Gothic Lolita stuff

[oneirophrenia]

OK, all Lovecraftian weirdness aside...I got my copy of Gothic & Lolita Bible, vol. 11 in the mail fromJList today and all I really have to say about the content is: Yow. Za. Them Japanian folks got it going on when it comes to all things subcultural or cute. In fact, they got it going on for everything, and I believe that the American goth scene--or whatever remains of it--seriously needs to get off its ass and lose the Korn and Slipknot influence and get back to the completely over-the-top, wild-ass, neotraditionalist look pioneered by all the grand founders of the genre...and by that, I'm not talking about Siouxsie Sioux or Robert Smith or Peter Murphy or any of those humps--I'm talking about Horace Walpole, Edgar Allan Poe, Matthew Gregory Lewis, Charles Baudelaire, and the lot. If you're going to be a freak, be a freak with some class, at least.

Comments

[missjoi.livejournal.com]

I believe that the American goth scene--or whatever remains of it--seriously needs to get off its ass and lose the Korn and Slipknot influence and get back to the completely over-the-top, wild-ass, neotraditionalist look pioneered by all the grand founders of the genre...

A-fucking-men.

[mirvana.livejournal.com]

EXACTLY. And may I also recommend: Gothic: Four Hundred Years of Excess, Horror, Evil and Ruin
by Richard Treadwell Davenport-Hines - as a "companion" book for your studies. I found it amusing, anyway.

[oneirophrenia.livejournal.com]

I've already read Davenport-Hines book and, for the most part, found it *completely awesome*--as he is the only person writing on the founders of the Gothic genre who actually noticed the tongue-in-cheek HUMOR of the originals (particularly Walpole). My only real problem with the book is that he put a little too much emphasis on Poppy Z. Brite and Anne Rice (two authors for whom I have an abject, virulent loathing) as being typical of contemporary Gothic writers.

[raincrystal.livejournal.com]

But even if you loathe them, they are typical. XP

(And again, I say I like Anne Rice, but not for the usual reasons. I like the smooth flow of her prose; it's kind of like eating cake frosting straight of the plastic tin.)

[oneirophrenia.livejournal.com]

They are *horribly* typical. :) At least typical of the overly-serious, stodgy, calcified mockery of Gothicism that contemporary Gothic writers have made of the genre. *Le sigh* Oh, for the days of Satan impregnating nuns while disguised as a virtuous Monk, and giant helmets falling from the sky to crush the life from hapless princes!

(Sick thing is--your metaphor for Ms. Rice's writing is *so apt*: her prose is sooooooo smoove and sugary, one almost can't help but devour it....Too bad it makes your tummy hurt so bad afterwards! She really *is* a fantastic stylist...which makes it all the more sad that she can't formulate a decent plot to save her life. The woman peaked with _Interview with the Vampire_, and it's all been downhill since.)

[ex-wolff493.livejournal.com]

I love Gothic Lolita. I just wish I could find the damn clothes somewhere! This summer I actually think I'm going to try to make a few things from there myself (well, my grandmother is insane at sewing and quilting, so I'll have a lot of help.)

Everyone should be inspired by Baudelaire. Hands down. (Though he isnt as cute as Siouxsie Sioux.)

[oneirophrenia.livejournal.com]

If you're looking for any pattern-books or patterns, I have a number of them, and can easily make you copies. I need to dig the old vintage 1910s sewing machines I have out of my attic, grease them up and get them functional again, and get into sewing myself. Or open a sweatshop. Either way would be cool.

Actually, last night I found a site with links to all the biggest G&L clothiers both in Japan *and* elsewhere--particularly London--and surprisingly enough, *some* of their stuff is fairly reasonably-priced. MOST is outrageous, of course, but some items and accessories are affordable. I'm a big fan of the oldskool Goth DIY aesthetic, though, so I'm more inclined to just dig up some patterns, bust out the crazy mirror-silvered fabric, and just get to stitchin'....

And, yeah...Chuck Baudelaire *isn't* as cute as Ms. Sioux, but he *is* a better writer! Last night, I found myself peruding a book of his prose poetry again before bed and, MAN, did it inspire some bizarre dreams.

[ex-wolff493.livejournal.com]

As sorry as I feel for Baudelaire's mistress, I would gladly take her place in a second.

That would be awesome about making me copies of patterns. Yeah, this summer I'm going to try to make a bunch of stuff. You should send me that sit when you are on later on. I also really like older Goth DIY type stuff, and I can never find stuff I like in stores.
Being girl means you can wear really crazy, awesome clothes IF you can find them. Though I'm sure you could make/find some really awesome clothes as well. The way Drac dresses in Bram Stoker's Dracula makes me want to... well... *cough*

[oneirophrenia.livejournal.com]

I often find myself identifying with Sieur Baudelaire a little *too* much, it would seem....To the point that sometimes I wonder just how likely it may be that I am a reincarnation of the man!

And as to patterns: No prob--I'm slowly accumulating a collection of patternbooks and the like from which you are, of course, welcome to copy stuff. I *have* a tux rather similar to Gary Oldman's in _Bram Stoker's Dracula_: it's black, though, and needs to be taken in a bit before it will be a proper fit...but it's swanker than hell. I've a pattern for it, too, and want to make said out of this completely AWESOME dark red (but NOT burgundy, as I *loathe* that color) brocaded fabric that will look completely *smashing* with a gold ascot and my old cobra-headed swordcane.

We'll see just what your reaction to *that* one shall be, then, yes...? ;)

[ex-wolff493.livejournal.com]

Well, in such cases as you are
A) the reincarnation of Baudelaire
-and/or-
B) caught wearing something of that sort near me...
I will be forced to kidnap you, lock you in some sort of spooky dungeon, and make you my slave for all of eternity.
And I already have slaves to do housework and other menial chores.

So you have been warned.

[oneirophrenia.livejournal.com]

I've a bit of a thing for dungeons, sooooo....This probably wouldn't be all that bad! Just make sure it's full of rusty old chains and torture equipment--I mean, no half-assed dungeons for *this* freak!