LA CARMINA was infected by wild Harajuku style on her childhood trips to Asia. Her handmade Goth/Lolita/Punk outfits got the attention of NYC/LA club photographers, leading to appearances in magazines such as Vice and Paper. She began showcasing her style on her popular Gothic Lolita blog, with two million hits per month. A stream of inquiries about her clothing led to the development of her fashion line.

But business is as important to Carmen as design, and she’s had a lifelong apprenticeship: her family is a 30-year veteran of the Hong Kong garment industry, highly respected for its dealings with some of America’s best-known streetwear brands. She attended Columbia and Yale Law, receiving honors for her thesis on her company’s entrepreneurial model. Upon graduation in 2008, she launched La Carmina.

Carmen’s passion for Japanese fashion and subcultures extends to her work as an author. Cute Yummy Time (Perigee/Penguin USA, Nov 09) is a Western take on the Japanese trend of bento decoration that feature her kawaii illustrations. Crazy, Wacky Theme Restaurants is a journey through Tokyo's maid cafes and jail-themed restaurants that features her photography (Mark Batty, July 09). For more, please view her extended biography, books, and blog. For more, please view her extended biography, books, and blog.

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