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Back in Tokyo, shopping

November 16, 2011 by

So I’ve been in Tokyo several days now, shopping like a demon (and eating like one too!)  It’s about time I give a little rundown…both about where I’ve shopped, and things I’ve noticed.

Saturday – was really about sleeping after getting none on the plane. So, I kept close, getting as far as the Shinjuku Subnade, Topshop and Studio Alta.

Sunday – Lumine Est, and after a brief stop at Isetan, finally made it to Marui One to check out the gothic, lolita & punk stores.  Yes, bought shoes, both at Yosuke USA and Black Peace Now, natch.

Monday –  Hit the new Azul/R&E/Moussy store in Shinjuku, then Takashimaya – Issey Miyake for colourful threads, Tokyo Hands for novelty items 😉

Tuesday – went to Shibuya. Visited Fake Tokyo (Candy/Sister), as well as 109 of course! BIG MONEY SPENT!! I admit I also visited Zara and Forever 21. Will have to save Grimoire and Grimoire Almadel for another day. Admittedly, I’ve spent more time in gal stores than other ones.

Things I’ve Seen Everywhere that I Like/Love

  • Skulls (still!)
  • Spikes on everything, including shoes, booties, even platform sneakers
  • Argyle
  • Houndstooth
  • Sequins & metallic fabrics
  • Maxi skirts, esp pleated, or in netting fabric like a long tutu
  • Jumpers that have big holes/distressed look
  • Platform shoes & booties
  • Over-the-knee boots
  • Fake fur hats/jackets/stoles/bags etc
  • Big floppy felt hats
  • Turquoise!
  • Orange & coral
  • Statement jewellery, big rings, punk studded cuffs etc
  • and on the gyaru girls themselves, big lashes and circle lenses same as always

Things I’ve Seen Everywhere that I Hate:

  • Ugg boots (not just in stores, but worn OUTSIDE by girls – sheesh!)
  • Bland pastel pink and beige colours
  • Baggy, oversized knits (maybe not hate…but they don’t seem flattering to me, and while I like stripes, the horizontal ones I see everywhere are a no-go for fatties like me)

And if I hear another bloody Gaga song in a store I’m gonna SCREAM!! Kinda wishin she was born some other way…

I’m still coming to terms with the amount of retro I’m seeing…all those demure peter pan, lace & beaded collars, preppy looks, fake string pearls, daggy knits and dowdy aunt type gear generally. I’m on the fence about all the shawls and ponchos..they remind me of the 70’s and seem a little daggy, but I can appreciate they’re new for under 30’s. The crosses on necklaces are still around, which I’m kinda over too.

Seeing less of:

  • Gyaru girls in big glasses
  • Aztec & tribal print
  • Wide palazzo pants (as in, maybe none? Obviously it was just a summer thing)

So this isn’t text-only, here’s me about to head out, in long black netting skirt (can’t remember the store, somewhere in Studio Alta), black Cryx top with little silver studs, striped shoes from gothic brand Black Peace Now, striped jacket from Cue and striped bag from Serenade, Beverly Hills.

  

Yup, I really oughta check my hair before taking pics…so messy! The little bit of printed tight you can see is an original design from Sister.

Black Peace Now shoe 

More pics to come with other purchases..now that I have a hotel room that actually has a window and sunlight!

Filed Under: Blog entry, Fashion, Japanese Fashion Tagged With: , , , ,

Randa Shoes A/W 2011/12

September 28, 2011 by

Is it too soon to do another shoe post?? I thought it was time to check out Randa‘s latest offerings, as my last post on Randa’s Spring/Summer collection was back in March.  I was so taken with this season’s styles, that I’ve ordered three pairs already!

Aren’t these over-the-knee brightly coloured boots just delish? I fell in love with the orange ones, and so I bought them:

There are some amazing shoes showcasing the new colour block trend, like these:

Although I loved the blue, I settled on the pink and orange, as it’s such an unusual colour for shoes…and I have the outfits to match!

Some others I loved but didn’t buy, also in great colours (love the button detailing too):

Unusually for me, I fell for a pair of baby pink shoes (even though they also came in grey or black). They are just so ladylike, I loved them! They would be perfect for a lolita, hime or dolly kei outfit. The coral booties next to them I find an unusual shape, but managed not to buy them.

There are many more styles worthy of a good peruse, either at the Randa online store, or at the Rakuten store Hitotei, where I purchased mine from.  Yes, they deliver to overseas destinations, but at around $25 to $30 per pair of shoes. I’ll let you know how it goes, time and costwise.

November Vivi has a Randa spread showcasing some of the best styles too:

And that is probably enough pictorial goodness for now. You know you really want to hit those websites and have a drool…

Filed Under: Blog entry, Fashion, Japanese Fashion Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Red vs Teal

May 30, 2011 by

I’ve been very remiss on the outfit posting front for the last month, so here I’ll play catch up! I’ve now dyed my hair dark teal & green, so there’s a few pics of that too 🙂

While I still had red hair, it looked superb against a bright emerald green dress, but also blended nicely with burnt orange:

 

It also paired well with the leopard print and tan top on this Bebe dress, which I wore to Black Cherry (the coat is from Japanese gyaru brand Cecil Mcbee)

 

Now let’s compare side by side with my new hair – worn with teal mesh shirt underneath, black bodysuit, Black Peace Now assymetrical skirt and a blue leopard corset from Gallery Serpentine:

 

Oh, and NATCH! I had to wear my blue leopard lenses, seen here close-up:

 

So that’s enough camwhoring for one post – but it HAS been a while. What do you think of the new hair? I’m getting a head of turquoise and dark brown dread extensions put in for my upcoming o/s trip…will post pics when done!

Filed Under: Alternative Fashion, Fashion, gothic fashion, Japanese Fashion, Outfit posts Tagged With: , , ,

Ghost of Harlem 2011 “Grunge Bikers” collection

May 4, 2011 by

As I mentioned recently, I’m bowled over by Ghost of Harlem’s new line, Grunge Bikers.

Based on a mostly monochromatic palette of black/white/grey which will please the black brigade, there are contrasting pops of colour – yellow, blue or red- to zoozh up the collection and amp up the drama factor.

Lovers of the rock-chick, goth and punk look (like me) will love the skull motifs, use of fishnet, distressed leggings, grunge lettering and studded details. Gyaru Mode gals will love the Murua-like long floaty outer dresses, and everyone will recognise the very on-trend tie-dye abstract prints, seen here on pants and shirts.

Leopard print is thrown in there, in turquoise or coral, for those who (like me) believe that leopard is almost a staple neutral. There’s even a nod to the 70’s look so popular now, but with a rock look and without the over-use of fringing, feathers and Indian motifs that is a little heavy handed in some brands (see their skull poncho for example). While I’m not a personal fan of denim, the collection is styled to show how well denim does pair with the various pieces, for a casual youthful look. If that’s not your thing, eschew the pale denim, bare legs, bright colours and headbands, add chunky platform boots and masses of silver rings and studded cuffs and voila, a rock-punk look is yours. Eminently wearable.

Anyway, see the collection yourself – don’t you love it? (Click on any picture to see a larger image):

LOVE this yellow jacket sooo much! It also comes in white or pink, and has a detachable hood (buy at Rakuten here)

  

  

  

I started off a massive TutuHa fan, then moved onto Glad News (the studded skull tee of whose I’m currently wearing to death) – but Ghost of Harlem is threatening to take its place as fave rock gyaru brand. What do you think?

NB: for those asking “but how can I buy it, when I’m not in Japan?”, I did a search on Rakuten, and the shop Bubbly sells Ghost of Harlem items. So why not check it out? There are some great older items there too, and more of the new collection will be available in time.

Filed Under: Alternative Fashion, Fashion, gothic fashion, Japanese Fashion Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Glad News & Heaven and Earth skull overload!

March 24, 2011 by

I did SOOOOOO much browsing and shopping in Osaka, covering the gyaru, gothic and fun decora stores.

I noticed that again this season, even more than last, there are so many skulls on items, either beaded, screen-printed. worked into designs on tights…you name it. Very me.  I was extremely impressed with Glad News, and the first thing I bought was this set of long tee dress in black with studded/beaded skull on front, with crazy print tee underneath (see with cobweb top from Topshop and new leggings from Heaven and Earth:

 

Is there such a thing as too many skulls? Obvs, I don’t think so!! I love how in the leggings, they’ve worked the skulls into the brocade design – it’s almost like a tapestry:

I went back the next day wearing the outfit, and visited the gorgeous shop staff at Glad News – you can also see her on p111 of the April edition of Edge mag, with ther great duo-tone hair.

Check out the links, as these stores both have tremendous ranges for SS 2011 – if you like skulls and bling and dark moody stuff too, you’ll be drooling!

Filed Under: Fashion, gothic fashion, Japanese Fashion, Outfit posts, Travel Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,
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