lolita outfits, and made with fine materials like silk organza. She also makes necklaces and custom bouquets; check out her site!
Purple kitty scarf: got it in Tokyo
Jacket: h.NAOTO
Purple sweater top: Algonquins
Skirt: Spider, Hong Kong
Boots: Michael Kors
And now, for some Jrock coverage. My cousin, Ken Yuen, went to Sugizo’s Hong Kong concert in December. He wrote this in-the-moment review of the Luna Sea / X Japan guitarist’s live:
Sugizo comes out with a raised hand, everyone cheering! A steady bass drum beat. Heavy distortion and sustain. What a riff he is playing: classic Sugizo style sliding all over the neck. Everyone has their hands up keeping the beat.
Now everyone in the hall is up and waving the Sugizo 3-fingers gesture. He’s walking left and right, interacting with the audience. Just gave us the finger! And said he misses us, in Cantonese.
Five songs and he is still going. The band is tireless. The silver boy just went on stage: he shines.
6th song. And finally the drum beat has stopped. Sugizo alone on stage, playing a minor tune on the violin. A sea of cheers and shouts.
After 8 songs, Sugizo leaves the stage. Back on the guitar. The V of course. He plays a Chinese-y song, but in a very rock style.
After intermission, he speaks about Japan reviving after the Earthquake. “I really appreciate you supporting us… We are together… We are family… I really wanted to come back here… I love you so much.”
Last song. Acoustic clean sound from second guitar. He is playing the violin. The back wall has a feather flower and snow projected on it. Fits the song very well at the moment.
Taking a bow, the whole band now. Thank you thank you.
Sugizo threw a pick over this way and I almost got it. A guy and a gal was fighting for it over 5 minutes on the floor while everyone was leaving! The guy won in the end. I should’ve joined in.
Thank you, cousin, for the concert review! Don’t forget to read the rest of my Visual Kei live reports. And please join my mailing list (enter your info in the box above), so you won’t miss out on announcements, giveaways and more.
Are you a Sugizo fan? What was your favorite concert of 2011? What are you looking forward to this year?
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LA CARMINA & YUKIRO AT NEW YORK FASHION WEEK! SPEAKING AT IFB CONFERENCE, ZOOLOOK APP, NYFW 2012 RUNWAY SHOWS.
Happy Chinese New Year! Ready for the big travel news I’ve been teasing you about? Well…
Yukiro Dravarious and I are guests at New York Fashion Week, Feb 7-17th! And we hope you can join us!
I’m honored to be a speaker at Independent Fashion Bloggers conference (IFB Con). This year, invitees include Glamour, Refinery 29, Style Scrapbook, and Bryanboy.
My panel takes place at Milk Studios NYC, Feb 8th at 9am. I’ll be speaking about “What Are Bloggers Worth?” — giving advice on brand relationships and negotiations.
For more info and to purchase tickets, visit the IFB conference page. It’s the biggest and best event to network, and learn about fashion blogging, so I hope to see you there!
And I’m thrilled to be partnering with a new fashion iPhone app, Zoolook. The well-designed application lets you post, tag, rate and share your outfits, with an emphasis on Japanese street style.
During NY Fashion Week, I’ll be snapping and posting my favorite looks. Stay tuned to Zoolook (it launches next month) and my Twitter to see the app in action.
What else do Yukiro and I have up our vampire sleeves? We’ll be attending runway shows, and will bring you full reports and photos (with an emphasis on Asia and alternative designers). We’ll also be hosting events and parties, and have a big video planned… I’ll let you know more as soon as everything’s confirmed.
I hope you can make it to IFB Conference, and please stay tuned to my blog for event announcements. We hope to party with you in New York!
PS: If you want to work with us on sponsorships, appearances, modeling, interviews etc, send me an email. We’re in NYC from Feb 7-17th.
PPS: Basil Farrow wishes you a very happy Lunar New Year. He got a red pocket, and did his best impression of a dragon roar!
Yukiro and La Carmina in NYC… got suggestions for places to visit? Are you excited to see what we’ll wear?
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STUDIO ALTA SHINJUKU: GYARU YOUNG WOMEN’S DEPARTMENT STORE, SHOPPING MALL. LIZ LISA, JAPANESE DOLL EYELASHES.
Let’s continue our Tokyo shopping trip. I took photos inside Studio Alta, the Shinjuku department store for gyaru / gal / youth street fashion.
From Shinjuku Station east exit, walk straight and you’ll find Alta. There’s lots of colorful, electro fashion here.
This Jaoanese shop girl, dressed as a pirate, won my heart.
She’s captain of a new boutique, Fernopaa.
It’s rocker-80s: loads of studs, leopard print, toy soldier hats.
Dig the pirate girl’s arm jewelry, and the punked-out doll at counter.
As soon as you enter the glass doors of Studio Alta, you’ll find doll eyelashes, nail polish, and Hello Kitty cosmetics.
Also near the entrance: Liz Lisa.
The girly, gyaru brand is very popular in Japan.
Shoe stores are scattered throughout the building.
Animal prints and cute accessories are always in season.
The basement has a cool stockings / socks store.
Don’t overlook Claires, or the takoyaki and taiyaki stands! (The octopus balls are only 500 yen.)
What else can you find in Studio Alta? Sweet lingerie and PJs..
Street, punky clothing (quite well-priced, around $30-50 per item).
Some of the latest styles are… questionable.
But you can’t go wrong with nail art decals, and AC/DC backpacks.
PS: Speaking of shopping, thank you to Racked for interviewing me about my favorite obscure shop in LA: Hyaena Gallery! And arigato Kyoko for the drawing on the left, inspired by Yukiro and me.
What do you think of gal style in Japan? Which items and stores did you like best, out of the photos in this post? Let’s chat in the comments.
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WORTH COUTURE PARIS, VERSACE: STEIFF TOY PUG DOG TO BENEFIT UNICEF. FASHION BLOGGERS CHARITY PROMOTION.
At Luisaviaroma, we fashion bloggers didn’t merely dress up in designer clothing. We also lent our names to a good cause.
Each blogger adopted one of 20 Steiff pug dogs, customized by famous couture designers. These toys will be sold, and all proceeds donated to Unicef to support disadvantaged children.
That’s why we all got a Luisaviaroma t-shirt with a pug puppy, dressed like Marie Antoinette!
Designers such as Balmain, Emilio Pucci, Mary Katrantzou, and David Koma dressed the dogs in high fashion. I adopted the Worth Couture pug. She’s got a Gothic Lolita flair, don’t you think?
This design house is a fitting choice. Charles Frederick Worth is considered the father of haute couture, and his elegant designs were the toast of 19th century Paris. I’d wear his long trailing skirts and corsets in a heartbeat.
Seba chose the Versace dog on the right. Aren’t they a fashionable pair? We’re honored to be part of the “Pug Dogs For Happy Kids” initiative, and glad to continue our charity work.
Here’s a closeup of my look from Day 2 of the Styling Lab. MAC Makeup once again delivered. Silver on the inside corners of my eyes, and bottom eyelashes with extensions for greater length.
And I love my hair by Aveda: tumbling curls, pinned to the side. Soon, I’ll post more photos from our outfits at Luisa.
Have you heard of Worth Couture Paris? Are you inspired by the fashions of previous centuries?
PS: thank you to Vogue India for featuring me in a magazine article (above).
Album of the Day: Children of Bodom – Relentless, Reckless Forever
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