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KAWAII HANDMADE CHRISTMAS CARDS! SCOTTISH FOLD KITTEN, PUNK ROCK NURSE HAT. LA CARMINA NEW CLOTHING LINE T-SHIRTS.


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The art of the letter is falling by the wayside, especially with rising postal prices. So it was a delight to receive not only a Christmas card in the mail, but a cute hand-drawn one — from Lemon! His kawaii drawing captures Basil Farrow to a T: the fat furry face, folded ears, sideways feet and lightly striped tail. I opened it to find a message full of magic and mystery. (I’m keeping it between us, so you’ll just have to guess at what’s written inside…)

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Ako, designer of Japanese punk clothing line Blablahospital, also sent me a nifty handmade card. She glued and glittered plush animals over a pink heart. Inside, she included a nurse’s hat as an “emergency cure for fashion sickness!” You can carry it around with you and pull it out if the moment calls for more stylishness… (See more about the hat on Ako’s blog.)

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Inside was a greeting in what she calls “strange English.” I can’t get enough of her punk rock playfulness.

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Blablahospital’s latest clothes and accessories are as bright and medical-chic as ever. You can see the latest styles here.

Dr Porntip, Thailand forensic scientist, crazy visual kei hair on Thai Bangkok woman, Porntip Rojanasunan, doctor death in asia, bad girl metal hairstyles, rock star women haircuts, bright red blond dyed hair

I hope you have been enjoying my CNNGo articles and the Asia travel/lifestyle website in general. My latest one is about Chinese belly dancers and Indian pop n lockers: Asia Dance competitions turn up the heat. CNNGo also did a feature about the fiery-haired woman above. Her name is Dr. Porntip and she is an a) porn star; b) Visual Kei rocker; c) cuts bodies open for a living. What’s your guess? Find out in this piece. What do we think of Porntip’s hair: kawaii or ai-yah?

Thanks for your enthusiasm about my new t-shirts and hoodies. The first printing is almost ready to send out — hurry and pick one up! For full information about the sizes and styles, take a look at this post. If you can think of any local stores that might want to carry the clothing line, please email me. Much thanks in advance.

Finally, I’m writing a CNNGo article about shopping for plus sized clothing in Asia and the skinny mentality in many Asian cities. I was wondering if you had any anecdotes or experiences to share? Thoughts on size discrimination? Can you name or send links to any plus sized clothing lines in Asia? Let me know in the comments or email me. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

More Tokyo party coverage and NYC adventures coming right up…

Song of the Day #287: Serial Number – Attention Please (Happy genki Visual Kei punk.)

64 Comments

  1. Lemon
    Posted January 20, 2010 at 6:47 am | Permalink

    Oh no! My artwork has been set loose upon the world! I’m honored my card made it all the way up to a feature :)

    Regarding Dr. Porntip, the correct answer is d) THE badass.

  2. All Women Stalker
    Posted January 20, 2010 at 7:01 am | Permalink

    Yeah, I have to agree about the slow death of handwritten greetings. I miss exchanging letters with my otaku pen pals and receiving drawings from them. Those were the good old days.

    • lacarmina
      Posted January 20, 2010 at 8:31 am | Permalink

      I used to have pen pals too… sad that it now costs almost a dollar to send a letter. My penmanship has also gone down the drain. Seeing Tim Burton’s spectacular cursive at the MoMA exhibit made me want to improve it..

      • Jenny
        Posted January 20, 2010 at 7:09 pm | Permalink

        his wonderful cursive! Porntip is awesome and blablahospital has really cute and interesting stuff!

      • All Women Stalker
        Posted January 21, 2010 at 3:20 am | Permalink

        I haven’t sent a letter in so long! Not even to my relatives abroad (who, by the way, still send us cards and stuff like that). My handwriting has also gone down the drain. Sometimes I see all the beautiful calligraphy and handwriting some people have and I get the urge to practice. But it ends at the urge. Ugh.

  3. MissMercurial
    Posted January 20, 2010 at 7:57 am | Permalink

    Dr. Porntip is awesome.

    I’m SO looking forward to that next CNNGo article!
    In my experiences in the Philippines, some department stores actually have a separate section for “plus-size” shoes (size 9 and up). I often find myself shopping next to transvestites, which I assume is more common there because of how cheap the procedure is relative to its expense in America; the stigma is just as strong, though.
    I haven’t had luck shopping for clothes in the Philippines much, though. However, Bayo and herBench do offer larger sizes than most other Filipino brands! There are also a few plus-size chains, but I don’t recall their names ^^;

    I hope that helps some :)

    • lacarmina
      Posted January 20, 2010 at 8:33 am | Permalink

      Very helpful, thank you! Do you think the stigma is greater/different than in other Asian countries? How does it co-exist with the cultural celebration of food? Such an interesting topic…

  4. Lemon
    Posted January 20, 2010 at 6:47 am | Permalink

    Oh no! My artwork has been set loose upon the world! I'm honored my card made it all the way up to a feature :)

    Regarding Dr. Porntip, the correct answer is d) THE badass.

  5. All Women Stalker
    Posted January 20, 2010 at 7:01 am | Permalink

    Yeah, I have to agree about the slow death of handwritten greetings. I miss exchanging letters with my otaku pen pals and receiving drawings from them. Those were the good old days.

  6. MissMercurial
    Posted January 20, 2010 at 7:57 am | Permalink

    Dr. Porntip is awesome.

    I'm SO looking forward to that next CNNGo article!
    In my experiences in the Philippines, some department stores actually have a separate section for “plus-size” shoes (size 9 and up). I often find myself shopping next to transvestites, which I assume is more common there because of how cheap the procedure is relative to its expense in America; the stigma is just as strong, though.
    I haven't had luck shopping for clothes in the Philippines much, though. However, Bayo and herBench do offer larger sizes than most other Filipino brands! There are also a few plus-size chains, but I don't recall their names ^^;

    I hope that helps some :)

  7. lacarmina
    Posted January 20, 2010 at 8:30 am | Permalink

    Ding ding ding ding! :)

  8. lacarmina
    Posted January 20, 2010 at 8:31 am | Permalink

    I used to have pen pals too… sad that it now costs almost a dollar to send a letter. My penmanship has also gone down the drain. Seeing Tim Burton's spectacular cursive at the MoMA exhibit made me want to improve it..

  9. lacarmina
    Posted January 20, 2010 at 8:33 am | Permalink

    Very helpful, thank you! Do you think the stigma is greater/different than in other Asian countries? How does it co-exist with the cultural celebration of food? Such an interesting topic…

  10. Hawaii Kawaii
    Posted January 20, 2010 at 2:40 pm | Permalink

    Love the T-shirts, and your cat is the cutest.

    Love Hawaii Kawaii

  11. AngryBroomstick
    Posted January 20, 2010 at 4:13 pm | Permalink

    Basil Farrow is so unbelievably cute. I’ve never heard of Ako, but she seems (and looks) cool.

  12. megan
    Posted January 20, 2010 at 5:43 pm | Permalink

    Aw, both of those cards are really adorable! I exchanged Christmas presents with some people through the mail…it was nice making them cards and writing them letters!

    • lacarmina
      Posted January 20, 2010 at 9:50 pm | Permalink

      I’m motivated to put more of an effort into handmade cards and gifts… and improving my handwriting!

  13. Hawaii Kawaii
    Posted January 20, 2010 at 2:40 pm | Permalink

    Love the T-shirts, and your cat is the cutest.

    Love Hawaii Kawaii

  14. Greg
    Posted January 20, 2010 at 8:18 pm | Permalink

    Past frustrations with dealing with Punk Lolita labels that all seem to be around size zero (GLP is an example). Trying to sell this stuff in the U.S. was problematic

  15. Seiran
    Posted January 20, 2010 at 8:18 pm | Permalink

    Her hair isn’t kawaii or aiyah, it’s just plain awesome hahaha I want to buy one of the T-shirts but I have to wait until my paycheck on Friday D:

    • lacarmina
      Posted January 20, 2010 at 9:50 pm | Permalink

      You’re amazing!! Thanks so much for the support – and I’d love to see you wearing the shirt. If you want, I can put up a photo on the blog!

      • Seiran
        Posted January 21, 2010 at 3:29 am | Permalink

        Hehe no problem, dear. You’re absolutely a great inspiration so it’s the least I can do ;D

  16. Moon Maiden 90
    Posted January 20, 2010 at 8:18 pm | Permalink

    I like her hair but I don’t think it’s kawaii or aiyah either…
    & Those cards are so adorable!!!

  17. AngryBroomstick
    Posted January 20, 2010 at 4:13 pm | Permalink

    Basil Farrow is so unbelievably cute. I've never heard of Ako, but she seems (and looks) cool.

  18. megan
    Posted January 20, 2010 at 5:43 pm | Permalink

    Aw, both of those cards are really adorable! I exchanged Christmas presents with some people through the mail…it was nice making them cards and writing them letters!

  19. Jade-Neko
    Posted January 20, 2010 at 11:05 pm | Permalink

    The shirts look delightful! <3
    I have been working with my mom to earn a bit of extra side money to buy the Alice and Basil in Wonderland inspired one ~^_^~
    Porntip's hair is pretty.. epic haha. It puts my plain, dark hair to shame…

    • lacarmina
      Posted January 20, 2010 at 11:14 pm | Permalink

      Thank you, darling!! You’d look great in the Wonderland tee! ^^

  20. shichi
    Posted January 21, 2010 at 12:02 am | Permalink

    Her hair dares to be ’80s.

  21. Jenny
    Posted January 20, 2010 at 7:09 pm | Permalink

    his wonderful cursive! Porntip is awesome and blablahospital has really cute and interesting stuff!

  22. Greg
    Posted January 20, 2010 at 8:18 pm | Permalink

    Past frustrations with dealing with Punk Lolita labels that all seem to be around size zero (GLP is an example). Trying to sell this stuff in the U.S. was problematic

  23. Seiran
    Posted January 20, 2010 at 8:18 pm | Permalink

    Her hair isn't kawaii or aiyah, it's just plain awesome hahaha I want to buy one of the T-shirts but I have to wait until my paycheck on Friday D:

  24. Moon Maiden 90
    Posted January 20, 2010 at 8:18 pm | Permalink

    I like her hair but I don't think it's kawaii or aiyah either…
    & Those cards are so adorable!!!

  25. lacarmina
    Posted January 20, 2010 at 9:50 pm | Permalink

    I'm motivated to put more of an effort into handmade cards and gifts… and improving my handwriting!

  26. lacarmina
    Posted January 20, 2010 at 9:50 pm | Permalink

    Tim Burton should give us penmanship lessons.

  27. lacarmina
    Posted January 20, 2010 at 9:50 pm | Permalink

    Tim Burton should give us penmanship lessons.

  28. lacarmina
    Posted January 20, 2010 at 9:50 pm | Permalink

    You're amazing!! Thanks so much for the support – and I'd love to see you wearing the shirt. If you want, I can put up a photo on the blog!

  29. lacarmina
    Posted January 20, 2010 at 9:51 pm | Permalink

    It's badass hair, I suppose! :)

  30. lacarmina
    Posted January 20, 2010 at 10:32 pm | Permalink

    Kawaii love to you too!

  31. lacarmina
    Posted January 20, 2010 at 10:32 pm | Permalink

    She's incredibly cool… it was fun meeting up with her at her instore event! https://lacarmina.com/2009/05/blablahos

  32. Anonymous
    Posted January 21, 2010 at 3:34 am | Permalink

    Hi! i was wondering if you might know some places around the US that offers internships for gothic/gosuloli type fashion?

    I know it’s a random question, but I’m looking around and I’m not sure where to go. I’d love to work with you! haha

    • lacarmina
      Posted January 21, 2010 at 3:37 am | Permalink

      Hi! Thanks for your sweet note! Augh, I can’t really think of any places that would offer internships since all the major Gothloli brands are in Japan… I’d suggest interning at any alternative fashion company in your city — you’ll learn the ropes, and you can apply your knowledge to any Gothloli fashion line in the future. xoxo

      • Anonymous
        Posted January 21, 2010 at 4:26 am | Permalink

        is there any besides ones like tripp and lip service?
        I wish I could do some kind of internship in Japan. hehe

        unfortunately i live in a dead place.. I’d need to go to ny or ca. XD (i’m a fashion student looking for an internship but it’s hard to find something in the alternative world..)
        Oh! Can I send you a handmade card? (^-^) Now I feel like making once since you posted those that you got.

  33. Jade-Neko
    Posted January 20, 2010 at 11:05 pm | Permalink

    The shirts look delightful! <3
    I have been working with my mom to earn a bit of extra side money to buy the Alice and Basil in Wonderland inspired one ~^_^~
    Porntip's hair is pretty.. epic haha. It puts my plain, dark hair to shame…

  34. lacarmina
    Posted January 20, 2010 at 11:14 pm | Permalink

    Thank you, darling!! You'd look great in the Wonderland tee! ^^

  35. shichi
    Posted January 21, 2010 at 12:02 am | Permalink

    Her hair dares to be '80s.

  36. Anonymous
    Posted January 21, 2010 at 6:15 am | Permalink

    wear loads of dark and bright colors like orange goes owsum with blue,grey and purple to have a cozy and safer feeling in the season of hot and cold.i’d like to mention Leigh Lezark’s unique style and Erin Wasson to get a cindy crawford feeling and girl olivia and Nicky Hilton are next to mention.

  37. All Women Stalker
    Posted January 21, 2010 at 3:20 am | Permalink

    I haven't sent a letter in so long! Not even to my relatives abroad (who, by the way, still send us cards and stuff like that). My handwriting has also gone down the drain. Sometimes I see all the beautiful calligraphy and handwriting some people have and I get the urge to practice. But it ends at the urge. Ugh.

  38. Seiran
    Posted January 21, 2010 at 3:29 am | Permalink

    Hehe no problem, dear. You're absolutely a great inspiration so it's the least I can do ;D

  39. visual_death
    Posted January 21, 2010 at 3:34 am | Permalink

    Hi! i was wondering if you might know some places around the US that offers internships for gothic/gosuloli type fashion?

    I know it's a random question, but I'm looking around and I'm not sure where to go. I'd love to work with you! haha

  40. lacarmina
    Posted January 21, 2010 at 3:37 am | Permalink

    Hi! Thanks for your sweet note! Augh, I can't really think of any places that would offer internships since all the major Gothloli brands are in Japan… I'd suggest interning at any alternative fashion company in your city — you'll learn the ropes, and you can apply your knowledge to any Gothloli fashion line in the future. xoxo

  41. Megan
    Posted January 21, 2010 at 8:43 am | Permalink

    Oh my gosh, i want one!!!

  42. visual_death
    Posted January 21, 2010 at 4:26 am | Permalink

    is there any besides ones like tripp and lip service?
    I wish I could do some kind of internship in Japan. hehe

    unfortunately i live in a dead place.. I'd need to go to ny or ca. XD (i'm a fashion student looking for an internship but it's hard to find something in the alternative world..)
    Oh! Can I send you a handmade card? (^-^) Now I feel like making once since you posted those that you got.

  43. inkitmyway
    Posted January 21, 2010 at 6:15 am | Permalink

    wear loads of dark and bright colors like orange goes owsum with blue,grey and purple to have a cozy and safer feeling in the season of hot and cold.i'd like to mention Leigh Lezark’s unique style and Erin Wasson to get a cindy crawford feeling and girl olivia and Nicky Hilton are next to mention.

  44. Megan
    Posted January 21, 2010 at 8:43 am | Permalink

    Oh my gosh, i want one!!!

  45. Jen
    Posted January 23, 2010 at 9:00 pm | Permalink

    Dr. Porntip is like a real life Abby from NCIS! I totally have a new scientist hero now. ^_^

    Also I’m totally stoked that belly dancing is hot in Asia now. My relatives used to think that I was weird for doing it, but now my aunt is taking classes in Taiwan.

  46. Jen
    Posted January 23, 2010 at 9:00 pm | Permalink

    Dr. Porntip is like a real life Abby from NCIS! I totally have a new scientist hero now. ^_^

    Also I'm totally stoked that belly dancing is hot in Asia now. My relatives used to think that I was weird for doing it, but now my aunt is taking classes in Taiwan.

  47. lacarmina
    Posted January 23, 2010 at 9:26 pm | Permalink

    Visual Kei mad scientist! Love it!

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