"Bones and Lilies", the blog of finnish goth Karoliina, is a must-read for all of you fond of gothic make-up, looks and also DIY. That's why we chose Karoliina as victim for our new interview! Read through to find out more about her and her blog!
What inspired you to create your blog?
I started to think about blogging when I got into indie cosmetics and found wonderful online communities on Facebook. I really wanted to share my experiences and just gush over all the lovely cosmetics I'd found! I also had purchased a nice camera (my brother's old) and wanted to share pictures I took. Nowadays I blog much about events I got to, but still write a lot about cosmetics.
Why Bones And Lilies as title?
The title was one of the hardest things to come up with. I was browsing clothes on a webstore when I came across a label called Skulls and Roses, or something similar. I can't remember what the label was, but it was something & something. So I built my blog's name from there. I was already planning a tattoo with lilies and cat skulls, so Bones and Lilies it was. I got the tattoo done this summer and just got the last bit fixed yesterday, so no my blog really is a part of me :)
When did you realise you were a goth?
I'd say when I first heard the Sisters of Mercy. I didn't really listen to any music before I met my first boyfriend at age 15. He was a big Sisters fan and I finally found the music style that really fit me. I had been dressing in long, flowing skirts and in black and red for some time earlier, but music was and is the thing for me. I was lucky to live in the capital, so there were lots of events available when I turned 18, and I soon moved to another large city which just happened to be the goth capital of Finland. I still hang out with the same people who I met at the first clubs I went to ten years ago!
Has your goth appearance ever brought any problem in your life?
My parents have never approved of the way I look, but luckily I don't have to pay heed to their opinions any more ;P I work in the games industry, so I just sit at an office all day and no one is bothered by how I look. When I was a teen, I did meet one counselor who was adamant that goth meant worshiping the devil and doing drugs, and needless to say we didn't really hit off. I'm quite sure she wasn't a favourite among other teens either.
How did you become interested in make-up?
I had a nice makeup collection when I was 14, but it was stolen (or most of it, all my lovely Spice Girls inspired glitters and blue mascara!) and I never re-purchased most of it. I went with just mascara and powder for years. When I stumbled upon indie cosmetics about two years back, I was inspired and interested. I was having a phase where I wanted to change my looks, dyed my hair and got new clothes, so makeup was a natural addition. I have background in traditional arts, so doing makeup looks is kind of a continuation of painting and drawing.
Do you have any idols?
Somehow I'm not the type of person who has idols. I adore how some people look, for example Adore Batbrat, Miss Mosh or Raquel Reed, but I don't know enough about their personalities to call them idols. Visual idols, maybe. I love to look at pretty pictures! Maybe Amy of Sugarpill cosmetics would be my idol, since she has created an unique brand and the company really excels in customers service and graphic design. I look up to women who look good and work hard to achieve the things they want, not something someone else expects them to do.
What's your favourite music genre? Any band or specific song you would like to recommend?
I love gothic rock. I'm pretty boring, I mostly listen to 80's bands and am suspicious about new music. I also listen to a lot of neofolk and synthpop, and some industrial. I'd like to take the opportunity to recommend a few Finnish artists! I really like Loistava Polku (
http://soundcloud.com/loistava-polku), their lyrics are in Finnish but the sound is of the early eighties batcave bands. Another is Murnau's Playhouse (
http://www.myspace.com/murnausplayhouse) who make gothic rock. From the neofolk side, I recently found Harmony Garden (
http://youtu.be/xyVgtZWqOZs). It's really traditional neofolk with sombre vocals and an acoustic guitar.
Reading through your blog, I understand that you travel a lot. What's your favourite place you've been to and why?
I'd have to say Berlin. It's a huge city, but very friendly and sort of bohemian. Everyone is accepted, there are a lot of people dressing in alternative styles and Germans in the Berlin area are very helpful and nice. It's a true cosmopolitan city! I've been to Berlin only twice (unless you count taking a taxi from the airport to the railway station and hopping on a train), but the first time was a month long language course. So I know my way around the city well and have seen the most obvious sights, know what to eat where to go for a goth night out ;) I'm yearning to go there again and can definitely recommend it to all goths! You don't even have to know any German to get around, everyone speaks English.
Did you attend any gothic festival or event lately?
I went to WGT, one of the largest goth festivals there is. It's held in Leipzig, Germany, and this was my second time there. A really lovely event! I've also been to many Finnish events lately, like Lumous Gothic Festival, the northernmost goth fest :) Goth clubs mainly mean spending time with friends for me, so I attend most that are happening in my home city. I think Club Bella Morte was the latest.
Anything else you would like to say?
I'm a big fan of the Gothic Divine Magazine! It's great to have a place where one can find information on the goth culture. Hugs and kisses to all readers!
♥
bonesandlilies.blogspot.com
