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:

Places: Highgate Cemetery, London

Highgate Cemetery is a Victorian graveyard situated in London, England. It is divided into two parts - East and West – that, although very near to one another are, in fact, separate spaces. All but one of the photos feature Highgate (East) because Madame Luciel and I had the pleasure of visiting it not too long ago.

Highgate Cemetery (East)

Built in 1839, Highgate (West) is the older portion of the cemetery and, although we only visited the east on this occasion, it is an extremely beautiful and elegant place as well. When it was initially designed by Stephen Geary, only this part of the cemetery existed and, as it increased in popularity, it became an extremely sought after place in which to have a plot. 

Highgate Cemetery (West) entrance

As the Victorians' macabre obsession with death and the afterlife even diffused into having 'fashionable' places to be buried, Lavish Gothic revival-style tombs and gateways were built, situated alongside leafy trees and wildflowers. The site continues to be a highly desirable location and some notable names laid to rest in there include poet Christina Rossetti, scientist Michael Faraday, and author Beryl Bainbridge. 

Highgate Cemetery (East)

Highgate Cemetery (East)

Although the western side still remains open to the public, it is now only accessible by way of supervised guided tours, in attempt to protect the Victorian mausoleums and tombs from further vandalism. Those with a deceased loved one buried in this half are given special passes, which enable them to visit unaccompanied. Had it not been for our time constraints, we would have ventured there as well, albeit with a tour guide.

Moving on...in 1854, the "newer" Highgate (East) section was constructed and, although it doesn't contain grand structures like the 'Circle of Lebanon' and 'Egyptian Avenue' as the west does, it is still a stunning location! However, unlike Highgate (West), after you pay the entrance fee (cash only!), you're then free to roam and explore, unsupervised, as much as you like.

Highgate Cemetery (East)

Tall trees, ivy and many other varieties of flowers and plants sprawl and weave between the gravestones, with numerous paths winding their way around the grounds. There are a huge amount of decorative, visually striking and easy to find  tombstones, and it's worth visiting Highgate (East) for those alone. As with Highgate (West), there are also some well-known occupants, such as philosopher Karl Marx, Sex Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren, author Douglas Adams, television presenter Jeremy Beadle and the screenwriter for 'The Cabinet of Doctor Caligari', Carl Mayer. There is also a memorial grave to those who died whilst working for the London Fire Brigade.

Highgate Cemetery (East)

However, there are also some less visible graves that have unusual/interesting features, or intriguing epitaphs. For example, there are carvings of pet dogs sitting on some, Masonic symbols, Chinese characters, and photographs of those who have passed away on others and even the word "DEAD" carved out of another. Therefore we would recommend spending a few hours in the eastern part at least in order to fully appreciate all the treasures it contains.

Highgate Cemetery (East)

Tours of Highgate (West) cost £7 for adults, £5 for students, whilst unaccompanied entrance to Highgate (East) costs £3 for adults and £2 for students. Children are also admitted, but I'm unsure of the price. For more information about opening times, directions, cemetery occupants and anything else you want to know about Highgate, please visit the official website:

http://www.highgate-cemetery.org

More photos of our visit after the cut below↓