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!

Recent Gothic Outfits & funky lenses

It’s been a while since my last outfit post, so here are some gothic outfits I’ve worn to recent events, along with my funky contact lenses!

goth outfit

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Birthday faux-hawk at the Foundry

A few weeks ago I celebrated my 48th birthday (I know – how absolutely horrifying!)

My friends and I headed to the dark alternative club downstairs at the Imperial, called the Foundry – you may remember I wore a gothic curly updo to the Foundry launch night in November last year.  Back then I used a curly hairpiece I bought in Tokyo at the Shinjuku Marui One store. This time I stuck with my own hair, but teased it up into a faux deathrock hawk – my theory is, the higher the hair, the slimmer the face looks 😉

This time around I moved away from cyber goth influences – no corset or PVC skirt here. I wore a combo I often do – many pieces from Japan (gothic and gal) mixed with aussie staples.

The outfit:

  • * black camisole
  • * h.Naoto Black Peace Now vest
  • * black & white striped Cue jacket from a few years ago (boy, you’ve gotta love their Winter ’12 pieces!)
  • * oversized cross from a gal store in Studio Alta, Shinjuku
  • * studded silver cuff from La Foret, Harajuku
  • * leopard bag from eBay
  • * (unseen) pvc pants from Bardot

The club was not quite as well attended as the previous few, but still a good night was had by all, and we’ll certainly be attending the next one.

The first few pics are from the beginning of the night, but from our personal camera. The last few are by the club’s photographer for the night , Christian McGuinness, and so are more professional, but we were drunker and siller!

For those interested in my beau’s groovy pinstripe shirt with the vinyl straps and silver snaps, it’s from US goth brand Lip Service, but purchased from Newtown’s Furr Hair. Go thee and get some cool gear!

That’s it really. Just wanted to throw an outfit post in amongst all of my recent travel posts. Have you dressed up recently for a birthday, dinner or club? What did you wear?

Ghost of Harlem 2011 “Grunge Bikers” collection

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.