Mosh(i) Mosh(i), Here's Your Babymetal Style Primer
The Puffy AmiYumi of metal.
Photo: BABYMETAL's Facebook
Lady Gaga just revealed that Japanese metal band Babymetal is joining her for five dates of her summer artRAVE: the Artpop Ball Tour (Phoenix, Las Vegas, Stateline, Salt Lake City, and Denver). By now I'm sure you're probably wondering "Who?" and "What?" Well, I'm glad you asked.
Babymetal is a band that could only be formed in Japan. They're a product of the Japanese idol infrastructure wherein a band, usually populated by teenagers, is created by an agency and marketed to target demos. Also, once a member reaches a certain amount of years, they "graduate" from the group, sort of like a high stakes Menudo. Babymetal's lead vocalist Suzuka Nakamoto (aka Su-Metal) aged out of female pop group Sakura Gakuin in 2012. However, Babymetal's other members, Moa Kikuchi (aka Moa-Metal) and Yui Mizuno (aka Yuimetal) are still current members. This seems a little cray, given that the members are 16 and 15 years old.
Thank you, based Fox God.
Photo: Babymetal's Twitter
Amuse, Inc. producer Kobametal (kind of loving this Ramones thing they're doing), conceived the group with the aspirations of combining two genres that don't necessarily go hand in hand. The "baby" in the group's name represents the members and the J-pop/metal fusion as being "new" or "newborn." They've been called "bubblegum meets the devil," "kawaii metal," and "cute metal" by record execs and fans alike. Not only that, they're playing Sonisphere this summer (alongside the likes of Iron Maiden and Slayer), and have already played Budokan (you know, where Ozzy played and Cheap Trick's best album was recorded). In addition, they've gotten shouts from Lizzy Hale (of Halestrom) and Matthew Kiichi Heafy (of Trivium) and have been spotted with Marty Friedman (formerly of Megadeth), Michael Amoott (Arch Enemy), and Kirk Hammett just because. Which means they're going to be everywhere. As a result, I've taken the liberty of breaking down Babymetal's style for you.
They woke up like dis.
Photo: Babymetal's Facebook
The ladies are typically dressed in gothic Lolita fashions while on tour. This usually means wearing dresses and skirts with a "cupcake" shape that end at the knee and are usually assisted by petticoats. They'll usually coordinate with corsetry, spiked tops, knee-high socks, and either Mary Janes or combat boots. And while that might not be within the realm of possibility for everyone, you can take certain style cues from our littlest headbangers. Here's a couple of tips:
+ Stick to a limited color palette. The members of Babymetal don't really stray from black and red (very Emily Strange). What's interesting is the use of prints and textures to break up their outfits, which in the case of Babymetal involve stripes and plaids.
+ Matching outfits aren't just for couples. Sometimes you just want to call your best friend up to see what she's wearing and wear it too. Moa-Metal and Yuimetal have a tendency to wear matching costumes while on stage, which more often than not might be a side effect of being backup "scream" vocals to Su-Metal's lead.
I suddenly need a skeleton print hoodie in my life now...
Photo: Babymetal's Twitter
+ Presentation is key. For example, Su-metal, the tallest and oldest of the trio, is usually flanked by the other two members.
+ Accessories are important and can finish a look. The girls have been known to wear arm warmers, fingerless gloves, neck braces, fox masks, and veils to complete a look.
But most important, have fun.
It's so hard to be adorable and brutal! I know that feel, BABYMETAL.
Photo: Babymetal's Facebook
Now put your kitsune up, and let's rock!
