Welcome to a potpourri post: a mix of alt fashion inspiration!

We begin with a treat… Austin Young’s new photos of Rick Genest (Rico the Zombie, who you may recognize from Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way”), and Sophia Lamar (nightlife fashion icon). The styling by Odd-Style is smashing, no?

Rick wears: Wool floor length skirt and jacket by Ashton Michael, pants by Jordan Klein
Sophia wears: Leather and silk cocktail dress by Kittinhawk

Rick wears: leather jacket by Ashton Michael
Sophia wears: leather jacket by Skingraft, hat by Victor Osborne. (Seba and I wore Skingraft for the NOH8 campaign!)

Hair by Shiela Lopez, makeup by Nathan Hejl, styling by Bobby Webster and Judson Harmon for ODD
Special Thanks: Phyllis Navidad and Pop-Tart Gallery, David Phelps, Ashton Hirota

Another alt fashion duo, La Carmina and Yukiro, was spotted all over New York Fashion Week.

We stopped by Caravan Studios for the Socialyte Collective event. It was a fashion blogger’s paradisco: designers items to take home, champagne and veggie wraps, hair styling stations. Can’t wait to come back for more.

Outfit change. Yukiro wears Angelica Brigade flowers on his hips.

My red sailor retro dress is gifted by Bettie Page Designs. The incredible zebra and gems nail art is by Glam Nail Studio.

Photographers everywhere.

GenArt showcased young and emerging fashion talent. We enjoyed Wen Shi’s “little white wardrobe.”

Interview time. My knit hair bow is a present from Camden Lock Clothing.

Next outfit! Yukiro wore a bracelet and necklace gifted by Angelica Brigade.

Spiky Lady Gaga-like sunglasses gifted by AndDevour.

At the Heart Truth Red Dress show. Celebrities (Rose McGowan, Christie Brinkley) walked the runway, raising awareness for heart disease in women.

Don’t you think Yukiro outshined Miss USA? What do you think of his strong, unique style?

PS: Thanks Muita Moda for the “entrevista exclusiva.” In the Brazilian fashion interview, I talk about my age and relationship status… or do I?

This year, how did you celebrate Valentine’s Day? Yukiro and I went to Dances of Vice, a New Romantic / dark vintage event run by my friend Shien Lee. This time, the theme was “La Vie Parisienne: Bal de la Saint-Valentin.” An orchestra, burlesque, dancing mime, red wine.

The night featured retro show girls…

Romantic swing dancers…

Peek-a-boo burlesque with giant feather fans… girls in 1950s dresses…

And Yukiro in gold boots and a yukata! (Photos above by Michael Blase)

Riverside Church was the ideal backdrop for these mysterious portraits, shot by Steven Rosen.

Yukiro’s makeup and glitter snake bracelet (from a Fabric District store) are to die for.

Before Dances of Vice, we took a few photos in the lobby of Yotel. That’s a Takuya Angel scarf.

Love the space-lights of our futuristic hotel.

Vintage fuzzy coat: got it in London, years ago
Hair flower clips: gifted by Angelica Brigade
Gothic black dress: it’s a lace dress from Hong Kong over this long h.NAOTO dress, which I pinned up

The church arches glowed with Gothic Paris projections.

Between performances, guests danced to the live music of Benjamin Ickies’ This Ambitious Orchestra.

Even the photobooth had a retro feel.

Reader Gili joined us.

Fashion inspired by centuries past.

Fin de siecle, Roaring Twenties, 1950s.

Mastermind Shien Lee, in full swing.

A saucy ending: the can-can!

How charming to time-travel for a night! If you’re in NYC, I encourage you to attend Shien’s events, as she always nails the mood and music. There’s a new weekly dinner burlesque show, Nuit Blanche, at Brasserie Beaumarchais each Wednesday night. Disko Nouveaux, the New Romantic party, continues every second Saturday at Le Poisson Rouge. Upcoming balls are inspired by Japan and Shanghai; check Dances of Vice for upcoming listings.

Are you fond of burlesque? Retro lifestyle and fashion? What do you think of the elegant, vintage outfits in the photos above?

Hold onto your gasmasks… we’ve released our Industrial Goth dance video for Japan!

We hope you’ll take a moment to watch it below and on YouTube (a Like/Share is always appreciated). Our team worked hard on this good cause, and we’re grateful for your support.

On the anniversary of the earthquake and tsunami (March 11, 2012), La Carmina, tank9, Mary Nine, and GPKism filmed a dance video — a tribute to Japan’s vibrant underground culture.

All day long in Seattle, we raised awareness and collected donations. Our video captures the immense positivity and energy of youths teaming up for an important cause.

The song, “Iudicium” is kindly provided by GPKism, a Japanese Industrial Goth band that was put on hiatus because of the earthquake.

Pro filmmaker Sarkstir generously contributed camerawork.

This video participates in the Ridley Scott and Fuij TV “Japan in a Day” project (full details here).

Mary and tank9 made these informative posters. The human toll was enormous: 25,000 killed or missing, and 117,000 displaced. Cities were submerged, and Fukushima’s nuclear reactor was hit. Today, Japan still needs our help in rebuilding (and continues to experience heavy earthquakes).

Gothic / Classical Lolita dress: Alice and the Pirates, from Closet Child Tokyo
Stomper boots: Kera Shop, from Closet Child Tokyo
Sheer black sleeves: gifted by Sleevey Wonders. I’ll be writing more soon about this marvelous garment.
Red flower hair clip: gifted from BabyClay
Beaded black crown: a DIY project. It’s a tip of the hat to Ken of GPK.

On 3/11, there was a Japan memorial event at Fischer Pavilion. The firemen enjoyed our dancing, and one even tried out the moves.

Rose’s purse is dangling with Rilakkuma bears. Mary’s make-up and hair are by Carolyn Wolfe.

Anthony and Genna dressed as kigurumi, and held the signs.

Dance-off!

Can’t stop the the Italo Disco moves from popping out.

Goth baby Quill stole the show.

Big kudos to tank9 (Facebook/Twitter/YouTube), Mary Nine (Facebook/Twitter/YouTube) and everyone for their hard work.

Now it’s your turn. Take action and make a donation to Japan! We suggest Direct Relief International; that’s where our funds went.

Thank you for watching our Japan charity dance video. We’d appreciate it if you…
♥ Shared the link to the video and this post
♥ Subscribed to the channel

What were your favorite moments in the video? How did you remember Japan on 3/11? Please support the cause with a Tweet/Like/Share (just click below).

Back to the tents, or whatever you call them these days. Yukiro and I attended the Concept Korea show at New York Fashion Week.

The decor of our space-themed hotel, Yotel, inspired our outfits.

In the lobby, there’s a robot to carry luggage! We made a video about it, coming soon.

At Lincoln Center — home of NYC’s ballet and opera, and the locus of the major fashion designer shows.

If you like Yukiro’s luxurious coat, here is a similar affordable one.

White retro 1950s dress: gifted by Bettie Page. (Get the exact same dress here!)
White top with hood: h.NAOTO, a present from Sebastiano. (Similar to this striped zip hoodie.)
Sunglasses: gifted by Lumete

Since many of you asked about how to attend NY fashion week, let’s walk through the process.

The runway shows are invite-only. The PR companies send out invitations to press and influencers. You can also email the firms a request, but they’ll only extend an invite if you’re deemed worthy.

Only guests with invitations are allowed to enter. Inside, we collected product samples (such as hair products and nail polish), and posed for photos.

My makeup took only a minute. It works. I colored my lips with M.A.C. Cyber dark purple lipstick, a must-have.

Ran into Wendy of Nitrolicious (we met at Luisaviaroma’s Firenze4Ever).

The Fashion GPS system checks us in with a QR code. While waiting to enter, we read the free WWD Daily magazines.

These days, not all shows are “walk the runway.” Many, like this one, are “presentations” where the models stand around.

Led by the government, the Concept Korea project “is designed to expand global recognition of rising Korean designers and their work.” Doho’s sequins and furs stood out. (You can get the same look for less, with this faux fur jacket.)

Lie Sang Bon’s structured coats remind me of these by Balmain.

A 1970s vibe from Steve J & Yoni P. For a more wearable version, I’d try a flared yellow skirt.

Onward, to free food! There were several press-only lounges in the neighborhood, serving soy lattes and snacks. We took full advantage.

I hope you’re enjoying my inside peek at NYFW. More to come.

Don’t forget to join me this Sunday, in Seattle. GPKISM, tank9, Mary Nine and I are making a positive industrial dance video to help Japan’s disaster relief. We will be filming at Club Noc Noc at 11PM; please come.

You don’t have to live in Seattle to help us out. Just reshare the info, and you’ll have done your part. Read the full details here.

What do you think of Korean fashion? How do these looks compare to Japanese designs?

Spiked breast-plates and bondage mannequins! This is Search & Destroy, New York’s legendary punk rock vintage shop.

St Mark’s Place was the hangout of Goth-punk-rockers in the 80s. Today, the area’s lost its grimy magic, but remains one of the best places to buy alternative clothing.

Named after The Stooges song, this store is above Kenka, the Japanese izakaya. Remember when I ate there during my NHK TV shoot?

Inside, it’s a horror-punk wonderland. Photos are usually not allowed, but the store owners let me shoot for this report.

The clowns at the entrance are the first sign…

… that you’ll be running into horror characters here.

If you need a gasmask or pig’s head, this is the place!

Every inch of the space is covered in secondhand clothing. From punk rock band tshirts to Vivienne Westwood pieces.

Japanese street style anarchy.

The stylish staff.

Handmade, one-of-a-kind pieces, like these punk jackets, can be expensive.

The band shirts are cheaper. I once got a great trenchcoat here.

Even if you leave empty-handed, Search and Destroy is a must-visit for the punk nostalgia.

Address: St Mark’s Place is East 8th between 2nd and 3rd Ave, NYC. Search and Destroy is on this street. Take the subway to the 8th St or Astor Place shop, and walk.

What are your favorite NYC clothes and accessory stores? Soon, I’ll post photos from another favorite. More tips in my NYC Goth club and shop guide.

PS: Images are taken with my new camera; what do you think? I upgraded from the Canon Powershot S90 to the S100, available on Amazon.

PPS: Have you added my Tumblr yet? My Song of the Day feature is now there.