JAPANESE DOLLY FASHION: VINTAGE ANTIQUE DOLL LAYERED STREET STYLE, SHIBUYA BOUTIQUE GRIMOIRE. TOKYO STYLE TRIBES.
Just when you think Tokyo’s style tribes have gotten rooted, a new branch flowers from the tree. Dolly Style, as Style Arena calls it, is my latest intrigue. The style has some similarities to Lolita, in the sense that it draws on age-old European styling. However, Dolly or Antique clothes tend to be used and show some wear and tear — a desirable quality for this tribe.
Think “young girl from the Middle Ages, who lives in mystical shack in the forest, surrounded by antiques and dolls.” The visuals are slightly haunting, in a Grimm’s Fairy Tales manner.
The most striking visuals of Dolly Kei are a giant cross swinging from the neck, Medieval headdress, long skirts and dolls swabbed in rags. The girls are refined, wizardly, slightly creepy — and oh so alluring.
Grimoire refers to an ancient textbook of magic/witchcraft — and it’s also the name of the Shibuya boutique that is ground zero for these used clothes. The distressed dresses remind me of Gramm, a new brand from S-inc (the company that produces h.NAOTO) sold at Marui One.
Drop Japan posted some photos of Grimoire’s Vampire Night. Many of the shop girls wear Gothic and Classical Lolita pieces, but make it into their own expression. Who cares about skirt length? I think the girl in the rocking horse shoes is terrifically dressed.
The gold outfit is stunning; I’d wear the outfit exactly as she coordinated it. Recently, I found some giant flower clips for $2 from a fabric store. Perhaps I’ll incorporate them in my hair…
Song of the Day #302: Polysics – Electric Surfin’ Go Go (Check out adorable Polaroid + Fuji insta-photos of the Japanese band taken by HiHiCaro on Flickr.)
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LA CARMINA
63 Comments
Interesting!
yeah – makes me feel really really nasty. Used to full tilt with an ax. No it does, get me there –
Love it and would totally like to wear it, especially the two outfits at the end :D
Y.A.Y.
awesome. Never knew about the Dolly style before.
Oh wow, those are some beautiful outfits. Except for the fur (I’m not fond of fur, fake or otherwise), I’d wear any of those masterpieces. I especially like the slightly “antique” feel the girls give off. Like they’re ghosts from the Middle Ages.
Absolutely loving this..it’s like bohemian vintage gothic lolita, I just love the antique-y ness of it all, all the sort of gilt colors…I agree the girl in the rocking horse ballerinas is fab! gahhh so much awesome new fashion to gush over!!! =^-^=
hahaha yay! I have fairy kei photos coming up, and I’ll investigate Dolly Kei further!
Woah. I like it! I love the Fashion, accesorries, and the vintage anitique clothes and items still with the Lolita Japanese Touch that binds it all together! Though Im not very fond of the dolls I love th whole feel of it. Lolita is so interesting, and adding subculutres onto a culture makes it more interesting :D thanks for sharing this with us, or else I probalbby would havenever heard of it. :]
I think there is so much experimentation with Lolita styles in Japan, which don’t get enough representation outside. The girls mix and match, and create new styles… it’s great!
My latest love is long skirts so I definitely want to look into this some more (and visit Grimoire the next time I’m in Tokyo…it’ll be like walking into a fairy tale). I noticed that it’s easier to keep warm with Dolly Kei outfits than some other styles.
I’ve never visited the store — I want to, when I’m there in May.
haha yeah, although in the summer, I feel bad for Lolitas and Dolly Kei girls… suffocating under all the layers ><
Interesting!
yeah – makes me feel really really nasty. Used to full tilt with an ax. No it does, get me there –
Love it and would totally like to wear it, especially the two outfits at the end :D
Y.A.Y.
awesome. Never knew about the Dolly style before.
Oh wow, those are some beautiful outfits. Except for the fur (I'm not fond of fur, fake or otherwise), I'd wear any of those masterpieces. I especially like the slightly “antique” feel the girls give off. Like they're ghosts from the Middle Ages.
oh emiko-chan was at this party! http://www.myspace.com/sssexsssex xoxo
like it, wouldn’t wear it :)
Great post!! I particularly like the last outfit – I’d totally wear that. The Grimoire shop style really reminds me of Rose de Reficul/Dark Marchen and the Toe Cocotte style, don’t you think?
BTW, I’m going back next month – squeee!!
OH yeah — we had the BEST time watching Dark Marchen!
Ahhh you’ll have to say hi to everyone for me, and I’ll be sure to check your blog for updates… I’m back in May.
true, very alluring. lol
I like it! lol
& I Love reading the grimm’s fairy tales, this does somewhat remind me of them in a few of the pics.
Grimm tales can be very grim and gorey… and I think this fashion picks up on that!
Love it! I can see myself growing into this fashion.
omg this is right up my alley; Ive long had a passion for all things medieval so to see it combined with my new love of lolita is awesome. totally sparks my creativity and makes me want to wear it. I dont think I could wear most lolita fashion so I love it from a distance but this I could and totally would
Absolutely loving this..it's like bohemian vintage gothic lolita, I just love the antique-y ness of it all, all the sort of gilt colors…I agree the girl in the rocking horse ballerinas is fab! gahhh so much awesome new fashion to gush over!!! =^-^=
Woah. I like it! I love the Fashion, accesorries, and the vintage anitique clothes and items still with the Lolita Japanese Touch that binds it all together! Though Im not very fond of the dolls I love th whole feel of it. Lolita is so interesting, and adding subculutres onto a culture makes it more interesting :D thanks for sharing this with us, or else I probalbby would havenever heard of it. :]
My latest love is long skirts so I definitely want to look into this some more (and visit Grimoire the next time I'm in Tokyo…it'll be like walking into a fairy tale). I noticed that it's easier to keep warm with Dolly Kei outfits than some other styles.
oh emiko-chan was at this party! http://www.myspace.com/sssexsssex xoxo
like it, wouldn't wear it :)
Great post!! I particularly like the last outfit – I'd totally wear that. The Grimoire shop style really reminds me of Rose de Reficul/Dark Marchen and the Toe Cocotte style, don't you think?
BTW, I'm going back next month – squeee!!
true, very alluring. lol
I like it! lol
& I Love reading the grimm's fairy tales, this does somewhat remind me of them in a few of the pics.
Grimm tales can be very grim and gorey… and I think this fashion picks up on that!
OH yeah — we had the BEST time watching Dark Marchen!
Ahhh you'll have to say hi to everyone for me, and I'll be sure to check your blog for updates… I'm back in May.
I've never visited the store — I want to, when I'm there in May.
haha yeah, although in the summer, I feel bad for Lolitas and Dolly Kei girls… suffocating under all the layers ><
I think there is so much experimentation with Lolita styles in Japan, which don't get enough representation outside. The girls mix and match, and create new styles… it's great!
hahaha yay! I have fairy kei photos coming up, and I'll investigate Dolly Kei further!
Love it! I can see myself growing into this fashion.
omg this is right up my alley; Ive long had a passion for all things medieval so to see it combined with my new love of lolita is awesome. totally sparks my creativity and makes me want to wear it. I dont think I could wear most lolita fashion so I love it from a distance but this I could and totally would
love it!!
the two last outfits are amazing!!
i’d difinitely wear it if i got the chance to > w <
and i cant wait to visit Grimoire the next time i go to Japan!!
the shop is so charming! it's just like a little magic house in the middle of the forest that came out of a fairytale <33
Love it <3
love it!!
the two last outfits are amazing!!
i'd difinitely wear it if i got the chance to > w <
and i cant wait to visit Grimoire the next time i go to Japan!!
the shop is so charming! it's just like a little magic house in the middle of the forest that came out of a fairytale <33
Love it <3
I have a pair of rocking horse shoes just like that!!! ;D
But omg… Dolly Kei…. it’s like my heaven. I have a complete obsession with dolls or marionettes, BJD, etc. etc. etc. Anything that looks like it’s made of absolute perfection is just….GAH >_<
And the fact that the Dolly Kei contradicts what a doll is supposed to be is even better~~ Ahh thank you Carmina for introducing me to my new favourite of the keis (besides visual)… Out of the last few outfits, my favourite is the one with the rocking horse shoes~ so pretty ^^
lol. I love it.
so cute…
I have a pair of rocking horse shoes just like that!!! ;D
But omg… Dolly Kei…. it's like my heaven. I have a complete obsession with dolls or marionettes, BJD, etc. etc. etc. Anything that looks like it's made of absolute perfection is just….GAH >_<
And the fact that the Dolly Kei contradicts what a doll is supposed to be is even better~~ Ahh thank you Carmina for introducing me to my new favourite of the keis (besides visual)… Out of the last few outfits, my favourite is the one with the rocking horse shoes~ so pretty ^^
lol. I love it.
so cute…
:, i wish i could go! grr! >.<
:, i wish i could go! grr! >.<
These outfits are really gorgeous!!! :D
These outfits are really gorgeous!!! :D
Wow. Their shop is just awesome. I’m also loving their clothes.
Wow. Their shop is just awesome. I'm also loving their clothes.
wow awesome Dolly style
wow awesome Dolly style
Japan’s fashion is timely since it showcases the forecasted colors for year 2010. Blue and silver are the major colors for 2010. I like to wear Japan’s fashion since it gives me a contemporary look and I learned this fashion tip from fashion styling group @866-565-7541
Japan's fashion is timely since it showcases the forecasted colors for year 2010. Blue and silver are the major colors for 2010. I like to wear Japan's fashion since it gives me a contemporary look and I learned this fashion tip from fashion styling group @866-565-7541
Fashion and Style is great for everyone. Now this time all of the people are going to find good trends and fashion. If you can give more information about latest Fashion and Style then please update me. Thank You.
Fashion and Style is great for everyone. Now this time all of the people are going to find good trends and fashion. If you can give more information about latest Fashion and Style then please update me. Thank You.
such an amazing trend n.n i totally love it .
such an amazing trend n.n i totally love it .
I tried to order a new tights Grimoire online shop , Seems to have come to be able to settle PayPal.