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”)

Take my hand and let’s continue our tour of Laforet Harajuku. I previously posted photos of the Gothic Lolita Punk clothes.

Now, we’ll discover the sweeter, more casual (and wearable) side — and I’ll reveal the best cellphone rental service in Japan! Keep scrolling…

“mmts” is girly and simple — a contrast to the bells-and-whistles decora of a brand like Angelic Pretty.

Hats off to the basement level of Laforet, which houses street style.

Kawaii-decora accessories heaven.

Candy colored bags, fuzzy pastel hair clips.

The Nile Perch fairy kei store was packed.

Angelic Pretty shop. I prefer the more subdued Lolita prints, like the navy JSK on display, to bells-and-whistles frills.

Super Lovers is as bright and bold as ever.

A bonus snap from the Hello Kitty store in Shibuya 109.

Let’s talk travel. Many of you have asked — what’s the best way to rent a cell phone while in Japan? My favorite cellular rental service is Rentafone, which I’ve been using for years.

You order a keitai via their website, and it’s mailed to your Japan address. The cost is eminently reasonable (less than $40 a week), with discount calling charges and text messaging. (The Japanese number is even written on the back, lest you forget.) When you’re finished, simply put the rental in the pre-paid envelope and mail it back.

Japanese mobiles are always ahead of the curve — especially the cute emoticons! I always recommend that you have a cell in Tokyo (it makes contacting friends much easier), and Rentafone is the solution.

What’s your experience with cell phones and travel in Japan? Did anything catch your eye in the Harajuku store photos? You can drool over more street fashion in my Tokyo shopping guide.

Song of the Day: Savage – Twothousandandnine (Italo 80s dance party)

Goth girls come out to play… at night with Kenzo-A! The Rituals designer has a new monthly Goth music event, The Head Shop.

What’s spookier — my luminescent makeup, or the stuffed dog in Seba’s pants?

First, we filled up at a Shinjuku izakaya (Japanese pub). I’m carrying a souvenir from my coolhunting travel TV show… soon, you’ll find out what it means!

One of my favorite flavors: shiquasha, a green Okinawan fruit. Delicious, mixed with alcohol.

We ran into frightening individuals in front of Studio Alta (a common meeting place in Shinjuku).

Did you know that Atsushi and Takashi are twins?

The Head Shop has live DJ sets all night long (techno, house, Gothic, electro) — as well as bands and fashion shows. This “Kenzomas” event was at Shinjuku Motion (next to Club Marz, where Midnight Mess and Tokyo Dark Castle go down).

Party’s in the elevator.

You can spot blue-haired Kenny Creation from a mile away.

Kenzo’s Rituals clothing is available to purchase. If you wear his clothing to the event, you get a discount.

Yes, that’s a man in a glowing bra.

Seba and Atsushi get frisky with neon glowsticks.

The master of the festivities, Kenzo-A.

Don’t miss his next Head Shop party: Friday, September 23, from midnight to morning at Shinjuku Club Marz. There are DJs, bands and a fashion show to celebrate Ritual’s 3rd anniversary. Full details and prices (including discounts) are on the flyer.

For a taste of the music, check out my video above and here (footage from the last party is near the end). What do you think?

Where are these Tokyo Goth Industrial clubs? What are they like? How do you get in? All the details are in my Club Guide.

PS: for party announcements, giveaways and more, please subscribe to my mailing list.
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Song of the Day: DJ SiSEN – Brutal (SiSEN is currently and happily residing in Berlin!)

Dunh-nuh-nuh-nuh Batman! This season, the superhero insignia was all over Harajuku (the Tokyo neighborhood for alternative street fashion).

What else was in mode? Let’s tour Laforet, the Harajuku department store, and find out.

God bless Putumayo. The punk and Clockwork Orange designs remain on-point.

Plastic Tree’s clothing collaboration was not very impressive…

But h.NAOTO Sixh and Frill (Lolita-style) are as gorgeous as ever.

Can’t go wrong with a black/white color palette.

These days, I’m preferring Lolita-accents to full-out frills. I’d wear the polka dot and playing card coordinate.

Cute ghosts never go out of style. Especially when they wear top hats and stick out their tongues.

Malko Malka’s googly-eyes and heart patches are the definition of spooky-kawaii.

Polka dots were also prominent in the World Wide Love boutique.

I leave you with a photo of Seba in his usual mode — distracted! His bag is by Dolce and Gabbana.

What caught your eye at Laforet? Has your style changed over the years? If so, how?

To see more photos and directions to these stores, please view my Tokyo Goth Lolita shopping guide.

Song of the Day: Siberian Heat – In Your City (Russian Italo Disco)

Casting call! I’m looking for extras in Tokyo, Japan — come join me on my Food Network TV shoots!

If you’re in Tokyo between now and Sept 26, please email gothiccarmina@gmail.com with your full availability and contact info (including phone). We need English-speakers of all types (not just Goths/alternative kids). You’ll likely be interviewed on-camera as a theme restaurant customer.

It’d be great if you could help by telling your Tokyo friends. They’ll get to hang out with me and spooky pals, be part of a fun TV shoot and experience the world of theme restaurants. More info about the Food Network show in this post.

When I’m not working on-set, you’ll typically find me shopping with friends in Harajuku. Here are eight tips to help you have the perfect excursion.

1. Wear shoes made for walking. There’s a lot of side-streets to wander and staircases to climb, and you don’t want to cut your Harajuku trip short because of tired toes.

I’m wearing various lace layers and an h.NAOTO purse from Closet Child (a must-visit store).

2. Be weather-wary. Tokyo can be temperamental – sudden downpours, stupefying humidity, blizzard cold. Yukiro wisely brought along a fashionable fan on a hot summer day.

2. Bring a camera; Harajuku is overflowing with poppy fashion and inspiration. And be ready to be snapped. Kera Magazine and street snap blogs often roam theses streets.

3. Short on money? Visit Kinji, the gargantuan secondhand clothing store. From Harajuku station, go down Takeshita Doori and turn right on Meiji Doori. Look for the orange Kinji sign on the right side, and walk down the stairs.

4. If David Bowie would wear it… you should too. The store’s full of alternative, Gothic and club clothing. Sparkle purple pants and cheetah prints abound.

I got this panda bear skirt for a few hundred yen. Seba wanted this fighting doll.

A Batman mask and a neon relic from the 1980s.

5. When shopping in a group, take turns choosing shops. Yukiro ran into Takenoko, the drag queen store. Cotton Bale stayed outside, with thumbs down.

Feather boas and sequins cover every inch.

Hats off to anyone who can pull off this look.

6. Don’t snub off-brand Gothic Lolita Punk clothes. Even if the quality is not the best, AC/DC has fun designs.

1000 yen items = a great deal.

7. Pick up omiyages (souvenirs) for friends. Fun socks and toys cost only a few hundred yen.

I hope you enjoyed my shopping suggestions. I leave you with this dramatic sign inside Harajuku Station.

Do you prefer to shop alone, or friends? What are your tips for perfect shopping day?

There’s more Gothic Lolita Alternative fashion and store photos in my big Tokyo shopping guide.

Song of the Day: Sophia – Strawberry & Lion