Abilletage Halloween Party at Trump Room

Remember my post about the gorgeous corset store and tea salon Abilletage? Well, I also attended the Abilletage Halloween Party – and what an event it was!

The event was held in Shibuya’s very decadent Trump Room – ooh la la! The ceilings there are decked out in multiple chandeliers – adorning the place like fine jewellery.

Trump Room Shibuya

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Fernopaa at Studio Alta Shinjuku, Amihamu, Spiked collar & cuffs

Last November when in Tokyo, I visited Fernopaa for the first time in Studio Alta Shinjuku – see my post “New Rock Gyaru store FERNOPAA

Well, returning this time, I found the gorgeous Amihamu there, seen here with me, and the store layout much as it was…but with a BIG Halloween theme (as seen everywhere in Tokyo)

me with Amihamu from Fernopaa, Shinjuku

And even better is the photo of both the beautiful shopstaff:

Fernopaa girls Amihamu

On my first visit this time I saw a great black spiked bra that’d be fab for clubbing, but when I went back, it was sold out! I grabbed a spiked black satin collar instead:

spiked collar from Fernopaa

If the tag and lettering remind you of tutuHA, aparently the designer of  tutuHA is now the Fernopaa designer, and hence the name change to Glavil by tutuHA. (And btw, there is now a pre-order Glavil by tutuHA page on Facebook – go check it out!)

Last year I bought a pair of exquisite cuffs that are modelled on the human spine, that I failed to post before now:

spine jewellery from Fernopaa

So you can see from the pics that Fernopaa is very much a rock gyaru store, with a lot of gothic crossover. Although there remain certain elements I wouldn’t wear in the store (like the babydoll dresses, hotpants etc), there are a lot of items I would buy and wear. The accessories especially, are right up my goth-rock alley!

For more info and inspiration, see the following links:

Fernopaa Official Shop Blog

Fernopaa Snaap (pics of shopstaff & customers)

Ami’s Blog

Fernopaa Tumblr

There are a lot of tumblrs dedicated to gyaru fashion, shopstaff style and Amihamu in particular, that could keep you browsing for hours! Let me know what your faves are, along with shop staff blogs you like the most.

The girl with the dragon tattoo tights…..and the spine heeled boots

AKA “These spine-heeled boots were made for walkin’ round Shinjuku”.

I thought I’d post this Vlog from when I was in Tokyo – filmed in my little room at the Hotel Vintage Shinjuku. In it I show off some fashion finds, like these amazing tattoo tights (below) from the infamous and fabulous gyaru mall Shibuya 109:

punk tattoo tights  punk goth japanese tattoo tights

japanese goth punk tattoo tights

The store is called Poco a Poco, and it has an extensive range of tights, including Celeste Stein.  See the Poco a Poco official website for the full range. Mine are the Dragon Tattoo tights. I felt so hip and trendy wearing these, I tell you; I just wish they came in a non-footless version.

I also bought some tights in turquoise leopard (so me).

punk tights

I also show off the Dsquared2 spine heel knock-off boots from Glad News (still my fave gal store)

spine heeled boots from Glad News

spine heels on Glad News boots

The boots are here in the Glad News webstore, (but they’re sold out except for a few left in small).

I also show a strange accessory that looks like a black PVC octopus, to be worn as a shoulder accessory or even a bustle! I saw it in Sexpot Revenge Harajuku (where I purchased it), and also in Nude n’ Rude. I have updated posts on these stores coming up soon; for past blog posts see my previous Nude n’ Rude post, and Sex Pot Revenge store in Harajuku.

I also chat about some of the walks I’ve been filming round Shinjuku, and what I’ve been up to. But heck, enough about what’s in it, why not have a look for yourself?

I also bought a pair of spiked ankle boots from Dog in Harajuku, that were Lita knock-offs. What do you think of the spine heeled knock-off boots? Given that they cost a third of the price of the original shoes, would you buy them? Have you ever bought knock-off iconic footwear? What are your faves? If you know of any other cool tattoo tights, do share as well!

Next Tokyo visit, next week!

I take off for Tokyo next Friday…and am getting excited!

It has been 11 months since I was last there, unlike when I used to go 2 to 3 times a year. Last November I spent 9 or 10 days there and here’s a little recap of the highlights.

Shopping!

I bought this now favourite jacket of mine, a teal feather jacket from gal brand Sly – seen here with Issey Miyake Pleats Please lurex top and multi cross necklace from Black Peace Now.  I’ll be wearing another Pleats Please top I bought in an upcoming outfit post, but in bright aqua.

Sly Japan, Issey Miyake, pleats please

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Kawaii Girls Art & Pussy Portraits, Sydney Fringe Festival

Love kawaii art & culture but can’t get to Japan?

Sydneysiders can go to TAP Gallery in Darlinghurst, where as part of the Sydney Fringe Festival, the Kawaii Girls Art & Pussy Portraits is on display until 22 September. (And get your mind out of the gutter; there are a lot of cat portraits, OK?)

Presented by Mayumi International, this exhibition brings together more than 70 art works by 30 professional Japanese illustrators and artists.

Kawaii Girls Art

kawaii cat by Murayoshimi 

As you can see, the works all have a playful character, a sweetness and cuteness that are the heart of kawaii.

 

The exhibition is on 12 midday to 6pm each day, so hop on down to grab yourself some kawaii culture!

TAP Gallery
278 Palmer St, Darlinghurst
Tel: 02-9361 0440