Jean Paul Gaultier - Spring 2010 Haute Couture

Paris fashion's still-reigning bad boy, Jean Paul Gaultier wowed guests at his recent runway show again. This collection, inspired by gauchos, Aztecs and birds of paradise showed elaborately embellished headdresses, sculpted gowns and mixed media. Corsets woven from leathers, hair, satin and what looked like jungle grasses mixed with draped hair, fronds and embroidered sombreros.

Anti-Valentine's Guide: Music

It's inevitable... the flood of sappy movies, radio playlists, commercials leading up to February 14th. Whether you are IN love or not, it doesn't mean your tastes should change to accommodate the holiday. If you're looking for an escape, check out the list below:

Best anti-Valentine's day songs: Several top ten lists from Metal Hammerhttp://www.metalhammer.co.uk/blog/top-ten-alternative-valentines-songs/

If you're looking for a live performance of unsentimental tunes, check out the Bloody Valentine Performance in Utah http://smithstix.com/events/item/root/my-bloody-valentine-2010

Love Conquers All...

Anti-Valentine's Guide: NYC Vampire's Ball

Single or coupled (or tripled?) for this 14th of February? It doesn't matter my loves. Dress in your best romantic Goth finery and head to Gotham, New York City. The Vampire's Ball is in its 14th year and being held in a gorgeous old bank vault-turned-nightclub.

Dance the night away, compete in costume affairs, or even make an appointment for your custom fangs with Father Sebastiaan.

Anti Valentine's Guide: Dirty Rotten Flowers

Bitterness and elegance... A potent mix n'est-ce pas? Dirty Rotten Flowers is a Lost Angeles-based florist that attends to the needs who need a florist to express just the right sentiment... Choose a seething bouquet of rotting blooms (their signature arrangement) ready for a coffin, or the more twisted romantic Morticia (a dozen decapitated rose stems).

When your (un)beloved opens the box and exclaims "Oh! You shouldn't have!" At least you'll know it was sincere...

Steampunk Cruise Down Under

I always thought it was strange that my cousins in Australia spent their Christmas holidays in the summer. After this year however, I have come to appreciate those advantages. On a warm December night of 2009, the vintage 1902 steamship Waratah hosted a fabulous Steampunk Cruise.

The voyage took its stylish crew around Sydney Harbor and returned with some gorgeous photos. (Click for the full slideshow) . The women looked sexy and feisty, the gentlemen, well some of them truly put a flutter in Ms. Macabre's corsets and heart...

Hmm, I think the famed Goth Cruise in the Carribean has some competition now...

Thanks to the Steampunk Workshop and Patrick's Flickr gallery for the news and photos. Patrick thanks John Dunne aka Lieutenant Ruprecht Carruthers-Ivanovich of the Imperial Zeppelin Marines for making the event happen.

If the Shoe Fits...Severe Style for Gothic Divas

"I will heel you, I will save your sole, I will even dye for you..." proclaimed the poetic words off a shoe repair sign in Manhattan. They set a romantic tone for this roundup of eccentric, stylish, painful and artistic footwear I came across in this roundup:

Spotted at the Valentino Spring 2010 show were Philip Treacy's spectacular embroidered tulle shoes. The designer is known more for his dramatic hat creations, but that may soon change. These lovelies look like dark phantoms are wrapped around your angles and ready to take flight.

How about this dominating over-the-knee boot by Christian Louboutin? Jennifer Lopez swears her allegiance to the designer in her new single Louboutins and it's not difficult to see why. The flattering silhouette and knock 'em dead color would make any diva look fierce.Spikes are everywhere of late. On the dresses and shoulders of every rockstar on television, jewelry, handbags and of course, some fierce heels... Louise Goldin's collection for (affordable!) Topshop has several styles of these pointy pieces

So will footwear become more sedate later this year? I wouldn't count on it. In Women's Wear Daily's preview of shoe designer's sketch for Fall 2010, silhouettes and details certainly did NOT tone down for the masses. Donald J Pliner , Be & D and Giuseppe Zanotti designs are seen above.

Rodarte Uses Living Dead Dolls as Muse

Rodarte is a designer label that has clothed many a red carpet starlet in Hollywood. While most upscale designers like to cite historical fashion icons, famous artists and architecture as being their collection inspiration, sisters Laura and Kate Mulleavy did not. The California-based design duo cull style ideas from creepy Goth toys, The Living Dead Dolls.

“We’re, like, totally obsessed with them,” Kate Mulleavy said. “There’s, like, a Bloody Mary one and Edgar Allen Poe doll and an Annabel Lee.”

Can you see it? Check out the photos from their Spring 2010 presentation and decide for yourself...

Macabre Travel: Cirque du Boudoir in Montreal, Canada

Brrr, it can definitely get cold in the winter up in Quebec in January. The sexy group behind Cirque De Boudoir however know how to heat things up. A fetish-themed party that asks their guests "What happens to your inhibitions when your identity is unknown?" Those who are prepared for a sensual fete are encouraged to dress their furry/sexy/costumed best. Previous parties included themes like "Robots,Dolls and Monsters", "Necromantic" and "Pretty in Kink".

Start Time:	Saturday, January 30, 2010 at 10:00pm
End Time:	Sunday, January 31, 2010 at 3:00am
Location:	Katacombes
Street:	1635 St-Laurent Blvd
City/Town:	Montreal, QC

Horror Movie Poster Giveaway Winners

Happy New Year my darlings! I hope 2010 brings much glamor, success and style to all of you. I would like to start the year by gifting two of you collections of movie posters.

The first is Delaney Barrett, author of the blog Tea and Shopping with Alice. She named Edward Gorey as her Gothic style muse.

The second is Melanie from Pearl River, New York. She is the author of Melanie's Randomness and a fan of Anne Rice.

Congratulations!