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Japanese trend alert – spooky gothic earrings

October 23, 2012 by

Since it’s Halloween season, I’m very pleased to confirm that gothic motifs are everywhere in Tokyo – even the jewellery! Yup, a mini-trend I’ve spotted is spooky gothic earrings – not just in gothic lolita stores (see Marui One below), but in gyaru and general accessories places!

Halloween in Tokyo, Marui One Shinjuku

There are a lot of spider earrings, some with skull faces (see below). There are also a lot of bats and skeleton hands adorning the jewellery, as well as punk motifs like zippers and tattoo-derived serpents. The trend I especially love is that of the ear cuff attached by chains. So put it all together and you have an earring that has a bat, a cross and a spider with a skull body, attached to an ear cuff. Fierce!

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Mini trend: Corset belts

December 13, 2010 by

I LOVE corsets, and often wear them when I go to alternative and goth clubs. The outside ones, I mean, not the foundation garment kind. There’s just something about the way they make your tummy disappear, slendify your waist, bustify your cleavage…

However, sometimes they just seem a little too over the top for some events – but I’ve noticed a trend in some fashion magazines that I think can bridge the gap.

The Corset Belt

Right now it’s too hot in Australia to contemplate…but let’s face it, we’re all tracking future trends and sometimes wishing it was autumn so we could wear some groovy fur or leather jackets and whatnot.

Here’s a few designer styles of corset belt to get you thinking.

Sass and Bide’s wide belt, Burberry or Alexander McQueen’s buckled belts:

Kiki de Montparnasse with it’s fabulously woven construction and metal busk, the ASOS knockoff, or Roland Mouret’s caged lattice belt:

     

Azzedine Alaia – punched, serrated, in ponyhair – every one’s a winner


Alexander Wang – there’s a version in fabric and one in leather:

But my main inspiration for this post is Haider Ackermann, whose Fall/Winter 2011 collection show featuring futuristic draped leather was amazing.  This one is available for $185 from The Corner.

He takes the corset belt to another level with the zippered belts that can be unzipped to fall in assymetric shapes. I’ve seen these in Harpers Bazaar Aust and think we’ll be seeing a lot more come Winter time.

 

The Fall/Winter 2011 show had such a beautifully dark aesthetic, with leather draped, zippered, belted (and Marilyn Manson soundtrack) – I just had to include it here:

But back to belts – I’ve found some affordable high street versions you may want to try:

Lulu & Rose Waist Belt $39.99 Glue at Westfield;                           Dotti wrap belt $19.99;                                              Seduce Frock Star belt $59.99

Topshop – 30 to 40GBP each

  

From Newport News come these 3, between $30 and $50

What do you think? Will you be wearing a wide belt, whether obi, corset or simply cincher style?

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Final Episode

November 4, 2010 by

So, sometimes I’m a wee bit slow. I’ve just discovered this fantastic website that launched in September, and I’m drooling.

It’s called “Final Episode” and it showcases the work of accessories designers who are extremely innnovative and fashion forward – think Camilla Skovgaard, Dries Van Noten, Opening Ceremony, Jeremy Scott and more.

I love their attitude: “fashion is a tool to flaunt one’s individuality and express one’s sense of self”. Hear, hear! It MUST be hip and happening – Grazia put it on their list of things “Going Up” last week, right next to the pic of Alexa Chung. I likewise appreciate their ethics: “Here at Final Episode, we believe everyone should make an effort to reduce their environmental impact. Wherever possible, our paper and packaging items are sourced from recycled materials”.

But enough theorising; onto the products themselves.

My unrequited love for extreme platforms and studs finds an object to lust over in these “Samantha” shoes by Tristan Blair:

 

Although there are some beauties by Camilla Skovgaard that are also tempting.

Then there are the improbable but loveable shaped sunnies from Alexander Wang and Jeremy Scott (alas, now sold out):

 

Those of a dark and gothic persuasion will adore the jewellery, and especially that of Julia DeVille in her Disce More range, where bird skulls, talons and crossed bones feature..

 

 

There are a whole lot more quirky accessories, including belts, scarves and bags, so it is well worth a look. If you sign up to Final Episode, you get access to special offers, releases and product launches too. For any enquiries, email: info@finalepisode.com.au

Or you can follow Final Episode on Facebook or on twitter.

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