Set your Tivos: my NHK Kawaii TV episode airs on December 17th! If you’re not in Japan, don’t worry; I’ll put up clips for you (as I always do).

My Japanese Addams family is the best; I’m grateful for their support over the years. So I brought the NHK TV crew to Midnight Mess: longest running monthly Gothic/Industrial dance club in Tokyo.

Yukiro spent two hours on this look, and it’s a masterpiece. But beauty doesn’t come without pain: he kept bumping his head into lights, and leaving spiderweb trails behind!

Red cherry swimsuit: from Pin-Up Girl clothing
Trailing Gothic vest: Gramm by Sinc, from Closet Child
Red skull tights: gifted from Artisan Socks
Cheetah print faux fur jacket: I wear this constantly. Banana Fish, from Closet Child Shinjuku
Long gem eyelashes: Amazingly, we found these in a 100 yen bin in a sporting goods store (!!). When we asked the owner why he was selling these, he laughed nervously and refused to answer. Sketchy…

The NHK cameraman has never been to an alternative event, and this was a perfect introduction. We goofed around with photos at the vampire fangs station.

Kenny Creation poured us absinthe. And one of my blog readers, Jonelle, introduced herself — a happy meeting that became part of show.

The band Xenophobia performed on sailor-themed stage.

My lovely Gothic ladies, Raisu and Kana.

I went on stage with Yukiro, Selia and Mistress Maya. We thanked NHK for coming to the party’s 9th anniversary.

It was also Selia’s birthday. Champagne and cake for everyone. (Thanks Naomi for taking these photos.)

Selia’s voice soars when she sings opera. She dedicated “L’amour est un oiseau rebelle” from Carmen to me.

For videos and photos from the previous Midnight Mess, come revisit this post.

The cameraman left around 2am, but we kept dancing to resident DJs (TE2, Statik and Maya) til morning.

Want to party with these enticing Gothic creatures? Then you must attend the next Midnight Mess, held monthly at Club Marz in Shinjuku. For more club recommendations, please read my Tokyo club guide.

Don’t forget to watch NHK Kawaii TV, and keep your bloody eyes peeled for the clips. I’d really appreciate it if you could Share this post: let’s put the spotlight on Tokyo’s Gothic underground!

Have you watched this program before? What’s your current favorite Japanese cute trend?

PS: I’m trying out this Amazon widget, below (it lets you hear songs with a single click). Let me know if it doesn’t work for you, or slows down the site.

Album of the Day: Switchblade Symphony – Serpentine Gallery

Let’s shop in Harajuku with my spooky crew!

One of the area’s best vintage/secondhand stores is Dog (right). Electro-designer fashion heaven. But my favorite store is Closet Child. Let’s take a look inside.

Here, you’ll find used but brand-name Gothic Lolita Punk clothes, at reasonable prices. The first level specializes in Lolita fashion. How about an Alice and the Pirates dress, and Gloomy Bear bag?

There’s a JSK color and style for every Loli.

A plentiful selection of frilly bags, bow hair clips and girly jewelry.

You’ll find all the major Lolita brands here, such as Innocent World, Angelic Pretty, and Baby the Stars Shine Bright. Prices are generally $100-300. Items from the discount rack (pictured) are under $100, but the designs are iffy.

My favorite floor is the one above, dedicated to Goth-rock-punk. I found a Black Peace Now ghost sweater.

Space-disco leggings, leopard print fuzzy coat, a gorgeous Moi-meme-moitie dress.

There’s stuff for boys too, such as aristocratic Atelier Pierrot jackets.

Don’t worry if you’re not into the more extreme styles. There are trendy items to mix and match.

Turnover is fast at Closet Child, so you should visit often and purchase quickly (don’t forget to use the point card). How do you get here? All the details are in my Harajuku shopping map (walk down Takeshita Doori from Harajuku station; it’s on the left side).

For more Gothic Lolita and alternative shopping in Tokyo, refer to my shopping guide.

I leave you with these Rococo-glorious Jeffrey Campbell shoes. Face mask. Win.

PS: Thanks to Rainbow Natalia and Gulnara for the cute fanart! If you have drawings of Seba, Basil and me, send them and I’ll feature them on my blog.

Have you ever visited Closet Child? Which items from this post caught your eye? What are your favorite Lolita brands?

Song of the Day: Max Him – Lady Fantasy

My hair’s been purple since September, but I haven’t posted very many photos yet. (Yes, my blog is months behind… patience!)

During my grueling Food Network TV shoot, I found a sliver of free time to attend Walpurgis Night, a Goth live event at Shinjuku Jam.

Leopard print slip: from Hong Kong
Black Gothic jacket: Metamorphose temps de Fille, from Closet Child.
Pirate necklace: gifted from Ghostlove (more photos here)

My spooks and I usually meet in the streets of Kabukicho for a pre-drink from the convenience store, or absinthe at Decabar.

A nightcrawl isn’t complete without… Swedish crackers?

First Mate Naomi and I were reunited with Nekoi (from cyber-industrial band Psydoll), and Arina from Paris.

Walpurgis Night is a Gothic live music event that occurs every month or so. This New Romantic ghoul sums up the vibe.

Taizo spins 1980s Goth tracks that got us dancing.

The always-cheery Naohiro, frontman of the band 13th Moon, turns the room into a Nightmare Before Christmas dance scene.

Seminal Japanese post-punk band, Madame Edwarda, is as strong on stage as ever.

Austrian band Lolita Komplex got us headbanging with their metal riffs and girl-guy vocals. A long time ago, I featured Sweet Lolita Nana on my blog, as Gothloli of the Week.

In one of the night’s best moments, Zin-François Angelique joins Lolita Komplex on stage.

He has a Marilyn Manson vibe, don’t you think?

As morning approaches, Taizo dances. Butoh-influenced, grotesque and glamorous.

For more, check out my complete guide to Tokyo Goth clubs and events.

How did you first get into Goth fashion and culture? What draws you to the dark lifestyle, music and aesthetics? Share your story in the comments; I’ll write back.

Song of the Day: Madame Edwarda – Héliogabale

It’s the holiday season — and you need fun but affordable outfits, right? Hooray, my designer Gothic Lolita Punk clothing is for sale!

✞✞✞ CLICK to start SHOPPING ✞✞✞

I’m selling your favorite Japanese alt brands: h.NAOTO, Alice and the Pirates, Metamorphose and more. Items include cage skirts, Goth Alice corsets, and cyberlox!

Almost all items are new or barely worn (and when so, on TV shows!) You can have my Metamorphose temps de fille JSK, and Putumayo pirate top, among the large Visual Kei / Jrock / Loli selection.

I’m doing this to share the love and clear out closet space, so I’m happy to negotiate prices and combine shipping (there’s no handling/processing fee). Perhaps it’s time to get a ruffled aristocrat shirt, Bettie Page retro fashion, or velvet embroidered dress?

Some items are in larger sizes! (All measurements are noted.) These Gothic Lolita skirts are M, and others have stretch to fit different frames.

Accessories and purses are one-size-fit-all, even for my kitty. The Spider mini-hat and Alice and the Pirate bonnet will go fast, so hurry and browse my sale.

Also available: Lady Gaga glasses, cyber/Goth/alt hair accessories sourced throughout my travels.

Remember, I’m flexible on prices and shipping options, so what are you waiting for? Take a peek at my Goth/Loli/Jrock clothing Sale! If you have questions, don’t be shy: comment or email me.

✞✞✞ CLICK to SHOP my SALE! ✞✞✞

Song of the Day: Diorama – Synthesize me (German electro-Goth)

After visiting the Gothic Lolita tearoom-boutique Abilletage in Harajuku, I took NHK Kawaii TV to Baby Doll in Harajuku. I was keen to feature this Goth Fetish boutique in the program, since it’s been independently run for over 10 years.

The lively manager, Mirano, bound me tightly into a custom corset with French braiding. My waist has never been so small.

Baby Doll’s original clothing includes form-fitting outfits worn by Lady Gaga. These photos don’t do the iridescent fabric justice.

Yukiro Dravarious models a military cap next to a romantic chandelier.

You can pick up everything from tutus to play-torture equipment here.

I especially love the Venetian masks, customized with an eyeball in the center.

Watch out, NHK cameraman… there’s a little red riding crop behind you!

Support indie stores! When you’re shopping in Harajuku, I hope you’ll visit Mirano – who speaks English – at Baby Doll Tokyo. 3F, 2-32-1 Jingumae Shibuya-Ku Tokyo Japan, tel 03-5785-2507. Open 13:00 – 20:00; closed Sundays. (Special thanks to first mate Naomi for photos and arranging.)

For more Harajuku shopping suggestions, along with a detailed map, check out my Tokyo Gothic Fetish Punk shop guide.

Do you have any favorite stores that are usually overlooked by shoppers? Keep checking my blog to find out where I took NHK next.

PS: My Halloween plans are INSANE this year! Celebrating in a country I’ve never visited before. Can you guess where I’ll be?

Song of the Day: the GazettE – Suicide Circus (Yukiro is in this PV!)