Chunky necklaces are in... But this one takes the cake- Ha!

Now... This is a SERIOUS piece of jewelry! (@ the LA Market in Downtown LA shopping for the store)
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*Vintage Dames: Edie Sedgwick*

I personally CANNOT even begin to speak about fashion icons before mentioning the late Edith Minturn Sedgwick (April 20, 1943 – November 16, 1971) better known as ‘Edie’ Sedgwick!  Edie was an actress, socialite, model, and heiress along with being one of the first “IT” girls in America.  She was a ‘muse’ of Andy Warhol’s in the late 60’s after staring in several of his short films.
            She met Warhol in 1965 and became a regular at The Factory where he filmed all his short films.  The most popular of them ‘Poor Little Rich Girl’ was filmed in Edie’s New York Apartment. Although Warhol's films were not commercially successful and rarely seen outside The Factory, as Sedgwick's popularity grew, mainstream media outlets began reporting on her appearances in Warhol's underground films and her unusual fashion sense, which consisted of black leotards (did lady Gaga take notes?), mini dresses, and large chandelier earrings. Sedgwick also cut her hair short and colored her naturally brown hair with silver spray, creating a similar look to the wigs Warhol wore. Warhol christened her his "Superstar" and both were photographed together at various social outings.

Andy Warhol: I wonder if people are going to remember us?
Edie Sedgwick: What, when we're dead?
Andy Warhol: Yeah.
Edie Sedgwick: Well I think people will talk about how you changed the world.
Andy Warhol: I wonder what they'll say about you... in your obituary. I like that word.
Edie Sedgwick: Nothing nice, I don't think.
Andy Warhol: No no, come on. They'd say, "Edith Minturn Sedgwick: beautiful artist and actress...
Edie Sedgwick: ...and all around loon.
Andy Warhol: ...Remembered for setting the world on fire...
Edie Sedgwick: ...and escaping the clutches of her terrifying family...
Andy Warhol: ...Made friends with eeeeverybody, and anybody...
Edie Sedgwick: ...creating chaos and uproar wherever she went. Divorced as many times as she married, she leaves only good wishes behind.
[laughs]
Edie Sedgwick: That's nice, isn't it?

Carefree and beautiful...  Absolutely a Vintage Dame...

*Global Dames: Harajuku Girls*

Before I start I would like to say I’m so sorry for my semi sporadic sabbatical from posting!  There will come a day when I can do this alllll day but unfortunately I get wrapped up sometimes in a thing called WORK… So anyway, let’s talk about fashion on such an outrageous plane that it makes haute couture look ordinary… Let’s talk HARAJUKU!!

            A little brief history before we get into all the pretty pics.  Looooooooooooooong before Gwen Stefani and her “Harajuku Lovers” there were Harajuku girls. They are popularly known as the 'fashion aficionados' or the 'beauty stars of Japan'(ahem Dames).  The term Harajuku refers to the area that they hang around which is the Harajuku train station.  It is a style adopted by teens and young adults in the area and its side streets which house tons of boutiques and trendy clothing stores.  Japanese Harajuku and Harajuku style has been used to describe teens dressed in many ranging from “Gothic Lolita” (aka Gothic Loli), “Visual Kei”, “Ganguro”,“Kogal” and “cute Kawaii” styled clothing.
            Like drag queens love their Thursday nights Harajuku’s love their Sunday’s.  This is the day they congregate around the station and take part in costume play, dressed up in outlandish costumes to appear like anime characters, punk rock musicians and various gothic styles.

Visual Kei

Visual Kei refers to a movement among Japanase Rock (Jrock) musicians and its fans and is characterized by the use of elaborate costumes, eccentric looks and hairstyles.  It involves striking make-up.

The ‘kei' in Visual Kei is Japanese for style of type meaning “visual style music”. 

Goth Lolita

Gothic Lolita or GothLoli is a youth fashion among Japanese teenagers and young women. Elegant Gothic Lolita (EGL) refers to the fashion of frilly, ruffled knee-length dresses and head-bands etc. Elegant Gothic Aristocrat (EGA) refers to a more subtle and refined dressing consisting of longer dresses and coats.

Gothic Lolita clothes have a sometimes very dark look or sometimes very kawaii (cute) look - demonstrated by Baby The Stars Shine Bright. There are different kinds of lolitas in Japan, however EGA is rare and the style is usually up to the individual.

Kawaii & Decora

Kawaii means "cute" or "pretty. has become a major aspect of Japanese culture, entertainment, food, clothing, toys, personal appearance and behavior. Kawaii fashion generally relates to someone wearing clothing that appears to be made for young children or clothes that accentuates the cuteness of the individual wearing the clothing. Ruffles and pastel or bright colors may be worn, and accessories often include oversize toys or bags featuring anime characters.

Decora also known as "Decoration" is a Japanese style adopted mainly by young Japanese girls. Decora consists of bright colors and hair clips with bows. Lots of layering and colorful accessories are used in Decora. The accessories include plastic and furry toys and jewelry, which stick together and make noise as the wearer moves.

Ganguro

Gangurofashion appeared somewhere around the early 90s in Japan and peaked around the year 2000 and was primarily adopted by young woman in their 20s. The style consists of a deep tan combined with dyed hair that can be either bleached gray, silver or various shades of orange.

Ganguro girls also wear white lipstick and eye shadow. White concealer is often used for both. Black ink is often used as an eyeliner along with false eyelashes and facial gems (plastic) and pearl powder.

Clothing wise Ganguro girls wear brightly coloured clothes including miniskirts, tie-dyed sarongs, lots or rings, necklaces and bracelets.  Ganguro is believed to have started as a kind of revenge against the traditional norm in Japanese society as to what feminine beauty should be. Many Japanese researchers believe that the rebellion against Japanese society is due to resentment of neglect.

Probably the most famous Gangurogirl was known as Buriteri - named after a black soy sauce. Egg magazine made her famous after constantly showing her picture at the height of the Ganguro craze. Ganguro culture even evolved its own style of dances, know as Para Para. Dancers to para para dance to predetermined moves in sync to J-pop music.

Buriteri

Kogal

Kogal girls are know for prominently "showing off" their disposable income through the fashions they wear, their taste in music and their social activity in general. Kogal fashion is similar to that of the sun tanned California Valley Girl.

Kogal fashion is also similar to Ganguro although the two should not be confused. Kogal girls sport designer accessories such as louis vuitton handbags and are often the first consumers of japanese mobile phones. Kogal girls may partake in "compensated dating", which some consider to be quasi-legal prostitution. Internet usage of the word has led some Westerners to believe that "Kogal" means "prostitute".



Although this was a long post I clearly haven’t even scratched the surface of this complex subculture in Tokyo.  These girls are Dames because they wear whatever they want and make it look great.  I’ve never in a million years looked at someone in a plush teddy bear costume and thought “wow that’s cool or cute” until I saw these pictures.  They are fearless, innovative, and fashionable!  Although I could see myself being a “Gothic Lolita” with a splash of  “Kwaii” (which I could totally do because there are no rules to Harajuku!)  I find myself most interested in the Ganguro girls… So, which Harajuku are you??  Stay tuned for the next global Dame post!!! xoxo

Information for this post collected from:
www.harajukustyle.net
http://www.tokyoessentials.com/harajuku.html
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0NTN/is_64/ai_n14813550/

Fashion Clown!? For all my fun loving, free-spirited DAMES... Here's some bright, over the top make-up to inspire you today!!!!

THE LATE... GREAT... ALEXANDER MCQUEEN!

*Accessories Spotlight*

Feast your eyes on Alexander McQueen's gorgeous, kick-ASS clutches! Fit for a Queen but made for a DAME rockstar! These handbags are so unique, with beautiful craftmanship! The brass knuckle handle is my favorite part of this handbag (it's the bad b%$@!!! Any DAME is sure to get an extra glance with a one of these clutches in her hand!

Alexander McQueen - Hell's Knuckleduster clutch ($2325)

Alexander McQueen - Red Crystal Embellished clutch ($1575)

 Alexander McQueen - Sting Ray clutch ($1940)

Alexander McQueen - Fushcia/Blk Flag clutch ($1245)

A BETTY PAIGE INSPIRED PHOTO/FASHION SPREAD...

*Fashion Spread Spotlight*

I loooooove this 50's style, Betty Paige, vintage pinup fashion spread! It feminine, sexy, chic, and Dreamy - just like all of my DAME chics! This one's for you doll! ;)
Photographed by Adoni and Arantxa. Styled by Thais Bretas. Models: Lina Navickaite and Ella Kandyba.