Aristo Drama; I have none.

Good afternoon, minna-sama. Oh my, do forgive yet another long stretch without anything on the up and up. Much actually has been happening, but so much so that I haven't been able to spare time, as usual, into posting. This worries me some, as I haven't even spent the half hour I know it would take to sew two eye patches [on in square, one in more traditional shape], or the new mask, nor go out and take the Halloween Aristocrat picture for the Doll Part contest. I shall probably resolve to do that tomorrow night then... maybe... Tomorrow seems dastardly. I haven't [named or] taken my cane out with me during jaunts on campus, even though I haven't yet fixed Petros, and that second jabot just refuses to be pinned and cut in the pattern shape for starters. An endeavor... all of it.

On a happier note, however, Toriberry, Nobu, and my club has been officially approved, and the Lolikei duo that is the former and I took some time after class to put up our pretty and altered tab-tear fliers. They look great. And some have been ripped soundly to shreds, in the way that there are no tabs left, and I've had to replace them. This gives me a lot of hope for our first turn out, scheduled for November 8th at 6 pm [in case there are invisible followers who are privy to know where we are]. The place hasn't been decided yet, but I think it shall probably be in a room in the Armory until further notice. I just hope I won't forget. That's all I need, to not be there even though I've got it down three weeks in advance. We're planning our first group activities and get-togethers. The online community has gone live, and is now taking in our interested blood~ It is something to excite this heir marquis.

In reader's digest version, that has been what is all consuming [sans some of the less pleasurable or notable points that I don't care to recount to anyone] these past few days. Halloween nears, and Undertaker debuted in public [outside of a con] to a big success, so now I must untangle the wig and hope for cold weather again on Friday. Keep me posted, minna-sama, on your ins and outs and parties and costumes.

As for today, I hope you will all pardon some more ramblings on a specific topic that I'm sure most Lolitas, and indeed perhaps others in related and similar themed Japanese street fashions, are well aware of; online drama. You can find them anywhere in your online fashion community, perhaps notably on livejournal the community loli_secrets, wherever there is the ability to create a fan page or similar, to gather the hyper-egos, weeaboos, bitches, and sometimes even the occasional nice person who gets eaten alive or changes into a bitch online. Freedom of speech, yay, all the jazz. Class? Sophistication? If anyone on the other sides of those posts had any to begin with, it sure doesn't show. Since Toriberry has begun posting Loli Secrets, I find myself enjoying each read, much as she does, aptly describing it as a train wreck. But as much sadistic pleasure I get out of laughing at the weeaboos and whiny bitches who really admitted to scheduling their lives around a post of pictures with usually hateful words attached, I am also disgusted, and relieved. Does this sound strange to you?

Disgusted, of course, goes without saying. The fact that there are people--girls no less, who are wearing a style that seeks to embody a delicate and gentle countenance, with varying levels of innocence, sub-style [punk, goth, sweet, classic, etc.] pending--who use the separation, the detachment allowed them by being on a computer to out-pour their critical views and hateful words about how this one girl looks like trash, how a fatty-chan isn't worthy of wearing the clothes she owns, and pick apart different coordinates, of ancestors and descendants alike. [When I say that I mean experienced Lolitas and new blood Lolitas.] This particular loli-secret post got me thinking about the whole online mindset of Lolita communities.
And I thought to myself, 'True as this may be, what a sad outlook. Young ladies are trying to enjoy this fashion, maybe just for frilly reasons, and maybe more personal matters, yet when they look to the Internet for advice, tips, CONSTRUCTIVE criticism, and support, they must also be prepared for BITCHES.' Most likely experienced lolitas, who prey on others, looking through past and present to find something to harp on. Not everyone has thick-skin like this marquis does. He is violent, he is mean, with no tolerance for drama, but he is not unkind nor insensitive. These sorts of bitching do indeed discourage others from a fashion, that otherwise they would welcome and foster and care with love as any other aspect of their life, if only there wasn't things like loli_secrets. I have to wonder sometimes, if it isn't the "frilly bitches" who are the insecure ones, and know no other way to make themselves seem legit than to do as the Roman's do, and flame. Said flames have now resulted in a disastrous snowballing that spirals into communities like loli_secrets, breeding grounds for chains of hate back and forth. For it's own part though, in the post where I retrieved the above photo, there were significantly more positive things like fledgling lolitas asking for their mentors to come back, or requests for prints that have come and gone, and such.

As for my other feelings towards Lolita drama, I'll reiterate; I am relieved. When I decided to join Toriberry in a new fashion venture, I did not want the frills and Mary Janes. I knew that from the start. Skirts are not for me, no matter how amazing they all look. If not chained and bound in the elaborate and made-up ties of Visual Kei, then it would be adorned and majestic in the baroque and Versailles age of Aristocrat. A style less well known, less paraded, though still fairly popular for what it's worth among the big three [Lolita, Visual-Kei, Aristocrat (for girls, with Kodana and Dandy)]. Yes, I may only be able to buy things from Atelier Boz directly since there is no solely focused sight for non-brand Aristo [although Fan+Fried has some amazing pieces I'm interested in], and you have to know your keywords when you want to search Aristocrat communities online, but I am wholly confident that with the few specific but general rules that there are for this style, there will never be an online community that will come about devoted to the dramas and egos of Aristocrats eating each other's flesh and blood over how they look like a butler rather than lord of their castle. As it stands, I believe that's the only thing people really critique in Aristo fashion; how much you look like a contemporary butler. If something like that should ever seek to rear it's ugly head, I will be at the forefront to destroy it [hence my signature name, 'Knight of Destruction']. It is not a matter if I would break under the ego-tripping bitching out, it is the fact that I will never tolerate or allow myself to be in association with such a disgusting waste of time.

Saa, I've had my say, and I lay it here to be revisited should something come up; although I've said all of what I feel on the matter--if there is some drastic change in the drama weather from scathing to loving, perhaps I'll make note of it. I will continue to be the supporting friend I am in Toriberry's endeavors. She's a strong girl, to be sure, stronger still for keeping up with the frilly bitches abound, but I'll be her emergency confidence booster in the back of the room waiting to be busted open, should she ever start to crack.

I had an interview today, and I infused some of this and that, although perhaps with my hair fly-away [thanks to this damn humidity in OCTOBER, wtf] and with a vest without a jacket, I shall look somewhat like a host still. I'll replace the tie with the neck frills [perhaps that'll make me so inclined as to make the Atelier Boz one].

"Moonlight, floating on a wave. Moonlight, in a deep sleep."
Eternally yours,
Il Ruinante Isaak

Marquis' Hair: Briefly Revisted

Good afternoon, mina-sama. I'm fiercly busy again, preparing for tomorrow and the weekend, which promises to be exciting. This is to keep my drive alive and warm up my fingers for my assignment ahead. So for your viewing pleasure, a brief revist on the topic of my easy but difficult hair.

If you may recall, I have cross cultural hair [that's just a simple way to explain away having curly, wavy, and straight hair all at once], so I'm often at a loss as to what to do with it. I have discovered the magic of the straight iron, and now and again when I've the time and want to blare music, I'll whip out the better [though smaller] one and get to work. If your mind's eye can remember what my hair appears like naturally, compare it to the end result shown below.

From the side. It was a little difficult for me to ge the entirety of it's length, but it's not that much longer out of the frame. You can already see the part over my shoulder curling because of where it sits.

Ahaha, is it strange for me to say about myself that this picture sort of offsets me? I think it's because you can tell I have eyes because I'm wearing glasses, and yet in spite of it, you cannot see said eyes that supposedly exist. But as it were, if my hair cooperates, I'd put "long-bangs" forward like this and tie the rest back in a bow. The slightly curl up at the ends because they end up on my shoulders, which is why I'm trying constantly to grow my hair out.

And from behind as far back as my shoulder would let my arm reach.

In all, a giant contrast, no? Well, as if it wouldn't be. I have a fair number of accoutrements I can use with it, including my oldschool still favorite Hairigami. But I'd still love the classic Victorian style for long hair with the massive bow in a low ponytail. I think especially because I have glasses it would be good, since I have them going on with my face. If my hair would stay straight enough for long enough, and I had a ribbon, I'd show you. However, since my hair seems to go from the above into a quazi-barrel curl state, I've been thinking maybe I'll do a cornrow barrel-curl combination as seen by Gackt-san from his PV for 'Redemption'. Ah the powers of Japanese hair...

As it were, that's all for that. I'd still love to hear any suggestions or tips for stylings with hair such as mine [natural or straightened], or hair cair products you like to achieve your various looks. I'm gearing up the wig for Halloween mina-sama, how about you?

Onward to the eyepatch and or mask~ gufu fu fu~

Eternally yours,

Il Ruinante Isaak

p.s. I figured out why the middle picture peturbs me some, with the unseeing eyes; it makes me look like the Grudge.

Semi-casual Aristo

Good evening, mina-sama. I know I write this in the morning, but more likely than not it will be after noon o'clock when I finally finish. I'm looking back a post and it appears that my pattern post yesterday didn't go through; I'm hoping Yoshimaru wasn't stupid and actually managed it, because I don't remember any of what I said outside the main point of the post, nor do I feel inclined to go back and type it over again [aside from the main point of it]. I'm already rather dispondant that I haven't been able to keep up as much as I want with Aristo, so something like this is the last thing I need.

On a more pleasant note however, before things got ridiculously busy, I was able to get a semi-casual Aristo and Aristokei combo coordinate together. Coincidentally, when Toriberry and I proposed our Jingu Bridge club pitch to Naito-sensei to ask if she would be our sponser, we were decked in our semi-casual Aristololi. I think I should start taking pictures of her too, for the sake of photos, friendship, memories... Tonikaku, as it were, here's what I've got.

The white shirt is the second shirt I bought from Nudy Boy over a year ago in Japan [on the back it says Believer. We got a big thing in this music]. This was the first time I'd worn it [today is actually the second], and it was a big hit. Paired with my staple cane [which I need to touch up a bit for the foot], I think it makes a decent coordinate. The top one uses accessories for the neck, and my neck frills. I hope to add to the flexibility of my outfits by making the Atelier Boz jabot from the pattern acquired from G&BL [normally I'd rather wear my neck frills with a white blouse and vest of some sort, to bring it together; the Boz one lays flatter and would work with just a blouse].

The mother person has located the candelabra, but I think I might have to buy a couple white candlesticks if I can't find anymore in the garage [these things get spread out you see]. Hopefully, this disgusting weather known as rain will go away, so it won't be a soggy mess in the woods a week later when I want to try to get the Dollpart Halloween Photo Competition shot done.

I can't get 'Ageha' by MUCC, 'Alsatia' by Galneryus, or 'Lamento' Japanese version by Itou Kanako out of my head. This isn't bad per se, these are all beautiful songs [or I suppose for 'Alsatia' a heavy song that drives me forward]. But I haven't been able to write anything to help get the inspiration out of my head and onto paper.

"For loveless loving, you fly around this broken world. Mercifully the rain falls~..."

Eternally yours,
Il Ruinante Isaak

Aristololi Patterns

Good evening, mina-sama. I have been frightfully disgustingly busy. Well, not all disgustingly busy, some of it I did consent to... [you may choose to take that as you will]. But on the whole, not keeping up in anyway in the slightest with being Aristocrat. Visual Kei has been upkept a bit in semi-casual. With Halloween beckoning ever closer, I've been on the mindset to perhaps lay some groundwork on my Ukoku Sanzo cosplay; I have a feeling that will probably wait until December though. Undertaker will be making a return to campus, and I think I have decided to wear it during class, not during work. My hopes are to finish either a new mask, an eyepatch, or both before the Thursday and Friday before Halloween Sunday. Pictures abound perhaps.

Toriberry, Nobu, and this Marquis' fashion club is being set into motion, steadily. Toriberry and I have a lovely Japanese Classical Literature professor that graciously agreed to our request to have her as our sponsor. Toriberry made flyers in a frenzy [in a good way] and they look smashing. We're planning to make a forum website, and once we gather some more members and make an official in person meeting date, sans the SGA recognition, Jingu Bridge: A Harajuku Fashion Club will be complete. The possibilities ahead do give me a calm pleasant feeling to hope for the future.

On the subject of things for the future, we come to the main topic of today's post. Toriberry recently acquired an issue of Gothic & Lolita Bible, the staple mook for all Lolitas or fans of Japanese fashion in general. I say that because G&LB does feature new lines from other designer stores besides Baby the Stars Shine Bright and Angelic Pretty; among the others is my new personal favorite, Atelier Boz. In the back of every volume is--in addition to a beautiful comic by an artist I can't remember--a pattern spread of some of the items featured in the issue for more adventerous and skilled types to delve into making. Toriberry graciously allowed me to snip out said pattern sheet, and now resting safely out of harms way, I've set down a couple more projects for the future. For the record, here's the spread of the pattern sheet.

It's actually quite a convoluted mess really. But I'll make sense of it.

This is one of the projects I hope to complete. One of the exact jabots I had drawn inspiration from, looking online at the Atelier Boz site.

This pretty little overskirt number I have promised to Toriberry. I'll do my very best love, and I'll try to do it timely before spring. She has a red color scheme in her Lolita thus far, so I'm on the look out now, if she doesn't bring me something first.

The jabot is the main piece for me, but I'm also interested in the pair of sleeves, tie, and top hat they feature. The top hat is meant for big-haired dolls, but I'll probably just change the scale of it to be fullsized for my head.

Patterns are exciting to me, especially with the finished projuct show and worn in coordinates you may be inspired to make or coordinate your own clothes from, looking throughout the volume. You don't have have any homemade piece to get those similar styles and accentuating pieces. Just keep your eyes out for things you can do easily.

Jaa, mina-sama, I am laying down and losing feeling in my fingers, which creates a very surreal feeling as I type. Have pleasant dreams, everyone

Eternally yours,
Il Ruinante Isaak

A Noble Photograph

Good afternoon, mina-sama. Finally, finally, oh grandeur days, the weather has truly come to embody autumn. After the hotter-than-average summer we experienced over here in the west coast, I was positively desperate for cooler weather, and not just because of my then-new delve into Aristocrat fashion. Long sleeved garments are so much fun. I may near equal number of T-shirts and long sleeved shirts [ranging from v-necks, blouses, and turtle-necks], all of which I love to wear, but when a T-shirt is still too hot for the 90+ degree weather you're experiencing, it does make one long for a freak snowfall in July.

October in particular is an especially fruitful month, not just for the dropping of temperatures, but for the changing of the foilage that brings about inspiration for meet-ups, parties, and contests. Halloween on campus is always a splendid affair. I can't imagine what's going to happen when it actually falls on a weekday [it's been on Saturday and Sunday so far]. I'll be bringing Undertaker to campus. You doubt this? Watch me. It will probably be on a Thursday, when all I have to do is work, gufu fu fu... [you see, I'm already in the spirit of things]. Dressed down masked Sebastian or a over-the-top Visual Kei coordinate may be in store for Friday, when I have classes. Toriberry is keeping tabs on meet-ups in our area, and I believe one is to be had sometime in November, if another one doesn't pop up before then. But even without, there is a Aristololi related Halloween contest to be had, and I am all a fervor at the thought of my entry.

For those of you who are curious or would like to enter, by all means, peruse the site. It is 'Exquisite Corpses: A Doll Part Competion' http://dollpart.wordpress.com/2010/09/07/exquisite-corpses-halloween-comp/

Under the rules it's states no cemetary or graveyard shots allowed--although I don't have any nearby anyway--which got me thinking immediately about using a dark forest background. Luckily for me, I do happen to have a forest right outside my house down the street, and it is never in foliage as far as I'm concerned. The trees are always bared, and they are numerous and tall, close together and yet far apart. A perfect setting to stand somewhere off-center in an all black Aristo coordinate, just to throw off the eye that is traveling warily over the spooky scene. Also, because of the no-straight cooridnate shot rule, I was once again immediately struck with the ideas of which accessories to use. My newly made cane is a dear, I love it to bits, and I had a thought to use that first. But call it a strange coincidence, I happen to have a candelabra, and several still tall crimson and white candles. And so I had yet another dark eerie touch to add to my photograph. Seems like all I need is a darker night just as the sun sets west of the forest, a good spot not too deep in the forest to set up and pose, a pose, and I'm all ready to go. Unfortunately, I have a few kinks in my otherwise very simple plan.

While no incidents have ever been reported in that forest [as it doesn't lead anywhere save for the sound barrier walls in front of 50 West], it's still rather chilling at night. As in it can make the best of us a bit paranoid. Sometimes for me all it takes is that one small sound that was probably a bird or squirrel to get my senses on overdrive, suspecting every crunching footfall not my own to be another person, and another person who has malign intentions, to be near. However, the sun sets opposite to the forest, so it can still be somewhat light outside and the area will be dark enough for a good shot. But there's still the matter of setting up my camera, for I fear that proposing this idea to the mother person will result in it immediately being shut down, as opposed to offering me help with the shot itself, and providing a safety in numbers, however few our numbers would be [and again, it's not as though there's anything necessarily in the woods that one needs to be cautious of]. Also, I would like to make sure I don't set the forest on fire with the candelabra. So dashing back and forth from where I set my camera to my chosen pose spot would be quite risky, hence why I would like assistance. But then, neither Otousan or my mother person don't know how to take good shots with my camera [this is puzzling considering Otousan has a great Nikon camera and takes very good shots for whenever he does it for whatever he's taking a picture of].

Sigh, perhaps I should try to take a shot on campus. There is a cathedral, and a dorm that is rather run down and dilapidated, but since I am rarely on campus at night, I don't know if that would work out well. Perhaps I'll brainstorm some more, try adding a different touch or focus, and come up with something I can do indoors. I gave back Julian too soon, haha.

Interested in the contest, mina-sama? Have an idea but not sure how to work out the logistics? Want to see me dressed up in a certain way? I take all comments, questions, and suggestions. Feel free to bounce off your ideas for your own photograph or any helpful tips for me. I'll be very much obliged to any and all ideas. And also, what are you plans for Halloween? Do you celebrate it? Have parties with your friends? Chaperone you younger siblings? Stuck outside passing out candy? How do you spend your very spooky October 31st?

A dark splendor that consumes all...
Eternally yours,
Il Ruinante Isaak