I sometimes DJ for a gothic music nightclub event in Osaka called Bat Cave, and there’s always a colorful mix of folks who come to the show. For quite a few of them, their fashion is all about the music they love, and it’s not just for special occasions. One fashionista who is heavily involved in this world, and who always seems to be preparing some event related to it, is Cat. Recently, I asked her to meet with me in Shinsekai – one of Osaka’s best spots for creatures of the night.
When and why did you come to Japan/Osaka?
I came to Japan in August 2018, and then moved to Osaka in March of 2020. Like many others that have moved here I’ve always loved Japan for its media, art, and of course fashion, though I thought moving here was an impossible dream. I think it was just a combination of things happening in my life in America, but I realized that I hadn’t made my life decisions for myself. So I decided to follow this dream and move here with the hopes of also working in the fashion industry
When did your interest in fashion start?
I’ve been pretty obsessed with fashion since I was a very little girl. Both my mom and mawmaw (grandmother) were seamstresses so I was surrounded by handmade clothes. My mom always dressed us in matching clothes so I guess I just kinda picked it up from her.
What influenced you to get into the gothic/punk/emo style. Or how would you define the style?
I grew up in a very religious household and I was very controlled in the kinds of music I listened to and what I wore. Around junior high school though I started getting into pop-punk and emo music. I think like a lot of kids in that scene I just wanted a way to express myself and I knew I didn’t want it to look anything like the typical styles of a “southern girl” (American south). I feel like at that time emo style was way more defined and we all had a certain look. Think large side bangs, snakebites, tight clothes and big shoes. I think that’s probably what people still think of for the most part, however, I would say that more recently personal style and aesthetics are more definitive of alternative styles.
Who are some of your favorite bands?
Definitely, My Chemical Romance is my favourite band. I also really love Paramore, Bring Me the Horizon, Pierce the Veil, Evanescence, The Used, SUM 41 honestly the list could go on and on. I’m a big fan of 90s/2000s eurobeat/bubblegum pop too.
How about favorite fashion brands?
I’ve been a big fan of Vivienne Westwood for a very long time! I think the brands that inspire my own work and style would be: Tripp NYC, Tunnel Vision, Invasion Club and Na+H. I also have come to appreciate the “Big 3” (Yohji Yamamoto, Issey Miake, and Rei Kawakubo) in more recent years.
Are there Japanese fashion magazines do you like?
I used to read Fruits and Kerouac, which is now called Kero. I don’t buy it as much now. I have huge piles of magazines that I don’t know what to do with. And, even though I don’t wear the style anymore, I’ve kept almost all of my Gothic and Lolita Bible mooks that I used to collect obsessively. They are such a great point of reference and inspiration. Currently, I like to keep up with a magazine called Soen. It’s a Tokyo based magazine that focuses on local and Japanese up and coming designers and “mode kei”. There are so many extremely talented designers in Japan.
Are you selling your designs now, and where, if so?
I am currently working on slowly launching my brand – name to be determined – over the next few months. My goal is to create a sustainable local slow fashion alternative apparel brand. I will have my first event debut at ALT market in October. I also plan to do some pop-ups in Osaka and Tokyo as well. I also plan to have a webstore available around that time as well.
How has social media helped with your fashion or life or income?
I think social media has helped me by allowing me to connect to other designers and to get inspiration from them. I also plan to utilize it more as I am launching my brand.
When did you start Alt nights? Is it a collaboration? Did you organize events before coming to Japan?
I started Osaka Alt Nites in 2022 after my 30th birthday party. I had previously been a part of the Lolita fashion communities in Louisiana and Texas and had organized and helped organize some events. I had never held an event in Japan, but I wanted to celebrate a milestone birthday. At that party, everyone was singing along to the playlist I had made and I realized there were a lot of people into the same music as me. So a few months later, I started Osaka Alt Nites. We had our first Emo Nite that same year in November and our small venue was way too full so we moved to a bigger venue, and it continued to grow. At this point I realized I couldn’t do it alone so I reached out to my best friend and fellow emo Anita (Anitadollar). She is the reason our social media looks so good! She works so hard on it and is genuinely the most supportive partner.
What would you say is the ratio of Japanese to non-Japanese that attend ALT Nights?
We are definitely more non-Japanese heavy, but we do have several loyal Japanese attendees as well. I would love to see more Japanese attendees in the future though and we are working on being more bilingual.
You are studying for a fashion degree now? Where?
I am currently a fourth year night student at Osaka Mode Gakuen in Umeda.
What are some difficulties you’ve had pursuing fashion in Japan? What are the positives?
There are so many benefits to studying fashion in Japan versus the rest of the world. My school really focuses on technique and perfecting that technique so that you can improve upon it. Even though I am in the fashion design course, I’ve taken four years of technical pattern making. It’s also been way more affordable for me to study here versus back home. Of course when studying anything in your second language there are a lot of difficulties. There are things that I have missed during lessons, or misunderstood but for the most part my school and my classmates have been so kind and supportive. That being said, finding a job in the fashion industry has proven a bit more difficult. The job searching culture here is pretty tough with even the most qualified students applying to over 20 companies before being hired. To add to that struggle, I’m over 30 and a foreign national with a lengthy resume.
What are you wearing tonight?
I’m wearing New Rock short boots, Diesel flare denim, a thrifted Yohji Yamamoto top with a Hysteric Glamour vest. The skirt is something that I made this past spring, it’s an inverted pleats bondage style skirt.
What range of styles are in your wheelhouse?
Besides wearing general alternative fashion, I actually wore gothic and lolita fashion for many years. I first saw the style in 2006 and I started wearing it quite regularly from 2009. I loved it for many years and it brought me so many good memories and friends. I also used to wear a style called Himekaji which is a toned down version of gyaru in around 2014-2016. I also got very into vintage when I lived in Austin, TX around 2017-2018. I feel like I’ve experimented with my style a lot, but somehow it all came back to my aesthetic now.
Did you know there was a Pringles shop here?
I didn’t! I think it used to be under the tower.
We should take a pic in front to promote it. It’s a pretty popular photo spot.
Finally, what upcoming events are you organizing?
Currently we have our Halloween Pass the Aux event (an event where anyone can sign up to play the music they want) on Saturday, October 26th. Also, I will be selling clothes at the Don Magazine party early in December.
Keep an eye on our Osaka Alt Nights IG page about upcoming Alt Markets and Emo music Nights and everything else!
