Gothic Curls

Hello my fellow gothlings!

Okay, so this week, I was looking through some hairstyles for the darkly inclined and realized something- we spookily clad beings are usually depicted with long, straight, flat black hair.

Being of European decent, my hair IS black and I have grown it long, but my hair takes on a more... schizophrenic state. Not quite curly, not quite straight, but... let's just say it has a personality of its own. I realized long ago that I didn't like straight hair. It looks great on others, but it isn't for me. I feel like I'm restricted- I'm too "wild" to care about maintaining my hairs flatness, and it feels like I'm trying too hard to be pretty, confined, restricted, and spending an hour with a flat iron isn't fun. 

So! This post is dedicated to those much like myself with an affinity for curly hair.

The following is going to be a mostly photo heavy post of curly hair and that it CAN be worn "spooky."

Phantom of the Opera's Christine Daae (it helps if you travel with a guy like him too):

Singer Amy Lee has naturally curly hair and has been known to wear it curly, like in her music video for "My Immortal."

 

Known as "The Virgin Sister Bones", Laura Ziba (my personal favorite artist/model/designer) usually teases her turquoise and black hair with the addition of some curls for her shoots.

Helena Bonham Carter has curly hair which she used to her advantage in most of her characters pictured here in Sweeney Todd and also for Harry Potter.

Blondes, don't think that I forgot you. Here's Kirstin Dunst as Claudia from Interview with the Vampire.

Though not goth, Avril Lavigne also has naturally curly hair which she wears loose with her hot pink streaks.

Curly hair needs not be worn loose, it can be spilling over in a half-updo or in schizophrenic pigtails, etc.

Medieval goths are known for their long, flowing, natural hair. Besides the addition of her headband, this fiery red head hasn't done anything to alter her curls.

More at: http://www.facebook.com/daniellefiorefotomodella

Others with curly haired influences are Victorian hairstyles, Lolita hairstyles, and Burlesque dancers too.

Here's the link to my favorite gothic photographer, Viona. I know you'll love her creations.

http://www.viona-art.com/

How do you wear your locks? <3!

The Bembridge Estate

Hello my darklings!

Sorry for the long delay- I got super busy, school, music blahblahblah, here's an awesome post!

My mother recently told me about a beautiful Mansion in Long Beach, CA that was a diamond in the rough. "It's gorgeous," she exclaimed. "But it's in the worst kind of neighborhood." She wasn't kidding. The day I went to scope it out, there was a drive by shooting just down the street. Needless to say, I was a little scared to go back, but turns out it was a great day to do so.

It was the day before Mother's Day and my mother and I decided to make a day out of it, so we went to the beach for some lunch then off to the estate. Here's my outfit for the day: a new dress I bought at Goodwill for $5, my new spiderweb fishnets, heeled Mary Janes, and a small hat I made myself.

I know this sounds weird, but I felt like I had to dress up to show respect for this historical home. I was touched by it's beauty, and knowing that it came from an entirely different era really resounded in me.

On to the estate! The reason why it was a great day to go was because it was some sort of festival day. The foundation in charge of taking care of this house has little community festivals to bring in some publicity and donations, so there was live music, dancing, and food too.

This was on the front of the home. I hope that other California gothlings will go as well.

From here, we gave a donation and entered the estate. Several tour guides showed us the downstairs and upstairs portions of the estate. Long story short, it was GORGEOUS. Just... utterly beautiful. I COULD have taken photos, but I couldn't- it was so beautiful that I thought it'd be disrespectful to take photos of the home. I know it's weird, but having already done research on the home, it's history, it's owner, how she fought so hard to keep her home intact and, yes, her murder, all made this house mean more to me.

Example, I've heard every song by Emilie Autumn. I've read about her life, seen her Advent Calendar, read her book, and dressed like a dedicated muffin for the past 4-5 years of my life. But actually SEEING her in person, performing onstage right before my eyes, SEEING the muffins, I began to cry. It felt like meeting a unicorn...

Back to the house. Here's the first website I found that explains a bit about the house, click around for photos of the inside of the house as well as the story behind the house:
http://www.lbheritage.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8&Itemid=9

Less blah, more photos!

Yes, it had a garden too.

I don't know what it is, but this house has some magic over me. I hope you all enjoy it too.

What about yourselves? Have you any historical monuments near you live? <3!

Still goth after ? years

Hello Goth-lings!

So after reading a post by Amy found at the link below, I began to think "When did I become goth?"
http://ultimategothguide.blogspot.com/2011/05/guest-post-still-goth-after-all-these.html

Everyone remembers some sort of memory where they saw beyond a cereal box of Count Chocula and thought "Hmm.", but I honestly can't. It's always been kind of inside of me, for as long as I can remember, and I cannot remember a time when I never saw myself as "Spooky".

I never remember one sort of moment or memory from whence my gothdom sprang up, so I began to ask my family why. Where did this come from? Why do you accept me as normal when I'm in boots and a dress but not in blue jeans and flip flops?

I turned to my mom and she showed me pictures of myself as a baby, growing up, in middle school, in high school. I've always had spooky tendencies, and this post will show you just what I mean.

Example 1:

This is a picture of my brother and I when we were young. He was 5 and I was 3 years old. My aunt asked me what I wanted to be for Halloween, that she'd make me whatever costume I wanted, and this is what I asked for. Black Mary Janes, black stockings, black billowy skirt, black leotard with a black bolero, black velvet crown with a black lace veil. Make-up consisted of lots of black rimmed eyes, red lipstick, and I've always had a fascination for moles, so she drew one on my chin. I didn't know what goth was, I just knew that I wanted to look like that.

Example 2:

It was Halloween, and I was in the third grade (I am 7 years old) in this picture. And if you don't know who I am, here's a hint.
http://moviemoxietme.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/elvira-mistress-of-the-dark.jpg

I loved her. I would stay up all night and watch her movies with my father as well as other slasher movies that were prevailent at the time. I thought Chucky was a cute doll, Jason could be my bodyguard to defend me from bullies at school, and I had a huuuge crush on Freddy. Still kinda do...

More years went by, I collected ALL of her collector cards (which I still have all nicely labeled in an album) and I used to stay up and watch "Tales from the Crypt" with my dad. He passed when I was 9, but I still watched them. I discovered Anne Rice's "Interview with the Vampire" in a second hand store and read it cover to cover that night. I realized I wasn't alone, that I could find solace even if in just a book, and my vision began to open to some sort of culture of the "Spookily inclined."

No more examples, just pictures from here on out.

Middle school me. I hate my face, but you can see all my Spooky indicators- red fishnet shirt, long red nails, studded belt, useless red ribbons, and my new puppy I took home that day (Claudia Emilie Rose).

I'm next to the clown with the rainbow wig. I'm in a long black gown with a fishnet shirt, straightened black hair, black lipstick, black make-up, and the sash I got as Homecoming court as a Senior in high school (I know, it shocked me too).

From there on, it's mostly pictures of me being me. Not much has changed, except that I have acquired the title that comes with knowing what I am. There was no real revelation for me, I just... was.

So what was your "coming out" story? Was it easy for you to do? Did you fight it? Embrace it? How did you come to know what you are? <3!

My Dwelling Place

Hello, my Spooky-inclined friends!

So, I get some questions sometimes asking me "What are you?"

I'm sure that a lot of the darkly clad culture might get this question or something of the sort asking just why they're wearing boots with a dress and a mini-top hat and a parasol. I know, I don't ALWAYS dress that way. I do have work and I do have school, and going to school (well, MY school) with my most eclectic items wouldn't really be a good idea.

Sometimes I like to dress like an Ophelia which the equation is something like this: 1 part Victorian + 1 part Spooky + a splash of tea affinity + and a dash of Shakespeare love. Mix it in your favorite teacup and smash it against your vintage Victorian wallpaper and this is what you get:

(Note: This is NOT me, this is the amazing Emilie Autumn whom you should listen to right now).

I impliment the use of black more than white because I don't think too much white looks good on me, but you get the general idea.

Yes, I have an affinity for tea and picnics in the cemetary (seriously, I'll post some pictures in a later post) and corsets and ribbons and lace and poetry. So if people ask if I'm goth, I usually say "No, I just like imitating the life of a girl gone mad that (possibly) committed suicide in the 1600's or so."

And smile.

So what does the room of such said girl look like? Well, my room is a mess right now, but I can show you my walls at the very least. Usually before starting a sewing project, I'll look through magazines and clip out stuff and put it on my wall. I have a fairly large room with my own bathroom and a door that leads directly to my backyard, so bear in mind the space that this stuff occupies. 

(Click on any of these images for a larger look at the crap that occupies my brain)

This is the whole wall over my headboard, and here are the close ups.

And on the opposite wall, just by my television and behind my door.

This mural is just photos of my family and friends that I love and care about, but it also is pretty big.

And because I can- my filled bookcase with ipod dock, records and record player, Christmas lights, fake flowers, high school banner, college Homecoming float piece, pile of books BESIDE my bookcase, and my violin case. That door leads to my bathroom.

And now you know where I live!  .....

Thrifting

Hello my darklings!

It's no secret that the goth community has been associated with everything DIY, original, or handmade. When you like things with coffins, crosses, and crucifixes (ooh, sounds like a song), there aren't many stores or manufacturers of such awesome trinkets.

Most things we get are original, or altered in some way (such as buying a skirt and tattering the bottom, etc). Even though a lot of my wardrobe is my own creations, I find it easier to go out, buy things, and alter them.

It's fun, cheap, and easy to do. I've spent many a Sunday morning sipping tea and adding useless patches to skirts, dresses, and skirts. It's something I like to do, and I feel like it helps personalize my clothes.

I went thrifting to Goodwill with my friend last night and we got some great stuff! I always end up with a huge armful of dresses, shirt, skirts, etc, but weed them out at the dressing rooms because they ONLY allow you to try on 3 items at a time.... fgfjdsf!!!

After going through the things I collected (some practical, some more impratical), it actually came down to three items that I wanted to buy. There was this one CUUUUUUTE dress that I found and I loved, but it didn't fit me!!! It was black and the fabric was seamed all over to look like it was spiderwebbed, but it didn't go over my knees! I WAS wearing fishnets, stockings, garters, and boots trying to pull up this super cute dress, but alas, it was not meant to be.

I handed it to my friend who I knew would love it too (we both have similar tastes in clothes) and it fit her. She's petite, about 5'2" or so with a great feminine figure whereas I'm 5'6" with a thick body (think burlesque dancer meets Beyonce), and it looked so great on her. I'm glad I found the dress such an awesome home, alas... my ass... no dress shall pass. T_T

So! I bought three dresses that are really fun. Here are the pictures.

I LOOOVE this dress! It's nicely fitted and snug at the waist with a nice V-neck and a flouncy skirt. The hemn comes just to my knee, so I could wear knee-high boots with stripey stockings and you'll be able to see them. And it's machine washable, squee!

This one might not look like much on the hanger, but it looks great when you wear it. It's halter (goes behind the back and closes with fabric covered buttons) and has boning at the waist. It creates a nice silhouette, and has a flouncy hemn too. Again, it's just above the knees, so any leg coverings can be slightly seen. It is not machine washable, but I'm thinking of adding stuff to this one. We'll see.

Okay, okay, I know it isn't EXACTLY a dress, but it's so beautiful! It's a dark-dark eggplant purple with black lace at the top. I put this under the black dress just mentioned above and the black lace peeked over very nicely. And even so, summer nights in California are hot, so this'll be a nice nightie too. :3

I'm really happy with my recent steals, and all of these came in at $15! You can't really beat that price. So what about you? Do you make your own clothes? Go thrifting? How do you piece together your wardrobe?