We’ve all seen portraits of Louis XIV looking like an overfed peacock in lace collars and fur robes and four-inch heels. Three hundred years later, a band has emerged that matches the Sun King’s decadent dress and even takes its name from his court: Versailles. Versailles was formed in March 2007 with various well-known members from Japan’s Visual Kei scene. The supergroup always performs in aristocratic French gowns, as seen above. And yes, as is the norm for Visual bands, all of the skirt-wearing members are actually men.
Versailles signed with Germany’s CLJ Records, and released its first album Lyrical Symphony last Halloween. The group has been receiving international media attention, especially after uploading an album trailer on YouTube. On Xmas, Versailles is performing at a Gothic & Lolita Bible loft party in Shinjuku (how many fingers would you cut off to be there? )
The video for the band’s first single, “The Revenant Choir,” is now available on YouTube.Versailles describes its concept as “the absolute Youshikibi (beauty of form) sound and extremes of aestheticism.” Hmm... it sounds like hard rock/speed metal to me! But unlike many Visual Kei artists, I think their music measures up to their theatrical outfits.
The prettiest of them all is guitarist Hizaki, who usually performs in a tiered red and gold Aristocrat Lolita gown and flower headdress. Imagine one of Marie Antoinette’s handmaidens shredding an electric guitar. Ridiculously awesome, right? That’s Visual Kei in a nutshell.
She – sorry, HE – has a solo “Hizaki Grace Project” and is releasing a short album (Curse of Virgo) on December 26th. Hizaki writes: “This album is instrumental so no singer this time, but my guitar is singing with beautiful melody!!” If you’re curious as to what that means, check out his guitar solo below. Doesn’t his wail remind you a bit of Brian May of Queen?
I rarely catch colds, I never cry in movies, and I don’t drool. Et c’est ça. Alas, I must admit that my salivary glands were in overdrive when I saw these boots:
I know, right? And you haven’t even seen the rest of collection. Helena-Angelique is a meeting of minds between designer/stylist Inge Helena Rietjens and painter/tattoo artist Angelique Houtkamp. Hailing from the Netherlands, the brand’s footwear has get-noticed shapes and details that remind me of Camper,Irregular Choice, and London Fly.
Helena-Angelique's collection consists of shoes and purses, divided into five themes with distinctive prints. The lace-up boots are especially saliva-producing. The ones above are from the “Camee” collection, inspired by 19th century brooches that framed a lady’s profile in bas-relief.
The asymmetrical designs on these boots incorporate the Chicano-style Spanish Rose and a portrait of Carmelita, a mysterious Spanish beauty.
This pair from the "Tribal" line draws upon Maori and Polynesian symbols and full-body tattoos.
Helena-Angelique's lace-up boots would look as ravishing under a Gothic Lolita frock as Vivenne Westwood Rocking Horse shoes. For maximum Lolita effect, the shoes can be customized with various colored ribbons, lace, and pendants that wrap around the ankle. Helena-Angelique isn’t available in North America, but Mfashion, the Dutch Lolita store, may be able to ship the shoes to you.
