Fashion: DraculaClothing

'Delicacy Underbust Corset' by DraculaClothing

'Gassmask Brooch' by DraculaClothing

Started in 2007 and currently based in the Czech Republic, DraculaClothing is an independent alternative clothing company run by Truls Stokka and Ida W. Thorsen. After a fruitless shopping expedition to Camden, the pair became tired of the many "alternative" clothes produced by companies that charged exorbitant amounts of money for poor quality items and very little choice. So rather than just complaining about it, Truls created DraculaClothing, aiming to provide excellent quality at reasonable prices, with Ida joining the company soon after. It's always a bonus to find that a business has been born from the ideas of people that honestly have a passion for the things that they create or the services that they provide. 

'Spider Web Earrings' by DraculaClothing

Originally, DraculaClothing mainly designed items for themselves and people they knew, but over the years they have grown in popularity immensely and now have customers from all over the globe! When buying online, there is, as always, the dreaded postage costs and goods taxes to consider, which often makes it more expensive to buy internationally, via the internet. However, with free worldwide shipping and the already affordable prices, paying the cost of import duties (outside the EU) is still cheaper than buying overpriced items from other companies. And let's be honest here, how many of us are even able to find a local shop, with this much choice and such beautiful items anyway, regardless of the costs?

'Steampunk Kitty T Shirt' by DraculaClothing

The other appealing thing about DraculaClothing is that, although they do seem to specialise in Steampunk, EGA/EGL and corsetry, they provide a lot of other choices too. The number of items they sell is huge and they are constantly expanding their range. 

Whatever your delightfully dark style may be - from elegant vampire to eccentric Steampunk, from Gothic Lolita to tightlacer - there's almost certainly something to suit your taste. There's even enough bats, skulls, spiders, gas masks, bloody shirts, and coffins to keep you horrific darlings happy! 

Many thanks to DraculaClothing for permission to use the images.


For more information, or to browse the DraculaClothing online store, visit the links below:

• DraculaClothing.com
• DraculaClothing Facebook Page
• DraculaClothing on Twitter

More photos after the cut below:

Fashion: MANIC PANIC

The original MANIC PANIC boutique

Started as a punk-style boutique by sisters Tish and Snooky in New York City in 1977, MANIC PANIC have been making the world more colourful and fascinating for over thirty years! The original store was frequented by musicians such as David Bowie, The Ramones and Cindy Lauper, drag queens and other subculture trend-setters, and its popularity grew in leaps and bounds. By the 90's, all kinds of celebrities, high fashion models, magazines and even movie makers wanted the MANIC PANIC look. 

Although the original shop on St. Marks Place closed some time ago, MANIC PANIC now offer a large range of products online through their webstores. One, St. Marks Place,  sells special sale and discontinued products, meaning that you might just be able to find that amazing colour you thought you'd never see again! 

Long Island City boutique

Long Island City boutique

As well as the webstores, MANIC PANIC also have recently opened boutiques in Long Island City and Venice Beach, along with a salon, which is also located in Venice Beach, giving a whole new generation the opportunity to visit their retail stores. Naturally, the brand's popularity and success has not been limited to the US and the millenium saw mass distribution begin in the UK, Australia, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Poland, Austria, Czech Republic, Japan, Canada, and the Netherlands too.



Some of MANIC PANIC's beautifully bold hair dyes

Unlike some labels, MANIC PANIC's products are generally not over-hyped and work as well as claimed. For example, in my own experience, the semi-permenant dye colour, Vampire Red, came out really vividly even on mid to dark hair. The colour does fade a little after a week or so of washes, but it's only semi-permenant and so I would expect that from a bright colour. However, if you're blonde or pre-lighten your hair as recommended, the colour is likely to be highly visible for much longer.

Casket Basket

The cosmetics, too, have strong pigments, which means that they last longer as you don't need to use much. I particularly like their Casket Basket gift sets and the kits in their Creature of the Night collection. The Casket Basket contains: 1 Virgin white pressed powder compact, 1 Goth White creme foundation, Raven lipstick, 1 Black Magic glitter jewels eyeshadow, 2 nail polish, 4 eye/lip pencils, 1 black rose & 2 spider rings.



Casket Basket contents minus the rose, plus a pot of Scare Crow fangs



Everything is beautifully presented and well-protected in its packaging, so whether you buy it from one of the boutiques or online, you can be sure that it will arrive safely with whoever it's intended for (even if that happens to be you). The face make-up is definitely not meant for full coverage and is obviously not stage make-up, but it's great for everyday wear and subtle, yet noticable, paleness. The Goth White can dry out a little if you store it somewhere warm or leave it open a lot, but mixing a dab of moisturiser with it makes it as good as new.



Final Curtain

Knock 'Em Dead

















The Creature of the Night collection total look kits in Knock 'Em Dead (red) and Final Curtain (purple) are not only great products, but great value too, at just $20 for an eyeshadow, creme liner, face powder, lipsticks, lashes, application tools, plus instruction guides on how to achieve three different looks with each kit. In addition to the value for money, all MANIC PANIC products are animal cruelty free and vegan. They were even given an award by animal rights activists PETA because of that, so you can feel good about looking good too!

To buy the above or any other MANIC PANIC products, or to find out more, please visit the following websites:

MANICPANIC.COM

MANIC PANIC N.Y.C. Online Store

MANIC PANIC Boutique Venice Beach

St. Marks Place

MANIC PANIC Creature of the Night Collection

Thank you to MANIC PANIC for permission to use images from their websites.

Halloween: Tokyo Dark Castle

Today, we're continuing our 'Things To Do On Halloween' list, with something for those of you in Japan this season. Tokyo Dark Castle is one of Tokyo's best known dark/gothic club events, with live music, DJs and VJs, plus one or two clothing brands or artists usually there as well.  The venue, Shinjuku MARZ, is a little on the small side, but actually it gave the two TDCs that I went to a good atmosphere.

In addition to the main event, there is also a Halloween Parade that starts at 22:30 (10:30pm) outside the CineCity plaza in Kabukichou. Everyone is encouraged to dress up and there's even a prize for best costume! Afterwards, you'll need to make your own way to MARZ for Dark Castle, but don't worry because it's also in the Kabukichou district of Shinjuku so it's not far.

You will need photo ID (passport / driver's liscence etc.) to get into MARZ and it is strictly an 18 plus event.

For line-up and directions to the venue, please check the following sites:

Tokyo Dark Castle Website (In English and Japanese)(英語と日本語で)

Shinjuku MARZ website (Japanese) (日本語)