Category Archive for Los Angeles CA
Wave Gotik Treffen, Prague & Berlin Goth travel guides. Tokyo Japan bagelheads gone viral. Part 2 of 2012.
As we approach the New Year, let’s reflect on the second half of 2012. One of my favorite moments was doing this professional photoshoot, involving latex feather dresses and sugar skull makeup, with my talented Vancouver team. The images were published in Sugar Heart, and Gothic Beauty Magazine — a total honor. (More images and full credits here.)
I also did a pro shoot with a blow-up bear, in a potato field…
… and it ended up making the cover of Vanity Magazine! I blogged more of these Goth modeling photos.
I got to cross off a “bucket list” travel destination, thanks to Go With Oh. The wonderful apartment rental company sent me to Wave Gotik Treffen, the largest Gothic festival in the world. I also explored Prague with Rock n Roll Bride, and Berlin with Yukiro, DJ SiSEN, G-sus and spooky friends. View our adventures in my Germany Goth travel guide.
After Europe came Asia. I spoke on the fashion blogger’s panel at Hong Kong Social Media Week. It was great to see family and John Skeleton, and do some hardcore shopping — especially at the Hello Kitty shop. See more of my favorite Hong Kong stores.
In between, I hopped around the USA. I was Guest of Honor at Animegacon in Las Vegas. Spoke at PRSA Travel & Tourism conference in Ohio. Flew to New York City to be a guest on Discovery TV’s Oddities (my appearance will air early next year). Did some heavy pre-Halloween partying in Los Angeles, and hosted Gothic club night Bar Sinister with Amazing Race’s Kent Kaliber.
I’ve been writing about Tokyo bagelheads for years, and nobody paid much notice. But then, my Tokyo TV company worked on National Geographic’s “Taboo” episode about saline forehead inflation, and the extreme body mod went viral! I even flew to LA to be on “The Doctors” talk show, where I discussed bagel heads and deflated misunderstandings about body mods.
What a colorful year! What’s coming up in 2013? More TV work and global travels (stay tuned to see where I go next). I’ve just completed a press trip to Phoenix, and will be in Tokyo to appear in a documentary. And I’ll be in a warm destination this January… announcement to come.
Above is a compilation of my television presenting clips; full videos are on my La Carmina bio page. PS: thank you to Hostelbookers for interviewing me about my life of travel blogging and cat-craziness.
Do you have any goals for the New Year? What do you hope to accomplish or improve? Any “bucket list” items you’re determined to cross off? Here’s to a grandiose 2013!
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Best LA Goth clubs: Bar Sinister Hollywood & Das Bunker. Gothic Industrial dance club nights, Los Angeles parties.
It’s not even 10pm, and we’re already handcuffed…
What’s the Los Angeles Gothic & Industrial scene like? Bloody good. Arguably the best in the USA.
The two club stalwarts are Das Bunker (Fridays) and Bar Sinister (Saturdays). Both nights are excellent, and have a friendly relationship with each other. Like many LA Goths, I frequent both.
Let’s start with Das Bunker. Melissa, my Maui and Mexico travel video filmmaker, rocks a pink corset (available here). Since it was the weekend before Halloween, I wore a witch costume (more photos here).
Amazing “Amazing Race” Goth Kent Kaliber picked us up. We’ve had some epic adventures together, including Animegacon Las Vegas and the packing tips video.
For live band bookings, Das Bunker can’t be beat. That night, we caught Suicide Commando on their first US tour, ever. The club previously brought in VNV Nation, Aesthetic Perfection, God Module and more.
The name “bunker” is apt because this is one giant space. There are several dance rooms (industrial, old school Gothic, power noise) and chill-out areas.
I reunited with Mary Nine, who moved back to LA. Tank9 was too busy dancing for a photo! (Remember our Japan anniversary dance video?)
You’ll know where to find your favorite LA Goths on Friday nights: the ehrfurchtgebietend Das Bunker. (Catch-One, 10pm-3am, 18+, 4067 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles.)
The next day, I recovered in time for Bar Sinister. I co-hosted the Black & Grey Magazine x LA Fashion Week wrap party with Kent Kaliber (who is the regular host).
Bar Sin is having a Renaissance. The fashion’s inspiring, the go-go dancers rock, and the romantic-to-horror music is utterly danceable.
One of my favorite new brands is Insidious by Katie Broad. Her designs (worn by her and her models) are a heavy metal fairy tale: spiked gauntlets, studded dresses, vegi-leather mesh shirts and booty shorts.
I modeled pieces from her Black Metal Wonderland collection in a magazine photoshoot, to be revealed soon. If you’re looking for standout clothing, give Katie’s Insidious a glance; she also sells via Etsy.
With photographer Bil Brown of Black & Grey Magazine. Models walked around the club, wearing the designs of Maddox, Halcyon, Antiseptic and Tribe.
At Bar Sinister, decadent dress is encouraged. Kiss cosplay? Why not.
Kent and I announced the live bands. I’m wearing a hat, corset and skirt by Spider (Hong Kong Lolita brand).
Join the spooky fun every Saturday at Bar Sinister — tell Kent I sent you! (At Boardner’s, doors open 10pm, 18+, 1652 N Cherokee Ave, Hollywood.)
I’m so proud of my Basil Farrow… his big face is in the Scottish Fold 2013 calendar! You can order one here - it makes a great Xmas present. All profits go to the Scottish Fold Rescue, a wonderful volunteer organization that helps place Foldies in good homes.
More cat cuteness on my “lacarmina” Instagram.
What’s the Goth party scene like in your city? Would you visit these LA nightclubs? I’ll announce my next travel destinations soon; perhaps I’ll be coming to you… Keep your eye on my blog and Twitter to find out.
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Pop tART Gallery Los Angeles: alternative art of Franz Szony. Crazy Hook pirate theme restaurant, LA Koreatown.
I’ve been Art Nouveau obsessed ever since my travels to Berlin and Prague. In Los Angeles, I nearly lost my head over this gilded corset!
Pirates, Rococo, and death? What is this marvelous place?
Pop tART Gallery, an experimental arts venue owned by the illustrious Phyliss Navidad. Last year, photographer Austin Young had an exhibition in this LA space.
I went to the opening of “Hapenis: The Art of Franz Szony.” I was captivated by his conceptual photography, which drew me into a world of theater. Themes of death, androgyny, grandeur, hedonism — all my usual favorites.
Pirate top: Spider (Hong Kong Goth brand)
Scalloped bow shorts: KiLaRa Hello Kitty collection (Japanese brand but bought in Hong Kong)
Hair flowers: provided by Angelica Brigade
Closeup. Franz spends months on each piece, and it’s a treat to examine the intricate detail.
“Hapenis” runs until Nov 30; don’t miss it, LA friends. For upcoming events and info, visit the Pop tART website and Facebook.
In the words of my tshirt, “Time flies when you’re having RUM!”
I’m appropriately dressed for Crazy Hook, the pirate restaurant in LA’s Koreatown. I swung by with Liz Ohanesian: journalist, DJ and writer of Beatique.
Tharr be mateys in the window.
The Korean menu had us hooked.
I’m not sure where “mahalo” fits in… perhaps the pirate ship sailed to Hawaii?
Crazy Hook is a great place to gather friends for a feast. Liz and I sat beneath the sails, drank soju and feasted on the kimchi pancake.
Thanks Liz O for the photos. She’s an LA-based journalist currently working on a webcomic and screenplay — check out her site for music and underground reports.
Since you keep requesting more Basil Farrow, here’s a new Scottish Fold cat video. Watch my squish-faced kitty get groomed with a Furminator, enjoying every moment. Isn’t it incredible how much he sheds?
What’s on your mind today? Did you cast a vote? Are you into pirates and decadent art as much as I am?
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Josie Stevens of E! Married to Rock, J Valentine sexy monster & unicorn Halloween costumes.
Hello, kitties! Are you ready for my Halloween costume extravaganza with designer Josie Stevens, star of E! Network’s “Married to Rock”?
We’re wearing costumes from her Josie Loves J. Valentine line, which includes club clothes, rave wear and bikinis.
Unicorn, monster, panda, teddy bear… these are some of the most imaginative outfits I’ve seen.
Josie adores Japanese street style, nail art, and Hello Kitty. You can see these influences in her designs.
Each is well-constructed with excellent materials (unlike most Halloween costumes), and comes with a number of pieces: gloves, hood, suit, leg warmers.
We posed in my beloved West Hollywood boutique hotel, The Orlando. My room had plenty of space and light for touch-ups.
All the photos are by Lisa Boyle, who is well-known for her edgy, eye-catching images.
Bouncing around the Orlando hotel gym. Josie and I connected because of our mutual interests in cute J-pop culture and fashion.
What better excuse to meet up and play?
Ribbon lollipops on the leg covers, and a bendable monster tongue. You can add on a tutu skirt as I did.
We risked falling into the pool for this shot.
Worth it!
Josie’s lips are beyond this world.
I loved working with Lisa Boyle — she was full of energy and ideas, and had a great eye for pop photography.
In addition to the J Valentine collection, Josie’s busy with modeling, makeup artistry, and a new line of PJs coming out soon with Jumpin Jammerz.
The hood is secured through the shoulders, so you can slide it down without losing it.
Costume change! On West Third Street, in front of new restaurant The Churchill.
Lisa is doing a photo series with girls and a giant, naughty Ted bear (from the movie).
“Ted, remove your eyes from the peep show!”
“Bad bear, he’s falling over drunk. What shall we do?”
“Stick him into a taxi.” So funny how Josie convinced the driver to let us take the shot. And my disapproving face!
To get in on the fun, peep at the Josie Loves J. Valentine costume collection. Purchasing info is on the site.
Huge thanks to Lisa Boyle for the brilliant photos.
Did you enjoy this shoot? Have you heard of Josie Stevens, or seen her TV show? What’s your favorite costume from her collection?
Also check out my adventure with Married to Rock’s Susan Holmes-McKagan in Harajuku, Tokyo Japan!
LA CARMINA
