...the reverse side of beauty..//..Mantified

A Jrock commentary journal (at least most of it is).

I really have to hand it to Ruki and Uruha, as music professionals who don't know what a basic business card looks like. While the video gave me a good laugh, I can't help but think: are there many artists in the world who are so engrossed in what they are passionate about that they may not function as well in what is perceived as the "normal" world? Ruki's speech is in pink and Uruha's in blue.


Ruki & Uruha in Beat Shuffle Club Adios - the GazettE

LOL factor: 5 out of 5. Just because Uruha can't write his own name. And Ruki's constant bossy telling off: "Then stop being picky and just do it." "You wrote it wrongly? [...] We're making business cards so don't write it wrongly." LOL. Poor kid.

And I've fixed the video link for the entry KAT-TUN's single Rescue.

Yes, I will admit over again that I have fallen in love with the GazettE because of the Neo Genesis magazine cover. But in my first entry about the group, I don't think I was specific enough on why I liked them (other than using the words hawt and seksi as description). I suppose that at the time, I was still feeling the after effects of designing menswear from the previous term - and after receiving a pile of old Japanese male fashion magazines, I've rediscovered the joys of looking at male idols with the spirit of a young teenager, which I haven't done for nearly 10 years. In my opinion, the celebrity value from the west has been going downhill during this time, especially as I didn't even fancy Brad Pitt, Daniel Radcliff (Harry Potter - he's gotten better looking in the recent years, but definitely doesn't get my blood rushing), and I have to ask myself why the hell would anybody even want to look at Pete Doherty. If it wasn't about drugs, it was about some womanizing stuff. I've decided to stop looking at famous men altogether. And Hong Kong singers are just wannabes.

But KAT-TUN came along in my sight in 2007, but I didn't really pick up on their stuff back then, other than noting that they're ridiculously talented dancers. To the point where they're the only group to play 7 consecutive shows in a row at Tokyo Dome, which is a record for Japan. I didn't touch much on KAT-TUN again until December last year, when I started doing my research on menswear to start preparations for menswear designs. That was the moment when I remembered that Japanese fashion should be looked into if I didn't want to do European style suits like Armani, which, to me, are meant for men in their 30s rather than their 20s. I wanted to design something hip, so I started looking for KAT-TUN items, ranging from buying their music and concerts to looking up their images online and watching music videos. I think that was the moment when I found my way back to admiring men once again.

And I wasn't wrong. The KAT-TUN boys wore things like loads of feathers combined with embroidery, sequins, and weird cuts with lots of accessories. It was almost like looking at human Christmas trees. The songs, videos, outfits and dance routines that were put together were simply amazing. I think only Japanese people could do such cool combos. Even things like black nail polish, reshaped eyebrows and big dangly earrings were normal. Add all that together and you get 6 androgynous men running the show.

When I first presented the idea to my teacher, she said it was all "too much". I could still remember that day with a bittersweet taste in my mouth. Imagine being really enthusiastic about the design to the point where you could start making the outfit straight away just to have that bubble popped in that one millisecond. I was disappointed that I had to modify the design at the time, but in the end, I at least managed to prove them wrong that sequins and feathers can still go together. (And I made an average looking guy into one hot male model.)

And the holidays came once again. I had a feeling of loss when I didn't need to focus on menswear anymore. Even when searching for magazines, nothing decent came up. That was until when I walked into a CD store and spotted the magazine.

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Indeed, it was a mainly black, white and red cover that spelled hard metal rock (which I'm not a major fan of except for some stuff from Garbage, Linkin' Park and Marilyn Manson). But when you look closely, the poses, details of the outfits, menacing looks and make up all add up into some form of androgynous silent fierceness. When you see a cover like that, you know that the inside would be filled with Japanese fashion that can be used for future reference. Flipping through the magazine in the comforts of the home couch, I was almost drooling at the GazettE's photoshoot. But when I looked further into the magazine, there weren't any more groups that were as well dressed or presented as the cover boys. At that moment, I knew I had to look into their music. Lucky for me, the song Distress and Coma was released only a few days before so I was able to see clearly what they were wearing in the music video. It was rock alright, but a softer, electrical, mysteriously menacing tune filled with raging emotion that could pierce right through you. I think it's partly due to Ruki's deep voice that added the sex appeal. But overall, the video really did it: the dirty, crazy and distressed ballerina, the dark dingy rooms, the black and white settings, Ruki's dark vampire red wine coloured outfit with lace gloves, blonde hair and yellow (I think?) contacts, the fire raging through in the final leg, snow flakes falling... And Ruki's "oyasumi" (meaning "goodnight") completed the full seduction before blowing fully into the final chorus.

So I'm now really using the group as one of my current main sources of inspiration. I actually want to copy their make up, hair style and outfits and add them to my design. Even my classmates now have noticed that I've been adding a lot of punk rock style into the way I dress recently.

I've talked enough for now, I desperately need sleep. But before I go, here are some eye candy.

This photo is taken when the group released Leech last year. A song that I'm not particularly fond of, but the PVC certainly makes a statement.

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I don't know what song was released with this look, but Ruki looks a bit like a pimp with the aviator sunglasses and silver suit. The others still look really cool though.

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And finally, one of my favourites from the group, Cassis. This is actually a love song and if the English translation of the lyrics are accurate, it's a truly beautifully written song. And the best thing I like about it? It's not cheesy - like...Boyzone pop cheesy.


The GazettE - Cassis with English subtitles -

Btw, I've fixed the video for Distress and Coma. Youtube is busy being ghey and I can only access imeem at the moment. Thank goodness I've got a new entertainment source!

Oyasumi.

After months of piling things up, I've finally (spent 2 days) cleaned my poor flat (because I was forced to).

I managed to find all sorts of weird stuff lurking about in there. Man, months of things can really create a horrible mess.

So, as the landlord is bringing people over (who are buying a flat), I'd better keep it that way.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Life's Journey: The Next Step

Out of all people I expect to be online on MSN, today there was one person whom I certainly didn't expect: my childhood best friend.

After a few greetings, we talked a bit to catch up on the past. Apparently she's now married and has a kid. And her younger sister too. Given the rate at which things are going on, it seems that many people my age have already started settling down. And I am still studying.

But perhaps I work at a slower rate. I develop one step behind most people. But again, I'm doing things in my own pace, one step at a time.

I'm going to make them proud. Especially her. I know she's watching me somewhere, appearing in my state of unconsciousness. I will have a sense of nostalgia, but reflecting on the past will make me a stronger person in the end. After all, life is about moving forwards.

Friday, April 17, 2009

Unravelling and Problem Solving

After some more intensity and a range of events that happened, I feel like I'm really losing it. My sanity, my sense of responsibility, my will to get certain things done...all gone. I've been agitated since Easter as that day approaches.

This is probably the point where it gets all emo. But let's not go there with teenage angst.

But seriously, recently I haven't been myself. It's as though a cold fist is closing in on my heart and twisting it while it's thumping hard to break free. I feel like I've been ventilating more frequently and am spending more restless and sleepless nights.

And this is sort of affecting my designs in a way. I don't seem to care much about what I'm doing anymore. Is this what they call "designers' phase" where we simply drift in and out of what we do?

Life feels like a bitch at the moment.

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Defining Inspiration

After a near full week of intensive start of term, I think I finally understand what inspiration really is. The dictionary term for inspiration is: "Stimulation of the mind or emotions to a high level of feeling or activity".

I shall further explain in my own words.

We're inspired everyday. Not necessarily in the design sense, but we're always inspired by something. For example, if the weather reaches 30C on a bright sunny day, I'll be inspired to wear my sunglasses and eat some ice cream. Or say...if I were watching a documentary on Parisian city life, I'll probably want to go to Paris for holiday because it looks like an awesome city - which means that I'm inspired to go to Paris. Or maybe I've had a stressful week and I want to take a long candlelit relaxing bath to wind down, then I'm inspired to do so. Then perhaps I'm watching a horror movie and there's a scary little girl in green lights at the top of the stairs, I'll probably start screaming and hiding my face under the covers. All this is inspiration. It's when something stimulates us to want to do certain actions with certain emotions.

Now for the design part. As designers (this is the same for people working in the arts field), our level of inspiration should be a lot higher compared to others. Meaning that we should constantly be aware of our surroundings, frequently taking things in and analyzing why we want to do certain things; finding inspiration becomes way easier once you know where to look. Actually, let me rephrase that: finding inspiration is all about knowing who you are. Knowing your likes and dislikes. Knowing why you like certain things, and why you don't. Understanding what things you're drawing to. Your preferences. Of course, there are more things about yourself to discover through the process, but let's stop here for now.

And given my current mind state, I've been really inspired lately by the GazettE (<3). I've been searching for their photos high and low and I've come across some older ones of what they look like.

This is Ruki from the earlier days:

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And this is the cover of Neo Genesis magazine in 2006 (Uruha can really pass off as a girl with those hot pants and thigh boots).

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I'm serious when I said that Uruha could pass off as a girl.

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Cockroach days.

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What I'm amazed at is that despite the fact that they're more of the punk rock look, they could come up with dramatic image changes from song to song and from album to album. And it's just not like...maybe hair up today and hair down tomorrow. They could still manage to look completely different in terms of style while maintaining the same "we're the GazettE" essence. I really would like to follow that as an example.

And right now, I'm really inspired to do a really cool looking vector art on Ruki and/or Uruha. I think their strong make up, hair style, colours, styling and poses could really give inspiration. They're absolutely gorgeous. I could use some eye candy now. *drool*

Monday, April 6, 2009

One Day in Mong Kok

I ought to take more trips down to the Mong Kok area. Apparently, places like Argyle Center on Sai Yeung Choi South Street have loads of really cool boutiques. And aside from spending nearly HK$1000 on some cool Japanese imported clothing, I've also managed to grab another $1000 worth of gothic lolita items, though less lolita and more grown up goth. Chains, lace, leather, tartans, buckles, spikes...you name them. Blame it on the GazettE for my recent interest in dressing up like a problem emo child! I have to admit, I feel that the items I got were real bargains.

Hong Kong is a dangerous place for money spending.

And strolling along Gold Fish Street (I forgot the real name of the street) looking at pets have fed some weird feeling of nostalgia. Especially when I smell unwashed doggies.

Of course, in the end, in search of more hawtness, I've stumbled across some really awesome gif animation of the GazettE in Distress and Coma (credit goes to rubyzinha). Ruki (the vocalist - the guy with the lace gloves) is so seksi. Speaking of which, it's written somewhere that he's only 162cm. That's like...about 1 inch taller than me. o___O

My favourite image? This one.














Anyway, more decorating for my blog!

*starts singing* I'll tell you what distress means, fill me up with your dreams...

Saturday, April 4, 2009

New Layout

Wow, it's been a while since I last touched html. And I feel great about doing this! I've decided to use the GazettE as my background (because most of the other stuff suck). They don't have any cool KAT-TUN or Koda Kumi templates either.

I think I've kind of stopped wanting really girly fantasy designs lately. If I were 13 today, I would probably have gone for a One Piece/Final Fantasy/Zelda background. Or a cute one. Then again, if I were still 20, I'd probably have gone for a love design. But I think I'm better suited to having a more cool goth metal feel lately. I might change it again soon though, I think the image used on top could be way cooler.

Now all that's missing is a really cool avatar to go with the background. Misao and Nico Robin don't really match up here.

Edit: It's done, I now have a really cool the GazettE inspired avatar! Amantis is back in business. =)

When Volume 32's cover of Neo Genesis magazine (the Japanese "New Standard Rock Magazine") caught my eye, I started becoming interested in the GazettE, a metal band that I've never heard of. Then again, knowing me, it was the way the entire band looked that got my attention. Very Marilyn Manson, but yet still looking undeniably...hawt. Seriously hawt. And totally seksi. Contrary to what my initial impression was before I heard their music, it wasn't that difficult to listen to in terms of those super emo screaming that can normally be heard in the likes of Linkin' Park.

And here's a video of the band in action in the song Distress and Coma:

Distress And Coma Full pv - the gazette

I totally love the lace gloves! I really ought to make something similar. My honest opinion? They really have style.

Friday, April 3, 2009

Twilight Princess

I'm finally done with the game! I've still got a couple of side quests to do, but I've actually beaten the final boss! He's a real bitch near the end, but after a few years of on and off playing, it's been fun. Now all that I need to do is to clean up and finish the crazy Cave of Ordeals.

Ah...I love my Wii.