H. Naoto - Otakon Hero, Gothic Punk Designer

Otakaon, one of the largest conventions of anime, manga and Asian pop culture honored a featured a fashion designer as their special guest this year.  Naoto Hirooka has blended Gothic Lolita, Punk, Anime and Cosplay into his collections of fashion/art since 2000.  A multi-talented designer, the man better known as H. Naoto has produced character-based collections like Hangry & Angry.  He has also produced streetwear inspired lines based on military and biker looks for men's shop "H" in addition to his sexy Gothic womens collections.

For more photos and a peek into past collections, follow through here. 

Japan Fashion Now Exhibit at the Museum at FIT

Inspiration from the East?  Avant-garde or Super-sweet?  Gothic? Anime?  What do you think of when you think of Japanese fashion?  The current exhibit at the Museum of FIT investigates the tipping point of Japan as a fashion heavyweight in the 1980's to current streetwear influences.  Edgy designers like Comme des Garcons and Yohji Yamamoto bridged philosophy and art with functional clothing.  

There is a gallery of a futuristic Tokyo and a range of styles representing subcultures of Forest Girl, Kawaii, Gothic Lolitas and Cosplay.

The exhibit runs until January 8, 2011 and is located at 27th street and 7th avenue in NYC.

Goth Gift Guide: Vamplets

What do you buy new parents or the young little bloodsucker in your life?  I came across a couple at the NY Comic Con with the most adorable booth.  Vamplets are cute vampire dolls you can adopt.  Cuddly with a bite, they have names like Evilyn Nocturna and Burton Creepson jr.  They have wicked little accessories like Disappearing baby bottles (of blood).  

The collection was founded by an artist named G-ra who turned it into a family affair.  The Vamplets team has been gathering fans all over at toy fairs, Comic-cons on both coasts, Dragon-cons and a bunch of other fun events.  

Check out all the baby vampires in their nursery, the Vamplet's witty website. 

Rodarte's Black Swan Costume Fantasy

Black Swan, the dark, ballet thriller by Darren Aronofsky opened Friday.  In fashion, all of the buzz has been going to the Mulleavy sisters of Rodarte.  They designed the edgy, Goth-chic costumes for the stylish movie.  The theme of "duality" played out on stage and off.  

For Prince Siegfried's character, the designers were inspired by mechanical birds.  The costume is vividly detailed with floral embroidered cheesecloth and distressed velvet.  Odette's costume is a constructed pancake shaped tutu.  It was embellished with white angora wool to emulate branches growing up the skirt.  

This may be the first film for Kate and Laura Mulleavy, but the designers have previous found horror and ballet to be muses for their collection.  

Photos Fox Searchlight, Sketches by Kate Mulleavy