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My Interiors part 2

May 10, 2011 by

Next up for your viewing pleasure is my bedroom, which is very oriental, and all black and red. We have a four poster balinese teak bed, upon which we’ve draped a black mosquito net – what else would goths sleep under?

At the back we’ve hung a japanese quilt with geisha design, again in red and black, for a quilted headboard type effect. It is juxtaposed against an Indian carved screen, Chinese style doona cover and a presumably french inspired Cancan dancer lampbase – all very eclectic!

 

 

Again there is a Cambodian touch with a wooden Bayon face near the wall, near part of my shoe collection:

and generally there is a lot of wood, for a sense of warmth:

 

 

Unfortunately my dresser with all my jewellery on top is just too cluttered to show, so I’ll finish with a shot of the bed from a different angle 🙂 Although we’ve loved it, the four poster really makes a room seem smaller, and we will definitely be changing to a new bed when we move.

What’s your bedroom like? How would you like to change it? I think I might have  a more restful colour scheme next time 😉

Filed Under: gothic fashion Tagged With: , , , , ,

My travelling wardrobe

March 22, 2011 by

So I’ve been a dirty rotten stopout for not posting very much…it’s hard when you’re travelling, you know? I thought I’d just post a few fashiony shots, so here is my lovingly merchandised rack of clothes as seen in my Seoul hotel room (click on any to see larger):

  

The pink vinyl biker jacket is from Seoul, found on Level 5 of the Noon Square mall in Myeong-Dong. And boy, have I been wearing it everywhere!  The orange skirt is from Zara, also in Seoul. Everything else I brought away with me.

 

Obviously those shoes are just SO WRONG…so I went out to Hongdae and bought a pair of coral platforms that  fall between the orange & pink (& a pair of green ones at another store). Drool at the shoes behind us in the pics…

 

AS for the shoes themselves…you’ll just have to wait for my haul post, coming soon…

Filed Under: Fashion, Outfit posts, Travel Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Esperanza and R & E Shoes 2011

March 10, 2011 by

Since I featured Randa yesterday, I thought it only fair to check out some of the other big shoe labels in Japan.

Esperanza

The cut-out heels we’ve seen elsewhere have made their way into the collection, and I especially like the tie-dye and metallic silver boots here:

 

Unusual platforms are also to be found in the sandal section – it seems the footwear designers have adapted some quirky elements from couture shoes into their high street lines. I adore these anything-but-boring floral platforms with the fabric extrending down the heel:

 

The fringing seen in the wild-western clothing trend has also surfaced in the boots – my faves are the blue suede. One – because I love bright colour, and two – because everyone needs to own a pair of “blue suede shoes”!

 

Some boots have been opened up to make them cool enough for the warmer months. The floral tapestry style would go really well with Dolly Kei or girly gyaru outfits:

Goth girls are going to love these next boots, which in addition to coming in black, each feature a little skull, bow and rose!

 

Retro spots, gingham and bright colours take the spotlight away from the edgier styles and bring fun and girliness to the fore:

 

R & E or Rosessence

The standouts for me are the platform brogues (first seen in-store in January), although there are more sedate brogue versions available too (which again, would suit dolly kei and mori girl wardrobes well):

 

The retro theme continues here as well, with spots, checks and nautical stripes in evidence:

  

Likewise the 70’s trend continues with rope, cork and wood heeled platforms:

  

..and the ubiquitous fringing (combined with hanging beads for a little je ne sais quoi):

A mini-trend seen in this collection is the use of charms and chains at the ankle – something to watch for.

 

Somehow I feel there must be more exciting models still to be released, as most of these from R&E do not make my heart race. I do love the first two from Esperanza though, and will struggle not to bring one of them home with me.

What do you think?

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

Randa Spring Summer 2011 Collection

March 9, 2011 by

Although it’s just hit Autumn here in Australia, elsewhere in the world March 1 marked the first day of Spring! Time to go checking what the new trends are, and what better to check out than shoe trends in Japan?

Randa is one of my fave Japanese shoe stores and they’ve released their Spring Summer 2011 collection, “Natural and Luxury“.

Obviously very on board with the 70’s theme seen everywhere at the moment, I’m pleased to see that chunky platforms are featured heavily, yet with a girly, feminine twist.

 Not the clodhoppers from the 70’s as such, here the chunkiness of the platform is offset by delicate flower cutouts.  Heels are either wooden or covered in leather.

As the word “natural” suggests, the colour theme is overwhelmingly taupe, sand and beige. Not my favourites, as I tend to go for black or bright colours, yet I can see how versatile these will be with many outfits in the 70’s vibe.

There is embellishment galore, with beading in evidence, my favourite pair with hidden/covered platform seen below. 

Even the beaded Winter models that used to be in black, have been introduced in the new pastels: pink, cream and dove grey.

Or for those who prefer closed toes:

Others have embellishment by way of brass detailing and silk scarves, or tribal design inserts (love these!):

There ARE pops of colour, for those like me who love it, as in these snakeskin print shoes which each have a mauve underside, or the yellow boots with twisted leather detailing:

There’s even a version of the Jeffrey Campbell “Lita”, so popular has this style proved with bloggers and models alike:

The “real deal” below

There are also dainty beaded flats and flower embellished shoes, as well as bright coloured pumps and espadrille type wedges with rope heels, but why not hop on over to the Randa webstore and check them all out for yourself?

They are also available at the Rakuten website: New Arrivals, Re-arrivals, Bootees. And the good news is, you can get items shipped internationally, even if some stores on Rakuten wouldn’t normally ship to your country.  Tenso.com will buy it for you, package multiple items together if you buy several, and send them onto you – all you need is Paypal. Check out the Tenso buying guide here. There is also the Buy Japanese shopping service, but they are not accepting new orders just at the moment – keep it bookmarked for later.

Oh, I just know I’m gonna be in agony deciding what shoes to buy over there, yet again, this season. Which are your faves?

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

D Squared spine heel shoes – ZOMG shoe lust

December 16, 2010 by

I don’t usually buy designer shoes…mainly Japanese brand Yosuke from Marui One, as well as Wittner, Jeffrey Campbell, Demonia/Pleaser etc.

But sometimes you just think…MAN! Those are spectacular! And though the Alexander McQueen lobster claw shoes are probably more spectacular, so was the price. When I saw that Luisaviaroma was having a sale, with up to 50% off, I decided it was time to pop my designer shoe cherry.

I did think about it for a day or so…but when I got a Christmas bonus at work, the “be sensible” angel sitting on my left shoulder got drowned out by the “be FABULOUS!” angel sitting on my right.

On December 9 I placed my order. The shoes arrived yesterday – Dec 15th. From lust to satisfaction in less than one week!

Oh the excitement of opening a new box…

Inside the shoes were wrapped in tissue paper, tied with a beautful ribbon.

 

Gently I took them out of the box…and started taking photos of them, as you do!!

The complexity of the heel is just astonishing.

spine shoes

And finally I had to try them on – with leopard print stockings for added oomph.

spine shoes

They are, in fact, a little snug, due to the fact that I have wide feet (read:bunions), so perhaps a size 39 might have been good. But I think a little leather stretcher applied to the front section should do it, as it’s the width, not the length that is the problem.

I do prefer the boot and strappy shoe versions, truth be told, but they weren’t available, and I’m glad to acquire a pair of such iconic shoes.  While they are no doubt, one of the very few designer shoes I’ll ever buy (unless my addiction starts now), and a grand extravagance, I will definitely be wearing them out. I already wear platform shoes, and these are same height as some platform boots I already own.  Given my penchant for gothic and alternative clubs, these will fit into my wardrobe beautifully and will be worn, not put on a shelf like special china in your nana’s house. For that reason, despite the price, I do not regret buying these.

Dsquared2 is the label of Canadian twin brothers, Dean and Dan Caten, and has stores in Milan, Monte Carlo, Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai, Capri, Kiev, Cannes and Greece. Check the Dsquared2 website for more of their couture clothing and footwear.

I have to say I recommend Luisaviaroma based on this experience…and there’s still a sale on, so maybe you can let your “be fabulous” angel/demon loose too 🙂

Filed Under: Blog entry, Designers, Fashion, gothic fashion, Outfit posts Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,
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