Novala Takemoto blings like nobody's business
Shojo Beat celebrated their 2nd anniversary tonight with a swanky party at the Asian Art Museum. An invite-only shindig, I managed to win a spot by entering a contest on their site and brought the best bud along. The event coincided with a special exhibit of Osamu Tezuka's work in shaping manga to what it is today, so not only did I get to eat smoked salmon, roast beef and cream puffs (among other really tasty treats), but I also got a little bit of culture in too!
Novala Takemoto, Japanese author (Kamikaze Girls, among others) fashion designer (lolita brand Baby The Stars Shine Bright), model (Gothic & Lolita Bible) and Vivienne Westwood aficionado was the special guest of the night and brought the bling like it was going out of style! I think it's almost safe to say that he was decked out head-to-toe in Vivienne Westwood clothing, shoes and accessories.
He posed for pictures with anyone that asked and effectively used his rocking horse shoes to propel him upwards to try to get taller or the same height as the folks he was posing with. At one point he was en pointe ballerina-style. Too cute. I got a picture with him too, but that's on the best bud's camera so you'll have to wait for even more picture spam from me later!
Of course, any time you bring a guest from Japan affiliated with lolita fashion, the lolitas have to represent in full force. And represent they did!
I shouldn't have been surprised to see so many Baby'd out girls considering the guest, but it was cool to see such a devoted following for the fashion there. A few of them even flew in from out of state just for this event! Color coordinated, hair all "did" with headgear aplenty they offered a unique element of contrast to the museum setting.
I admit that I'm not familiar with Tezuka's work outside of the controversy surrounding The Lion King and Kimba the White Lion, but reading through parts of the exhibit I am much more inclined to seek out his work. Although I'm not a huge fan of his style, a lot of the themes he presented in his stories blew me away. Hopefully I'll get the chance to dig into some of his translated works soon.
Overall, the party was excellent with it's food, music, eye candy both from the attendees and the surroundings, schwag and raffle prizes. If this party was any indication of how Viz runs, I imagine that it must be a pretty awesome company to work for.
I originally won a learn Japanese book and CD compilation of indie bands from YesJapan/JapanFiles but ended up trading it with one of AJ & Judy's friends for a mini Lovely Complex totebag. I'm a dork, yes, but you guys don't realize how many learn Japanese books I already own. Besides, LoveCom may be the only series that will get me to cosplay in a short pleated skirt. Scary. In the giveaway bags we got at the end of the night we got everything from a Shojo Beat t-shirt, Ouran comb + mirror, random yaoi publisher keychain to a Vampire Knight pencil case. Sure, it's all stuff you could get for free if you bought Japanese manga magazines, but it was neat to have it all together in this pink Shojo Beat bag. What I'll do with all that stuff... well, I'll figure that out later. (Anyone want a white Gaia plush cat thing?)
And while we're at it, some purikura from tonight. Here you can see me and the best bud's latest acquisitions. (Yeah, we brought them to the party to floss it in front of people who'd recognize it, can you blame us? The flossy, flossy!)
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At least that's the impression I got.
That's always fun.