Archive for April, 2011

Space Police

Story by: Dan Barrett

The commissioner’s face materialized on the silver video screen next to the bed. Grey light from dome’s simulated sun pierced the window and reflected into her eyes from the display’s metallic border. She was being called into action to prevent another attack on an incoming interstellar freighter; this one was scheduled to dock at port 17. The image fizzled out and the monitor receded back into its fitted slot in the steel plated wall. She hopped up and threw on her uniform, her shoes clanking lightly against the linoleum flooring of the housing unit. At the door she punched in the command sequence and the lift elevator arrived speedily to whisk her to the ground floor twenty six levels below. She vaulted into her hover car and took the tunnel under the ruins of the midtown bridge – the quickest way to get to the shipping terminals. Once she arrived, ray gun in hand, she moved stealthy past the silver, glass-encased high rises and gardening robots tending to the vegetation carefully arranged in efficient rows interspersed throughout the cities’ sidewalks. The building which housed the terminals was surrounded by large, saucer shaped light rigs which contained super-efficient atomic bulbs that could last 5,000 years without replacement. The roughly diamond shaped, concrete guard post with trapezoidal windows was abandoned: a clear sign of foul play. She quietly entered through a side door and noticed that the two security cameras blinking at irregular frequencies, likely an indication of tampering. She un-holstered her weapon and began the trek down the long, dustless corridors making up the myriad, though efficiently designed, innards of the terminals, where eventually she would confront and take down another day’s worth of lunar bandits, with enough time to hit the new hyper sauna 3000 before nightfall.

Inspiration List: My boyfriend who, upon seeing the Das Bunker Cap Sleeve Top informed me that the shirt looks akin to something “Space Police” might wear. I took it as an issue of challenge and ran with the idea head-first at full speed.

Additional inspiration: I cannot help but be enthralled by some of the finest examples of Brutalist architecture Washington DC has to offer. I’m especially partial to the UFO-like plastic canopies lining the plaza in front of the stately exposed concrete behemoth that is the Robert C .Weaver Building, closely followed by the cylindrical Hirschorn museum, often referred to as “a spacecraft parked on the National Mall”, and likened to a bunker. I knew juxtaposing the austerity of the béton brut with the bright optimism earmarked by tales of star-faring, silver-Ray-Gun-toting heroines of the Space Age era would be a marriage made in retrofuturist heaven.

First came the asbestos

In the beginning of the 20th century, as mankind inched closer and closer to the still mystery-enshrouded year 2000, it was hard to imagine what wonders this mythical “land of tomorrow” might have in store for the clothes-conscious citizen of the future, but it certainly didn’t stop scientists, designers and Sci-Fi writers alike from taking (often hilariously wrong) guesses. Yesterday’s sartorial speculations of what the brave new world might hold for us usually scored fairly high on the WTF scale. For example, 1913 prophesized the dawn of a new style era spearheaded by the popularization of the phototropic garment. Clothing would readily conform to the amount of light present in its immediate vicinity. In theory, a simple light-colored sheath would morph from beach wear to darker hued barroom attire as day turned to night. No changing necessary. I suppose the only thing they got right there was the fact that the “women of the future” visit more bars than they did in 1913. Then, in 1929, “fashion forward” became synonymous with dresses of asbestos and aluminum. But hey, I’ll take that over the recent resurgence of those hideous early 90’s floral prints that brutally beat my aesthetic sensibilities into the ground every time I step foot in a mall.

Some of those wise men of the past also foretold personal aerial vehicles, which still have failed to materialize.

And then space flight became a reality

Mass hysteria followed.

The excitement of conquering the final frontier influenced everything under the sun. Little Jimmy pretended to shoot the neighbor’s kid with his shiny new toy ray gun, Mommy read her racy paperback romance novels by the light of a Sputnik-shaped bedside lamp and the teenaged sis made out with her school’s football hero in the back of his tail-fin pimped 1959 Cadillac Eldorado. And that was just the present. The oh-so-eagerly anticipated future was going to be like 500x more awesome, right?

We’d have robot nannies to raise our brood (more time for those steamy paperbacks for Mommy), smart houses that cleaned themselves (and were possibly voiced by a pleasantly alluring British accent) and we’d regularly take summer vacation to Mars. Can I get a FUCK YEAH, MARS?

Oh, and we’d all dress like the Jetsons. But darker. Therefore giving a giant fuck you to the popular notion that “cybergoth” is the only way to rock futuristic frocks.

Sometimes in order to see the future, it’s very much necessary to look into the past.

Industrial Pinup

Forsaking eye-blinding neons in favor of a palette inspired by both the vast blackened vacuum of the cosmos and progress carved from concrete and steel. Future seen through the eyes of the past, spotlighting the mid-century’s focus on showcasing the female shape, is the perfect vehicle for the industrial pinup. Tapping into the grace of the yesteryear, while simultaneously millennia ahead of her peers, she does “futureperfect” while wholly circumnavigating thedomain of the cybergoth. And you’d never mistake her for a raver.

• Das Bunker Cap Sleeve Top in the black/gunmetal colorway boasts exaggerated, angular shoulders that get the “retrofuture” message across loud and clear. And suit the female body better than the unisex jumpsuit and other retrofuristic fashion don’ts that its ilk do. Not particularly feeling all the excessive décolletage? Simply layer a basic black stretch bandeau underneath, lending the appearance of a more modest look, without adding the burden of actually wearing multiple pieces.
• Traditionally a garment of the past, the corset is given a new life in PVC, a manmade petroleum based industrial textile.
• A knee length black skirt gives structure to the ensemble, preventing it from crossing over into cosplay territory.
• Channeling the reflective aluminum sheen of the satellites silver was all the rage during the Space Age. Beam up your “retro rivet” quotient with a silver circuit printed wedge cap.
• Clunky platforms give way to metallic tack studded strappy boot wedges
• Keep it catty in a purrfect pair of Leopard Fishnet Tights.
• Pew…pew….lasers! The Ray Gun is fairly self explanatory, right? I mean how the fuck else are you going to kill space pirates?

Detailed victory roll instructions can be found here here. And just like I mentioned in Springtime Sacrifice the “if you fuck up one roll beyond repair cover it up with a hat” rule still applies.

Keeping with the “retro” theme, here are two makeup looks from editions of Lethal Style past that would easily complement this getup:

• The black/silver look from Springtime Sacrifice.
• The “no fuss gold look” from Donut Quest.Though I swapped the black liquid eyeliner for a metallic lime green and opted for a red-orange tomato tinted lip in place of the nude pink pout in the Space Police shoot.

Credits

Photography: Wynn Studio

Model:Vanity Kills

Location: exterior of the Robert C .Weaver Building & the Hirschorn Museum in Washington DC

<3

Vanity Kills

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Ciao, Italia! La Carmina has lots of Gothic Globetrotting ahead this year. Sebastiano and I will be in Italy in June… on a sponsored trip! From June 9-11, Seba and I will be special guests at Firenze4Ever III. It’s an extravaganza for top fashion bloggers around the world, presented by designer boutique LuisaViaRoma.

If you’re in Italy with a fellow Lip Service model, you might as well do some traveling, right? Our wonderful friends at Hostelbookers are hooking us up with hotels all over Italy — meaning Seba and I will be in Venice, Rome, Milan and Florence this June.

Of course, the first question on my mind is… what’s Italy’s Gothic scene like? I had the pleasure of interviewing my Twitter friend, Lady Aphasia, about the best Goth shops and parties in Milan. Here are her suggestions.

La Carmina: Tell me a bit about yourself.

Aphasia: I’m a woman in love — in love with my job (events organization), with life and with music. I’ve always lived in Milan, even though I’m half French.

La Carmina: How did you first become interested and involved in Goth underground fashion and subcultures in Milan?

Aphasia: It’s always been so, since I was 14 and I discovered bands like Cure, Bauhaus, Siouxie and so on. Milan it’s a little town compared to London or L.A. but we don’t miss anything if you know where to look for.

La Carmina: Can you tell me how the Gothic scene in Milan originated and evolved? Are there aspects that are distinct to the scene?

Aphasia: I guess it began at the end of eighties, where there was also the punk scene. Milan has been divided in groups: trendy ones, punk, gothic, metal and glam. Even the districts of the town were delineated by these groups. Music from UK and USA was like an overflow, so many discos and alternative pubs opened.

Now it’s a bit different: all alternative peoples meet in a few places, they get along quite well. But there are only a few pubs and discos. Now new wave and gothic has a quite of overlap with other cultures, like industrial.

La Carmina: How would you describe Gothic fashion in Italy?

Aphasia: You should check yourself, it’s very heterogeneous, you can find aristocrat fashion and cyber goth in the same group. During the last few years, Gothic & Lolita has become famous. Unfortunately there aren’t many shops, most of them sell cosplay outfits. You can find goth and loli accessories without many troubles, but for dresses, the web is still the best way.

La Carmina: Has the fashion scene changed a lot?

Aphasia: Yes it is, but because of internet, now you can see and choose clothing, and get input from the foreign scenes.

La Carmina: Can you recommend some Milan / Italy-based Gothic clothing brands, designers and shops?

Aphasia: For alternative shops, goods, clothes etc. you can’t miss Corso Porta Ticinese. It’s a street in the middle of Milan that will bring you to Duomo. This part of the town is where alternatives people meet, and there are many types of shops, low-cost bars and pubs.

La Carmina: What is the Italian Goth clubs scene like?

Aphasia: One of the most important alternative/goth club is the BLACK HOLE. This is my favorite; it’s not in the center of town but not far either. Zoe Club is the bigger alternative club in town. Then there’s the Shelter Club: this one is out of Milan, not easy to reach, but important for dark and new wave culture. Black Circus is good too. At these events, you will see dark, loli, goth, cyber styles all together.

La Carmina: What do you predict for the dark fashion / scene in Milan and Italy? Is it growing, changing?

Aphasia: I love Japanese brands so it’s quite difficult to answer. But things are always changing –  it’s always so, isn’t it?

La Carmina: Thank you, my dark Lady, for the interview. Sebastiano Serafini and I can’t wait to check out Milan’s darkest haunts. As always, I’ll have photos and stories for you on my Goth culture and fashion blog.

Ciao, ciao!
XXX LA CARMINA XXX
http://www.lacarmina.com/

(The first 2 photos are by La Carmina. The last 3 photos in this post are courtesy Shelter Club.)

“The city was drifted with human bones…”

This is the month I force you Lip Service junkies to dig into something ya might not have done for a while. You creeps are gonna read a book … or two. But not just any books! We are gonna get into pure adventure and escapism. THRILLER. The imagination takes over and dives you into our world like you’ve never seen it. Or could believe. This month we read graphic sci/fi-thriller novels that will “put lead in yer pencil.”

I’m privileged and honored to get the chance to interview not only a brilliant writer but a true friend I had the chance to grow up with on the backwoods plains of “B.F.E.” At a very young age I noticed my friend had an intense power to wield the pen to manipulate life in every way shape and form… Long story short.

My broham PATRICK LEE is talented as hell.

The reviews about his books will speak for themselves.

“Audacious and terrifying, uncannily believable.” -Lee Child

“Patrick Lee’s ‘Ghost Country’ is in a word: Brilliant. Less novel, than an adventure, it left me breathless and awed. It’s explosive, innovative, and ultimately mind blowing. Pure exhilaration from the first page to the last.” -James Rollins, ‘New York Times’ bestselling author of the ‘Doomsday Key.”

“Settle back and savor this one. Patrick Lee has an intense brand of storytelling. He’s a most welcome addition to the genre. The real deal. I look forward to reading more from him.” -Steve Berry, “New York Times” bestselling author

“Holy shit I’m interviewing Pat Lee next month…” I should read his books.” -Chad Cherry,  author of “Gimme Back My Leather Pants Bitch.”  *bogus review

“Wow! Double wow! Starkly original, ‘Ghost Country’ will make Asimov and Heinlein cheers with the angels. The techo-thriller meets sci-fi, and the result is mind-blowing.” -Stephen Coonts

Ladies and germs… I give you the ‘New York Times’ bestselling author of ‘The Breach’ and ‘Ghost Country.’ PATRICK LEE.

C.C. Pat it’s great to hear from you and it’s great to see your books on the shelves everywhere I go. Your character ‘Travis Chase’ (the hero in your series) is a no bullshit, “hard as they come” real deal fucking bad ass. Why did you mold his likeness after yours truly Chad Cherry? I haven’t dealt with “top secret anomalies” “other worldly power” or have been “mankind’s only hope” for a very long time.

P.L. When I was seven, my grandfather’s dying words were, “Chad Cherry is going to be a badass rockstar–if you ever get off your ass and write a book, model the main character after him.”  Then the crocodile dragged him under and that was the end of it.  I’m never going back to Australian Disney World.

C.C. Soooooooooooo Pat. I shit myself after I read both of your books. That’s how good your writing is. Does this happen to everyone that reads your stuff? Can you explain this to me?

P.L. I was actually going for a laxative effect with these books, but they were supposed to “work gently overnight,” like the products in all those TV spots showing people sleeping peacefully, smiling.  Instead, something has gone horribly wrong, and now only one man can stop the nightmare before it’s too–oh, sorry about that.  I get caught up in making things sound dramatic.

C.C. Let’s talk about the character Paige Campbell. So tough, so intelligent, so ruthless at times, so hot. Where do I go to find her? Please tell me she is real.

P.L. She exists deep in the stuck-in-adolescence part of my mind (95% of the brain, by volume) which causes me, when I’m playing Tomb Raider, to turn carefully in doorways so that the camera zooms in on just Lara Croft’s boobs and the MP5 submachinegun she’s holding.

C.C. When I read your books I genuinely see everything in my mind as a film that needs to be made. The story and your characters are so identifiable and perfect for the silver screen. We grew up on a shit ton of great movies and books.. criticizing (but still enjoying) most. Who do you see playing the part of Travis Chase (besides me)?

P.L. Hmmm, let’s see.  If the studio can’t work things out with you, I’d probably want them to use some CGI mixture of Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, and Leonardo DiCaprio.  Or if that’s expensive for some reason, Pitt by himself would be pretty awesome.

C.C. How far off am I for thinking Kate Beckinsale could play the part of Paige Campbell?

P.L. I would walk from here to Los Angeles on my ass cheeks to beg her to play the role.  (Only to be devastated to learn she lives in England.)  On the other hand, I could probably try asking the producers to call her agent and pitch it; a crazy approach like that might be better.

C.C. Are you still screen writing? And can you let the kids know about your past work on this subject?

P.L. I actually stopped writing scripts a few years ago, to focus on books.  It’s definitely fun working on scripts, but I think it finally just hit me that I’m more suited to novels.  As far as the scripts, though, I sold two of them in my early twenties, and… I think they almost got made.  (This may be what every ex-screenwriter thinks.)

C.C. Blondes or Brunettes now?

P.L. There’s a definite preponderance of brunettes in my dating past.  The fact that they’re in my past instead of my present is probably a result of my using words like preponderance.  (It could also be the zooming in on Lara Croft’s boobs.)

C.C. Your writings include loads and loads of brutal, graphic violence. (Thank you!) Do you think the young adults that read your books will want to go out and beat people’s head open with steal pipes? (I did get inspired)

P.L. Only a tiny percentage of my readers have actually been caught doing this.  The rest are smart enough to wipe the prints and ditch the weapon.

C.C. Your brother Chris is the reason I got into Van Halen. Does he still have the Eddie guitar?

P.L. Oh, I totally remember that thing.  I think he used masking and electrical tape to match the look.  It might be in a closet somewhere, but I haven’t seen it since circa 1991.

C.C. I’m so over asking you questions. You live in Chicago now, I’m in Chicago right now too…. Let’s go get some strange. Ya?

P.L. Shit ya!!

C.C. Well Pat, I’m proud of you and can’t wait for another book. I’m glad I got shit goin’ on in my life so I don’t have to be jealous of you becoming the bad ass that ya are. And thank you for the nightmares.

P.L. Dude, I’m proud of you too!  We’re living proof that you shouldn’t pay attention in school; just sit in the back of the class and make fun of people, including the teacher, and you’ll end up with your dream career.  (That statement is not legally binding, kids.  Your results may vary.)

So don’t be dumb and pick up Patrick Lee’s books immediately. All b.s. set aside (just for a second anyway) These novels are phenomenal front to back.

“Because something is loose in the world. And doomsday is not only possible…. it is inevitable.”

Patrick Lee at Harper Collins
PatrickLeeFiction.com

Maintaining my status as a guy that still doesn’t know or cares how to conduct a proper interview… but does it anyway.

Chad Cherry.

Chad Cherry from The Last Vegas has been naked under Lip-Service Clothing since 1917.
“That is a very long time to be wearing L.S.C. but I still think I look as wicked as I seem. Muawhahaha! If the record isn’t broke, don’t fix it.” C.C. XXX
TheLastVegas.com

Studio Servitù in LA Weekly

Let’s face facts. It’s often a pain in the ass to live an independent artists’ existence. Sacrifices, though, usually balance out with the perks, at least enough for otherwise-mainly-rational adults to stay out of the cubicles and keep at it. Sometimes, those perks tilt the scales so much they make even the most arduous sacrifices for the life of a full-time creative degenerate seem minute.

This spring is one of those times.

There is a feeling of renaissance in the air in the Los Angeles creative underbelly, but not your history books’ sort. This is a new breed of artistic expression cast in leather and latex instead of bronze and etched in flesh, not marble. Seething beneath the surface, there has been a growing lust among mainstream artists to explore their deviant sides. While they pined for the darker side, erotic artists touching on the beauty of deviation came to the fore.

Where these two creative communities meet has been an explosion of collaboration between parts of a very diverse underground. Revolutionary ideas are meshing in strange and unexpected ways. Even the recession has pitched in, playing its own strange part in the karmic shift. Just that little stretch of economic panic gave a lot of artists the last excuse they needed to pack in the suits and commute to commit to their craft. It also gave many of us a taste for taking creative risks, as well as an innate sense of camaraderie among artists of all stripes. In the end, we’ve discovered, we’re all one big band of brothers who have survived it together rather than competing creative philosophies or mediums. We found common ground and started exploring it.

Dr. Sketchy's at the original Studio Servitù

For a while, all these factors were growing, multiplying. The only missing link was a place such diverse communities would be attracted to and, thus, be able to come together on a larger scale.

Then, last August Jane Jett and Miss Crash opened Studio Servitù. From the moment they welcomed the first guests to their still-talked-about Grand Opening, Servitù became a major creative hub. Not only was it a go-to location for mainstream and erotic photographers and filmmakers, it was also the site of everything from gallery benefits and fetish events to art mainstays like Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School. One couldn’t go to an event at Servitù without meeting a fascinating range of artists and creative minds and leaving with a head full of fresh ideas.

In no time, the studio was getting press in LA Weekly and major blogs (not to mention a certain alt fashion legend’s webzine *ahem*). The sheer crush of popularity threatened to overcome the (admittedly) small space. The promise of “what could be” compelled the co-owners of Servitù to do something a little crazy. Less than six months after opening the original Studio Servitù, the doors were temporarily closed to build a bigger and better space from scratch. Luckily for everyone in the LA underground, Crash and Jane were game to take on this seemingly Quixotic quest.

Studio Servitù on HuffPost/CNN (and Blacklist) writer La Carmina's blog

Honestly, I am trying rather hard not to lapse into gushingly adoring tones but, in all fairness, I’ve seen the new studio. Every time I’ve walked into it and seen the latest progress in build-out and décor, Shakespearean thoughts of “we lucky few” spring to mind. After all, I am one of the lucky few to be able to call this place a creative laboratory and playground.

As you might (or might not) be wondering by now, there is a method to my madness, a reason this creative degenerate’s fancy turns lightly to thoughts of Servitù and creative collaboration.

The new Studio Servitù hosts its Grand Opening this Saturday night!

Studio Servitù on HuffPost/CNN (and Blacklist) writer La Carmina's blog

It doesn’t take a genius to know this promises to give the artistic underground a goodly rumble, possibly the kickoff of a seismic shift. It also doesn’t take a lot of brain juice to know Jane and Crash will make the first official act of Servitù to dazzle, amuse, and shock us just a little in unexpected and (of course) sexy ways, altering our perception of where the line between mainstream and underground lies, if it exists at all. We kind of like that about them and, apparently, so do a lot of other creative Angelenos.

Including Lip Service, who is an event sponsor (Did you have any doubt? Really?).

I said it the last time and those who may have scoffed or doubted missed one hell of a memorable event. I will merely repeat myself …

This is an invitation you really want to get.

From what I know of the night’s plans, it should be huge … a  thoughtfully naughty amuse bouche, a viewing of the documentary “The New Erotic”, will launch into a full-tilt red carpet party with VJ sets by Ginger Fish, as well as appearances by magician Rudy Coby and emcee The Lizardman. Knowing Crash and Jane, I assume there will be tasty surprises beyond the announced … that’s just how they roll.

Granted, entertainment is the icing … the REAL draw of a night at a Servitù event is the crowd.

Beyond the cream of the creative crop of photographers, filmmakers, artists, and models, there promises to be an even more eclectic crowd on hand at the new studio. Not to mention, some famous faces are expected as well. Plus, there will be coverage from various segments of media. Like the studios, the new Grand Opening is set to a bigger and better scale. If my intuition is any judge, which it usually is, it will be an event you don’t want to miss. To cheezily paraphrase one of my favorite movie quotes, this opening is going to go to eleven.

Just trust me on this one.

We are living in very interesting times, my dear degenerates, and they’re about to get even more so this weekend.

Hope to see you there!

Hey all you fashion freaks!

Darlene, first Fashion Freak at the sale, with Drew

This month has been crazy, as we are getting ready for our new spring groups and all the new costumes for 2012. This season we have a few new categories we are going to try and, as always, are open to any suggestions…

What do  you want? More daywear?
Any jean ideas or suggestions?

Send us your wish list and we’ll try to include them in our upcoming lines.

Last week was our massive warehouse sale

Check out these photos from the shopping frenzy…

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The sale was great but, to be honest, we missed you fashion freaks. Where was everyone in their gear? We had giveaway bags for the best looks and so few of you dressed up. We did have a lot of people show up in their undies, though, and they got a free pair of jeans on us. –The first 25 people were also rewarded with a 25th Anniversary silver dagger necklace (thanks again for lining up so early!!)!– But, we really missed all of you goths, punks, cybers, deathheads , metalheads, lolitas, steampunkers and … ya … everyone!  Keep in mind, there are still a lot of clothes down here at Lip Service HQ to buy (Our bargain basement is  open mon- Friday 9-5) and, if you come all dressed up, your chances of getting a gift or even a better deal are better. We love seeing you rock your Lippy!

Warehouse Sale shopping frenzy!

What’s coming up?

The first week of May we are heading out to the desert to do our photo shoot for Fall groups Step in Time and Burning Circus. We’re renting a Winni and hitting the road to get some awesome shots. We’ll have some great accessories from independent artists, as well as cool props our helpful interns made. One thing you might not know about our design room is we always have interns helping us out. They are a huge part of our team and we love helping them learn and develop their own creative ideas! If anyone is interested in being an intern, just shoot us an email and we will contact you with details!

As always, we are making kick ass clothes for cool people and would love to hear from you…

Sewing or pattern questions? Fabric thoughts? Anything at all you’re curious to ask, we are here to answer!
Until next time,
The Design Team

On the ground at the Lip Service Warehouse and Sample Sale. Sister label Kill City had a promotion to give a free pair of jeans to the first 25 people to arrive in their undies, so enjoy!

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Saturday morning, 25 Fashion Freaks not only got to be the first to get in on the killer deals on hot Lippy gear, they also were greeted by owner Drew Bernstein with a free Lip Service 25th Anniversary sterling dagger necklace. Here are the lucky 25!

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It can be tough being a girl in the heavy metal world – especially if, like me, you have a bit of a weakness for fashion. Metalheads are probably considered the most un-fashionable people in the world – our “uniform” of jeans and t-shirt hasn’t changed since the seventies. And, in a genre dominated by men, there aren’t many leading females from which to take stylistic inspiration.

However, once you start looking, you realise the metal world is full of beautiful, talented ladies who rock their own unique style. Metal chicks ooze self-confidence and sex appeal, and they’re not afraid of expressing themselves or the themes of their music through fashion.

Within the world of female metal musicians and fans, you’ll find a huge variety of different creative styles. Some lean towards more classic metal style – t-shirts and jeans – while others like to incorporate historical period styles – Victorian, Medieval, Viking – with more modern pieces. Some like to look tough and dangerous or draw influences from biker and BDSM subculture.

Here are some of my favourite metal style icons:

Angela Gossow

“I am pretty much 200% metal. It’s fun. You should try it! I get away with so many silly things. Headbanging, screaming, wearing chains and military boots. I don’t really have to grow up in that aspect.”

In 2000, German-born Angela Gossow became the new lead singer of melodic death metal band Arch Enemy and has since risen to become the most prominent female voice in extreme metal. While many female front-women add a delicate, melodic element to metal, Angela growls, rasps and screams. Her unique vocal style and confidant, take-no-prisoners personality makes her the perfect Metal Style Icon.

“My style is feminine/tough – matching my stage personality. I want to look good in my clothes but still wanna be able to move in them. I prefer pants all the way. Dresses aren’t my thing at all. I like it simple but with small, interesting details. I don’t like an overdressed look.”

Angela’s Look: metal shirts, tight jeans, metal spikey bits, fingerless arm warmers, huge combat boots. Pair your favorite Stretch fuck’n Jeans with a tank top or t-shirt, a studded belt and some big-ass combat boots.

Angela’s music: Arch Enemy’s 2001 release, Wages of Sin, introduced the world to the force that is Angela Gossow.

Tarja Turunen

“I like to wear dramatic cloak-like coats when I perform. I got my first leather pants with my mum from a sex shop. Where else would we have looked for outfits for my first shows? Many are surprised how small I am, ’cause on stage I look like two meters long with a big voice.”

A name familiar to fans of gothic and symphonic metal, Tarja used to front the popular Finnish band Nightwish before going solo in 2005. Her operatic vocals and powerful stage presence saw her quickly rise to fame as one of the pioneers of symphonic metal and one of the most famous female metal singers in the world.

Like her vocal style, Tarja’s clothes are dramatic and feminine. She favours decadent fabric, sculpted coats and long, flowing dresses. She often incorporates medieval and pagan styles into her outfits, so that her clothing continues the stories told by her music.

Tarja’s Look: dark, dramatic colours, sweeping skirts, bell sleeves, medieval detailing and romantic silhouettes. Try some of the flowing dresses and skirts in the Step in Time collection.

Tarja’s Music: her second solo album – What Lies Beneath – released in 2010.

“I feel most comfortable in black but if I wear color, they’re deep colors. I like clothes that let out my leo personality. In home in Buenos Aires I dress more muted because if we go out, people will notice me for my looks as it is.”

“I wear a lot of clothes by Maria Vazquez, Ricky Sarkany and Claudia Larreta.”

Simone Simons

“Every woman likes her perfumes, her lotions and washing powder to smell good.”

Simon joined Dutch symphonic metal band Epica in 2002, aged just 18, and has sinced toured the world wowing audiences with her huge, operatic voice and <> stage presence. A red-haired beauty, Simone loves mixing high fashion with feminine corsets and leather, creating a tough but sexy .

Simone even has her own blog – SmoonStyle – dedicated to fashion and makeup.

Simone’s look: comfortable and stylish basics, high fashion fitting, draping, relaxed, non-fussy details, corsets paired with leather pants. Try a Fashion Victim tank over your favorite jeans with a killer handbag.

Simone’s music: Epica’s 2009 release Design your Universe perfectly displays Simone’s powerful voice.

“After many long years of loyal service, my favorite leather pants has given up on me. During our show yesterday in Hilversum, I discovered that the fly of my leather pants was wide open. I have no clue for how long I was air conditioned down there. Nobody in the audience gave me a sign!”

Ladies, who is your metal style icon?

Who am I? I’m Steff. Born in New Zealand, raised on a steady diet of metal and out-of-print archaeology books, I’m now a freelance writer, accessible formats producer, and full-time iron maiden.

You can keep up to date with all the metal madness at my Steff Metal blog. I update 4 times a week with reviews, articles, advice and silliness about living the metal lifestyle. And, for alternative biz owners, I run a creative business community for the dark side at Grymm & Epic.

Keep it brutal \m/
Steff

We know lots of you Lippy Addicts are bummed as hell because you can’t make it out to the sale this weekend. So, we put together a little something special so you can still get some savings on new Lip Service gear!

Just shop in the Lip Service webstore Saturday and Sunday and use the promo/discount code at checkout to save 10% on your order. When you get to the checkout screen, you’ll see a box marked “Promo Code”. Just type in the phrase:
WAREHOUSEWEEKEND11

That’s it! You just saved 10%! Pretty fucking cool, huh?

Here’s the fine-print:
Discount code is only effective between 12:01AM Satuday, April 9 and 11:59 Sunday, April 10 (Pacific). Code must be entered into the checkout screen at the time of order and cannot be applied retroactively.

The discount Promo code can be combined with a Lip Service gift certificate or webstore credit. Just enter the credit code into the appropriate box and add the discount code into the Promo Code box to purchase your discount order with credit.

NOW GO SHOPPING!
Happy saving!

This month’s featured freak is none other than Michael Coleman: archetypal Aries and tyrannical dictator of the stage series, Dungeon Master.

Coleman is impossibly energetic in a way that can only be associated with Aries. He’s a dedicated husband and father who juggles innumerable creative projects at any given time and maintaining a regular presence in the LA Goth/Industrial scene.
As a writer and director of Dungeon Master, Coleman taps his vast knowledge of old-school nerd-ery while flexing some serious theater chops, some of which were honed in the Royal Shakespeare Company at Oxford. The show is best described as cross between Who’s Line is it Anyway and Dungeons and Dragons. Each episode, the cast selects six audience members to embark on an adventure through the lands of Atoll. They encounter creatures, traps and adversaries along the way, each of whom challenges the wit and ingenuity of the players. In the end, some survive, some do not. The last show of each season is The Guardian of the Flame: an all-star, best-of-the-best finale in which the winners of the previous season return to vie for geek glory! Ahem. Sorry. Got a little excited, there.

Visit the Dungeon Master website for show dates and experience the game for yourself.

And now … your ‘scopes.

Aries

You are probably getting the impression it’s all about you, this month. Well, I suppose that’s kind of true. But, it’s only because you’re hogging all the damn planets. As we rocket through April there are no less than five and as many as seven celestial bodies in Aries at any given time. It’s nothing short of a planetary powder keg and you are sitting right on top of it. Some friction comes down from on high around the 9th, when the rules of the game as dictated by those in command are suddenly revised without your vote. Some quick and dirty negotiation could save your ass if you’re willing to compromise.

Taurus

Even you – with your ultra-pragmatic, down-to-earth perspective – must be stealing a glance toward the otherworldly, this month. Weird things just keep on happening. Friends call at exactly the moment you were thinking of them. You dream of an event the night before it occurs. It could all just be coincidence but, you have to admit that there is probably more going on than meets the eye. Use that new found superpower to catch a few insights around April 17th into how your day-to-day routine will be drastically changing once we reach mid-June. Maybe you can make a few adjustments, now and be better prepared for later.

Gemini

Now that the years-long dry spell seems to have given way to a bit of flow, don’t forget the folks who saw you through the suck. That’s right. It’s payback time. Settle your debts and express your gratitude before Karma sends you the invoice. You’ll be meeting with a few heavy hitters in the first half of April and no one could blame you for letting all the attention go to your head. The name of the game, however, is shut up and listen. These high rollers are successful for a reason and you have much more to learn from them than they do from you. Play it right and you could receive a wealth of knowledge.

Cancer

This month, you may feel you are the one and only thing keeping the dam from breaking. That’s not much of an exaggeration and all the pressure will threaten more than just your sanity. Keep an eye on your body, too. Sleep once in a while and back off of the booze. I know that’s not terribly rock-and-roll but, if it really is up to you to hold things together while people around you are freaking right out, then maybe it’s not such a bad idea to maintain a healthier routine for a while. Your compassion for those who matter to you will mean more than you (or they) realize, now.

Leo

There’s a stalemate going on in your workplace that could tie up the paychecks, mid-month. After the 23rd, practical solutions are reached and a good, strong cash flow returns by the second week of May. Don’t let the slowdown scare you. There is no shortage of help from your friends and loved ones. All you have to do is choke down enough pride to accept support when it is offered. In other news, you may notice your temper is a bit shorter with people than it usually is. Your words come out fast and sometimes harsh when the failings of others clash with your lofty ideals. Just take a breath and let them own their fuck-ups.

Virgo

Frowning gives you wrinkles so, stop it. While it’s entirely understandable you’d be kind of bummed and feeling a little lonely this month, it only makes things worse if you give off the pouty vibe. Nobody wants to come to a party where the host isn’t having any fun. You actually do have an amazing knack for charming people when you want to. The mood you’re in can be felt by everyone within a ten mile radius. Use your powers for good instead of evil and you’ll meet with unexpected generosity on the parts of some well-connected movers and shakers.

Libra

The full moon in your sign lands right on top of a retrograde Saturn. That is going to amplify the emotional tension between yourself and others. Here is the solution: look objectively at how you are participating in all of your human interactions and meet the challenge of deconstructing your patterns, head-on. In other words, acknowledge how you’ve been a douche and take real responsibility. To see things clearly, you’ll have to look through the lens of another’s point of view. I don’t care how enlightened any guru thinks he is, he still can’t see his own face without a mirror.

Scorpio

It is time to reach more deeply into your own hidden resources and free yourself of the need to rely on those of others. Faith is something you might want to try, even if you’ve never considered yourself very spiritual. Some rather magical influences are well within your grasp and if you give it a shot, they just might render practical results. There are also plenty of opportunities to have fun and distract yourself with sexy little playthings, throughout the month. A party is a party but, exercise a bit of moderation if you want to get to May in one piece.

Sagittarius

It’s a playful, fun, creative month in which your authentic self-expression is openly encouraged. Your level of enthusiasm is even higher than usual, and in some instances, may border on fanaticism. If you’ve got a specific dream to propel, then you are – in this moment – an unstoppable force. If there’s no particular vessel into which you are pouring your prodigious zeal, then I guess it’s just gonna squirt all over the place, isn’t it? Instead of letting things get messy, set a specific goal that’s worthy of your attention and let momentum take over.

Capricorn

Pluto stations retrograde in your sign, on April 9th, bringing you a unique opportunity to explore your true motivations and your own deep, dark secrets. With lots of frenetic energy in your home and family life, this may seem to be a rather inconvenient time to be confronted by the skeletons in your closet. But, if you’re like most people, it’s your family that put them in there. You have a chance to do some rapid and intense healing, this month if you are willing to face some darkness. If not, don’t worry. Circumstances will force the issue, later this fall.

Aquarius

Your social life is more active throughout April and there’s certainly fun to be had. Just don’t forget to handle the mundane, day-to-day things in between lunch dates or you‘ll run out of clean underwear. Part of what makes you so popular these days is a growing sense of connectedness with the people in your life. You are empathic and receptive to an unusual degree and folks are enjoying the break from your usually icy demeanor. Keep those buddies close by when the full moon on April 17th lands on top of your traditional ruler, Saturn. Ask them to bring comfort food, a chick flick and some tissues.

Pisces

Career growth and prosperity are more available to you, now than they have been in years. You just have to show up and participate in their creation. It’s all too easy to slip into an attitude of entitlement cleverly disguised as the knowledge of already having worked for your success. Yeah, you invested the blood, sweat and tears. But, exactly how did you invest them? Did they go into fertile ground or did you pour them onto barren soil? The end result comes from what you do, not how much effort you expended to do it. If that cold, hard reality doesn’t completely blow your fuse, then it will galvanize your life.

About Forest

Forest is available by appointment for personal astrology and tarot readings. To make an appointment, visit her website: NuiCobalt.com or call 818-906-8263.