A giant full moon hung in the background of Viktor & Rolf’s fall 2012 collection shown at Paris Fashion Week. I was excited to see this collection as I intrigued by their pre-fall collection. But the runway collection seemed tacky in comparison, sheer lingerie like pieces and fur. Though I am rather uninterested in real fur, the coats did catch my attention as they reminded me of Blade Runner’s Rachael. Pre-fall on the other hand was dark, romantic but modest, mysterious, and an appealing mix of American Gothic and Victorian.

Viktor & Rolf Pre-fall 2012

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Unafraid of herself and her personal struggles with mental illness, Emilie Autumn has accepted the reality of herself and through music reaches out to women (and men) suffering with their own internal conflicts. Currently in the midst of a North American tour, Emilie Autumn will soon release her upcoming album, Fight Like a Girl, and has grand plans in the works to turn her beautifully crafted, Victorian inspired world into a Broadway musical.

photographer : Jake Garn
interview by : Gia C. Manalio-Bonaventura

Emilie, we want to thank you for taking the Time (intentionally capped) out of your schedule, especially since you are currently on your “Fight Like a Girl” Tour. I have been a Plague Rat for years so I’m grateful to have this opportunity and am going to try not to overwhelm you with questions. I would like to ask you things that have not been asked, but as you said on The Opheliac Companion, everything has been said or sung. So hopefully I can express the questions in some different ways.

I’m going to try to start from the beginning. In the song “Swallow” you say, “I’m not a faerie but I need more than this life so I became this creature representing more to you than just another girl. And if I had a chance to change my mind, I wouldn’t for the world.” Tell me about the birth of Emilie Autumn as we know her and the Asylum. And what is it about the Victorian age that draws you in so?
Emilie Autumn : Thanks for having this little teatime chat with me! The Victorian era is absolutely fascinating on so many levels. Amongst many other terrifying developments, the 19th century saw the birth of medicine and psychiatry as we recognize it today. It was also the era of the industrial revolution, the gradual shattering of the class system largely due to this revolution, an era of glorified mourning and elaborate death obsession, and so much more. The primary fascination however is what this era has in common with our present day, and how, in a lot of unfortunate cases, nothing much has changed.

Your songs are what initially drew me to you with the melodic (and sometimes intentionally not) harmonies and lyrics, some call them “Victorianindustrial”. When I first heard them, I felt like I connected to them so much I did some research on what was behind it all, especially The Opheliac album. What I discovered was how brutally honest and open you are about your own bipolar condition, medications, and suicidal thoughts. I admire this because it is often such a dirty little secret and any of us who have had the experience have almost perfected the art of faking being okay, which you actually discuss on “The Art of Suicide” track on The Opheliac Companion. There you talk about what happens when you can’t fake it, which I think actually hearing, as personal as that is, is comforting to people. In fact, when I asked a couple of teen girl fans I know what they would want to ask you, they both alluded to these feelings. I understand that writing and performing the songs is something you do for yourself as a catharsis, but how do you feel knowing that you are also reaching girls who are suffering and letting them know that they are not alone in that?
EA : That’s very nice to hear, and it is in fact my most important goal, to help both boys/girls, men/women to realize and truly believe that they are NOT alone. They’re really not. It’s become such a passion for me because I was very much alone in my less than pleasant life situations, and I want to be to others what I myself did not have. It’s a bit like my Asylum For Wayward Victorian Girls book… I wanted to write the book I wish I’d had growing up with these issues, to have someone tell me that just because you’re crazy doesn’t mean you’re crazy. But what you mention regarding the honesty in songs and such is equally meaningful in that it comes from a very real place, a place that I find can only be accessed when you have nothing left to lose. A marvelous freedom comes when you have nothing to shelter, hide, protect… when all your dirty little (or large) secrets are out, when judgment is inevitable, and when you don’t even care about this anymore. What has been such an interesting phenomena for me has been that, the moment I stopped caring what other people thought about me is the same moment that others started caring what I thought. That’s how I learned how interesting honesty can be.

read the full interview in the February/March 2012 Issue

additional photos from our exclusive photoshoot…

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IHazABag’s Skulls Wine & Roses Kiss Lock Purse

image source ihazabag.etsy.com

This bag does it all. This bag can be casual or dressy, could fit for many looks from pinup to steampunk to Victorian, it can be spring with its floral print or winter with its muted tones, girly with its roses or tough with its skulls. This bag will blend nicely into your wardrobe and being black and grey tones, it will work with most any outfit. Purses by IHazABag always have great detailing, love the closure and the spider bow and chains on the side, too cute! (but sophisticated at the same time too).

The Skulls Wine & Roses Kiss Lock Purse is available for $70 at www.ihazabag.etsy.com.

- Jennifer

A is for Arsenic’s Black Chained Antler Necklace

image source aisforarsenic.com

Back in the summer when we interviewed Amelia Arsenic in our June/July 2011 Issue, she was already brewing up this collection. The long-awaited Taxidermia collection from A for Arsenic is finally out, described as, “a modern re-imagining of Victorian mourning jewellery and attire, a graphic world of dark Victoriana, memento mori, and macabre taxidermy.” The Black Chained Antler Necklace is a great statement necklace that can fit many different styles from Victorian and steampunk to latex and fetish to modern and hipster. And it’s from a collection that is beautifully executed with a look book featuring stunning styling and well designed features such as the gift box accompanying every necklace and the hand numbered and signed bee swing tag.

The Black Chained Antler Necklace is available online for £48 at www.aisforarsenic.com.

- Jennifer

Sinister Vanity’s Silver Filigree Bat Cameo Choker

image source sinistervanity.etsy.com

It’s hard to think that Thanksgiving is less than a week away and then it’s officially “holiday shopping time”. Beat the long lines and general shopping pandemonium by purchasing items from independent designers like Sinister Vanity on www.etsy.com. The Silver Filigree Bat Cameo Choker is enchantingly beautiful piece of jewelry with a gothic Victorian flare that would make a wonderful gift for a friend or a loved one. With a price tag of $25 for a handmade designer gift, it will spread some holiday cheer but will not break your bank.

The Silver Filigree Bat Cameo Choker by Sinister Vanity is available on at www.sinistervanity.etsy.com.

- Meagan

Captivating gowns that transcend this earthly plane.

featuring designs by Romantic Threads

photographer : Saryn Christina
models : Sarah Marie Hilker and Lacy Soto
location : El Mirage

view the full editorial in the October/November 2011 Issue

The inspiration for Betsey Johnson’s spring 2012 collection shown at New York fashion week was burlesque.  And while this might seem to say the show was about sexiness, aside from the peeking out push-ups bras throughout the collection to me it was nothing more sexy than norm for Johnson.  All of these pieces could be a bit more discreet when taken off the runway, with bra and breasts a bit more hidden (or who cares show them off!, I loved the look).  But my viewpoint might be that a bit of lingerie and burlesque influence doesn’t mean overtly sexy to me, and my focus was fully on the great pieces, bold colors, and fun looks.  I loved the mixing of 80s with the hair a fashion-conscious update of the side ponytail and glam rock lightening bolt earrings, with Victorian-esque styles, and some punk rock with studs, spikes, and skulls.

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Heavy Red’s Alice en déshabillé – Noir Alice In Wonderland Costume and Corset

image source heavyred.com

Heavy Red has been chasing the White Rabbit again with the Alice en déshabillé – Noir Alice In Wonderland Costume and Corset for Halloween 2011. Treat (or trick!) yourself to this limited edition costume that can be worn all year-long which includes a cream-colored Alice dress, dark blue faux leather corset, and harlequin stocking set. Take advantage of pre-ordering this beautiful costume from Heavy Red as they start shipping on October 1, 2011!

The  Alice en déshabillé – Noir Alice In Wonderland Costume and Corset is available online at www.heavyred.com.

- Meagan

Somnia Romantica’s Frances Black Lace Victorian Blouse

image source somniaromantica.etsy.com

Marjolein Turin is a Netherlands based designer and the seamstress behind her brand, Somnia Romantica. The Frances Black Lace Victorian Blouse is a handmade garment based on a 1867  Victorian pattern, which Marjolein used as a base for this beautiful and romantic garment. The delicate bows that decorate the bust line are my favorite detail, paired with the cascading rows of ruffles. I’m a romantic at heart and this blouse is tugging at all the right heart-strings.

The Frances Black Lace Victorian Blouse by Somnia Romantica is available online at www.somniaromantica.etsy.com.

- Meagan

Zoetica Ebb and Plastik Wrap’s GHST RDR Skirt

image source plastikwrap.com

The GHST RDR Skirt is a collaborative design by Zoetica Ebb and Plastik Wrap. If you’re not familiar with Zoetica Ebb, she is an artist, model, blogger, and co-founder of Coilhouse Magazine. It’s only fitting that this fantastic duo created such a dramatic, yet simple skirt. I like that the skirt drapes the body, and the back strap detail offers a nice structural element to the garment.

The GHST RDR Skirt by Zoetica Ebb and Plastik Wrap is available online at www.plastikarmy.com.

- Meagan