Thanks for your supportive comments about our fundraising work for Japan. I’ve taken them to heart, and want to do my best this year for charitable causes. The LA events were a success, with great people involved… I’ll post photos very soon!

As you probably know, the NOH8 Campaign in Japan (which Seba and I have been organizing) has been postponed. We’re so grateful for your support — so many people volunteered their time and effort. At the very least, we can share the story of our photoshoot with Adam Bouska.

We began our day at the Toni & Guy Academy in Santa Monica. Sebastiano is a model for the famous hairdressing company, and since we were taking photos for a good cause, the Academy graciously styled our hair gratis. (They just dyed our hair red for Japan… photos soon!)

I showed my stylist inspiration photos of Mana in Moi dix Mois. She consulted with her instructor, and got to work: straightening, spraying, and back-combing to Visual Kei heights.

We put on our borrowed clothing from Skingraft, and drove to NOH8’s studio in Burbank for our private shoot.

(Remember when we visited Skingraft’s LA boutique? Love their hand-crafted leather.)

Adam is fast — he shoots portraits in 5 minutes, and they turn out incredible.

With co-founder Jeff Parshley.

Sebastiano and I posed together and separately. (Our final photos are here.)

Adam grabbed a blue Mohawk wig to match our hair. Now we look like a Jrock band!

The benefit of putting duct tape over people’s mouths is that they can’t voice any criticisms.

Posing outside with our blue convertible, gifted form our friend Argus Car Hire. (Yah tah tah.)

A few days ago, Toni & Guy dyed our hair red, in support of Japan... wait until you see our new look!

Have you ever tried styling your hair like a J-rocker? Did you succeed? What Visual Kei hairstyles should we attempt next?

Japanese Word of the Day: Kankaku – Sensation
Song of the Day: Deadman – Follow the Night Light

Thanks for your kind comments about our photos for the NOH8 Campaign! The shoot wouldn’t have been possible without our friends Toni & Guy (who did our big Visual Kei hair) and Skingraft — an LA design company that lent us leather clothing.

Sebastiano and I went to the downtown store, and tried on various leather ensembles. Skingraft kindly loaned us the pieces for free (thank you Phyllis for putting us in touch).

We loved the soft, handcrafted leather and silver military detail.

This work of art was hanging from the ceiling. It looks like something the Diva from The Fifth Element movie might wear.

The Gothic meets Outer Space inspiration appeals to us.

Sci fi leather.

It was hard to narrow down the selection to a few items.

In NOH8 photos, the participants wear white. I ended up wearing a white leather vest.

Simply gorgeous, the webbed necklace and scarf.

If you’re in the hood (downtown LA), we encourage you to browse in Skingraft. The leather designs are also sold in other areas of the US and in Japan.

Thanks for your enthusiasm about NOH8 in Tokyo, Japan. Here is the official announcement on the campaign’s website.

Have you joined the NOH8 Facebook page yet? If not, please do, and give the NOH8 in Japan status a thumb’s up!

We hope you’ll tell your friends and blog about NOH8. If you’re in Tokyo, come take a photo for the cause (March 27th, 1-5pm at New Lex Roppongi). Everyone is welcome; here’s the info.

PS: Happy face… I’ll be spending quite a bit of time in Tokyo this spring. Lots of new gigs afoot! (TV hosting, modeling, promos, writing.) Please email me if you want to collaborate (paid jobs only, arigato).

What are your current favorite fashion brands? Got any favorite menswear sites?

Japanese Word of the Day: Hifuishoku = Skingraft
Song of the Day: Bumblebee Unlimited – Lady Bug (disco with punny lyrics that will make you cringe)