image source sourpussclothing.com

It’s sweater season, and although I am not a fan of all the grampa sweaters in style currently, I am not opposed to all items of the knitted variety. So when we stumbled upon the Christmas Sweater by Iron Fist, I was put in the festive mood. I even added some non-skull ornaments to my Halloween, err, ah… holiday tree! This sweater has it all, as I am a big fan of hoods and long sleeves. With a multitude of black and grey jacquard patterns and white skull designs, the pink isn’t screaming too loud for me either. With the range of sizes there isn’t a girl or boy on your list that would be out of luck with this comfy skull sweater. If you are tired of  snowflakes, reindeers, and round jolly fat guys invading your closet this season, take a look at what Iron Fist has to offer.

The Iron Fist Christmas Sweater is available online for $60 at www.sourpussclothing.com.

- Tasha Farrington

I’ve been listening to the newest album from Killing Joke, MMXII, for a review in the December/January 2012/2013 Issue. This could be a perfect album. Killing Joke is on their game with these last two albums. Perfect mix of their punk, postpunk, and industrial sounds. “In Cythera” is the lead single, which has a more mellow “Love Like Blood” sound than the rest of the album does. So good.

- Aaron Andrews

image source ghostlove.com

The spooky holiday is fleeting, stepping aside for a season of giving. At Auxiliary we know the pain and heartache of finding the perfect gifts, only to give them away to our near and dear. Ghostlove Jewelry has many great pieces: from earrings, necklaces, and rings to cufflinks and letter openers. All are reasonably priced so you can find the right gifts for friends and lovers. We may be approaching the season of giving, but let’s not forget ourselves either! Ghostlove’s The Five Wounds Earring Set is one of those finds you want to keep for yourself. It’s an armory of wicked weapons with 7 inches of chain and daggers that just about reach your shoulders. They bite gently at your neck but never break the skin. The contrast of the antiqued silver knives with the gunmetal chain is a simple, yet a satisfying combination. These earrings are dangerously close to wounding my heart if I don’t get a pair soon!

The Five Wounds Earring Set by Ghostlove Jewelry is available online for $45 at www.ghostlove.com.

- Tasha Farrington

Bibian Blue, a designer based out of Barcelona, Spain, is known mostly for her ability to showcase and, more importantly, reinvent the corset, taking it to all new levels of beauty, elegance, and edginess. Her recent spring/summer collection, aptly entitled Roses Lullaby, was unveiled at Valencia Fashion Week where Bibian Blue showcased an elaborate array of fun spring inspired designs paired tastefully with corsets. In collaboration with illustrator Victoria Francés, and influenced by the season, the designer elevated the humble floral print to new and excited levels of edginess. The girlish mood of the collection is set perfectly by the pretty pastels, and lovely shades of light vanilla and chocolate, that adorn each garment. Favoring light and airy fabrics like lace, gauze, and tulle, Bibian Blue features a variety of pieces from short skirts and pant suits to party dresses and break-taking floor-length gowns. Gloriously feminine, this collection is an excellent representation of girlesque charm, and definitely takes inspiration from the events of childhood. While the collection may be all sugar and spice and everything nice, it is clear that there is something a little darker going on beneath the surface, and that is what makes this collection so intriguing.

image source Bibian Blue’s Facebook Page

- Ashley Godwin

Gram Rabbit’s new music video “Final Clap Fever” paints a vivid picture of a little girl’s dark, playful fantasy. Front woman, Jesika Von Rabbit asserts herself powerfully as the girl’s seductive alter ego, prancing coquettishly as the girl falls to the ways of the Rabbit. The girl’s pure, virginal spirit devolves under Von Rabbit’s influence. Later, with a face full of makeup, she dons a flapper dress covered in jewelry and wanders the desert, strewn with trailers, transients, and the quintessential bunnies that grace the psychic landscape. The twisted, enticing imagery is relatable for anyone, anyone who’s been touched by their beckoning dark side.

Want more? Check out our interview with Gram Rabbit.

- Jessica Jewell

Rachel Maloney, AKA Tonikom is a New York City based solo musician specializing in very cool, very current, atmospheric electronic music. She borrows from many different electronic music palettes then reinvents it into her own unique sound, capturing the attention of many ears. Tonikom’s amazing talent can be heard in her discography of six albums. Her sixth and most recent release is Found and Lost from Hymen Records. Tonikom joined Auxiliary’s Hangedman via Skype to talk about her music, her new album, and everything Tonik!

interview by : Hangedman
photographer : Ron Douglas
fashion stylist : Gillian Leigh Bowling

Let’s talk about the new album; this album is appropriately named Found And Lost. This is an exciting album for everyone because it seems like a lifetime since the last, much acclaimed, 2009 The Sniper’s Veil. Can you tell us about the journey from Sniper to Found And Lost?
Tonikom : Sure, this album is very purposely titled, the reverse of what we’re normally used to hearing. I went from creating a lot of work, creating a lot of music, producing a tremendous amount, and then going to creating none at all. It was a really tough time for me. As much as I wanted to create music I just couldn’t. I came off of my 2009 tour; we did a little mini tour in Europe. We played all these shows, and it was a whirlwind tour and I got like three hours of sleep. It was really exciting and a lot of fun but I got home and I just kind of crashed.

Like creative block kind of thing?
T : Yeah! I just got into this kind of terrible gray nothingness that was in my brain whenever I tried to sit down and start to work in the studio or kind of play around on the laptop. It was just brutal. I just had the most difficult time with it and I started to realize that I really couldn’t force myself to do it. There was no real deadline I could enforce or try to sell myself, okay in three months I’m going to make one track, or I’m going to do a little bit of sound design and that’s it! None of that worked. I finally realized that I really just had to let go, and walk away and be okay with that, be okay with having total lack of control over whatever creative outlets I have in my life. I just had to be like, “okay, I can’t do anything right now, and I have to be okay with that, and if it comes back it comes back and whenever it does come back it’s just going to be due to circumstances beyond my control.”

And we’re all very happy it did come back!
T : As am I. I find music very cathartic and it’s a very therapeutic thing for me. It does not matter if I’m working on a really upbeat track or a really low-key track, sometimes it kind of lulls me into almost sleep, which is something I really don’t get a lot of. [laughs] So, anything that gets me into that really calm state is very satisfying.

(more…)

De/Vision has long been known as a quintessential cornerstone of synthpop. In a frank interview, De/Vision speaks openly about their recent album, Rockets & Swords, their longevity as a duo, and the future of the band.

interview by : Jessica Jewell

De/Vision has remarkable longevity. What do you feel has kept the project going for 24 years and how do you keep each release fresh to retain your fan base?
Thomas Adam : I’m not sure, I never thought about that. We simply love what we do and somehow we always managed to reach the hearts of the people. We have always tried to evolve, to go new ways, and re-invent ourselves every once in a while. Not every fan has always been happy with that but it is not our job to fulfill anybody’s expectations. Maybe that’s the secret why we are still popular after 24 years.

Your upcoming album, Rockets & Swords, has a different mood compared to past albums like, Noob. What was it that drove you to explore the softer, poignant territory expressed in the track “I Want to Believe?” I personally love the change of pace. It provides an interesting mental shift at the right point in the album.
TA : Of course it has a different mood, which has to do with the fact that it contains different songs. The way you’re describing it, the change of pace and exploring the softer, poignant territory, it could be almost any other D/V album; it sounds like a typical D/V release to me. I have no idea what drove us to do this or that. This kind of approach is too intellectual to me. When we start writing new songs we never know how the result will be like, we don’t have a plan or formula. We’re only trying to write good songs, that’s it.

read the full interview in the October/November 2012 Issue

image source fluevog.com

Seasons change. In my neck of the woods that means wind, wet, rain, sleet, sludge, snow… well, you name it we get it. So what’s a girl to do? How to stay stylish and dry? Fear not, for Fluevog has got you covered. John at Fluevog is a busy guy, but he hasn’t abandoned us to the seasons. Fluevog has created an amazingly high, yet super comfy boot. I am talking about the impeccably stylish Rainbow Boot. Since there are no actual rainbows on the boot, I can only conclude that it derives the name from the rainbow-like arch of the boot. I am in love with the black leather and the high wood platform, although it also comes in leopard spots. The circular studs, a simple statement, are not as in your face as a tree spikes, but still very much punk. This boot is finished off with a nice non-slip rubber tread which is  great for any icy patches. I am by no means a “shoe” person, but come on people are you blind? These are epic. Fluevog is known for its quality and style, and with this new Rainbow Boot, they haven’t disappointed. Go check it out, and take a look at their many other designs, you’ll be happy I pointed you in their direction. (Or redirected you if you’re already a Fluevog fan!)

The Rainbow Boot by Fluevog is available in stores and online for S399 at www.fluevog.com.

- Tasha Farrington

We are giving away a Sourpuss Human Canvas Tote Bag as seen in the Oct/Nov 2012 Issue!

TO ENTER : 
COMMENT on the “Sourpuss Tote Bag” BLOG post on our WEBSITE from November 8th to November 15th :
www.auxiliarymagazine.com/news/2012/11/contest-sourpuss-tote-bag-giveaway
And/or SHARE this post on FACEBOOK from November 8th to November 15th :
www.facebook.com
Comment and share to be entered to win two times!

DETAILS
The winner will be chosen at random from those who left comments on Auxiliary Magazine’s “Sourpuss Tote Bag” blog post at www.auxiliarymagazine.com and from those who share the Sourpuss Tote Bag Giveaway photo on Auxiliary Magazine’s Facebook Page between November 8, 2012 to November 15, 2012. You can enter to win two times by doing both. You must leave your email in the email field when commenting in order to enter on Auxiliary Magazine’s website. The email field is only visible to the website admin and will only be used to contact the winner of the contest. The winner will be contacted on November 16, 2012. Giveaway is for one Sourpuss Human  Canvas Tote Bag. The item will be delivered by mail with postage covered by Auxiliary Magazine 1-3 weeks after drawing.

photographer : Kilker Photography
model : Mosh

The blonde bombshell is one of the most iconic sex symbols. An hourglass figure and blonde hair but also a bold personality, which makes it a fun persona to play with. Mosh does this look perfectly with matte red lips, a curled retro hairstyle, a classic white corselette, nude stockings, and black pumps. Take this look out by covering with a solid color, formfitting dress or dare to wear your undergarment as your only garment (appropriate for a more risqué party, club night, or fetish event). Or keep this look at home for yourself or someone special, pair with fur rugs and bubble baths.

- Jennifer