Nude n’ Rude Koenji, 2012

Back in 2010 I first wrote about Nude n’ Rude – a goth/punk/fetish/alternative fashion store in Koenji, Tokyo.

I always try to visit Nude n’ Rude as I just love so many of the labels they carry, known to us in the west – like Iron Fist, Kreepsville 666, Lip Service, Demonia etc…as well as other Japanese labels and now their own Nude n’ Rude Couture 2012 line.

Since I was in Koenji recently for Secret Dog, ilil etc, I decided to combine them in the one afternoon shopping trip (along with a few other stores, still to come in future posts).

I wondered what had changed since my last visit a year ago. Peering in the shop windows, I was heartened to see the same kinky, kooky, retina-searing flavour throughout:

Nude n Rude store window [Read more…]

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!

Nude n’ Rude! Gothic & Punk store in Koenji, Tokyo

I love going to new places and discovering cool stores. It’s not every day you see a gasmasked, purple-wigged mannequin clad in hot pink PVC, clutching a fetish magazine and a whip, is it? No, me neither. But here it is, in the heart of Koenji – the store Nude n’ Rude.

 A cursory look at the shop windows reveals a place that is definitely out of the norm.
(Click on the pics to see them bigger and in more detail)
The teal-haired, large bosomed mannequin in the window beckons you in…
Stepping inside, we see racks of brightly coloured dresses, shirts, boots and skirts, as well as studded collars and other jewellery.
My, how I wanted that Horrorpops t-shirt (as I’m a big fan) but I resisted.
Nude & Rude stocks a lot of western fetish & gothic magazines, along with fetish paraphernalia – collars, cuffs, boots, ballgags…
Your eyes are drawn inexorably to the graffitti’d wall..and to the chandelier above
before flitting from one colourful object to another: plates, furry claws (a la Sisen), rubber ducks, fancy dress items, to leopard dresses, bags and shoes once again.
It’s colourful chaos, and I love it.
The name brands are all here: Lip Service (the US gothic one, not the Shibuya gal label), Iron Fist, Demonia/Pleaser, Kreepsville 666, Sourpuss clothing, Leg Avenue, Rockin’ Bones…you name it!
If you are after the same brands we have in Australia/US/UK, and the same style of goth and punk gear, then this shop, Hellcatpunks and Sexpot Revenge are the stores for you. Funnily enough, they are my friends Akie and Utarou’s fave stores too.
There is, however, far more colour here than in their western counterparts. Eye-popping pinks and vivid greens sear your retinas as your synapses fire wildly and your brainmeats explode.
We chatted to the store manager Lilian and learned that Plastikhaar/Ukiyo 5 is now being stocked there! Furthermore, Sara Hochuli was coming to town in a few days and they were throwing her a party, hosted by Akie.
Some fuzzy pics from the party follow; the usual goth suspects attended. Below is Lilian in the pink & green hair, Akie and Sisen.
Sarah with the shopgirls, Sisen eating cake
John (Comte de Sang), Michael and G-sus
But back to the store and my first visit there. I can tell you I was pretty darned impressed. But we had to leave sometime, and as we do and I take a last look back from outside, I spy the Siouxsie t-shirt – damned cool.
Meanwhile Akie rebels against the fascists trying to keep her down, by smoking in a no smoking zone, hehe… My friends are awesome 🙂
(Not that I approve of smoking, mind. “It’s not big and it’s not clever”, as someone’s mum used to say. Not mine, as she was a chain-smoker from way back and put me off the things for life!…but I digress)
For even more pics, see the entry on Nude n’ Rude in Tokyo Shop Style, on the Style Arena website.

Nude n’ Rude
http://ameblo.jp/nude-n-rude/
1F 4-9-8 koenji-minami, suginami-ku, Tokyo
Map here
TEL:6314-1517
Business Hours:12:00 – 21:00

Plastikhaar/Ukiyo5 blog