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

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Vanity Kills

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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

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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

[Show as slideshow]

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As far as “the scene” is concerned, I believe pink became the new black sometime circa 1998, which not-so-oddly coincided with Marilyn Manson going through his Mechanical Animals phase. Outwardly ripping off David Bowie’s 70s glam-rock androgynous alien alter ego, Ziggy Stardust, seemed to produce an interesting trickledown effect. As if overnight, a new breed of “glam goth” surfaced, seemingly out of nowhere. You better believe that the very hordes of black-clad teens who’d scoff at the mere mention of pink just a month or so prior, declaring it unfit to wear for anyone who wasn’t a “prep”, started to sport fuchsia feather boas draped around their necks. The look was in no way complete without a heavy helping of good old-fashioned denial upon being questioned about the sudden change of heart (“Pink? I’ve been rocking that shit for years”). It goes without saying that just about every self professed “glam goth” would rather die than cite Marilyn Manson as a style influence. I know I’d publicly announce to anyone within earshot that “My look was heavily influenced by Switchblade Symphony” (Despite Switchblade Symphony’s signature ensembles being more “babydoll” than “glam”). Given the fact I’m turning 28 next month, it’s safe to say I am fully capable of looking back and finding endless amusement in the folly of my “gother-than-thou” youth. Oh, to be 16 again and think coupling pink with black was the ultimate fashion forefront.

“Glam Goths” came and went (it wasn’t long before the retina-hurting bright tribe of cybergoths filled the color void), Manson swelled with coke bloat, and yet the author’s love for this perky shade remained. Some things never change.

Nothing embodies the flamboyant essence of “glam goth” better than Nocturnal Rendezvous Ruffle Shrug in the black/magenta colorway. Princess-like puff sleeves, magenta PVC ruffles adorned with black lace overlay and ribbon detailing make for the most ultimate “Look-at-me-I’m-high-maintenance“ accompaniment to all those slinky New Year’s Eve Party gowns. Not exactly a garment built for comfort, but “glam goths” tend to attribute such things to those with more plebeian tastes. These vainglorious creatures are far more concerned with reeling in praise for their wardrobe choices :)

I love Space Age nostalgia. Yesterday’s tomorrow populated the collective minds of mid-century masses with visions of a high-tech utopia yet to materialize: Hover cars, colonizing the moon, traveling to far off galaxies and mating with hot space aliens. Not to mention the sex robots! Since NONE OF THIS will happen in my lifetime, I’ll have to settle for attiring myself in retro-futuristic pieces straight out of Judy Jetson’s closet, like this Cyber Sniper Skylab Zip Front Jacket in the black/neon pink colorway. Excuse me while my bubblegum hued pointy-shouldered jacket and I continue to long for “the future that never was”.

Adding a grimly dystopian touch to your casual get-ups without going full on Road Warrior is easier than you think. With their unmistakably Giger-esque flair, Erotomechanics Printed Leggings paired with a basic black or grey sweater dress make for a no-nonsense (yet still surprisingly high impact) day look.

Don’t let winter give you the cold shoulder! Stay stylishly warm indoors by layering the Erotomechanics Cropped Jacket over your favorite tank or tee. Swap your usual bulky sweatshirt for this sexy biomechanical wrapper and look just as hot watching Alien all cuddled up on the couch with your boy as you do tearing it up at the club when a good old school Hocico track comes on.

Action Shot:

My friend Lisa and I attired in our matching Erotomechanics Cropped Jackets at a Worms of the Earth show at Club Orpheus in Baltimore, MD. Since the photo is cut off at the waist, you can’t see that we wore matching Erotomechanics Printed Leggings and Oil Spill Skirts with Zip Front Garter and Pouch as well.

The Lolita Candy Snap Front Neck Collar in the black/pink colorway can really doll up an otherwise unnotable solid color button down, add a pinch of sweetness to a black lace blouse or freshen up a close-fitting spaghetti strap camisole. Or try it as a fun, fashionable alternative to a traditional scarf (though that’ll only work if your winters are more San Franciscan than Buffalonian).

Action Shot:

Photo by: Eye of Ra

I have made previous mention of indulging in mainstream fashion magazines on a rather regular basis. It’s no secret to consumers of women’s interest periodicals the content has the tendency to recycle itself fairly often. Statistically, there’s a very high probability of animal print being showcased in some form just about every year. Fishnet tends to make the rounds more infrequently, but it is known to make cyclical guest appearances every few seasons in fall fashion issues.

Let me note how much I do so love the borderline Puritan styling advice which usully accompanies either leopard print or fishnet (most glossy women’s rags hold the conviction only a lady who gets paid-by-the hour would dare to wear the two together) in the spreads featuring them. It’s always “For a classy take on this vixen staple, pair beige fishnets with long pants, leaving just a tiny flash of ‘netted ankle exposed” (thought this is fine advice for the corporate environment, but no fun for real life), “Fishnets and pumps are a surefire way to get mistaken for a streetwalker” and “To tone down the trampiness of leopard; limit the print to a sassy scarf or wild wrist candy coupled with understated separates in a neutral color palette”. I find it thoroughly hilarious.

I for one delight in the notion of taking trashy to the next level in my Lip Service Hosiery Leopard Fishnet Tights. Might even go the extra mile and don ‘em with my Trash Mini Skirt with Side Lacing and leopard print underbust corset. Rumor has it we tacky tramps have more fun ;)

I’m not going to tell you how incredibly exquisite the Blacklist Princess Tears Longsleeved Blouse is, because you can see it for yourself. What I will tell you is I spent an embarrassingly long amount of time trying to properly categorize the sleeves as either Juliet or Leg o’ Mutton. After my research left me with inconclusive data and a question still unanswered, I have determined them to be hybrid Leg o’ Juliet sleeves. Obviously coming up with a new and ridiculous classification used exclusively to identify parts of garments I don’t even own yet is the only way my brain will attain some semblance of peace, thus granting me the ability to successfully move on to other parts of this blog :)

Circuit City Zip Front Hooded Jacket in the black/neon green colorway turns synthesized glamour into an art form. The circuitry’s connotations of exposed android entrails, sexiness through artifice and strategically exposed flesh are all the things which initially attracted me to cybergoth nearly 10 years ago. Before it mutated into a hot rave mess. Personally, I’d forego the mask and goggles.

Will definitely pack this for my annual Kinetik pilgrimage.

Just because you’ve had the misfortune of spotting them on select overdramatic 14-year old Emilie Autumn fangirls (and no, I don’t get the hype around EA either), don’t be so quick to dismiss bloomers as a whole. Let it be known Lolita Candy Elastic Pants with Ribbon Trim in the black/pink colorway make for some seriously yummy sleepwear.

Sharp-peaked shoulder silhouette, epaulets and silver piping give the Das Bunker Cap Sleeve Top in the black/gun metal colorway a decidedly futuristic militant flavor. Matter of fact, I wore it out this past Saturday night and my boyfriend pointed out my shirt was reminiscent of something “space police” would wear. Space police? I’ll RSVP to THAT party :)

I think I’m gonna need a fabulous black military wedge hat with reflective piping accents to complete the outfit.

And this concludes my personal Top 10 of 2010. I don’t know about you, but I’m already itching to see what Spring, Summer, Fall, and Holiday 2011 have to offer!

<3

Vanity Kills

Go to Model Submission From + Requirements for more details and to submit your info and photos!

It’s been a CRAZY few weeks for us here at the Lippy camp, with 3 back to back trade shows and lots of travel time, but I have survived and am back to report some of the highlights to you.

After The Halloween & Party Expo in Houston, I headed off to London for The Edge trade show with fellow sales Rep Anjuli, and former sales rep now customer service agent Joana. This show is always fun and fills 2 floors of the convention center with the world’s best in alternative fashion. Add in roaming performers and stage shows for entertainment and the air is filled with creativity!! As always, we were slammed all day long on day 1 with the 3 of us writing none stop orders for the current LS line as well as the upcoming Summer and Fall 2010 lines. As expected our Steam Punk lines were a crowd favorite with the new men’s shirt, vest, Jacket and trousers being a big hit! (see photo of me with mannequin).

@ Brittish Boot Company - see full size in gallery below

We did get 1 free day to cruise around and, of course, we headed straight for Camden town and the best shopping in London! My personal highlights include a visit to the new Cyberdog store insane with giant chrome robots on either side of the entrance, and my visit to the British Boot Company which has been there for 130 years and is the official George Cox Creeper distributor! For those in the know, George Cox invented “Creepers” in 1949, and later made them for the “Robot” company, if you are truly “Old School” you know the difference between the real “Gummy sole” creeps and new plastic cheap crap that’s around today! As far as I know my customer and long time Lip Service buyer Poser on Melrose in Hollywood is the only one left in LA maybe California who sells them. I got to meet one of the family at the store who helped my with my Purchase and told me the history of the Cox family and creepers! This was an unexpected pleasure and made for an enriching experience. My choice was the black shiny leather pointed toe lace ups which I think I got the last pair in the store! The store also features the biggest best selection of Doc Martins in London!

Service Collection in a good home - see full size in gallery below

Another highlight was searching for an authentic London Biker store to find a home for the new Service menswear line in Camden town. We found Victory Bikes who have a vintage euro moto shop and also sell clothes. This place was RAD, and I got to see some of the most awesome and rare vintage Triumph, Moto Guzzi and BMW’s I’ve ever seen! They loved our Service line and agreed to carry it at their shop and online store. All in all the day was a blast and I want to give a shout out to my homies Matt from Rock Rebel and Adam from Steady clothes for being my Partners in crime and tearing up the town on more than one occasion!!

The Edge throws a party on the first day of the show that is always fun and this time was no different, with all the coolest people you could get in one place from all the clothing companies from Europe letting it all hang out with free booze all night!! And CHARGE!!! Became the word of the night!!

Back home for only 3 days and we loaded up the truck and crew to make the trek to Vegas for the M.A.G.I.C trade show and, after a long drive and set up, we were ready to sell, sell, sell!! This show the Street section was moved to the Mandalay Bay convention center and, although closer to Project, it was separated from Pool at the LV convention center and some people complained about having to drive from place to place. It was a great show for us and an increase in sales from the last couple of shows, which has us hopeful that the economy is slowly improving.

Some of our new groups which sold well and the ones you should keep your eyes out for are, of course, the Steam Punk styles. The Spats for shoes are dope! And with a few accessories like a messenger style bag and purse the group is sure to please! Our new HR Geiger influenced printed mesh/cotton group is awesome, and our 25 year anniversary classic LS style group is great with dagger print leggings, some commemorative t-shirts, and a real silver dagger necklace that is such a cool collectable every true Lippy Addict will have to get one! I Love the new Wool/Fur coats for Fall with the guy’s coat looking something like a circus ring leader meets dandy Goth Tim Burton style! Of course the new Service designs are great we have now added Service of Hell, Pain, Vice, Valor, Ink, and Speed!

Well I gonna wrap it up for this week but I’ll have some more show stories and news on Summer and Fall LS styles next week! Hope your winter is wrapping up nicely and you’re ready for Spring! We are and we’ve got the new clothes to help you do it with style!!

Fashion+Music=Life
Mickey Finn

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see full size in gallery below

At last the departure guide updated and cheers of joy permeated the air. The luminescent phrase behind this commotion was “Original Cult Airways: 9:30am Gate H”. This one-of-a-kind, ultra-exclusive flight was a one way trip for East Coast Lippy Addicts to venture right to the heart of their true love (a.k.a. some unmarked warehouse in Los Angeles). But the true pay off of this trip was the gold which lay buried in that warehouse; for there was precious cargo carried on board of this particular airplane — prototypes of Lip Service’s most sought after upcoming “Holy Grail” lines such as Step In Time II, Das Bunker, and Brocade Piracy. This was going to be the only public display of these items until the official street release in Fall 2010.

The plane itself was nearly worth the cost of the trip; one view of the interior and a patron may believe they had died and been resurrected in Shamballah. For non Buddhists, they would instead feel like they have traveled back in time to what should be named “The Golden Age of Flying” – you know, back when taking a trip on an airplane was still something of a mystical feat, steeped in glamour and intrigue. The stewardesses were, of course, only the most fashionable of Lip Service models, and it seemed they had all recently gotten their BA in customer service. The ladies whose job was to remind you to fasten those seatbelts and put those trays in the upright position wouldn’t be caught dead in shapeless lima bean green pantsuits and blaher-than-blah brown jackets. You’d think the aisles in this flying machine were the runways of the sky. Sleek head-to-toe black paired with hats inspired by the hides of only the most exotic beasts were the standard here. Nearly all luxuries that could be brought aboard an airplane were at hand, and it was guaranteed to be a trip to remember.

Unfortunately, due to lax airport security, trouble was afoot. Due to bizarre and unforeseen circumstances, the fairly proficient magician known as The Great Ramon was scheduled to be aboard this flight in order to make a last-minute show in a nearby suburb of LA, performing at a small child’s 7th birthday party. Sadly, The Great Ramon would be unable to showcase his prized Grizzly Bear “Grizmo” at the aforementioned affair, for he was busy being tied up in the women’s bathroom at JFK airport. Even more unfortunate is the fact that he was not tied with women, but instead by their pantyhose. The culprit was none other than the infamous criminal mastermind Ramon “el Jamon” Perez, who had sneaked stealthily by the snooping security and boarded the plane under the guise of being Great.

Ramon, having his fingers firmly to the pulse of the crime world, knew that he must obtain these mystical prototypes in order to clothe his many voracious wives, ever hungry for the latest unattainable fashion. Through the grapevipe of misdeed he was able to hear of the last minute addition of the magician to the flight’s patronage, and was able to get one of his inside men to add a large dose of PCP to the bear’s tranquilizer. Once the flight begins, the bear should awaken in an angry stupor and disrupt the plane enough so that he may sneak down to the cargo hatch and parachute out of the hold with the stolen goods. Unfortunately for him, he was not counting on the cunning of the venerable stewardess Meagan.

***

The flight was proceeding as planned; lots of booze and memory-foam pillows were being doled out to the passengers. The skies were clear and giggles of anticipation filled the air. Ramon curled his 20s-ringmaster styled mustache and awaited the inevitable. No sooner had he begun twirling, there was an audible crash from the storage below. His grinned wildly as the upcoming scenario unfolded in his head. There was another, louder smashing sound as the hatch leading from the storage space to the fuselage tore open . The deranged bear, hungry for blood and meat, slashed through the main door into first class, all the while bellowing a terrible cacophony. Ramon clapped quietly as he heard the screams and thudding footsteps of those trying to outrun ol ‘Griz. He quickly rose from his seat and made his way toward the cockpit. He moved with unexpected swiftness through throngs of passengers curled in the fetal position and the disarray of ravaged carry-on luggage. Without significant ado, he entered the cockpit. Despite the obvious panic, he was still questioned by the pilot as to ‘what the hell” he was doing there. He began to fabricate a tale of a suitcase containing a tranquilizer to subdue the raging animal, but just as he was completing his thought, a gust of wind knocked askew his ringmaster mustache and his real 70s-porn star ‘stache was revealed!

The pilot gasped in awe…”wait a minute, you’re not the Great Ramon at all! You’re… El Jamon!” Sensing that the pilot had caught wise to his devious ploy, he attempted to re-create a move he had seen Jackie Chan perform in Drunken Master and kick the pilot in the head. He was slightly distracted because moments before, the sound of angry passengers had vanished, resulted in a mis-timed kick that went straight into the control board instead. He clutched his foot in agony and cursed the designer of such sharp altitude gauges. In his confusion, the ever-vigilant flight attendant Meagan had appeared from the writhing mass of chaos that was first class, and employed a move that will forever be known as the “Don’t Tase Me Bro”. Using her quasi-legal combination mace/taser gun, Meagan was able to pacify the villainous Ramon while maintaining her perfect vintage updo. “You may have stopped me, but that bear will bring down this plane anyway!” Ramon hissed. “Actually, the bear is in the back sleeping quietly. I gave it some of our best kobe beef laced with enough Xanax to incapacitate a bear on PCP” Meagan replied coolly. Ramon sighed and resigned himself to being taken back to the PMITA NJ State Maximum Security Penitentiary.

After a brief celebration, Meagan realized that something was still amiss. It appeared that the pilot had been roughed up in the scuffle and his right hand might be sprained. Unable to use both hands to steer the plane, the future of alternative fashion was uncertain. Meagan quickly jumped into action and shoved the temporarily crippled pilot aside. She was well versed in calibrating instruments and steering, as she had had quite a bit of intimate time with her husband, a less wussy pilot who could fly a plane with not but his teeth, in a similar cockpit. She made the necessary adjustments and guided the plane on a rapid but meticulously guided descent as she asked for clearance from the tower at the Los Angeles International Airport.

At last the ravaged plane, with its cargo intact, had arrived at its fateful destination where another adventure would begin shortly. As consolation, the first 100 passengers to disembark got to have their picture taken with Meagan and the bear, which would later be hand-signed by both. The rest got to punch “el Jamon” in the gut as they walked by.

Fashion Takes Flight

Stewardess style has never looked hotter. Cure your fear of flying once and for all with a look that’s one quarter easy breezy. Three quarters kitschy cool with high-flyin’ fashionista written all over it.

Meagan is ready for takeoff in her Lip Service *snap front poplin shirt in the black colorway. The double buckled black PVC belts push the traditional boundaries of professional attire by infusing this classic top with a smattering of fetish.

*Hot Topic version is shown.Get the original Looks That Kill Corporate Fukker Poplin Shirt!

Form and function converge in the shape of the Smashin’ Fashion Knee Skirt in the black colorway. This knee length retro Lippy number features a covered zipper which runs up the entire center of the garment’s front, thus allowing you to control how much skin you feel like showin’ at any given time. Perfect for a quick romp in the lavatory of an aircraft.

Note: Lethal Style does not condone nor condemn in-flight bathroom sexual intercourse.

Work some animal magnetism into your otherwise monochromatic ensemble with a pinup inspired zebra pillbox hat.

Infuse your attire with some mid-century flair and harken back to a time when accessories were dainty and ladylike by experiencing the power of glove with a standout vintage white pair.

Sheer nude thigh highs camouflage the bad (like the aftermath of a leg shaving massacre) without upstaging the good(like your fabulous ink).

Sky’s the limit in these classic comfy cute suede black wedge peep toe heels.

For a vintage inspired ‘do that’s JUST PLANE SEXY!

1. Dampen your hair.
2. Spray damp hair with setting lotion.
3. Roll dampened sections of your hair with long sponge curlers.
4. Allow hair to dry COMPLETELY (this is key!)
5. Remove the curlers.
6. Finger brush the curls (smoothing with fingers helps to battle the wonky curls!)
7. Roll and pin up hair ends to create a “bob”.
8. Spray liberally with a medium hold hairspray.

Siren of the Friendly Skies

Accentuate your eyes with hints of gilded glamour mixed with no-nonsense neutrals. A juicy raspberry hued pout reminds the boys that you’re a first class gal and should be treated as such.

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 that 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.

Eyes:

You will need:

Eyeshadow Primer, Brown eyeshadow(for the brows),Small angled brush, Makeup sealer(optional), Gold eyeshadow, Eyeshadow brush with a round/tapered edge, Neutral nude eyeshadow, Blending brush, Black liquid eyeliner, Eyelash curler, Black Mascara.

1. Dab some brown eyeshadow onto a small angled brush. Tap off the excess. Starting at the widest part of the brow, near the nose, and using short strokes, apply brown eyeshadow directly to the natural hair of the eyebrow. Repeat on the other side. Make sure to use a shade that matches your hair color (in Meagan’s case brown was used since she is a blonde). After you’re satisfied with the shape of your brows, feel free to seal them with a single coat of a makeup sealer. Last but not least, lightly coat your entire eyelid area with an eyeshadow primer, to build a smooth base for your shadows, pigments and liners.
2. Using a brush with a round/tapered edge apply gold eyeshadow across your entire eyelid from lashline to crease.
3. With the help of a blending brush add neutral nude eyeshadow to the browbone area directly under your eyebrows. Blend the neutral nude shadow into the gold shadow that you applied in Step 2.
4. Starting at the inner corner of your eye, rim your upper lashline with liquid black eyeliner. Extend the line upward as you approach the outer corner of eye. This produces the much sought after winged “cat eye” effect.
5. Curl your eyelashes with an eyelash curler and top off with 2 coats of black mascara.

Cheeks:

You will need:

Blush brush, Peach blush

1. Swipe some peach blush onto your blush brush.
2. Apply the peach blush to the apples of your cheeks for a healthy, natural glow.

Lips:

You will need:

Mid-tone pink lip liner, Raspberry pink lipstick, Small tapered lip brush, Clear lip gloss.

1. Filling in your entire lip area minimalizes fading, blurring and feathering of lip color. This greatly reduces the amount of time you’ll spend re-applying lip products and leaves more time for important things, such as blowing kisses to cute boys. Use a mid-tone pink lip liner to fill in your lips starting at the center of your natural lip line and moving toward the outer corners.
2. With a small tapered lip brush apply raspberry lipstick to the center of your lip and then proceed to distribute it over the entire lip area.
3. Finish off with a coat of clear lipgloss.

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Credits:

Photography:Umbriel Finite Images

Model:Meagan Kyla

Location: Buffalo, NY

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Vanity Kills