I know many of you miss my fire-engine red hair… so here are some photos from a modeling shoot last year, in Tokyo!

There’s only one place where you can get styled like this: a gyaru / hostess hair salon in Kabukicho.

You can flip through gyaru magazines like Ageha, and pick out the style you want. Not everyone can make an appointment at these salons, since they primarily serve hostesses. However, if a friend has a connection, you can squeeze in.

For only 2000 yen, you can have a stylized do like mine. It’s incredible how fast the hairdressers work, and the amount of hairspray used.

I did extreme makeup to match the hair, and have it stand out in the photos.

The ring and jewelry are gifted by Strange Freak, a Japanese brand closely associated with J-rock artists (they collaborated with Seba). The design is a tribute to Hide, the deceased guitarist of seminal Visual Kei band, X Japan.

Long, trailing vampire dress: gifted by Lip Service
Lace top: Moi-meme-Moitie, from Closet Child. (Designed by Mana-sama of Malice Mizer)

We took over an alleyway in Shinjuku’s Golden Gai.

Photos by the talented Joey Wong and Jim Ollett, who did my Bust Magazine shoot.

Prepping and goofing around with Sebastiano, between the shots.

He changed into a Hypercore t-shirt, and we mugged in front of the punk bar, Hair of the Dog.

Seba dropped my long Morticia Addams skirt in the puddle! He got yelled at for his bad behavior.

Seba’s a model for the Japanese menswear brand, Umbilical.

Do you like his distinctively Japanese hairstyle?

The red Hide Strange Freak pendant stands out.

We’re fast at photoshoots. About an hour later, it was time to pack up and head home.

La Carmina with hostess gyaru hair — yay or nay? Aren’t Japanese hairstyles fascinating?

PS: I’m having such fun at Luisaviaroma Firenze4Ever… please follow my updates via Facebook!

Album of the Day: Mindless Self Indulgence – Tighter

Let’s continue our walk down memory lane, and review the second half of a spectacular 2011.

Sebastiano Serafini and I were guests at Luisaviaroma, an event that brings fashion’s most influential bloggers together. Events included tea with Mulberry, a grand dinner surrounded by animal bones, and haute couture photoshoots in the streets of Florence!

It’s hard not to love Italy. The food, the people, the fashion and architecture… If you missed it, here are all my Europe posts.

A few more milestones… I appeared in Bust Magazine, and on the cover of Alt Noir. I’m on another magazine cover in 2012; can’t wait to spill the beans.

Later that summer, a dream came true: I have a travel TV show on Huffington Post/AOL! In “Coolhunting Wisconsin,” I discover hip, weird, crazy attractions in and around Milwaukee — such as a spy-themed bar and retro love hotel. Watch the videos online.

In July, I jetted back to Tokyo to host and arrange the Japan episode of Fuel TV / Discovery’s Strangers in Danger. The BMX stars got saline donuts in their heads, among other daring tasks. (Are you exhausted from my constant traveling yet?)

The following month, the pretty-boy and I were Guests of Honor at Ani-Jam convention. It was fun to meet all of you who came. I also had a Hello Kitty birthday party at Hollywood club Mr Black, which was featured in LA Weekly.

Back to Tokyo again, to host/arrange episodes of Food Network’s “World’s Weirdest Restaurants,” and appear on NHK Kawaii TV.

I spent Halloween and Day of the Dead in Mazatlan, Mexico – hosting a series about the dark arts and culture. All my Mexican coverage is here, and videos are coming soon.

I haven’t even mentioned the various stops in LA and Vancouver, and my impending return to Italy in January for Firenze4Ever blogger conference…

All in all, it’s been my best year yet! I’m happy with how my work and travels have grown, as well as improvements to the site (loading time, photo quality and styling, etc). And it’s only going to keep getting better. Yarrr.

What are your proudest accomplishments from the past year? Favorite memories? What did you learn, or experience for the first time?

Album of the Day: The Birthday Massacre – Pins and Needles

Ho ho ho! I’m having a kick-ass time in Vancouver with Santa Seba. Lots of Christmas fun and food, along with our usual work: filmings, photoshoots, and various artistic tangents.

During the winter, there’s no need to trade style for warmth. Long skirts, velvety layers and tights are my favorite ways to beat the cold.

Punk plaid dress: gifted from Lip Service
Long trailing sleeve jacket: gifted from Lip Service
Black ankle boots: Michael Kors
Mini black purse: from my mom’s old stash of purses
White rabbit lace charm: Putumayo, from the Harajuku boutique

Isolde, my lovely stylist, did my purple hair color. She put half of my hair up, in a Lady Gaga bow-style, and curled the long strands around my face.

Makeup: The usual pallor and false eyelashes from Japan. I wore purple eyeshadow with a slightly bluer tone, to match but also contrast.

Silver rings and necklace gifted by Fashionlogy. I love the sleek, modern design of the crosses and bird skulls. It sets her work apart from the same-old Goth jewelry.

The devil’s in the details. Glittery, blinged-out nail art. Gathered long train in the back of my dress.

What types of outfits are you wearing during the Holiday season? How are you keeping warm, while staying stylish?

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They call her La Catrina, or the elegant skull. She’s all bones, usually clad in a long robe and carrying a scythe. And this is her holiday: Day of the Dead.

On November 1st and 2nd, Mexicans honor those who have passed. But it’s not a gloomy holiday – quite the opposite. Day of the Dead is a vibrant celebration that shouts yes — the dead can dance.

I had the pleasure of celebrating Dia de Los Muertos this year… in the historic district of Mazatlan, Mexico!

Horse cigar ring: gifted from Erica Anenberg
Dress: gifted from Sourpuss Clothing

The ritual traces back to the Aztecs, who worshipped a god named ‘The Lady of the Dead’. In modern times, this ghoulish goddess is known as Catrina… And her image haunts every corner of Mazatlan.

Night falls, and the darkest celebrations begin. Family members visit graveyards, sometimes camping out all night. They pray and share their favorite memories of the deceased.

But I’m in the mood to dance. So I’m joining the Day of the Dead parade.

Locals gather in Old Mazatlan for the annual procession. They’re put on elegant costumes and painted their faces like skulls. With folk music and firecrackers, the dead have come back to life.

Lively, and slightly scary. (With my talented filmmaker, Melissa.)

I saw many colorful altars to remember the dead. They’re decorated with real or paper marigolds, photos, favorite meals and objects. And, of course, sugar skulls - which have the name of the dead written on the forehead.

There’s even a special food for the occasion: Bread of the Dead! Sold in Panama Bakery, It’s airy and sweet, and has a cross-bone on top. Don’t worry – it’s safe for the living to eat.

When the party was over, I hopped into one of these pulmonias (open air taxis unique to Mazatlan). Time to crawl into my coffin!

Are you familiar with Day of the Dead? What did you think of the celebrations and visuals in this post? If you have questions, I invite you to leave a comment here or on my Facebook; I’ll be sure to reply.

Song of the Day: Voltaire – Day of the Dead

Uh oh. Today’s post contains… sexy, spiked platform shoes!

But first, a small Christmas favor. Do you pirates shop on Amazon.com? If so, would you kindly buy via this link (so I get commission?) There’s absolutely no extra costs to you. Simply click-click to access Amazon, and purchase anything from the site. Thanks!

I don’t usually shop in Lumine East Shinjuku, the department store next to station. Most of the boutiques are mori / forest / hippie style.

But there’s rockin’ exception: GladNews.

Leopard print fuzzy coats! Spiky sneakers! Punk platforms with skyscraper heels! I think they give Jeffrey Campbell a run for his money.

There’s clothes for both guys and dolls. Tons of skull and animal prints, and metal chains.

Faux fur is wild in Tokyo right now. I love my Banana Fish cheetah fuzz-jacket (that I wore on NHK TV).

It pays off to visit an atypical shopping location. I’m glad I stumbled across GladNews.

Nearby, in the underground Shinjuku Subnade, is Algonquins. The brand also has a punk-rocker flavor.

Got tons of holiday shopping to do? Don’t despair. It’s easier than ever to find cute Gothic clothes and Japanese cosmetics online. Below are my picks; click the photos, or search for yourself on Amazon USA or UK.

Did you get some gift ideas from this post? What is on your Christmas wishlist?

Album of the Day: Dir en Grey – Dum Spiro Spero (Congrats to Megan and Sumer, winners of the ticket and poster giveaway!)