NYC: Cosplay and GothLoli Tea Party at Animinicon Soho

Does the world look better through an animated lens?  Need a good excuse to dress up and party?

The Animinicon festival in New York's Soho neighborhood is your weekend destination.  Start with tonight's Cosplay reception.  Dance to J-rock and win prizes for your outfit.

Saturday will have concerts, meet & greets with famous Manga artists as well as screenings.

Dress your best for Sunday's Victorian Tea Pary.  Gothic or Lolitas can sip lovely Harney & Tea drinks.  Shop from the large range of dealers on-site.

See the site for more info.

Rodarte Collaborates on M.A.C. Cosmetics and Ballet

Fans of Gothic, artistic fashion line Rodarte can now get the look without the high price tag. The dark designers have collaborated with popular cosmetics line M.A.C. for a collection to debut this Fall.

The promotional images have an undead quality about them. Names for the items include "Ghosttown". However, major controversy ensued when bloggers read other names like "Juarez" and "Factory" were part of the line. The references to Mexico were inspired by a road trip by the Mulleavy sisters. Unfortunately, many took it as a reference to Cuidad, Juarez, a site more known for unchecked femicide.

Both the designers and the cosmetics firm have issued statements of apology. They have also pledged to donate portions of the proceeds to those in need in Juarez.

The multi-tasking designers also designed 40 costumes for the Darren Aronofsky ("The Wrestler") film The Black Swan. The sexy movie stars Natalie Portman as a dancer in the title role.

Photos from Hintmag and USAtoday


UPDATE! 8/17/10: MAC Cosmetics has decided to cancel this collection altogether due to the controversy!  Wow, never underestimate the power of blogging.  NY Magazine's Cut Blog has a humorous response warning of other potentially offensive nail polish names...

Comic-Con Style: Cosplay, Superheroes and Celebs

San Diego Comic-Con! Unless you live under a rock, you know that this annual fest is the mecca for all comic book fans, sci-fi fans, horror movie fans and fans of all cool pop culture in general. What started as a geekfest has now turned into the destination for the most anticipated previews of your favorite entertainment.

Outside of the official schedule though, the most entertaining thing (at least for a style blogger like myself) is the fashion and costumes of attendees.
Fans create the best outfits for themselves, with attention to detail that only comes from true passion.

Female celebrities often sway between super-sexy for the male fans (Angelina Jolie for Salt) or down-to-earth Geek Love, showing solidarity with their own favorite characters, (Michelle Rodriguez in attendance for Battle: Los Angeles).

Photos courtesy from Superhero Hype, Rotten Tomatoes,Comingsoon.net

Memento Mori Art Show at the Pop Gallery, Sante Fe NM

Artists Brandon Maldonado, Marie Sena and Daniel Martin Diaz have collaborated on a gorgeous new art show in Sante Fe, New Mexico. The exhibit is called Memento Mori: Remember You Must Die.

Brandon Maldonado's work has a beautiful illustrative quality to it, taking inspirations from religion, his own culture, Dia de los Muertos and pop culture. Marie Sena draws from her background in medical illustration and tattoo art to produce her myth-like pieces. Daniel Martin Diaz explores the effects of how religion and death have affected his family. Through his art, he examines the complexities of the human spirit.

The artists reception and official show opening is Saturday, July 24, 2010. If you are in New Mexico, head on over to the Pop Gallery at 133 West Water Street.

For more information, e-mail artinfo@popsantafe.com

Givenchy's Delicate Fall 2010 Anatomy Lesson

Riccardo Tisci's Fall Couture show in Paris earlier this month was an exercise of art and passion. The intricately embroidered pieces took their muse of artist Frida Kahlo, bones and the Mexican holiday of Day of the Dead.

It was a small collection of only ten looks, but the stuffy fashion press couldn't stop gushing... The International Herald Tribune, "Frida Kahlo and Mexico’s Day of the Dead — hit a chord of memento mori.” The Daily Front Row called it “Nothing short of spectacular.”

The feminine transparent pieces mixed delicate Chantilly lace and ostrich feathers. Upon closer inspection, the hand-embroidered motifs were revealed to be skulls of exquisite elegance.

Photos courtesy of Givenchy

Rodarte's Ancient Skull-Inspired Museum Project

Wickedly dark fashion designers Kate and Laura Mulleavy joined other creatives in a project for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The ladies of Rodarte took their inspiration from the museum's turquoise encrusted Mexican skull in their series of fashion sketches for the Cell Phone Stories project.

Participants like actor Rainn Wilson and artist Kianga Ford, people have contributed their voices, texts and images for art-seekers to take on a journey through the museum highlighting and reinterpreting the experience in unexpected ways.

Want to get in on the action? Text "LACMA" to 67553 to receive weekly text messages that will direct you to the various pieces of the project.

Southern Gothic Festival - New Orleans

It's a hot, hot summer... What would it take to draw your pale, porcelain complexion into the sun? The Southern Gothic Festival is a celebration of Gothic and Industrial culture. It's a city where there are no curfews, so you can walk around with a drink in your hand as you rock out to your favorite band. Looking for something darker? It's one of the few places in the U.S. where you might find some authentic voodoo..

July 16th and 17th, New Orleans, LA.

Gothic Festival Belgium

Want to get dark and dirty with Skinny Puppy, Alien Sex Fiend and Skeletal Family? Head over to Belgium for the Gothic Festival. It is virtually guaranteed to have a wild and scary time. The band lineup is extensive, the talent plentiful.

If you need some retail therapy in between, you can peruse the goods of the Gothic market. On offer will be everything from unique jewelery, fetish wear to rare albums.

photo by Janicks