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!

New Rock Gyaru store FERNOPAA

On this most recent Tokyo trip, I discovered a new gyaru store in Studio Alta on the 5th floor, called Fernopaa.  How exciting!

It stood out to me immediately, amidst other retro/bland stores, on account of its rock/glam look – very much like tutuHa. There were lots of spikes and skulls, crosses, metallics, leopard print, stripes, black, splashes of red and fuschia, cool hats..all the things I love 🙂 I really like that there are totally wearable items in there, alongside over-the-top, costumey, for clubs and parties type wear.  For my money, there is more here for the average girl to wear than in tutuHa. But enough babbling, see the store:

This one is not my pic…it shows the store’s layout quite nicely.

The glamorous girls in the store looked familiar…and it turns out they’re ex-tutuHa themselves! Unlike some stores, the girls not only welcome photos, but they take pics of you for their microblog Fernopaasnaap!  I went there in the first few days of my trip, and returned on my very last day to get some more goodies 🙂 The day I last shopped, unfortunately I had no make-up, lenses or lashes on and looked disgusting, but  agreed to pics (oh, I could DIE!).   But it was so cool that they recognised me when I returned and made a big fuss. Anyway, here’s the link to when I was in the Fernopaa store on November 21st.  And here are my photos:

Ami, Morimayu and Yanitan (??) The 2 on the left are so doll-like! The third is very streetwear rock. Ami always wears the pirate hat and Morimayu the tall marching band hat.

I bought some fab wristlets  in the shape of spines, and a new eyeball ring (also just seen on the khaki-clad mannequin)…but I’ll show you these in an upcoming outfit post!

I noticed that gorgeous gal blogger Woxje has done a post introducing Fernopaa too!  She also gives links to the shop girls blogs, so take a look.

All in all, Fernopaa is a real addition to the gyaru fashion scene. If non-gyaru girls like me love it, I can only imagine that gals will flip! Hopefully a webstore will be coming soon…and maybe a shop in 109 one day? Who knows?

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.

Glam-grunge rock chick

Snapped at a wall near my home, on the way home from the Blondie and The Pretenders gig. A bit dishevelled, a little rough around the edges.

Digi-print & mirror embellished top – Sass & Bide
Waistcoat with metallic beading – Sportsgirl
Studded Union Jack leggings – Cue
Black & White brogue boots – Yosuke (Tokyo)
Tom Binns style skeleton necklace – me