Behold, my new hair color! I’ve been a red-head since March, so it was time for my superb stylist (Isolde from Avant Garde Hair in Vancouver) to turn me dark purple. Note that it’s not one solid color: there’s plum and chocolate brown textures weaved in. Happy.

Here’s what I wore for the first part of my NHK Kawaii TV shoot:

Babydoll dress with key pattern: Banana Fish (so sad the brand is gone), from Closet Child Shinjuku
Lace Gothic Lolita purse: gifted from ModaRevise. More photos and info about the brand in this post.
Lace circular hair decoration: gifted from my friend Heathyr

I wore purple eyeshadow to match my new hair. The doll eyelashes cost a meager 100 yen; gotta love Japan.
Horror necklace: gifted from Sourpuss
Blue gem ring: from Closet Child

The ever-transforming Yukiro Dravarious wore flaming red.

Our first stop: Abilletage, a recently-opened Gothic vintage and handmade corset shop in Shinjuku. The NHK cameraman filmed me meeting my spooky friends, exploring the boutique and doing my coolhunting-blogging thing.

The lovely owner Bambi (right) is a talented corset-maker, who made outfits for Jpop stars Koda Kumi and Ayumi Hamasaki.

Abilletage is lushly decorated with thick red curtains, chandeliers and antiques. There’s also a coffee and tea section, popular with Tokyo’s Gothic ladies and gentlemen. (Order the ice chai, you won’t regret it.)

Bambi laces me into a purple-and-black lace corset that she sewed and decorated with crystals.

Her studded black design is perfect for Mistress Maya. On the right: “Despite all my rage, I’m still just a rat in a cage!”

The NHK Kawaii TV segment is about La Carmina’s world: the spooky places and people that inspire me.

Bambi’s accessories are lovingly scouted from vintage and foreign sources. Many of the items are handmade by her designer friends.

There’s currently a steampunk-fetish leather display. My first mate, Naomi, tries on a mask. (Photos by Naomi and me. Have you seen her comic series Domestic Animal, about her travels?)

When Yukiro gives the middle finger… deadly.

Abilletage is a gem of a store, created and supported by Tokyo’s vibrant Goth-steampunk-fetish subculture. Step away from the big brands and give this boutique a visit (Bambi speaks some English).

It’s located here (map) in Shinjuku, next to the AM/PM in a white building. Go up stairs and take the elevator to 3rd floor. The address is 東京都新宿区千駄ヶ谷5-32-6 大西ビル303; it opens 1:30pm.

Filming with NHK TV was a wonderful experience, and I’m excited to see the program! Coming up: reports from the next two locations we shot. And before you ask — yes, I’ll let you know when the show airs, and put up clips.

But the important question… what do you think of my new hair? Were you surprised by the color?

Song of the Day: The Smashing Pumpkins – Bullet With Butterfly Wings (“The world is a vampire”)

Kittycats, I have a full-page color photo and interview in the October/November issue of Bust Magazine!

It’s an honor to be featured in a magazine devoted to strong women and real beauty. Thanks to Lisa and Tricia for asking me to take part, and to Joseph Wong and Jim Ollett for shooting these vibrant photos in Tokyo.

Dress: Algonquins, from Closet Child Shinjuku. I love the unique layering and alternative accents in this design.
Red skull and apple rings: from Closet Child too.
Silver and red spider necklace and bracelet: gifted by Strange Freak, a Japanese alternative jewelry brand closely associated with J-rock aritsts. The design is a tribute to Hide, the deceased guitarist of seminal Visual Kei band, X Japan.
“Red queen” sunglasses: gifted by Lumete, a rocking indie eyewear designer based in NYC.
Black flower hair clip: gifted from Sourpuss, an alt clothing company.
Pirate headband and black strand necklace: gifted by Soho Hearts
Strappy shoes: Yosuke, from the “shoe heaven” store of Marui One department store in Shinjuku

Here are the full answers to my interview questions for BUST Magazine.

Q: How would you describe your overall style? Has it changed?
A: Morticia Addams meets Hello Kitty. My world revolves around alternative fashion, travel, Japanese pop culture, and all things spooky-cute. Ever since I was one year old, I travelled yearly to Hong Kong and Asia with my family. In my early teens, I visited Tokyo and my mind was blown open by the stunning Visual Kei, Gothic Lolita and Harajuku Punk styles I saw. I was drawn to alt subcultures: they represented a safe space where misfits (like me) could band together, and celebrate how we were different from the rest. I’ve been dabbling in Gothic and other subculture aesthetics since then. I rarely dress head-to-toe in one style, such as Goth, Steampunk, or Lolita. I like to draw upon different looks and make them into my own.

Q: What are your influences?
I’m mesmerized by the Rococo glam of Visual Kei bands like GPKISM, Malice Mizer. I love Japanese kawaii (cute) makeup and mascots, such as Chococat and Rilakkuma. Above all, I’m inspired and awed by my ultra-creative circle of friends, especially those who take part in the Tokyo underground creative scene. Nothing compares to the creative, experimental, DIY fashion in Japan’s Goth/cyber/gay/alternative club scene. It’s out of this world. (You can get a glimpse of it via my Japan clubbing guide photos and reports.)

Q: What are differences between fashion cultures in the West and and Japan? Why do you think Japan in particular breeds such interesting style tribes?
It’s fascinating how Tokyo street style is often inspired by Western pop culture and given a uniquely Japanese twist. For example, Fairy Kei style is all about 1980s pastel kitsch. Think My Little Pony and Jem and the Holograms; tutu skirts and scrunchies. Perhaps the historical culture of vivid festivals, geisha makeup and Noh dramas bred the highly Visual styling and layering in Japanese street fashion today. In the past few years, more people outside Japan have been discovering Tokyo street style — Gothic Lolita, Visual Kei, Gyaru. I’m excited to see Japanese alternative fashion continue to make an impact worldwide.

Q: Any favorite designers? Do they inspire your style?
Harajuku is my favorite neighborhood in Tokyo for clothing and accessories. Here, you’ll find the most exciting Goth Lolita Punk / Visual Kei / Cyber Rave fashion in the world. While Harajuku has
gotten more commercial lately, there are still independent little stores, such as the Yellow House boutique that has been run by an old lady for over 20 years. The basement of Laforet Department Store has some of my favorite brands, including Alice & the Pirates, Atelier Pierrot, Victorian Maiden, Putumayo and h.NAOTO. I love the dark, aristocratic, past-era styling of these brands. Alice in Wonderland, Dracula, Gothic novels. They represent a romantic-horror dream world that appeals to my aesthetics.

Here’s an alternate outfit that I submitted.
Gothic dress: h.NAOTO, from Closet Child
British hat: from a store in New York’s fabric district. The whole neighbourhood is full of fun trimmings and fabrics; I love to pick up items to spruce up my clothes in DIY projects.
Cut-out boots: Yosuke, a Japanese designer who makes Goth Lolita footwear, from Marui 0101.

Which outfit do you like better? Have you ever read Bust Magazine? Pick up the current issue to see me in it.

PS: Please help support my work by adding my Facebook Page (just click the button below). Thank you!

Song of the Day: The Penguins – Earth Angel

Notice anything different about my blog? I have a new banner (look up!), designed by my ultra-talented friend Alice and the Cat.

Last month, Seba and I presented a party at Roppongi nightclub New Lex, where Alice exhibited her artwork.

When I’m in Tokyo, I get “hair sets” at Kabukicho hair salons (which cater to hostesses and gyaru). If you’re connected, prices are as low as $20 per style. The hairdressers use a ton of hairspray and are unbelievably fast-fingered — this up-do took less than 20 minutes.

Cyber Wa dress: Ozz On, from Closet Child.
Mary Jane shoes: Leche by Yosuke, from Marui One Shinjuku

Mistress Maya and I went to the party together. She’s hot in pink, and brought along a little riding crop to dole out punishment.

With the artist, Alice. A giant poster of her work hung outside the club.

She also designed my new landing page, found at www.lacarmina.com. Don’t you love how she drew my Scottish Fold cat Basil Farrow?

I love the energy of her Japanese manga-style drawings, especially the girls’ flowing hair and sparkling eyes.

Alice is from Milan but currently based in Tokyo. She’s open to projects and commissions; contact her if you have ideas!

Perhaps you remember these illustrations inspired by Seba and La Carmina.

With the lovely ImagePlay DJs, and New Lex owner Masuda.

New Lex is always busy and filled with models. It’s one of the most exclusive clubs in Roppongi.

We had a crazy time in the VIP section… can’t tell you exactly what happened, but boy-blood was shed.

Have you ever gone clubbing in Roppongi? What do you think of my new blog banner and landing page graphic? You can see more of Alice’s artwork on her website.

PS: Thanks Zagat for naming my Death Cookbook goth cooking show one of the best on YouTube. And to Anime.com for reviewing my cookbook Cute Yummy Time.

Song of the Day: Cher – Strong Enough (Why didn’t they have this song when we went to karaoke?)

As you likely know, I’m Captain of a TV hosting/fixing and coolhunting business called La Carmina & The Pirates. So I was doubly excited to shoot a Pirate Pin-Up Girl look for the pages of Alt Noir, a Gothic fashion and culture magazine that put me on their latest cover.

It was a marathon photoshoot, lasting from morning to night. None of this would be possible without the tireless work of my creative partners:

Makeup and Bodypaint by Jennifer Little of Glitter Machine
Photography by Lee Kembel of Glitter Machine
Wardrobe and styling by Tracy Rodger and Jenni Wong of Deadly Couture
Hair by Isolde Semple of Avant Garde Salon

I’m glad you liked the step-by-step Goth makeup tutorial in the latex space-queen post. Here’s how Jenn turned me into a lady-pirate.

She swept a black “banana line” over my crease for the retro look, and painted on a thick cat-eye with liquid eyeliner. Then she added false eyelashes, and highlighted with white eyeshadow.

Next: a black heart over one eye, outlined with strips of sparkle gems from a craft store. And red, pouty lips.

I loved my sailor dress with a pencil skirt and red corset, accessorized with a silver bird necklace and bracelet.

Topping off the look… a mini pirate hat, in my big pin-up curls!

A salute to everyone who made the photoshoot possible. You can buy Issue 12 of Alt Noir here; it includes a La Carmina interview and spread, as well as cover.

Are you fond of pinup or retro-vintage makeup and fashion? What do you think of these makeup tutorials — would you like to see more?

PS: the NHK Kawaii TV shoot went amazingly! We toured Goth/subculture shops, then hit Midnight Mess party. Photos and video clips soon.

Song of the Day: Chemical Brothers – Escape Wavefold (from the uber-stylish thriller film, Hanna)

I’m a cyber pin up girl, in tight red latex. Blasting space aliens with my raygun.

Shiny new photos from my spread in Alt Noir Magazine, Issue 12 (you can buy it here)!

Makeup and Bodypaint by Jennifer Little of Glitter Machine
Photography by Lee Kembel of Glitter Machine
Wardrobe and styling by Tracy Rodger and Jenni Wong of Deadly Couture (Tracy is blowing the bubbles!)

Hair by Isolde Semple of Avant Garde Salon. She curled my hair with a science fiction-like “rod”, and pinned it up.

Many of you asked me for makeup tutorials. I took iPhone snapshots as Jennifer worked on my eyes, so you can see the professional techniques.
1) Shade the eyebrows to match my red hair. Dramatic black eyeshadow contour around the eyelids.
2) Add pink/red shading to the lids.
3) Blend it together.
4) Diffuse the edges, and add false top and bottom lashes.

5) Outline the lips with black.
6) Add magenta lipstick and gloss.

Of course, the look wouldn’t work without pale, matte foundation and blush for contouring.

Tracy lubed up my red latex dress, which was customized by Jenni of Deadly Couture alternative fashion boutique in Vancouver.

The big latex bow, fuzzy leg warmers and fishnet armbands complete the look. Pow!

Tracy blew bubbles above my head, creating this very cool effect.

Who wants to cast me in a 1970s space disco B-movie?

Here’s more work from Glitter Machine, a Vancouver creative studio. Check out their site for more of their bodypainting, alternative photoshoots and makeup (such as Day of the Dead).

Do you like this cyber-space look on me? Should I wear more latex? What type of outfits or aesthetics would you like to see?

Don’t forget to check out my airbrushed corspe bride look for the cover. Coming up next… behind-the-scenes my Pirate Pin-Up look for the magazine!

Song of the Day: Eisenfunk – Super Space Invaders