Category Archive for Fashion
Ladies of Steampunk magazine cover! Modeling in Japan: two horns hairstyle, leather octopus corset.
I’ve adored Steampunk for years, and have exciting news to share. Today, the latest issue of Ladies of Steampunk Magazine is out, with devil-haired Carmina on the cover!
The magazine does a wonderful job of capturing this unique subculture and its fashion. In a six-page feature, they interviewed me about the colorful Japan Steampunk scene, including the groundbreaking party Steam Garden. You can get a digital or print copy here, and see more on their Facebook.
Can you tell I had fun shooting these photos in Nakano? I worked with the same team that did my Adone Magazine shots: photograher Said Karlsson and hairstylist Kukukachoo.
Octopus corset: gifted by Dracula Clothing (remember when I visited their steampunk-Victorian showroom in Prague?)
Skull and crossbones necklace: gifted by Ghostlove
Long lace skirt: gifted by Corset Chick
We enjoyed putting a Japan-anime twist on traditional Steampunk style. Do you like my two-horned hair?
My blue and purple hair extensions are the masterwork of Lulu Kukukachoo, Tokyo-based stylist. She used an ingenious method to create the cone shapes, then twisted and pinned these acrylic hues into place. She’s available for everything from avantgarde styling to basic haircuts, via Hair by Kukukachoo.
It was fun to look for Victorian-esque backdrops around Nakano. This curving gate was a great find.
As was the wooden front of a Japanese restaurant.
Brown, beige and black graffiti. I like how my hair flips up at the ends.
Photographer Said is wonderful to work with; he’s easygoing and has a great feel for shots and lighting. He also runs Tokyo Faces, a street fashion photo-blog with daily photos.
In my Q&A, I talk about the emerging scene in Japan, led by my friends Kenny Creation and Luke Chaos, who organized the party Steam Garden. Soon, I’ll post photos from their most recent event, which shows the spectrum of steam-punk fashion in Japan (including Lolita versions).
Want to see and learn more? Pick up a copy of the magazine. Thanks to Ladies of Steampunk for the grand honor.
Do you like how I added inspiration from Harajuku style tribes into this outfit? How do you like Steampunk culture and clothing?
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Shibuya 109 department store, young trendy Tokyo girls fashion! Gyaru shopping: Liz Lisa, Mitsumaru.
Where can you find rainbow heels and splashy fashion? In Shibuya 109, the infamous youth department store that caters to Japanese gyaru, or trendy gals — think Vivi, PopTeen and Egg Magazines.
Although Shibuya 109 is one of my favorite Tokyo shopping destinations, I haven’t shared store photos with you until now. Keep scrolling for the latest collections, and please share this post if you enjoyed.
It’s easy to spot the red 109 sign (“ichi-maru-kyuu,” as it’s called in Japanese) from Shibuya station’s Hachiko exit (the dog statue).
The towering building sits on the famous Shibuya pedestrian crossing, as seen in movies like Lost in Translation.
Address: 2-29-1 Dogenzaka, Shibuya, Tokyo.
Brace yourself before going in, especially if you’re visiting during peak hours (evenings, weekends). Shibuya109 is Jpop sensory overload.
Many of the shops sell similar clothing, and the selection moves as quickly as the trends (in other words, a mile per minute). Right now, the spring look is all about pastels, white lace, and oversized light sweaters.
There are eight floors and two basements, crammed with trendy, girly, romantic boutiques like Mitsumaru. The top two floors also hold cafes.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed — especially since each store blasts loud, frenetic music, and the shop girls call to customers in high-pitch voices!
The shoe selection here is outrageous. There’s always a spectrum of pumps and flashy footwear.
Some of the more eccentric offerings: bunny-faced heels, and spiked platform sneakers.
One shop had a Hello Kitty / Sanrio collaboration; I hadn’t seen baskets like these before. Compare this to the Hello Kitty Hong Kong fashion line.
Colorful, patterned tights are all the rage in Japan. Cats are a popular motif.
This 1960s mod collection, with stark outlines and flower buttons, stood out among the girly pack.
Some of the stores have more of an urban or rocker edge. Prices are quire reasonable at Shibuya 109; full set coordinates are generally between $75-100. The quality of the garments can be hit-and-miss, however.
Designs can also be on the “huh?” side — like these strangely placed eyes on the t-shirt. Then again, you can get fun and affordable pieces like the Bettie Boop heart-shaped purse.
Apologies for the blurriness. I was too busy trying on clothes at GladNews to take photos! This is one of my favorite shops; the fashion is Nu-Goth meets metal, with lots of studs and crosses. More images soon.
Tips for shopping in Shibuya 109: take a walk around all the stores before pulling out your wallet. Since many of the poppy outfits are similar, you’re best off seeing the full selection first.
Don’t miss out on the cute accessories, like these sleepy bunny charms.
Or the makeup in the basement. I picked up fluttery false eyelashes, and tested this glitter eyeliner.
Be a smart shopper, since some items can be found all over Tokyo. These coy cat purses, for example, are found in many places and for variable prices.
Finally, the Lip Service brand isn’t the same as the American one, so don’t expect to find Goth / Industrial / Steampunk wear here! Funny how they share the same name.
How do you like the fashion and atmosphere at Shibuya 109? Have you bought anything from here?
For more Japanese fashion coverage, browse my Tokyo cute category — the store photos go all the way back to 2008!
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Lolli Punks, Cult Party Kei and Evangelion store! 90s Goth Grunge: Leather jacket, plaid dress & platforms.
Many of you requested more Harajuku photos after this shopping post, so I’m here to deliver. Read on for a peek inside Fairy Kei / Cult Party Kei store Lolli Punks, the Evangelion shop, Sex Pot Revenge and more!
But first, a new outfit post with a retro Goth grungy vibe…
Plaid dress with corset back: Miho Matsuda, from Closet Child Tokyo. Similar to this grunge fairy slip dress
Hooded leather jacket: Danier Leather, Canada. Reminds me of this Rick Owens leather jacket
Goth boots: Kera Shop Tokyo (a bit like these black platform boots)
These gargantuan, glamorous Marc Jacobs Dot sunglasses are a gift from Seby! The ladybug polka dots cleverly fit the bug-eyed look.
My light pink hair was a bit hard to maintain, so I changed it to a purpler shade.
This dress is the first Miho Matsuda item I’ve owned. I like the soft detailing such as the gathers at the hem, and the cross-neck straps.
Details: these Marc by Marc Jacobs sunglasses have a butterfly on one side! This Hong Kong post has more images of my leather hoodie jacket.
Alright, let’s move on to Harajuku. The stores on and around Takeshita Doori are constantly changing. At the moment, Harajuku has less of a Goth Punk presence, and more pastel-gyaru girliness.
Lolli Punks is a popular new destination for lovers of lace, pastels and girly cuteness. Is it fairy kei? Cult party kei? Pastel goth? People overseas may stress over the categorization, but in Japan, these “style tribes” are fluid. Many girls wear a combination of styles, or mix it up from one day to the next (Goth to Mori to Lolita).
Instead on getting tied up with names and distinctions, I prefer to look at Harajuku fashion from a broader perspective. No matter what you call it, there’s currently a blossoming of light, sweet, 80s-influenced street style.
Don’t get me wrong: there’s still a good deal of striped, studded, kitty-cat punk wear.
And the shoes are still out of this world.
Panda bears, eyeballs and rainbow tutus.
Outside the Baby, the Stars Shine Bright (Sweet and Classic Lolita) shop. (For interior shots, see my BTSSB photos here.)
Hidden in a corner: the charming Jardin de Luseine, a spot for special celebrations.
Neon Genesis Evangelion fans, you’ll enjoy this special shop that has every type of memorabilia imaginable (I’m talking about egg rolls and pricey wine).
Listen Flavor maintains its characteristic poppy fashion.
I leave you with the glow of Sex Pot Revenge. For more Harajuku boutique photos, maps and info, read my Tokyo alternative shopping guide.
Which Harajuku style tribes currently intrigue you the most? What type of outfits are you planning for the summer? Let me know your favorite brands and designers, and I’ll check them out.
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Sweet & Gothic Lolita dresses, Punk fashion at Yokohama Vivre. Angelic Pretty, Putumayo & eyeball tattoos!
I’ve photographed all of Tokyo’s major alternative shopping centers (Laforet, Shibuya 109, Marui One etc) — but haven’t explored Yokohama Vivre until now. This department store is smaller and more relaxed (no frenetic music or clingy shop-clerks), but carries a number of Goth, Lolita and Punk brands.
Read on for a peek inside Baby the Stars Shine Bright, Putumayo, Angelic Pretty and more… plus a look at eyeball tattooing in my latest Huff Post article.
I laughed when I saw BTSSB’s “Baby Biscuit” purses. But I lusted over the Tim Burton Frankenweenie collaboration, which you can see in the first photo of this post.
Baby’s dresses are fabulously detailed, but for some reason, their shop spaces always look like a mess.
Mix and match: fluffy stuffed rabbits, bow-print pastel dresses, clock purses, pearl necklaces.
Next door is Kera Shop Angel. Unless you’re a character in Narcissus and Goldmund, I’m not sure where you’d wear this bizarre dress…
Ozz On and Ozz Croce maintain their striking signature look: dark cyber meets traditional Japan.
I like their distinctive designs, but they’re a bit hard to mix with other items.
Kera Rock Shop has punk messenger bags with silver chains, short military skirts…
… and clothes printed with Goth crosses.
Angelic Pretty twins. Note the retro kids toys at the bottom.
AP’s heart-shaped purses, with a big bow and pearl chain, are timeless.
I appreciate the casual direction of this new collection. The ribbons, lace and corset detail are classic Angelic Pretty, but the light fabrics are easier to wear in daily life.
As opposed to this JSK, which is better suited to special occasions. It’s not something I’d wear, but I do like the print and relatively sleek shape.
Putumayo, famous for their Gothic Lolita Punk fashion, gets kitty-crazy this season.
Putumayo did an Alice in Wonderland collaboration, featuring the grinning Cheshire Cat.
Nice how they incorporate Alice storybook symbols, like the stopwatch and teacups, in the pink print.
This cat doesn’t seem to fit the “playful” label… and why are clumsy bears captioned with “innocence is bold”?
Would you wear a schoolgirl uniform-inspired coordinate with a “Dark Bible” purse?
A wall of cute meets dark accessories.
Studded crown wallets, spiky bracelets, eyeball hair clips.
And a shimmery, flying unicorn lavender jacket!
See more photos of these brands and more in my Tokyo Gothloli shop guide.
Have you been to Yokohama’s Vivre? What do you think of Lolita and Goth clothing in this post? Which items would you wear?
PS: I have a new Huffington Post article about eyeball tattoos! I interviewed body modification artist Russ Foxx (based in Vancouver) about tattooing the whites of the eyes. What are the risks and effects? Read my article to find out, and don’t miss the slideshow of extreme body mods like split tongues and pointed ears.
LA CARMINA
