Black nail polish is de rigeur for Goth girls, but to Lolita, it’s a total drag. She’s encouraged to use copious amounts of glitter in art class, and nobody’s stopping her from doing the same to her nails.
Lolita barters with “Dad” for a few quarters and runs to the drug store to buy: a) nail polish remover; b) clear nail polish; c) silver glitter; and d) cherry Coke from the soda fountain. She locks herself in the bathroom (''Lo! What’s taking you so long?'') to remove the remnants of last week’s candy apple polish. Our nymphet globs clear polish onto the nails of one hand (''Gimme a minute, will ya?''), then drizzles on glitter. She repeats the procedure on the other, and finishes with a second coat of clear polish.
Oh – and the mound of disco dust left in the sink? Leave it. Daddy’ll wipe it up.
Last Halloween, I dressed as Goth Minnie Mouse and went to see U.K. band The Horrors perform at Stereo NYC. (For the record, I have no idea who the dude is.)
Frontman Faris Badwan (a.k.a. Farris Rotter) endeared himself to the party-goers by spitting on them and smearing black paint on their faces. Several frat-types – who let them in?? – decided to play tug-o’-war with his mike cord. Badwan gave his provokers a Goth boot to the eye. Cue a flurry of punches and general flailing…
I don’t have much to say about The Horrors’ music, but I do enjoy their style. Much like Japan’s Ouji Aristocrats, the band pairs skinny black jeans and tight leather jackets with Victoriana. You’ll often see them in blazers, vests, top hats, and pointy-toed shoes. Eyeliner is encouraged, as are messy bowl-cuts. Around their necks: ascots, cravats, jabots, skinny ties, black silk ribbon. It's a fetching look, especially when multiplied five-fold.
