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LA CARMINA IN WOMEN'S WEAR DAILY: JAPANESE GOTHIC LOLITA ARTICLE, VALERIE STEELE WWD.


Women's Wear Daily article on Japanese Goth fashion, Valerie Steele of FIT Exhibit, Dark Shadows fashion shoot, Gothic models in NYC.

As Basil Farrow would say: “Wahh!” I’m in today’s Women’s Wear Daily – the fashion trade journal sometimes called “the bible of fashion” – quoted along FIT’s Valerie Steele and Japanese Goth author Tiffany Godoy!

The cover story is about dark glamour on the runways, the influence of Goth on couture, and the “Japanese take” that has “refreshed it.” Below is the section that quotes me; you can read the entire article on WWD.

Fall ’09 Japanese Goth Trend: Good Mourning
by VENESSA LAU
Posted WEDNESDAY MAY 06, 2009
From WWD ISSUE 05/06/2009

“Western Goth responds to a lot of religious imagery and potentially controversial connotations,” explains La Carmina, who’s made a career out of blogging about the Gothic Lolita culture on lacarmina.com. “Whereas in Japan, it’s just an aesthetic. It’s all visual, without the context.” She points to other examples of similarly co-opted looks: Japan’s popular rockabilly or American surf style. “Can you imagine?” remarks Carmina. “California-style board shorts — in Japan?” Even though the Gothic Lolita look isn’t exactly bum-rushing Western shores, it’s begun to filter over. The popular style guide “Gothic & Lolita Bible” — part fashion glossy, part McCall’s pattern book — just launched an English version last year. (Available at Barnes & Noble and Borders, spring 2009 is “The Wedding Issue.”) This August, the Japanese entertainment distributor VIZ Pictures is opening a multistory “J-Pop Center” in San Francisco, which will include a cinema, bookstore and Gothic Lolita shop. The sweet Lolita label Baby, The Stars Shine Bright, meanwhile, has announced plans to open up a store in that city as well. (There’s already one in Paris on 72 Avenue Ledru Rollin.) And Faoflex, an Italian eyewear company, is launching a line called Dandy’s Collection later this month, with one style dubbed Gothic Lolita.

Carmina herself is another example. The Vancouver native, with a BA from Columbia and a law degree from Yale, lives between New York and Tokyo, has a Goth cooking show on YouTube and just launched a capsule collection of Loli-Goth-style coats. Also in the pipeline: a collaboration with London Underground shoes and two book projects. “I go to Gothic club nights,” she adds, “and every single time, there are more and more people. It seems like things are only going to get bigger.” Come March 2010, GothLoli even goes Hollywood; Tim Burton is coming out with his own spin on “Alice in Wonderland.”

Women's Wear Daily article, WWD Gothic Lolita fashion, Jeremy Laing, Staerk, A la disposition designers, hot Goth girl models with parasol.

Some notes…

† The models are wearing designs by Jeremy Laing, Staerk, A la disposition, Sass + Bide, and others. No Japanese designers, sadly.

† The article mentions my upcoming collaboration with London Underground Shoes, a hot LA-based brand known for its Gothic, subculture-influenced designs. I haven’t mentioned this yet, but I’m working hard and can’t wait to tell you more… “wahhh!”

† The last bit in the article about people going Goth because of the sinking economy – ridiculous! The interviewer asked me the question, and my response was the same as Valerie’s.

Don’t forget to bookmark or subscribe to this blog… there’s much more in the works. How about photos of every floor of the new Marui One, Swimmer, Fairy Kei shops in Harajuku, Midnight Mess, a Death Cookbook episode, and a new project involving my Scottish Fold cat, Basil Farrow? All together now: “Wahhh!”

Song of the Day #108: Rammstein – Engel (one of my fav bands as a teen.)

SHARE & COMMENT

43 Comments

  1. Diana
    Posted May 6, 2009 at 12:15 pm | Permalink

    cute!

  2. Dom
    Posted May 6, 2009 at 12:16 pm | Permalink

    Oh cool. Congrats, Carmen!

  3. Mary Ellen
    Posted May 6, 2009 at 12:16 pm | Permalink

    Sweet! So glad to hear you're doing well – and Alan, Shana, Bacon and I can say “we knew her when…”

  4. Lucia
    Posted May 6, 2009 at 12:17 pm | Permalink

    brilliant.xx

  5. Miss K
    Posted May 6, 2009 at 12:51 pm | Permalink

    Congrats!!! That's totally cool… but I'm with you about going goth due to the economy? HUH?

  6. lacarmina
    Posted May 6, 2009 at 12:52 pm | Permalink

    I know! Silly people!

  7. Geeky Chic
    Posted May 6, 2009 at 1:15 pm | Permalink

    Bad ass! Congratulations.

  8. B
    Posted May 6, 2009 at 1:18 pm | Permalink

    holy sh*t!! congrats!!

  9. megan
    Posted May 6, 2009 at 1:46 pm | Permalink

    WAHHHH! Can't wait. :)

    Personally, I don't really like any of the examples of Goth they showed, except for that outfit on the top right (minus the coat thing). I think I like that one because it looks like something I could do comfortably, but maybe minus the heels, as I have flat feet.
    And I don't think people are dressing darker just because of the economy–that doesn't make any sense. It's not like bright colors are more expensive or anything. XD

    I think that Japanese goth being visual-only makes it easier for people who aren't a part of the culture (but are genuinely interested) to try. I feel like one of those people. I am not goth. But I see the cute dresses coming from brands like Angelic Pretty (I know, that's sweet, not goth, but they often get lumped together), and I think, “Wow, I could totally get into that!” And since Loli is mainly about feeling pretty and feeling good about yourself, I don't have to worry about having the same ideals, or liking the same music, or having the same attitude as the rest of the group.

    Congratulations on article! I enjoyed reading it. :D

  10. Diana
    Posted May 6, 2009 at 7:15 pm | Permalink

    cute!

  11. Dom
    Posted May 6, 2009 at 7:16 pm | Permalink

    Oh cool. Congrats, Carmen!

  12. Mary Ellen
    Posted May 6, 2009 at 7:16 pm | Permalink

    Sweet! So glad to hear you’re doing well – and Alan, Shana, Bacon and I can say “we knew her when…”

  13. Lucia
    Posted May 6, 2009 at 7:17 pm | Permalink

    brilliant.xx

  14. Miss K
    Posted May 6, 2009 at 7:51 pm | Permalink

    Congrats!!! That’s totally cool… but I’m with you about going goth due to the economy? HUH?

    • lacarmina
      Posted May 6, 2009 at 7:52 pm | Permalink

      I know! Silly people!

      • Miss K
        Posted May 6, 2009 at 11:50 pm | Permalink

        Wonderful article though for the mainstream and I can’t wait to see the shoe collaboration! You simply amaze me, you know that?

  15. lacarmina
    Posted May 6, 2009 at 2:55 pm | Permalink

    Thanks! I think darkness/morbidity is always an influence on art, even in Medieval and Renaissance times. It's always there; it's simply more or less visible – and right now, I think it's flourishing in Japan. Definitely understand what you mean.

  16. Geeky Chic
    Posted May 6, 2009 at 8:15 pm | Permalink

    Bad ass! Congratulations.

  17. B
    Posted May 6, 2009 at 8:18 pm | Permalink

    holy sh*t!! congrats!!

  18. megan
    Posted May 6, 2009 at 8:46 pm | Permalink

    WAHHHH! Can’t wait. :)

    Personally, I don’t really like any of the examples of Goth they showed, except for that outfit on the top right (minus the coat thing). I think I like that one because it looks like something I could do comfortably, but maybe minus the heels, as I have flat feet.
    And I don’t think people are dressing darker just because of the economy–that doesn’t make any sense. It’s not like bright colors are more expensive or anything. XD

    I think that Japanese goth being visual-only makes it easier for people who aren’t a part of the culture (but are genuinely interested) to try. I feel like one of those people. I am not goth. But I see the cute dresses coming from brands like Angelic Pretty (I know, that’s sweet, not goth, but they often get lumped together), and I think, “Wow, I could totally get into that!” And since Loli is mainly about feeling pretty and feeling good about yourself, I don’t have to worry about having the same ideals, or liking the same music, or having the same attitude as the rest of the group.

    Congratulations on article! I enjoyed reading it. :D

    • lacarmina
      Posted May 6, 2009 at 9:55 pm | Permalink

      Thanks! I think darkness/morbidity is always an influence on art, even in Medieval and Renaissance times. It’s always there; it’s simply more or less visible – and right now, I think it’s flourishing in Japan. Definitely understand what you mean.

  19. Miss K
    Posted May 6, 2009 at 4:50 pm | Permalink

    Wonderful article though for the mainstream and I can't wait to see the shoe collaboration! You simply amaze me, you know that?

  20. Dragonswyng
    Posted May 6, 2009 at 4:51 pm | Permalink

    I just wonder about the poor fools who point to the economy for our reason for loving this fashion as we do..weird that. it sometimes irritates me when people over analyze things, can't it be as simple as just 'cuz I like it' sometimes?
    and the designers may not be Japanese but I dig em nonetheless

  21. Dragonswyng
    Posted May 6, 2009 at 4:52 pm | Permalink

    and I'm so excited to hear about that movie!!!

  22. lacarmina
    Posted May 6, 2009 at 4:54 pm | Permalink

    Totally agree – I think too many people scrutinize and intellectualize fashion – and miss the point entirely! Sure, there are important artistic and cultural reflections (as Tiffany put it well), but overall, fashion is an enjoyable form of expression… (to me at least)…

  23. lacarmina
    Posted May 6, 2009 at 4:54 pm | Permalink

    Ahhh but you're the one who amazes ME! :D

  24. Dragonswyng
    Posted May 6, 2009 at 11:51 pm | Permalink

    I just wonder about the poor fools who point to the economy for our reason for loving this fashion as we do..weird that. it sometimes irritates me when people over analyze things, can’t it be as simple as just ‘cuz I like it’ sometimes?
    and the designers may not be Japanese but I dig em nonetheless

    • lacarmina
      Posted May 6, 2009 at 11:54 pm | Permalink

      Totally agree – I think too many people scrutinize and intellectualize fashion – and miss the point entirely! Sure, there are important artistic and cultural reflections (as Tiffany put it well), but overall, fashion is an enjoyable form of expression… (to me at least)…

  25. Dragonswyng
    Posted May 6, 2009 at 11:52 pm | Permalink

    and I’m so excited to hear about that movie!!!

  26. seed
    Posted May 6, 2009 at 7:55 pm | Permalink

    WOW WWD, that's impressive, who else could they interview in america?? there is only you carmina.
    i'm excited for the J-pop center in SF! ^^ i need a job! haha!

  27. Anonymous
    Posted May 7, 2009 at 2:55 am | Permalink

    WOW WWD, that’s impressive, who else could they interview in america?? there is only you carmina.
    i’m excited for the J-pop center in SF! ^^ i need a job! haha!

  28. LiTtLe_MiSs_PsYcHo
    Posted May 7, 2009 at 1:41 am | Permalink

    aw! Congraduations!

  29. LiTtLe_MiSs_PsYcHo
    Posted May 7, 2009 at 8:41 am | Permalink

    aw! Congraduations!

  30. Roman
    Posted May 17, 2009 at 2:57 pm | Permalink

    absolute pleasure ;D
    wish i had gotten that issue. . .

  31. Roman
    Posted May 17, 2009 at 9:57 pm | Permalink

    absolute pleasure ;D
    wish i had gotten that issue. . .

  32. Concerned Lolita
    Posted June 22, 2009 at 4:37 pm | Permalink

    La Carmina is not a reliable source for Gothic Lolita. She is, however, reliable for La Carmina Japanese Gothic Lolita Inspired Gothic Industiral Fashion, which is NOT lolita in any way, shape or form.

    Just ask any lolita.

  33. Concerned Lolita
    Posted June 22, 2009 at 11:37 pm | Permalink

    La Carmina is not a reliable source for Gothic Lolita. She is, however, reliable for La Carmina Japanese Gothic Lolita Inspired Gothic Industiral Fashion, which is NOT lolita in any way, shape or form.

    Just ask any lolita.

  34. jasonwillam
    Posted September 14, 2009 at 5:04 am | Permalink

    I hope to read the gothic article pretty soon. Right now I am a little busy, but have gone through your article. It gave a great enthusiasm to read the article itself. You did a great “gothic” overview……:P

  35. puppies for sale
    Posted September 14, 2009 at 12:04 pm | Permalink

    I hope to read the gothic article pretty soon. Right now I am a little busy, but have gone through your article. It gave a great enthusiasm to read the article itself. You did a great “gothic” overview……:P

  36. Pogo Tokens
    Posted October 10, 2009 at 9:37 am | Permalink

    Hey I'v been reading your blog from quite some time now and I just wanted to say keep up the good work.

  37. Pogo Tokens
    Posted October 10, 2009 at 4:37 pm | Permalink

    Hey I’v been reading your blog from quite some time now and I just wanted to say keep up the good work.

  38. Get Paid To Do Surveys
    Posted November 3, 2009 at 3:44 pm | Permalink

    Hey I'v been reading your blog from quite some time now and I just wanted to say keep up the good work.

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