Hate You Love Fashion

SO this week's review was on Hate You by Ladies' Code, a delightfully twisted MV that had 1,133,137 views as of August 19th, 2013. You can watch it HERE

Overall impression:

Em: This MV had a horror movie-esque feeling to it, with plenty of creepy dolls and haunting video editing paired with some quirky avant garde fashion. The girls were in a palette of black and white with blue to make it much more interesting than the usual B&W combination. There was a little Victorian influence in details such as lacy gloves, but it was seamlessly incorporated with a modern flair involving leather and bondage-y pants and shoes. There was also a kickass suit jacket outfit that made me immediately want to review the MV.

Note the doll strapped to the antlers. Creepy? Yes. Awesome? Also yes.

Leather and lace

Ruby: I agree completely, but I would take it a step further. I think they’ve done something really interesting here. And, yes, this is going to seem really really obvious but just bear with me. They are dressed as dolls. Like they’ve literally dressed them up the way that you would traditional dress a doll: the Victorian details, the frills and strange details. They’ve added to it though where this concept became one of sort of dark power, dolls but with that edgy twist to make them not soft and easily manipulated as they first appear. I like this. Muchly.

Tradition Victorian Doll, only alive this time

Sometimes a girl just needs a pretty coat of nail polish.

Other promotional Materials:

Em: They had shots from the mv for teaser photos, and the videos also appeared to be compilations of clips from the mv, including a cake made of dismembered dolls. Yum yum. I would certainly be intrigued by the  video if I saw these teasers, even if they weren’t particularly creative after the video itself.

Probably an exact shot from the MV...but hey it's cool!

Ruby: They really haven’t done very much outside promotion for this song. It’s the first single released off an album that will be coming out soon. Unfortunately for us that means: no stage performances yet and no interesting album teasers or anything. So that's really all for now. Uh funfact I guess, one of their members, Rise, just had her birthday. So lets wish Rise a happy birthday not filled with creepy dolls!

*SING LOUDLY*

Continuity:

Em: One of the things I really liked about this MV was the continuity. While the style was surprising and different from other things I’ve seen, it also kept the same sort of flavor throughout the whole video. While Victorian-style puffy sleeves and white lace aren’t always paired with leather and bondage, and those things aren’t always paired with suit jackets, the combination worked because the aesthetic was clearly defined from the start and the designers stuck to their vision for the MV. I was impressed. Also, since it wasn’t a dance video, it didn’t have the repetitiveness that some videos fall into with dance costumes.

 

Every outfit incorporates similar elements in a unique way

Ruby: I thought the continuity was really impressive as well. I really stand by the fact the outfits incorporated a doll like quality and dominatrix like quality. That can be hard to do and I’m pleased that they really limited themselves in number of outfits. It was really nice to see the same things a few times and not feel overwhelmed by the details. I think it's a common idea that a little girl wants to look like a fairy-princess-dolly and I like that they mixed that in with those harsher, leather and bondage elements.

It takes a fantastic designer to make this look right
(and in our opinion they managed it)

Band’s Overall Image:

Em: Ladies Code has done the 'sexy' concepts, with black and white even, and this was continued a bit in the leather and short skirts. However, they didn’t seem limited by it, and they explored the creepiness factor as well. Their album Bad Girl seemed limited in comparison, and I think they’re growing as a group.

 

This was supposed to be the 'bad girls'....

but I personally think burning your doll's eyes out is a little more intimidating

Ruby: Ladies Code is still really settling into a concept I think. And I’m not sure that this was a firm statement. I like that they’re not styling them in the traditional rookie girl group LETS MAKE THEM ALL 16! trend, but I guess in way the overly sexy is all kind of a debut trend these days. They’ve taken a few detours for photoshoots and other items, I guess I would like to see them explore some more alternative concepts before settling.

Military-inspired photoshoot

Trends in K-POP:

Em: The bondage leather thing is something we end up mentioning a lot, for a good reason—it shows up all the time. I feel like every other video has corset-y laces or skintight leather pants, for boys and girls. Another thing I’ve noticed more of lately is creative suit jackets, on both genders. Maybe I’ve noticed them more because I like them a lot, but since suits are such a staple in kpop eventually stylists start to make them interesting. I personally really like when it’s a snazzy jacket over something more unexpected, rather than just the rest of a suit.

THAT SUIT GODDAMN

suits that are not as awesome but getting there 

Ruby: I mentioned this a bit but I’d like to harp some more. I really appreciate that they didn’t go for a cutie girl concept. Don’t get me wrong. I adore SNSD and Girl’s Day and all of that but its nice to see women being portrayed as adults. And not the like ‘adult entertainment’ kind of adult (cough cough Rania Dr. Feelgood cough). I think alternative concepts that fit the music well or are just different make really interesting fashion. So I’m glad to see that come through here.

 

Adult entertainment. Oh no wait just kpop. Thanks Rania.

Girl's Generation...but how old ARE they? Hint: way older than ALL OF RANIA

Conclusion:

Em: I really liked this. It didn’t have the same street fashion appeal as I’ve seen in others (a lot of things wouldn’t be too wearable elsewhere) but as an artsy conceptual series it worked. Some things were great, some were questionable (like the weird fringey blue shoulder things) but all in all I appreciated the creativity. Even wearing a marshmallow.

 

Poofy yet still fantastic

Even the blue fringey bird feathers weren't too bad in context.

Because this had to be included somewhere

Ruby: I was really creeped out by the dolls, not gonna lie. But the concept itself was really brilliant. The way they mirrored their dolls and how their clothing was deceptive in itself. The pairing of hard and soft is really beautiful and I think gave the video a real edge. And that's hard to accomplish these days. Yeah not every dress was super attractive but I didn’t notice as much because I was enjoying the ambiance.

Juxtaposition is THE COOLEST THING EVER when its done right

Aaaaahhhhhhmbiance

Look I'm a fairy princess

Daily Dose of Daebak:

Eyepatch LIKE A PIRATE

You’re coming your dolls hair with a fork…. I just… Guess I shouldn’t be surprised.

So what did you think? Was it too creepy for you or did you adore it as much as we did? Leave a comment and join us in our appreciation of their awesomeness!

-Ruby & Em <3