2 Reasons to Attend NYAF Monday, Sep 14 2009

Kokusyoku Sumire (Source: Kokusyoku Sumire Myspace)

New York Anime Festival is coming up and runs September 25-27, 2009 and there are a few reasons why you should consider going. First, famed Lolita musical duo, Kokusyoku Sumire, will be performing their special brand of classical and baroque-influenced gothic music. Second,  according to a recent announcement, BABY, The Stars Shine Bright will partner with Kinokuniya to bring an official clothing boutique to the convention.

A concert and some shopping – sounds like the perfect weekend to me.

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VIDEO: Kanon Wakeshima in Concert Thursday, Aug 6 2009

If you, like me, missed Kanon Wakeshima’s performance at Japan Expo in Paris, Otakon in Baltimore or her in-store appearances in San Francisco and Culver City, California – there is video footage of her concert in Paris taken by the folks at Manga News.

As a solo artist, she spends some time playing the cello during instrumental parts of her songs, but mostly traverses during the singing bits accompanied by a backing track while posing with props - amounting to her own Lolita/Visual Kei performance art. Very interesting, check out the videos under the cut.

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Black Peace Now & BABY, The Stars Shine Bright Opening Events Tuesday, Aug 4 2009

HAKUEI for Black Peace Now (Source: NEW PEOPLE)

The big buzz in the Lolita community over the past months has been about Viz’s NEW PEOPLE building opening on August 15th as it will become the home of the first BABY, The Stars Shine Bright and Black Peace Now stores in the U.S. To celebrate the opening both clothing lines will be holding special events with very special guests.

Black Peace Now – HAKUEI Autograph Session & Pre-Launch Party

The first is happening this Sunday, August 9th at the Nihonmachi Street Fair from at 3:00 PM. Regular BPN celebrity model and vocalist of the bands PENICILLIN and Machine, HAKUEI, will be signing autographs at the New People booth at 1746 Post St. in San Francisco. The autograph session will be followed by an invite-only pre-launch lounge party to celebrate the opening of Black Peace Now. Apply for an invitation to the party by following the directions posted on NEW PEOPLE’s news page - which involves sending an email with your contact information along with a plea to attend the party and then crossing your fingers and hoping for the best.

BABY, The Stars Shine Bright – Summer Tea Soiree with Misako Aoki and Kumiko Uehara

Misako Aoki for BABY, The Stars Shine Bright (Source: NEW PEOPLE)

The second event, occurs the day after NEW PEOPLE’s grand opening on Sunday, August 16. BABY, The Stars Shine Bright will be hosting an invite-only tea party. The first 50 shoppers who spend $200 or more on opening day at the BTSSB store will be given an invitation to the party to be held 5:00 – 7:00 PM that day in a mystery location. Guests at the event include model, notable Lolita personality and Japan’s “Kawaii” Ambassador, Misako Aoki and BABY, The Stars Shine Bright’s chief designer, Kumiko Uehara.

Kamikaze Girls (Shimotsuma Monogatari) Outdoor Screening

If you don’t score an invite to the exclusive events, fear not, you can still take part in a NEW PEOPLE pre-party by attending the free outdoor screening of the Kamikaze Girls movie on Friday, August 14th, which features BABY, The Stars Shine Bright clothing. The movie will be show at Japantown’s Peace Plaza (Post St. at Buchanan St. in San Francisco) after sundown sometime between 8:30 PM and 9:00 PM.

NEW PEOPLE Opening Day

Lastly, the opening day festivities on Saturday, August 15th should be enough to keep anyone entertained. BABY, The Stars Shine Bright and Black Peace Now will have fashion shows starting at 1:30 PM, but in addition there will be a day’s worth of activities and music starting at 11:00 AM on Post St. in San Francisco. For a full schedule of activities, check out the NEW PEOPLE opening day schedule (PDF).

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Lolita Calendar of Events [July & August] Monday, Jul 20 2009

Break out your calendars! No doubt the anime convention season is in mid-swing and those are always popular events for Lolitas to attend since most conventions offer Lolita-friendly programming such as fashion shows, tea parties, etc. But if you’re not into attending anime conventions, there are still plenty of Lolita events to attend  around the country. Check out this calendar of events.

July 20 – Kanon Wakeshima in-store performance & autograph session

Amoeba Music

1855 Haight Street

San Francisco, CA

Time: 6:00 PM

July 21 – Kanon Wakeshima in-store  performance, autograph session & art exhibit

Royal T Café

8910 Washington Blvd.

Culver City, CA

Time: 6:30 PM

August 8 – Alice Through the Looking Glass live chess, croquet & tea party performance with costume contest

Museum Village

1010 Route 17M

Monroe, NY 10950

Time: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM

August 8-9 – Innocente Seraphim: Lolita, BJD & Tea Parties with appearance by BABY, The Stars Shine Bright designer Kumiko Uehara

Bellvue Westin Hotel

601 Bellevue Way NE

Bellevue, WA 98004

August 15 – New People Opening with BABY, The Stars Shine Bright, Black Peace Now and 6% DOKIDOKI Stores, Jpop Stage and Fashion Show

NEW PEOPLE

1746 Post St.

San Francisco, CA 94115

Time: 11:00 AM

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Mana/Moi dix Mois: Concert & Q&A at AX09 Friday, Jul 10 2009

Mana

Mana is arguably the most iconic figure in Lolita fashion, helping popularize the fashion and even creating his own category of the style (Elegant Gothic Lolita) and clothing brand. When he descended upon Los Angeles during Anime Expo 2009 (July 2-5, 2009) along with his current band, Moi dix Mois, the Lolitas and Visual Kei enthusiasts were out in full effect to greet him.

Moi dix Mois’ show on Thursday, July 2 was suprisingly theatrical considering the band couldn’t possibly cart everything they use in their live shows across the ocean. For the performance, the band wore the exact outfits and hairstyles used in the promotional photo found below the cut. Not visible in the photo however is Mana’s white flowy, lacey skirt panel that flowed straight from his corset down to his ankles across the back with the front of the skirt panel tapering opens to a reveal a pair of skin-tight pants. The skirt made beautiful movements as Mana spun and traversed the stage.

As usual, Mana said nothing and instead guitarist, K (who has the best English), addressed the crowd  while vocalist, Seth, MCed here and there in Japanese. Something that took me aback however, is exactly how tight-lipped Mana was – throughout the hour-and-some-long concert he rarely opened his mouth to breathe at all even while rocking out on the floor or blowing kisses to the audience. I was amazed by his resolve.

The next day, on July 3, Anime Expo arranged a Moi dix Mois panel in which Mana and the band would answer audience questions.  After a 30-minute delay to the hour-long panel, Mana finally arrived accompanied by two members of his band, K (guitar) and Sugiya (bass). After a very brief introduction, the audience was told to line up and ask questions and they would try to answer as many as possible in the remaining 30 minutes. There were two contingencies however, 1) all questions had to be whispered into a moderator’s ear for screening before being asked aloud and 2) all questions had to be asked in English so the translator could be the go-between. Specific requests for sure, but despite the screening, they let plenty of hard-hitting questions through, so not sure what they were screening against.

Hit the jump for 13 Q&As answered by Mana, K and Sugiya.

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Kanon Wakeshima News: Otakon Tea Party & California Appearances Tuesday, Jun 30 2009

Screencap of Viz's email announcing the Otakon Tea Party sweepstakes

Last night, Viz Media’s announced that it’s shoujo anime and manga arm, Shojo Beat, is running a sweepstakes for the chance to win one of 10 VIP passes to have a tea party with Kanon Wakeshima at Otakon (July 17-19, 2009 in Baltimore). If I was going to Otakon, I’d be all over this. You can enter here.

In related news, Maru Music is taking Kanon Wakeshima on the road for some in-store signings in California later this month. A bonus for those attending the Southern California appearance, Kanon Wakeshima’s original illustrations will be on exhibit as well.

Hit the jump for the dates, times and locations for Kanon Wakeshima’s in-store appearances.

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Maru Music hosts Kanon Wakeshima fanart contest Wednesday, Jun 24 2009

Not to be redundant by making two posts about Kanon Wakeshima in a row, however Maru Music has just announced a Kanon Wakeshima “Still Doll” fanart contest to celebrate the U.S. release of her album. Art must be an original work, inspired by her “Still Doll” single, which is also a theme song for the Vampire Knight anime. Entries will be judged by Kanon Wakeshima who has a penchant for drawing art that is regularly uploaded to her Web site and blog. Prize is an “Ultimate Kanon Prize Pack,” however no detail are given on the specific prizes in the bundle. For more information, visit Maru Music’s Kanon Wakeshima “Still Doll” Fan Art Contest page.

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Inspired By: Kanon Wakeshima in Red Wednesday, Jun 24 2009

Musician, Kanon Wakeshima, in a stunning red dress

I’ve noticed lots of people have become enamoured with Kanon Wakeshima’s red floor-length dress and are wondering where to get it. Although, I don’t know the answer to that question, I suspect it’s a custom item especially made for her by mentor/producer Mana’s clothing brand Moi Meme Moitie. Although, getting your hands on this divine dress may be impossible unless you commission a replica or venture to make one yourself, you can still evoke the same look by dressing in head-to-toe red and adorning yourself with some intricate red accessories.

I recently visited the Web site of LA-based jewlery designer, Tarina Tarantino, and found myself reminded of Kanon Wakeshima’s red ensemble while browsing some of the luxurious looking accessories. The flower clips look like they could be plucked right from Kanon’s head, the lucite rose earrings remind me of the ring on Kanon’s finger and the baroque skull earrings are a perfect marriage between Kanon’s aesthetic and baroque/gothic music.

Tarina Tarantino accessories

By the way, if you’ve yet to notice, I’ve finally completed the blog’s redesign that I’ve been slowly working on for weeks and have finally ordered some business cards. I’m also looking to take on some people interested in contributing to this blog and write about gothic and lolita fashion and other related topics. Comment on any post or contact me through Twitter if you’re interested.

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HANGRY & ANGRY Autograph Session, Possible Performance at Anime Expo Friday, Jun 19 2009

HANGRY & ANGRY (Photo: Anime Expo)

HANGRY & ANGRY is a Hello Project musical sub-group that takes the image of the HANGRY & ANGRY Guro-lolita characters and clothing line designed by gothic/punk/lolita designer, h.Naoto.

Although, it is a completely manufactured tie-in and the women that personify HANGRY & ANGRY are not into gothic and lolita fashion or culture at all, it’s worth it to mention that they will be signing autographs at the Hello Project booth at Anime Expo, along with the current line up of bubblegum JPop group, Morning Musume. However, the rumors are already circulating that they’ll be doing a mini-set during Morning Musume’s performance at Anime Expo.

To hear a sampling of HANGRY & ANGRY’s music, check out the HANGRY & ANGRY Myspace (US).

Edit: The latest from the rumor mill is that only one half of the duo will be at Anime Expo and because of that, there will be no performance.

Edit 2: It’s confirmed that only HANGRY (Hitomi “Yossi” Yoshizawa) will be attending and signing autographs at Anime Expo. (via Anime News Network)

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News: Moi dix Mois to Perform at Anime Expo Wednesday, Jun 17 2009

Moi dix Mois to perform at Anime Expo (Photo source: Anime Expo)

The iconic lolita celebrity, Mana, and his project, Moi dix Mois, have just been confirmed to perform at Anime Expo, July 2-5, 2009 in Los Angeles, California.

Having catapulted to stardom by cross dressing in gothic lolita clothing as a guitarist in the visual kei band Malice Mizer, Mana created his own Elegant Gothic Lolita and Elegant Gothic Aristocrat clothing brand called Moi Meme Moitie. After Malice Mizer ceased activity, Mana began his current visual kei musical project, Moi dix Mois, in 2002.

Exciting stuff. I’m planning to be there, are you?

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