Section: Lethal Style

Haikus from the Crypt

A love letter to deathrock girls around the world…in 5-7-5-syllable 3-line haiku form.

Teased up black Mohawk
ascending up from the skull
stabs into the night

Crossbone skirt and ink
beneath vinyl corsetry
seal her insides up

Mausoleum door
cackling branches and grey sky
keep the ghouls inside

Fresh grass, corpse below
Wind through the cemetery
can we live here too?

The icy voice of death
calling to me from beyond
party’s at Batcave

Rise up from the grave
leave our coffin for a night
time to party, yeah!

Death punk loud and fast
or maybe cobwebs and bats?
combine both of them!

Found my lost lover
exhuming him from the grave
lets dance together.

The key litmus test
do you think that Christian Death
was better with Rozz?

Dress to Distress

No rave in this grave, baby. This monster mash is all about the bats, bones, and honoring goth’s punk roots with DIY vests, bum flaps, and customized footwear(Meagan’s closet contains quite the amazing pair of spiderweb platforms). Layers upon layers of torn stocking, adornments sourced from carcasses of deceased beasts (gravers?), and a propensity for hating “all the techno bullshit DJs play at goth clubs these days” add further appeal to the deathrocker’s slightly drunk and disorderly charm. Oh, and they’ve been known to accessorize with the mummified remnants of those they’ve killed in bar fights. 100% true story. Anyone currently in the possession of a glowstick or claiming that Christian Death was in fact better with Valor is strongly advised to keep their distance.

• Nothing goes with a graveyard tan quite like the Lippy’s Dem Bones #56-298 Totally Rad Sun(Not) dress.
• Favorite band tee seems to exist exclusively in size Men’s XL? No problem. Scissors, thread, a thrifted vest and a rainy weekend holed up indoors (or 15 minutes spent surfing Etsy) open up a whole new world of one of a kind band merch (Yes, Miss Meagan Kyla whipped this number up herself).
• Much to our collective chagrin, spring weather has proven itself to be downright schizo in 2012 (85° today, snow flurries tomorrow). Staying ahead of those surprise bone chillin’ cold fronts means slipping on a lightweight black lace cardi under your vest to keep warm without adding outfit-sabotaging excess bulk.
• Dancing with the dead is known to be a risky business, so nip in that waist with a buckled black striped corset, before your zombified heart’s desire (or the maggots he’s covered in) takes a nip of your intestines.
• To avoid jostling the dead from their eternal slumber with your Frankenstein footwear- opt for a pair of brothel creepers while creepin’ about the boneyard. Or if you’re trying to bail on a passed out hooker without paying for services rendered.
• Let it be known that those shredded, distressed, completely and utterly obliterated stockings are as iconic to deathrock fashion almost as much as the deathhawk itself.
• First rule of grave robbing: Any jewels/spare ribs no one’s currently using procured in the act of raiding tombs are considered to be finder’s keepers.

High & Mighty Hawk

Miss Meagan Kyla kindly imparts her “grave wisdom” concerning the ins and outs of taking hair to skyscraper heights.

Tools of the trade:

• Comb or teasing brush (I like the brush)
• Strong hair spray, if it doesn’t read “mega ultra hurricane proof”, then pass. I recommend Bedhead Hard Head.

• Step one: Crimp or straighten hair with your choice of appliances
• Step two: Section off hair and commence with the back combing. Start from root to tip, don’t be shy, tease, tease, TEASE! (tip: small sections equals more tease, more tease equals more volume)
• Step three: Spray with hair spray at roots per section, more teasing, hair spray, repeat. The more organized teased chaos on your head the better.
• Step five: Adorn your ‘hawk with various bits and bobbles. *Added deathrock bonus points for animal bones or spider webs.
• Step six: Now try fitting your massive deathhawk do’ into the car for the ride to the club. Good luck and don’t fuck it up!

Credits

Photographer: Zach Rose

Model:Meagan Kyla of Coffin Kitsch

Location: Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo, NY

<3

Vanity Kills

Festival Kinetik: What to Wear, Who to see, Where to Go

It’s mid-March, which means that Kinetik 5 is only two months away. For those going: have you secured your mode of transportation yet? Gotten passport related affairs in order? Purchased tickets? Found accommodations? If not, it’s time for shit to get real. The closer you get to the date of the festival, the pricier the hotels. Not to mention the plane, train, or bus tickets (assuming you’re not traveling by car). Parking is notorious for being a bitch in Montreal when you’re a non-resident so, for the first time ever, I’ll be journeying by train. Since I’ve done my fair share of long-distance travel by both train and bus, I’m fairly sure that it will suck, but hey, at least I get to go. And I’ll be in good company. So we’ll all be suffering in closely cramped quarters for 14 hours together :)

On your travel day…

 

Since making my inaugural yearly pilgrimage to Montreal for C.O.M.A (the festival from whose ashes Kinetik eventually arose) as well as non-festival related spontaneous Great White North adventures, I’ve had my share of good, not-so-good and “HOLY FUCK THEY’VE DETAINED US FOR THE PAST 2 HOURS, WHAT GIVES?” border crossings. What I’ve learned:

• Be polite (Now is not the time to swing your proverbial “I have a problem with the government/authority figures” dick around). And always remember that fucking around with customs agents is a bad idea. They’re not your 12th grade chemistry teacher you shared inside jokes with. Saying “Yes, officer, I’m only carrying 50 tabs of acid on me” in jest will *still* likely get you a cavity search. So unless you and your crew look forward to being basted like Thanksgiving turkeys, save the gags for the gigs.
• Be succinct with your answers (don’t list every single state/county/couch you’ve previously crashed on when asked for an address).
• Have your hotel reservation (or the location of a friend’s residence if you’re shacking up with a Quebecois comrade) on hand, as “Where do you plan on staying for the duration of your trip?” tends to be one of the most frequently asked questions.
• Don’t try your luck by bringing weed or any other illicit drug across the border. Montreal is the Amsterdam of North America, so sneaking in illegal substances to this particular Canadian metropolis is akin to taking a really asinine risk for the sake of bringing more ice to Antarctica. This also means that you can’t bring prescription drugs that aren’t issued to you. Sure you can pray to every deity conceived by man that you squeak on by and get into the country without incident (because sometimes fortune favors the stupid) OR you can get arrested and waste all that money you already spent on tickets and transport. Your choice.
• Save your clubwear for the club. Alternative attire is more likely to single you out as a potential narcotics smuggler. Sad but true. Not every customs official is guilty of this line of thought, but it is better not to test personal prejudices. And if you have a visible pot leaf tattoo, well, then you did it to yourself buddy.

Bottom Line: Don’t act shady and in the event of getting searched, make sure that you have nothing to hide.

And now a word about booze…

Buying alcohol and cigarettes in Canada will put a significant dent in your party budget, so buying locally or hitting the duty free store before crossing the border for a last minute Jager run is the reasonably priced way to go. You’re already paying for cancer and cirrhosis of the liver, no need to add debilitating poverty into the mix as well. Don’t forget that you’ll need to hoard that cash for food, merch tables and novelty maple leaf-shaped refrigerator magnets to appease the ones you’ve left behind. And so the allotted duty free amount of alcohol and cigarettes per person allowed for visitors who meet the legal drinking age in the province of Quebec (that’s 18 BTW) is as follows:

You may bring in one of

• 1.5 liters of wine, or 1.14 liters (40 ounces) of liquor, or 24 x 355 milliliters (12 ounces) cans or bottles (8.5 liters) of beer or ale.
• 1 carton (200 cigarettes) & 50 cigars.

Anything over that limit is subject to provincial fees and taxes in addition to the duties that apply.

Aside from not wanting to draw the wrong kind of attention to yourself while dealing with border crossings, dressing for comfort is the name of the game while traveling. Truth: To don your best outfits while confined to a car/plane/train/bus for what seems like the duration of a galactic year, is to waste them. Do you really want to wrangle massive suitcases in 7” platforms? Or have strangers play a game of “Let’s Ask the Same 25 Redundant Questions About Your Makeup” on a packed Greyhound while you have no clear escape route from their bullshit? Trust me, you don’t. Keep it low key in a pair of #63-659 Baby Boot- Black Twill Stretch Fukkin Jeans an inoffensive band Baby Tee and no-fuss boots or wedges.Shiny Technocracy cyberwear,black sclera contacts and deadly weapon footwear will have their moment in the sun – at the shows!

Okay…you’re in!

It’s Wednesday night! You’ve managed to arrive at a decent hour, the border was a breeze and all things are right with the world. Now what? Unpack, shower and hit the town. Check out a pre-party (or have your own), sample some poutine, or spend a delightfully tacky evening in one of the city’s many strip joints. Fully immerse yourself in Montreal’s nightlife and get ready to kiss your liver, feet, and often good judgment goodbye. If it doesn’t end with you becoming an extended guest of the Canadian government, you have my blessings to get buckwild.

Note: My festival picks lean toward a heavy power noise and Terror EBM bias. Alas I will NOT be missing the cheesy vampire fun that is Blutengel for the world ;)

Thursday, May 17, 2012 – Phase 1

Who’s playing ? Combichrist, Nachtmahr, Winterkalte, Orphx, E-Craft, ad-ver-sary, Projekt F

Due to my school schedule, I unfortunately will not be able to make an appearance during Phase 1, but if able to attend, I’d definitely catch Winterkalte and Orphx.

Before the shows:

Left a key part of your outfit at home (booo!)? Tax return burning a hole in your pocket?

First things first, a pit stop at Cruella is in order. The shop prides itself on catering to a goth, cyber, psychobilly, burlesque, lolita, deathrock and fetish clientele, so you’ll be hard-pressed NOT to find something you like. Truly Disneyland for any alt style-minded consumer with one of the best Lippy selections I’ve ever seen in a brick and mortar shop. The prices are steep, so even if you opt to leave empty handed, indulging in a little bit of window-shopping fantasies never hurt anyone. Think of it as a fabulous in-the-flesh opportunity to test-drive all those Lippy pieces you’ve been eyeing. If the fit is right, you can always browse around for deals online at a later date.

Location: 63 Mont Royal E

While you’re there…continue going up the hill and dare your friends to race you to the top of Mont Royal. Even if you suffer the devastating loss of being the sore loser who reaches the cross at the summit last, it will feel damn good to stretch your legs after that excruciatingly long drive/flight. This refreshing hike offers postcard-perfect views of downtown Montreal and is worth the perspiration. It’s good to do something nice for your body before putting it through four days of non-stop boozing, late-night poutine excursions and mischief making till dawn.

And then there’s always the fine art of climbing trees in platforms.

Gig Attire: Stand out in a sea of crinoline falls, respirators and fluffy legwarmers in:

• #53-218 Gangsta Pranksta Jacket with Pleated Back in the black/white colorway.
• #53-3-01 Gangsta Pranksta Pencil Skirt in the black/white colorway.
• Fishnet backseam Cuban heel stockings(giving yesterday’s glamour a bit of today’s “anything goes” sexiness).
• Leg-elongating heels.
• 1940’s inspired ‘do.
• False eyelashes and perhaps even a penciled in beauty mark.

Friday, May 18, 2012 – Phase 2

Who’s playing? Panzer AG, Haujobb, Grendel, Klangstabil, Heimataerde, Shiv-R, Hypr!, Cenotype

Catch me at: Haujobb, Grendel (maybe), Panzer AG (I liked the first album, so I’ll give it a shot) and Heimataerde.

Before the shows: Feed your braincells before further annihilating your braincells at:

Biodome de Montreal

It’s a zoo! No…wait…it’s an aquarium! No…it’s a botanical garden. It’s actually all of the above. Walk through a lush, tropical, free-flying bird-filled Amazon jungle, try your hardest to spot a lynx perched atop a rock formation in the Laurentian Forest, observe close to 600 fish swimming around in the St. Lawrence Marine Ecosystem or watch penguins hop around in the Polar World. Personally, I’m partial to the Hyacinth Macaws, the lynx and the penguins.

Remember kids: Don’t fondle the otters

Location: 4777 Avenue Pierre-de Coubertin

Insectarium

If you’re not bugged (just do me a favor and punch me in the arm when you see me for resorting to a pun this bad) by the presence of some of the largest fucking beetles on Earth, you’ll want to pay this museum a visit. Alongside many a ginormous mounted dead bug, feel free to view a live stick insect display area and a glass-walled working honeybee hive. Can’t think of a better place to scratch your entomological itch.

Location: 4581 Sherbrooke Est

Creeped out by crawling, buzzing, biting things (you’re probably not alone)? Stop and smell the flowers at Jardins Botanique instead. This serene oasis amidst a bustling metropolis boasts more than 22,000 different plant species spread out amongst 178 acres of land including but not limited to a toxic plant collection, a Japanese Garden and Pavilion and cacti galore. During my previous visit to the gardens, hail decided to mercilessly pound the city and cut my nature walk short, so I’m plotting a comeback in the very near future.

Note: The Insectarium is included in the admission price of the Jardins Botanique.

Location: 4101 Sherbrooke Est

While you’re there…don’t miss the awesomely retrofuturistic site of the 1976 Olympic games. Take a ride to the top of the Olympic Tower for not-to-be-missed aerial photo ops.

Location: 3200 Rue Viau

Attention all tikiphiles and lovers of kitsch! It is imperative that after a long day of filling your head with culture and history you balance it out by filling your stomach with rum-filled faux Polynesian potions and sub-par Chinese food at Jardin Tiki conveniently located just a few blocks away from the Olympic Stadium. Yes, the fare is of standard Chinese buffet quality (read: not very good) and the service was quite slow the last time I was there, but not a fuck was given that day, since the place has tikis, bamboo and various tropical island-inspired ephemera as far as the eye can see. Come with low expectations of food, high expectations of through the roof tiki! How I wish they sold souvenir thotchke for my collection.

Everything tastes better drank out of a (albeit ceramic in this case) coconut.

Location: 5300 Rue Sherbrooke Est

Gig Attire: Channel your inner extraterrestrial in:

• #38-022 Hybrid Colony Off the Shoulder Dress
• Black sclera or reptilian SFX contact lenses.
• Mirrored silver or metallic green manicure.
• A sleek, straight modern blowout or a dread updo both mesh well with SCI-FI inspired styles.

Saturday, May 19, 2012 – Phase 3

Who’s playing? Hocico, Noisex, C-Lekktor, End.user, FGFC820, Cenobita, Iszoloscope

Catch me at: Hocico, Noisex, C-Lekktor, Iszoloscope and Cenobita (maybe)

Before the shows: Have an architecturally spiritual experience at the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal.It won’t absolve you from all those unholy deeds you might have engaged in under the influence of tequila last night, but will yield a slew of photos you can actually show to your relatives when you get back home (“Touring a church? You’re so wholesome. Awww!”). You don’t have to be a believer (Catholicism and I parted ways a long time ago) to enjoy this grandiose structure filled to the brim with intricately carved statues and a most magnificent altar.

Location: 424 rue Saint-Sulpice

Temptation awaits right outside the basilica’s door at Les Glaceurs.The brightly hued pink and green cupcakery houses some of the most sinfully delicious treats this city has to offer.

Location: 453 Rue Saint Sulpice

While you’re there…fall in love with the distinct European charm of Old Montreal, where you can enjoy a quaint stroll by the historic waterfront. Make sure to take an offensive photo in front of the giant, orange molecules in front of the Montreal Science Center. You’ll know ‘em when you see ‘em.

Gig Attire: A night of fast paced Terror EBM and power noise calls for high energy cyberwear:

• #63-661 Technocracy Information Society Crop Jacket in the silver/hot pink colorway.
• Unadorned black spaghetti-strap tank.
• #97-360 Strictly Confidential Zip Front Waist Cincher
• #63-670 Technocracy Think Tank Pants in the silver/hot pink colorway.
• Barbie pink lips.
• The most obnoxiously high platforms you can still manage to dance in without injuring yourself.

Sunday, May 20, 2012 – Phase 4

Who’s playing? Blutengel, [:SITD:], Beborn Beton, S.P.O.C.K, Miss Construction, The Gothsicles, Nitronoise. There will also be a rave on Sunday, May 20th which will require a separate ticket.

Catch me at: [:SITD:] and Blutengel

 

Before the shows:

 

Half a week’s worth of partying catching up to you? Too hungover to drag yourself through more sightseeing? If you haven’t had the chance yet, now is the perfect time to sample nature’s ultimate hangover food: poutine. This Quebecois specialty of French fries, cheese curds and gravy is guaranteed to soothe your battle scarred insides. Liver, you are a champ.

Taking a break from boozin’ and bands at C.O.M.A 4 (2007) with a plate of poutine.

While on the subject of nutritionally void yet delicious things…don’t forget to eat junk food currently available only in Canada, such as onion ring & ketchup Doritos.

Hankering for something slightly more sophisticated than dingy fast food joints and corner stores? With its abundance of gilded Buddha statues and candle-lit atmosphere Red Thai’s ornate interior certainly fits the bill. Not the most economical eatery by a long shot, but if you feel like splurging on pad thai on your last night in town, give it a try.

Location: 3550 Boulevard Saint-Laurent

Gig Attire: Pull out all the gothy stops for the Blutengel show in:

• #25-109 Shadows in Spain Cap Sleeve Top with a black satin bra or cami underneath.
• #63-043 Burning Circus Crop Jacket in the black/tea colorway.
• #63-045 Burning Circus Ruffle Skirt in the black/tea colorway.
• Lacy black tights.
• Black feather fascinator.
• Romantic face framing ringlets or hair backcombed to hell and back.

Congratulations you survived Kinetik 5. Ready to do it all again next year?

<3

Vanity Kills

Holy Crap! It’s V-Day, what do I wear…?

Dear V-Day Haters,

I advise you to take your butthurt to Tumblr, where you might find a more sympathetic audience. This Lethal Style is for those who want to be happily inundated with “hearts and flowers bullshit”. Believe it or not, often the best way of detaching yourself from overused tropes is to own them and make them yours. Starting your own traditions (whether it’s baking anything in the shape of an anatomically correct heart or buying hookers on Craigslist for your 45-year old technically-a-virgin buddy) that might not make sense to anyone else, but can actually be 10 times more fun than diamonds, pricey restaurants and other rom-com-approved clichés. And if that’s YOUR THING, don’t let some asshole blogger make you feel bad about it. Single? Who gives a fuck? Last I heard, singles were still allowed to gorge themselves on candy while dancing to “Goodbye Horses” in their underwear and get laid. There’s no rule that you have to be in a 5+ year long-term relationship to have fun. Plus, I already went over how the more you feel sorry for yourself, the less potential mates you’re attracting in lengthy detail.

Truth: The greater the amount of expectation you place on any date (February 14th, Arbor Day, Uncle Bob’s Superbowl Party), the less fun you’re likely to have.

So relax, have some wine and know that even if everything else goes to hell, at least Lippy has your wardrobe covered.

If you’re…

-Stuck at work all night and have to be in uniform…

Sneak in a pair of #99-006 Sock It To Me Dagger Heart Knee High Socks under those regulation khakis. Pretty sure that it’s not a dress code violation at almost any place of employment to party with your socks.

-Catching a metal show at the local dive…

Opt for a lightweight, easily machine washable cotton tee like the #12-061 Fashion Victim Deep V-Neck Wolf Pentagram Print Top that will withstand some asshole spilling beer on you five times throughout the course of a single night.

-Seeing a dude who gets really turned on by robot women (dedicated to my friend Michael)…

Zombies like girls with braaaaaaaaaaaaains, he likes them made of metal. It’s beyond obvious that any old skin-baring dress won’t fit the bill of “the droid he’s looking for”. When he’s more about your inner wiring than the inside of your thigh reach for #56-376 Hyper Intelligence High Neck Collar Dress and watch sparks fly (possibly due to all the metal-on-metal friction).

Bonus points: The pink version fits the holiday color scheme.

-Meeting your date’s parents for the first time…

Upon initially meeting your love interests’ closest living relatives, you’ll likely want to pull the wool over their eyes and trick ‘em into thinking that you’re a good girl…really. Which means it’s probably not a good time to parade around your rack and the naked pinups you have tattooed all over your arms (they’ll find out all about those in due time). Meanwhile play up your stylish yet conservative side in #34-4-01 Blacklist I’m Cold Sweater With Rose Buttons. Since it’s not an ecru-hued twinset, you shouldn’t feel too out of character.

Note: To maintain the “good girl” illusion never, ever add any of his family members on Facebook. You know why…

-Issuing the mating call loud and clear…

Don’t mince words, and say it with your stockings.

#26-9-09 Sex Pattern Pantyhose

-Bonding over animals at the zoo…

#63-014 Python Addiction Skinny Jeans in the black/grey colorway allow you to stay comfortable AND provide an excellent pretext to drop some of your impressive encyclopedic knowledge of serpentine predators on that poor, unsuspecting boy. Remember kids: Smart=hot.

*insert joke about snake handling here*

-You couldn’t find anything else to do and wound up at your local industrial night…

Date? No date? Who cares. The Clothing Gods bestowed Technocracy upon this world, and I can’t think of a better way to rock the fuck out of pink on Valentine’s Day (or have an excuse to don futuristic clubwear on a random Tuesday night). Since this fantastic collection *JUST* debuted, you’ll totally stake your claim of being the girl who wore it first.

-Chomping down on something fancy with someone special…

#84-6-00 Blacklist Midnight Seduction Dinner Dress proudly boasts its mission statement right there in the name. The lace up back pretty much screams “come and get some”.

Happy Valentine’s Day from Vanity Kills and Lethal Style <3

Vanity Kills shows off Lip Service Fall 2011 Step In Time and Burning Circus styles in Alt Fashion Magazine.

 

Producer/Model/Stylist:Vanity Kills

Photography: Maura Housley

Story by: Dan Barrett

As the calendar date shifts towards the 24th of November, people across the United States are make their pilgrimages back home to reunite with their families in order to celebrate the great turkey holiday. Their thought dials are set to tune in only to feelings of intimacy, festivity, and gluttony; and they no doubt eagerly await the anticipated merriment promised with the holidays. They are completely unaware that a mutant strain of influenza type A virus subtype H3N2 has re-emerged a hemisphere away in the Australian coastal city Brisbane, similar to the incident in 2008. Unfortunately, a cargo ship loaded illegally with infected turkeys was launched for the USA three weeks prior to the holiday…

The freight ship docks in southern California on November 8th. The workers unload the turkeys as planned and transfer them rapidly to slaughter houses. The day following the allocation, the dockhands experience headaches and sore throats. The abnormally cold weather is blamed. The turkeys are redistributed into packaged goods and sent to stores and markets a few days later. Some farmhands begin to notice dark spots on their body, but no apparent pain or discomfort. Business continues as usual. The turkeys make their way to myriad sectors of the country, and on their journey the meat comes into contact with uncountable additional shipments of good. The first full blown cases of the H3N2 outbreak happen in rural, sparsely populated areas and go generally unnoticed by the populous. Several families in North Dakota are admitting to the hospital coughing up blood and bile, typically with black spots littering their skin. A man in Wyoming with similar black spots is brought to a clinic with bleeding from the eyes, mouth and anus. By the time thanksgiving arrives, it is too late to contain the tempest of disease. Families across the country lay out their meal platters and begin to feel their flesh crawl with plague. Mothers begin to rend and tear at their skin to alleviate the hellish itch. Children cough and spew blood all over the table, filling rooms with the heinous contagion. The plague’s advanced form rapidly shows the signs of a viral hemorrhagic fever and leprosy. A child’s skin hardens and he peels away at the scabs; a man drinking wine collapses into his mashed potatoes as his lungs fail. Twins are driven into a berserk state and attempt to use a carving knife to remove the other’s face. A woman feels her entrails slide out of her body in a slimy stew of bile and acrid stench. There is no escaping the pandemic, it is carried by the birds and they are flying overhead now…

Happy Thanksgiving!

BIRDEMIC

She’s draped in lace and bones and something else you can’t put your finger on. Is it the distinct scent of death? This highly fatalistic look, styled to remind us of our own mortality in these uncertain times, borrows liberally from authentic plague doctor beak-shaped protective masks while adding some fresh ingredients to the mix such as feathered posture collars. The latter serves as a tongue-in-cheek tribute to our avian friends, which might or might not eventually be responsible for our extinction. Meanwhile pink ruffles trimming the Nocturnal Rendezvous Shrug which faithfully mirror the distinct fanlike folds of intestines provide a literal take on organic fashion. Go on. Catch the twenty-first century plague with Vanity Kills.

• Historically, plague physicians were suited in head-to-toe waxed leather cloak or gown-like garments designed to protect the wearer from exposure to life-threatening germs. Completely enshrouding the body was standard practice, and in the spirit of concealment I’ve taken great care to ensure that no bare skin was left exposed by attiring myself in a posture collar (to cover my neck), black gloves (to keep my hands from coming into contact with who knows what) and a floor length skirt. Since the amorphous, tent-like silhouettes of genuine plague doctor wear are not what I consider to be very conducive to femininity, I focused on adapting other attributes of the aforementioned medieval ensembles – namely the waxen texture of the over-garments. And so I fended off contamination (while bringing it to YOU) by choosing shiny, black pieces such as the Nocturnal Rendezvous Ruffle Shrug #38-116 and an equally slick underbust corset.
• Behold the blood glistening against a medley of caged guts and snow white feathers. You don’t personify a disease without toting around an accessory that boldly proclaims “Hi there, I’m not sidestepping subtlety; I’m running it over with a bus”.
• I opted out of the traditional wide-brimmed hat in favor of “bird’s nest”-like hair, complete with a small raven surveying the terrain from amidst the chaos on my head. The partially disguised presence of an ebony plumed pestilence carrier provided the finishing touch this “pretty in plague” outfit needed.
• Dem Bones cami top #56-296 and a floral lace button down blouse boost those style antibodies.
• I have a confession to make. I wasn’t always a fan of those “super creepy plague doctor bird masks”, as previously noted in Plague Widow. Something about that long-snout, just didn’t sit right with me. Inexplicably, that same eerie sensibility that initially turned me off drew me right back in, because it’s hard to resist adornments fashioned with a poxy lady in mind.

In conclusion, let us give thanks for making it another year without being wiped out by a global pandemic.

Obligatory Disclaimer: No live poultry was “fowled”, harmed or otherwise made uncomfortable for the sake of capturing these images. Not unless you count a tacky feather boa sacrificed to the photo Gods. The swine guts were purchased at a supermarket and if I didn’t use utilize them for artsy purposes, in all likelihood they would’ve wound up as someone’s dinner. I have no qualms about “bimboing around with pig parts” (Thank you Bud Bundy for that great quote), but I’ll never go as far as retrieving them from a live pig. Even if it’s a member of the Kardashian family.

Be sure to check out 2010’s take on Thanksgiving terror here.

Credits

Photographer: Stevie Oh! Photography

Model: Vanity Kills

Location: Letchworth Village, NY

<3

Vanity Kills

Dr. Ray D. Ayshun & Eyeleen

Story by: Dan Barrett

 

That he was once a doctor of a stature which could be considered noble is arguable. If you were somehow fortunate enough to find a past colleague, they surely would deny the knowledge of acquaintanceship now. For the (perhaps we can say) ‘good’ doctor shall only be known for his madness and perseverance in the arcane. He was testing something in the evenings, when he was alone beyond the watchful eye of peers, and the thing backfired on him. Some kind of radiation attached itself to his skin and melted it from the inside out. Unfortunately the dear doctor was not lucky enough to expire during the ordeal, but instead was forced to watch himself become rather mutated and corrupted by the amorphous foulness seeping onto his flesh. After the incident he came unhinged, or perhaps simply exhibited the full breadth of an inherent lunacy. Loathing himself, he retreated to a crumbling estate on the edge of the world where he feverishly stalks the countryside.

 

 

Eyeleen

 

So disgusted was she by the foulness that had overtaken her brother, she could no longer bear to look at his abhorrent, charred countenance. But the vision was of so hideous a degree it had become absolutely etched into the very retina which bore her sight; the only lasting solution was to destroy them completely. The act achieved, covered in molten blood and filth, she fell deep into an abyss of pain and torment. The grotesque objects of disdain had been removed, but the grave reward was to be trapped in a boundless void of formless horror. She clutches at the detested eyeballs, trying to find a way to rend them from this plane and erase all the horrors they have seen.

 

Matthew 5:29 If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.

 

 

Inspiration List: Twisted Porcelain Dolls by Jessica Harrison, St. Lucy (Christian martyrdom makes Hostel look like The Little Mermaid), Bill’s desire to shoot with Michael since “he’d make an awesome psycho”, the “Lyme Disease House of Walpack” and nonmedical use of antique wheelchairs.

 

The REAL Tortured Souls of New Jersey.

 

… The house is free, but the ghosts are extra.

 

The mood is that of antique-tinged insanity as fashion and violence march hand-in-hand by the way of bandages steeped in crimson fluid, colorways cast in bloody tones and truly eye-popping accessories.

 

 

• Much like a supremely elegant funeral, the #49-237 Blacklist Ruffle Dress Shirt and the #38-532 Duchess de Sade II Danse Macabre Victorian Mourning Skirt, both seen here in the blood colorway, bestow somber overtones upon the wearer, creating tension and discomfort while remaining well within the parameters of propriety.
• Disembodied eyeballs and soiled gauze up the ante on creepy.
• A heart cameo corset bridges the gap between structured and insane.

 

 

• Playing doctor is no fun in a coat that isn’t generously punctuated by sanguine splatter.
• In this “rivet rendition of Phantom of the Opera”, the most instantly recognizable standby of industrial culture sits perched upon the putrefied physician’s shoulders. Faithfully shielding his disfigured features from prying eyes (though they sure as hell won’t be his sister’s). And yes, ladies he IS single.
• Dr. Ray D. Ayshun’s makeup was applied using the technique previously seen in Blood Harvest and Springtime Sacrifice.

 

Note: Christian martyrs make some of the goriest Halloween costumes. Just sayin’.

 

Special thanks to: LA Mike (seen here in the role of Dr. Ray D. Ayshun) for laying on the most disgusting mattress known to man and falling through a couch.

 

Credits

Photographer: Bill Tracy Photography

Models

Dr. Ray D.Ayshun: LA Mike

Eyeleen:Vanity Kills

Location:Walpack, NJ

<3

Vanity Kills

Helianthus

Story by:Dan Barrett

Long ago, when the night hours were lit by naught but the subdued, mournful glowing of the moon, there was a noble inventor who lived on the outskirts of a long since forgotten seaport. He grew many rare and unpredictable crops on his fields, gaining him recognition throughout the land. Yet, he lamented that the growth of these wonders was constrained by the absence of the warm hand of the sun during the dark hours. He realized that if he could harness the power of the sunlight — to save and deploy it at will, he could have the finest crops anywhere the world over. And so he set about to do just that.

 

After years of toil, he was able to successfully crossbreed several genera of exotic flower to achieve the aesthetic design: tall and thin to reach above the canopy of foliage and grasp the sun’s rays. However, all his fantastic designs ultimately did him little good, as they could do little to accumulate the energies of the solar sphere. It was not until he bought the black oil from a shady, hooded figure in the obscurest of alleys near the seaport that his plan was able to achieve fruition. With the addition of this mysterious, viscous substance, the flowers became imbued with a hideous power. Their shadowy, porous countenance could now act as a beacon to suck up the sun’s rays, trapping them within the surrounding leaves. As this process transpired, the leaves attached to the circular center would come to glow the same yellow as the sun itself. The flowers could work as batteries: constantly pumping energy into the soil to vastly excite the growth of the harvest.

 

The abundance of crops resulted in much increased business for the inventor; unfortunately, one unforeseen side effect of his creations was the sowing of jealously into the minds his contemporaries. He had a secret growth formula and, unsurprisingly, they all wanted it. Rumors were spread that the man was a witch, dabbling in pacts with the devil in exchange for such bountiful crops. Of course, this antagonized the ignorant masses amongst the townspeople and not long after, a vehement mob coalesced from the filthy streets and descended upon the farmer’s cottage. Before he could speak, the unquenchable fury of the crowd overcame him. As a cruel joke, they buried him beneath his own fields. Following his demise, the townsfolk ransacked the house, looking for any evidence of what magic he was using. They found none, but rather than depart empty handed they decided to uproot the beautiful, colossal, golden flowers which grew nowhere else. They would never understand the secrets that these contraptions harbored in silence, and as such, the sunflowers became integrated into the community as mere decorative items. Over time and extensive trading, they traveled to the corners of the globe. Though much weakened from the early archetypes, you can still see the sunflower carrying out its intended function as its face follows the sun as it moves across the sky.

 

Inspiration List: Deemphasizing the “pirate” in Brocade Piracy,flower crowns from Meadham Kirchhoff’s Spring 2011 Ready to Wear show, black oil sunflowers, waving good-fucking-bye to 100° of heat and humidity, fall foliage, Sylvia Ji’s “Dia De Los Muertos” Catrina girls, chrysanthemum, fiery near-blinding orange lipstick, fields of perfectly purple roadside wildflowers, finally utilizing my tiny striped gloves in a photoshoot, cardiac inspired corsetry and the decidedly autumnal Sleepy Hollow vibes I instantly feel upon donning my striped skirt.

 

Bidding summer 2011 adieu epitomizes the phrase “mixed blessing”. On one hand, it’s easy to give in to fleeting moments of doubt that prod your brain with pesky questions such as “Did I accomplish everything I set to do back in May? Did I check enough seasonal outdoor fun off my to-do list?” Cue the mini-existential crisis, complete with stinging pangs of guilt, brought upon the sudden realization that you’ve managed to fall prey to the Sloth Monster by wasting large chunks of the year’s sunniest months parked in front of the AC unit, Frapp in one hand, Iphone in the other yet again. Suddenly, you’re wishing for a summer do over with more roller coasters, pool-side adventures in frozen cocktail tasting, and more quality time with those cute skull-print wedges. And just maybe less natural disasters. Take comfort in knowing that the dawning of autumn signals the end of near-certain heat death, bringing relief to our collective longing for cool-weather dressing at last, while simultaneously creating opportunity for a whole new crop of seasonal shenanigans: bonfires, apple pickings and hayrides await. I needn’t mention the pumpkin spice everything, candy corn, and constant onslaught of awesomely cheesy slashers invading your TV.

 

The newest sartorial incarnation of Vanity Kills enjoyed a definite equinox moment in a not-all-to-surprisingly compatible mix of cabernet colors, unmuted harvest-hued floral flourishes, and a never-too-early-for-Halloween vertically striped bustle skirt — heavily influenced by Tim Burton’s iconic carnival-esque aesthetic. Unceremoniously taking a remixed version of last year’s Plague Widow ensemble out of the solemn spires of man-made cathedrals to worship at nature’s altar. Savoring every second of those much awaited elusive crisp, sunshine-filled, humidity-free fall days before the chilling frost of a seemingly neverending, dull winter takes grip. This is autumnal goth.

 

• Donning a billow sleeve top such as the Brocade Piracy # 83-7-09 Off The Shoulder Blouse in the black/wine colorway doesn’t have to end in being mistaken for one of Jack Sparrow’s groupies if you solemnly swear to stay clear of cuffed over-the-knee leather boots, large tri-corn hats, skulls, headscarves, vests, dreads and anything with gold coin detailing. Pairing with aristo-goth inspired Victoriana is always a good way to disassociate yourself from buccaneer guild members. Think big bustle skirts and anything that would feel out of place on a pestilent vermin infested ship. As much as it pains me to say it, this ain’t the time to accessorize with a barrel of rum and a macaw.
• Chrysanthemum, flowers which often symbolize death as well as the arrival of autumn, attached to a weeping veil heighten the appearance of mourning for the passing of summer whilst simultaneously celebrating the year’s transition into fall. For more distinctly Dia De Los Muertos flavor, try a wreath of delightfully orange marigolds which bear strong ties to the holiday’s celebration.
• Closing out the summer with a romantic stroll amongst the wildflowers? Graphic black and white stripes stand out brilliantly against the efflorescent background of fields and meadows (unless those flowers sprouted directly from the monochromatic striation obsessed mind of Tim Burton).
• A waist cinching rendition of the “Tell-Tale Heart” stirs the anticipation of spooky festivities to come in a most Poe-tic way.
• A single black bloom carefully pinned to a ruffle, a bouquet of fresh-cut sunflowers, and delicately striped fingerless gloves imbue this ensemble with the lightest touch of dreamy femininity, softening the edges of the corset’s gory details.
• Punchy orange lipstick beckons with promises of tree ripe citrus fruit in August and jack-o-lanterns in October, making it the ultimate seasonless lipstick shade.

 

Credits

Photography: Bill Tracy Photography

Model: Vanity Kills

Location: Montague and Augusta, NJ

<3

Vanity Kills

Summer 2011′s Ultimate Lippy Wardrobe Essentials

Let it be known that The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts a peak heat index of 116 this upcoming Friday in the DC metro area. As we seek respite from the Helter Swelter outside and try our best to avoid spontaneously bursting into flames during daylight hours, our cherished latex kimonos, Victorian mourning gowns and those deliciously ubergoth slinky floor-length bell sleeved lace numbers are forced into mandatory hibernation until further notice. It doesn’t take a meteorologist to determine that looking hot while staying cool can pose quite a challenge when daytime highs hit (and surpass) the 100° mark. Conventional fashion “wisdom” pushes crisp, white tees and all manner of apparel classified as “Bohemian”, “hippie-chic” and “surfer girl”. None of which exactly appeal to the self-identified Fashion Freak’s spooky sensibility. Luckily, Lippy is here to help you adapt your wardrobe to the smoldering temps with their latest crop of cute, carefree summer styles suitable for all your outdoor escapades (for those adventurous times when you actually dare to brave atmospheric conditions only slightly cooler than hell).

Check out last year’s guide to summer industrial/goth clubwear here

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A day spent thoroughly abusing your body at an amusement park is practically considered to be the season’s calling card. What would summer be without consuming embarrassingly vast quantities of overpriced beer and funnelcake, promptly followed by stomach-churning thrills of steel coasters — launching your screaming self 40 stories into the air at speeds approaching 130 miles per hour? For a hands-free way to tote all your essentials (keys, credit card, phone), strap on a Millennium Moon Unisex Utility Belt

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Bypass the steel boning and sub the real thing JUST THIS ONCE for Step in Time’s Cap Sleeve Corset Screen Top in the sand colorway for an easier, breezier albeit significantly more low key way to get your steampunk fix in mid-July.

 

 

This heavy, sticky time of year time considered by many goths to be the “unavoidable prelude to the autumnal months” doesn’t exactly lend itself well to the billowing voluminosity which characterizes so many skirts typically associated with the Victorian period. The Jardin Noir Ruffle Skirt in the black/ivory colorway meets you halfway, by marrying the effortless elegance of its charming French country print with a laid back length, which minimizes heat-related distress by allowing for ample air circulation.

Millennium Moon Boob Tube’s tribal screenprint looks quite fetching peeking out of a halfway-zipped sleeveless hoodie (think Spring 09’s Cybertronic Ragdoll line).

 

 

Oppressive weather provides the ultimate excuse for baring slightly more skin on first dates without coming off too Kardashian-esque (Read: Easier than the proverbial Sunday morning). Pair a Pin Me Up Cami Top in the black/red colorway with a plain black pencil skirt and red-lacquered pumps to hybridize the best of modern take-charge chicks and sultry vintage coquettes. If you still feel too naked, throw on a Broken Promises Bolero.

Even come August, those romantic hand-in-hand nighttime walks on the beach can get mighty chilly. Never a better time to score some “good boyfriend points” with your lady friend than by loaning her some form of cover. Even better if said cover just happens to be the Autopsy Mens Y-Incision Hoodie. The only real downside being that you might not get it back.

Maxi dresses are everywhere this summer. Unfortunately, their great versatility and layering potential is too-often overshadowed by the hideous ikat print that’s, for a reason unbeknownst to me, so frequently featured in conjunction with this garment. For girls who lack desire to approximate a table runner, there’s Autopsy Cadaverous Maxi Dress. Just add wedges and some delightfully morbid taxidermy statement jewelry and you’re good to scare the shit out of small children on the boardwalk.

<3

Vanity Kills

Unholy Forces of Pink

Story by: Dan Barrett (a devout aficionado of unintelligible black metal band logos)

“Call the rest of your brothers – I’ll give their hearts to the wolves!” The trees trembled as she spoke. Sickly stench of the dead lingered in the air around the Throne of Cupcakes. Sadly, there were none left with the strength to adequately answer her proposition. “Psh!” She shook her head in disdain and produced a small cylindrical container carved from white oak. Her slender fingers massaged the lid as she methodically uncorked it; from its bowels leaked the fair scents of lavender and cherry frosting, mingling with the odor of rotting bodies until they overtook the foulness completely, like an insurmountable army crushing a rebel faction.

The princess of the Rouge Empire of Cuteness sat aloft in her ancient carven throne amid the woodlands beyond the parapets and ramparts of the castle walls. The failed siege by the pirates of Rosencrown lay covered in moist earth before her. Plant-life and moss had begun to entomb the oldest of the collapsed bodies. Like many other wayward cultures, they wanted unauthorized access to the Rouge Vaults of Cute Cats, which could only be granted by the Matriarch. This treasure would not fall into the hands of foreign nations. Though this battle was over, there would inevitably be many more to come.

She rose from the magnificent throne and lifted high the great skull of a long- horned beast which rested atop the chair. From her entrancing lips she issued a vicious warning to any who might hear it: “Twenty thousand have raised their swords against this kingdom and all have fallen, trembling at my feet. My blade thirsts for the blood of my adversaries. May the four winds carry my battlecry; if any others should desire to come against my kingdom, let them hear my words. All men who harbor aggression towards us shall leave this earth with the taste of steel in their mouths and their bodies ravaged by my weapons. No peril shall befall my blessed dominion.”

One part Gorgoroth, two parts Hello Kitty

Inspiration List: Bones, Ruthlessreview.com’s notorious “Top 10 Most Ridiculous Black Metal Pics of All Time” list, Hello Kitty, Conan the Barbarian, my undying love of taking over-the-top black metal parody photos, deconstructing “kvltness”, Immortal’s “Unholy Forces of Evil”, the color pink, grim forests of New Jersey, Lords of Chaos (one of my favorite books of all time), scratching the itch to pose with cloven-hooved ungulate skulls and Bill’s fancy throne.

Black metal strives to embody 100% pure evil. No filler, no preservatives, and naturally: NO CORE NO TRENDS NO FUN NO MOSH. In their everlasting (and oddly similar to gangsta rap) crusade to keep it real, the artists which dominated the genre grew notorious for setting houses of worship ablaze, stab- happy Norwegians, and stages decorated with staked sheep heads. And Satan help you if the mainstream took a liking to your musical stylings. MTV airplay surely meant getting 86ed from the “kvlt klvb”.

Ironically, black metal’s unmistakably signature style of reveling in obscurity allowed for instant recognition. Slavishly cultivating a predictably uniform affinity for completely unreadable band logos, lo-fi black and white album covers completely undistinguishable from each other, constant flip-flopping between Satanism & Norse Heathenism, and vehement opposition to good production left little room for an element of surprise. That said, there’s certain comfort in knowing that one can blindly pick any CD emblazoned with arbitrarily placed disembodied goat heads and runic symbols and still hear the same old cum-gurgling goblin vocals they’ve come to know and love.

The wardrobe serves as an extension of one’s malignant soul: colorless and humorless. Burzum shirts and bullet belts for day; getups that could only be described as an unholy bastard child of Medieval LARP-ers and an achromatic Ronald McDonald for nights of demonic evocation Under a Funeral Moon. By “demonic evocation”, I clearly mean taking promo shots for scene-mandated obligatory bedroom projects. And a promo photo it ain’t until hooded robes, Thor’s hammers, corpse paint, and spiked gauntlets cover every last available inch of flesh (that isn’t tattooed with Nordic knotwork). The grimaced visages of all parties present must be frozen in a permanent expression of sheer terror brought forth by unexpected yet, nonetheless, secretly enjoyed surprise buttseckz. Let it be noted that snow-blanketed nighttime forest settings make for the only admissible location.

If willing to overlook a distinct lack of dragons and cod pieces (the power metal scene laid claim to those individually wrapped little slices of processed cheese product) one is likely to notice a definite Conan-esque flair to the imagery. Barbarians of sword and sorcery epics tend to be celebrated for their wanton brutality, perpetual bloodthirst and adherence to Nordic pagan values. Alas, one must take care not to take their Cimmerian cosplay too literally, lest they risk veering into Manowar territory. Horned helmets and beastly pelts are generally considered acceptable, while sandaled feet and chainmail underwear which do little to uphold the sacred tenet of “black metal ist krieg” are strictly verboten. For as the covenant between Euronymous and the unwashed masses states: “Thou shalt be necro at all times!”

Today’s fashion objective lies in sourcing style elements from iconic black metal trappings, re-imagined with unexpected elements of frolicsome pink. Let us happily de-saturate the levels of “tr00 kvlt”, by coloring outside the traditionally blacker than pitch lines with gleeful notes of My Little Pony hues. While we’re at it, let’s cast Hello Kitty in the upcoming Conan the Barbarian remake. After all, nothing beats relaxing with a cupcake in hand all curled up under your Barbie blanket after a long hard day of crushing your enemies, seeing them driven before you, and hearing the lamentation of their women.

Cute meets grim in…

• Nocturnal Rendezvous Ruffle Shrug #38-116 in the black/magenta colorway.Puffed sleeves are the girlie girl’s answer to spiked shoulder pads. No football armor, trips to Home Depot, nor any assembly required!
• Undeniably Dem Bones cami top #56-296 in the black/white colorway comes standard in the grimmest of all prints. No bones about it!
• Pink PVC platforms of ankle-snapping height pose no threat to the talus bones of the enthroned.
• Swap an inverted cross necklace (and no there’s nothing wrong with those, thank you very much) for a vinyl cameo brooch pinned to the side of Lolita Candy Snap Front Neck Collar #28-426 in the black/pink colorway.
• Threatened by the prospect of showing up at Fenriz’s Annual Virgin Sacrifice & Keg Party ‘11 donning the same ensemble as Dark Funeral (again), I opted for a solid black PVC ruffled bustle skirt over the leather pants and shin guards.
• The leopard print underbust corset appeases the savage beast inside.

Corpse paint has its’ place. Immortal’s publicity photos wouldn’t be the same without it. Giant pandas slither out of the womb sporting their trademark ghastly pallor and those dead, hollow, blackened eye sockets. And for many of us it’s what essentially defined 1990’s Norway. With all due respect, when worn in the streets with reckless abandon, the general public will gladly consider those Dimmu Borgir-esque facial doodles an open invitation to beat you senseless faster than you can utter a muffled “Infernal hails”.

Quench your Transilvanian Hunger (without Juggalos mistaking you for one of their own) with yummy strawberry pink frosting lips and Carpathian Forest inspired green gradient eyes.

General Prep Work

You will need:

Moisturizer, Primer, Concealer, Matte liquid Foundation, Foundation Brush, Translucent Powder, Powder brush, Eyeshadow primer

1. Wash your face with a cleanser formulated especially for your skin type. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry with a soft cloth. Prep your skin with moisturizer before applying concealer in order to ensure a smoother, flake-free application.
2. Before proceeding any further, allow your skin to properly absorb the moisturizer. This should take about 10 minutes.
3. Since foundation worn alone often has a nasty habit of settling in the fine lines around your mouth, near your eyes, and on your forehead, I highly recommend using a primer after you’ve moisturized your face. Utilizing a small amount of primer helps to fill in unflattering expression lines, pores, and scars, thus allowing foundation to actually do its job!
4. Nix blemishes and skin discoloration by gently patting concealer over the trouble area. Follow by blending with your ring finger.
5. Apply a matte liquid foundation which best matches your skin tone to your face and neck with a foundation brush (a full dome shaped brush works beautifully). Start by applying small dots in the center of your face and then moving outward.
6. Set everything in place by finishing off with a thin coat of translucent powder. Use a full, round shaped powder brush for optimal results.
7. Prep your lids with eyeshadow primer to neutralize the colour of your lids, which in turn makes for brighter more vibrant shadow. It also prevents said shadow from creasing.

Eyes

You will need:

Rounded edge brush, deep forest green pigment, emerald green eyeshadow, fluffy shading brush, neon yellow-green eyeshadow, small blending brush, neutral beige eyeshadow, white eyeliner pencil, eyeliner brush, black mascara

1. Using a slightly dampened rounded edge brush, apply deep forest green pigment to the outer 1/3 portion of your eyelid, starting at the lashline and extend it slightly past the crease.
2. Blend a lighter emerald green eyeshadow into the middle 1/3 of your lid with the help of a fluffy shading brush. Yet again, start at the lashline extending the shadow slightly past the crease. Take extra care to blend the edge of the emerald green into the deep forest green you added in Step 1. You’ll want this transition to be as smooth and seamless as possible.
3. Fill in the innermost 1/3 corner of your eye with neon yellow-green eyeshadow applied with a small blending brush. The color should be blended up, outward and into emerald green shadow you used in Step 2.
4. Highlight your browbone with neutral beige eyeshadow applied with a cleaned fluffy shading brush.
5. Dab a small amount of the same deep forest green pigment you used in Step 1 onto a lightly moistened eyeliner brush. Tap off the excess. Line ¾ of your bottom lashline starting at the outer corner of your eye, slowly making your way toward the inner corner.
6. Use a hint of neon yellow-green eyeshadow to line the remaining ¼ of your bottom inner lashline in an identical manner.
7. To really open up the eyes; line your lower waterline with a white eyeliner pencil.
8. Curl your eyelashes with an eyelash curler and top off with 2 coats of black mascara.

Cheeks

You will need:

Matte light taupe blush, dusty rose blush, blush brush, highlighter (optional)

1. Swipe some matte light taupe blush onto your blush brush. Starting mid-cheek, going towards your ear, apply this warm, slightly brownish-gray shade (it’s less scary than it sounds) into the hollows of your cheeks using short, up-and-down vertical strokes. Darker shades will give the illusion of the hollows of your cheeks receding, which enhances the overall definition of your cheekbones.
2. For a soft yet sculpted finish, brush a dusty rose blush along the cheekbones, starting at the apples, working your way toward the temples.
3. Dabbing a small amount of highlighter onto the tops of cheekbones creates a visual lift.

Lips

You will need:

Hot pink lipliner, Magenta lipstick

1. Use a hot pink lipliner to fill in your lips, starting at the center of your natural lip line and moving toward the outer corners.
2. With the help of a lip brush, deposit a small amount of intensely hot pink lipstick onto the center of your mouth, carefully pulling the color out toward the corners. To ensure lipstick-free teeth, place a finger horizontally in your mouth, close your lips around it and pull out slowly.

Credits

Photography:Bill Tracy Photography

Model:Vanity Kills

Location: “Trondheim, Norway”(errrrr Montague, NJ)

Infernal Hails!

Vanity Kills

Story by: Dan Barrett

I had been tracking the thing for nearly five years, and the culmination of my rigorous efforts had finally paid off. After painstakingly monitoring the haunted Pine Barrens of New Jersey, vigilantly tracking the movements of the legendary Jersey Devil, I had at last caught it off guard during one of its extremely rare daytime appearances. There had been much construction in the area in the last quarter century, encroaching into the devil’s suspected habitat, and as a result the number of sightings had increased greatly.

On this day, it had come to an outcropping of unused cement pipes; seemingly creeping ever-closer to the nearby town in order to feed. One would not dare to hunt the thing at night, for it takes on a most heinous and otherworldly form in these dark hours, impossibly grotesque and fearsome enough to cause the most stalwart of hunters to flee. During waking hours, however, it seemed to take on a traditional human form; this must be how it evaded humanity for its alleged two and a half century existence. When I saw it appear in plain sight, I knew I had a small window to work with and instantaneously leapt into action. I was able to take down the cursed, devil-spawned 13th child somewhat easier than expected with my plethora of hunting paraphernalia.

Once subdued, I planned to return the fiend to civilization and collect a ransom from the city. On the condition there was no ransom out for the creature, I would instead present it carnival freak-show style to earn back the money I spent acquiring the gear used to apprehend it. The beast did not seem pleased when told of its newly apportioned fate. I took it to a large metal shipping container which should adequately serve to house the thing. I chained it inside and left, planning to return the subsequent day. Upon returning, I discovered I had grossly underestimated the Jersey Devil. With an inhuman, ear-piercing howl, it easily snapped off the restraints and descending upon me, tearing me into a hundred bits with its horrible clawed hands. When the massacre concluded it retreated into the ill-lit dusk, primed to kill again.

The Jersey Devil Made You Do It

I’ve called myself a resident of many places. For close to three years I lived in a particularly depressing town, inconveniently located in the Southern Tier of New York state, called Binghamton (it’s actually considered to be one of the “bigger” towns in Upstate New York, but you’ve probably never heard of it). Believe me when I say that it was nothing to write home about. And because upstate New York is such a non-stop party, six months later I moved three and a half hours north to Buffalo. While my reason for moving there can’t be chalked up to either good or sober decision making, anything was a vast improvement over the ass end of nowhere that was Binghamton. I now live in Washington DC. Ideally, I’d love to live in either Toronto or Montreal, and luckily I’ve never lived in Pennsylvania (straddling the PA border in godforsaken Binghamton proved to be evidential enough to the fact that the Universe conspired against me). And despite spending the first nine years of my life in southern Poland, I always have and always will consider myself to be from New Jersey.

Oh shit, you mean Bruce Springsteen? Bon Jovi? Those guidos on Jersey Shore? The mafia? Bad smells?

I can’t even NAME a Bruce Springsteen song, mainly due to the fact that I relocated to New Jersey in 1992 from Eastern Europe. Having discovered “goth” just a few years after, left me quite happily ignorant of mainstream pop icons in general. Especially those who took the stage way before my time. Based on that principle of being a “blissfully unaware foreigner” I’m only vaguely acquainted with Bon Jovi. He does that “Living on a Prayer” track, right? Most of the guidos don’t even live in New Jersey (try Poughkeepsie and Staten Island, both conveniently located in New York). Alas, my Polish father liked to talk about the mafia while intoxicated when I was younger, so yeah, you got me there. That shit is probably true. It only smells ON THE FUCKING TURNPIKE in north Jersey, since it’s a high-traffic stretch of highway sandwiched between numerous factories. And that ladies and gentlemen is my humble way of saying “Fuck you New York, if you’re gonna hate on us, why do you keep on coming back to our “smelly” beaches?” Just sayin’.

With that said, the show that put the Garden State on the world’s radar in the worst way possible is essentially on point. Guidos do flock to Seaside Heights in droves during warm vacation months. They do look like oompa loompas on stereoids. They love to start fights. Like any other working/middle class New Jersey-ian kid I’d go to Seaside Heights every summer with my parents. In my teenage years, as my interest in booze and cheap thrills grew inversely proportional to being seen with my family, I’d hit the shore with friends in search of strong frozen drink, high calorie foods and House of the Dead arcade games. If you stayed on the boardwalk past dusk, you’d be guaranteed to see at least one guido fight break out. Every. single. fucking. time.

But that’s not MY New Jersey.

My New Jersey isn’t Club Karma and made-for-reality-TV-drama. It’s QXT’s in Newark. It’s devouring post-club grease in seedy diners at 5 am, driven by an alcohol-fueled urge to feed without worrying about your calorie intake. It’s record shops that still carry industrial music. It’s urban exploration of all the magnificent decay. It’s Clinton Road and the Devil’s Tree. It’s submitting your own spin on a local legend to the pages of Weird NJ. It’s the Asbury Park Zombie Walk. It’s a Six Flags that doesn’t suck. It’s exquisite views of Manhattan from across the river, minus the Manhattan rent. It’s 908, 973 and 201. It’s real life landmarks you see in Kevin Smith movies (Yes, the Quick Stop Jay & Silent Bob hang out in front of is very much real). It’s a little bit vulgar (but I like it that way). It’s never running out of photoshoot locations. And no, I can’t forget the shore (Nobody in New Jersey calls it “a beach”, it’s always “the shore”).

No matter what my current zip code may be, it will always be home.

And this is how I personally channel the state of New Jersey through my wardrobe. Your mileage might vary.

• Anything slightly too loud, just a tad excessive and “a little too much” (i.e.: stripper approved footwear, corsets)
• Big hair is essentially an institution in the state of New Jersey.
• Leopard print should be worn often and liberally.
• Heavily made up eyes are not merely accepted nor encouraged, they’re required by law.
• Das Bunker Cap Sleeve Top in the black/gunmetal colorway. . We’ve got a pretty decent industrial scene in NJ. Represent in hot rivet girl wear.
• A clear absence of anything beginning with “Ed” and ending with “Hardy”.
• Fishnets.Once the whole fucking world thinks you’re trashy, you might as well own the cliché and make it your bitch.

Credits

Photography:Andrew Ellis Photography

Model:Vanity Kills

Location(s): New Jersey…duh

<3

Vanity Kills