Charmed

I'm big on bling. The more outrageous, and in your face, the better. (Judith Leiber, anyone?) But I think it's also worth mentioning that restraint is also a very valuable quality as far as fashion goes, and even in visual kei, there's a fine line between what's laughable and what's just right.

Although both of the below images are a couple seasons old by now, it still inspired quite the spark in me to make the comparison. Something about Reita's bedazzled and whip-stitched jacket just made be think "That Burberry bag!" See below:

From October 2010 Arena37C

Actually, one thing I like about most of the GazettE's outfits from RED PV is the level of texture.(Can I please, please, please know who makes their outfits??!! ) Other than Ruki who's rocking sequins again after Before I Decay (plus he's now blonde again!), every other member has some sort of embossed lizard or croc print going on somewhere. Hard to see, but trust me, it's there.

Quick Observation

Ok, so I got the Autumn/ Winter Issue of Gothic Lolita Bible, and upon flipping through its glossy pages, found a spread on Ali Project. Now, this is one artist I simply HAVE to know more about, half for the outfits and half for the music. Ok, maybe more for the outfits, because every time I see an article, I keep kicking myself for not doing more research. This outfit (at left), however, made me do a double take as it reminded me very clearly of Ruki from Taion PV (at right.) Maybe I watch one too many GazettE PVs, but still.... I thought the parallel was worth mentioning. Ali Project really rocks it out!

A Year in J-Fashion- Sixh

From Left- Ibi (designer of Sixh), Vic Mignogna, and Mint (designer of Sixh). It was announced at Anime Next 2011 that the popular voice actor would be collaborating on a line with h.Naoto. Wow, it has been a long time since I posted. But I think since it has been a great year for h. Naoto brands in the US, that's why I thought I'd do a small bit on Sixh, which is being promoted in the US and internationally in 2011.

Sixh's clothes range from the dramatic to casual, a difference easily seen in the aesthetics of the two head designers of the line. Usually dark, but full of detail, Sixh creates interest with hardware, layering, iconic screenprints, and experiments in construction.

Ibi modeling a look from his part of the line.- Taken at Anime Next 2011


Mint modeling a look from his part of the line.- Taken at Anime Next 2011

At Otakon we received a suprise with a character driven line under the Mint Neko line. Models came out to upbeat music and a backdrop of hundreds of Mint Neko designs. The spirit of the line was not far from that of Hangry and Angry, the manga-centric line of h.Naoto, though the Mint Neko line has a distinct casual edge that only Mint can bring to his designs.

One of the backdrops on the screen during the Sixh show at Otakon 2011.

More info can be found at the link below; look for updates on Sixh and the rest of h.Naoto's brands for the rest of the 2011 con season. And if you live in San Francisco, you're in luck! They're opening a store in October. I'm sure there will be more to come!:

http://www.s-inc.com/usa/

This Blog is not DEAD!!!~Revival Post

Ok, well, took half a year and a lot has come to pass. I mean, the crux of what is wonderful in j-rock world has already gone past, like h.Naoto's countless appearances in America this year, along with the epic-ness of Miyavi, D'espairsray, and of course, X Japan, all in NY to show East Coast fans some love. Also, some sad news like the end of Kagrra, as well as the bittersweet release of a new album in February.

Perhaps my new years resolution will be to keep this blog alive? Instead of backing up on everything like it has been going. 2010 has been a good year for j-rock, so here's to an even better 2011!

In other random news, the GazettE has been released on American Itunes (FINALLY! In November though) and a new DVD is up for sale in March. Save your moneys for this!

Cold Shoulder ~ Cool Coats for Alice Nine

The moment I saw this photo session in the April issue of Shoxx, I fell in love with this coat, and REALLY want to get in touch with Shou to see where he got it/ who designed it:I'm not really too sure what's going on, but the one thing I can see it TEXTURE. As if it's been harshly embossed with pyramid studs or something. And I love how the look is all dressy and he finishes it off with a cool pair of converse-like sneakers. Also, here's Nao, the drummer, rocking a particularly awesome military look:

And the hair!! Is this red hair a new trend in the VK world? We've already seen this with D=Out! Not sure if this is celebrating a new PV, but I do know they had a complete collection released recently! Way to go Alice Nine!

Overall, the entire shoot is pretty awesome! Another thing I particularly like about the entire shoot was the background they created, as if in some sort of Neo-igloo. Calls to mind Karl Lagerfeld's EPIC presentation for Chanel Winter 2010-2011. Um...you know, the one with the REAL glacier in the middle, that was freezing cold and the models had to walk through a pool of water?

Doesn't get much better than this. Images found in Shoxx and Google Image Search.

News Flash! J-Summit in NY

New Japanese bands every month in the summer? Count me in!

If you like j-rock and currently live in the US, chances are you go to any event you can get your hands on cause...well... they're pretty few and far between as of now. If anything, they're mostly concentrated on the West Coast. So any event is worth going to, to explore new bands and support j-rock in the US. It's important to let people know we're out there!

I just found out about an even called J-Summit NY, that according to Kazen ni Jrick Article Blog, is going to be going on every month at Webster Hall, starting this Sunday. If anyone's in the area, it's worth checking out.

Here's the link to Webster Hall for more info.

Ride with the Wrockers!

Ok, so at first glance you're like, whaaaaaaaat? Isn't that an instrumental song the GazettE does at every major concert? Why yes it is, except well...it's Rockers, not Wrockers. So those who know about both might be a bit confused with what Visual Kei and Wizard Rock could possibly have in common, except maybe the music itself, and an unconventional way of dressing.

Well, not to much really, but I think it brings up a couple of interesting points on how certain fads, or trends, grow and evolve from, and with each other. Fashion and music are NO strangers, in any genre or culture, and probably goes back as far as time can tell. Perfomances are meant to take the audience somewhere else, whether that be visually or musically.

I discovered the concept of "Wizard Rock" not that long ago, although having been an avid reader of Harry Potter for a long time. Unbeknown to me, kids everywhere were picking up guitars for the first time and rocking out to HP, serenading Slytherin and rapping to Remus Lupin. This was awesome. It was the ultimate expression of fandom. And in the greatest sense of fashion every, if you're going to sing like a wizard, you kind of have to dress like one too.



Still have to find this movie!

Anyway, point being, fashion, music, and the fandoms it creates are cyclical in the best sense. For example, without those critical bands including X Japan and Malice Mizer, would we see Visual Kei as it is today? Maybe something similar (Lady Gaga is certainly chanelling a similar spirit), but without Mana, would we have Gothic Lolita in all its breadth and forms? Maybe, but maybe not.

And consider the fashion/music empire of h.Naoto. Apart from his multiple lines, he is also extremely involved in music projects like Hangry and Angry, for which all the clothes are his (not the mention the mascots!) His lines are intertwined with Visual Kei in more ways than I can count; just watch:



In any case, you get the idea. Wherever there's music, there's a voice to be heard, both in what you hear and what you see. It's a pretty simple concept, with countless examples in every musical time and genre, but each example is worth mentioning.