GOTHLOLI OF THE WEEK #20: ANDIE.
† Name/URL: Princess Andie-chan
† Age: I’m in my 30’s but I don’t think age is very important really.
† Location: Originally from Seattle Washington US, and last year I moved to Boston.
† How were you introduced to Gothic Lolita fashion?
The first time I saw it in Shoichi Aoki’s Fruits book in 2001, I was mesmerized and forever changed. I did not know what the style was called until then. When I saw the label of Gothic Lolita put a name to the style I’ve always loved to dress. I adore dressing in sweet lolita or gothic lolita styled fashion. It makes me feel very powerful.
† What do you find appealing about GL style and culture?
I love that it is so timeless and creative. I love that the clothing is so pretty and detailed, and can be enjoyed by all genders. I’m transgendered and prefer to dress in a feminine style.
† What are your favorite GL clothing brands?
I totally adore h.Naoto, Metamorphose temps de fille, Baby the Stars Shine Bright, Victorian Maiden, Angelic Pretty, MAM, Black Peace Now. Anything that LEIN is involved with is completely amazing. I especially love h.Naoto because the designs are so bold and un- compromising with their purposeful deconstruction. The designs are really thought-out I think. I also love Metamorphose temps de fille, BTTSB, Victorian Maiden, and Angelic Pretty in all their detailed pink frilliness too! I am a princess at heart, I guess. I like the Sweet Lolita, Gothic Lolita, and Punk Lolita styles the most. I feel that Punk Lolita is the easiest style to wear casually for me. My favorite style is Sweet Lolita, especially in Pink!
† Any other comments?
Being an artist is no easy task, but it is the most rewarding, in my mind. When you are a true artist in your heart and soul, you can do anything, say anything, and be anything. Do not let anyone tell you otherwise. Keep moving forward and eventually you will create something that is infectious and powerful. Something that will live on, past this life. We are only here for a short time, so we have to make the best of it.
A lot of the deconstructed designs influence my artwork. It’s like a bold brushstroke through a painting that you can wear. It’s simply amazing. You do not ever see that sort of statement in clothing by U.S. or U.K. designers, unless it is very high-end couture, and even then they usually do not go as far, and as directly. It’s refreshing and time cannot touch it.
† Artistic Statement
My dreams weigh into my work constantly. Sometimes my dreams enter into my waking life, and I manifest things from them. I have had a recurring lucid dream for over 10 years now. It’s a place I go to. It’s so amazing there. I’ve been trying to map it and write about it, along with creating artwork that represents it. My current series, “Running Through the Forest,” is about my recurring dream… Perhaps you are becoming part of it.
“Running Though the Forest” represents a certain type of freedom & innocence experienced as a child. It is also something to be feared. A metaphor for life as we move through it. It is sometimes filled with anxiety and sometimes with comfort. It is something we must be ok with, as with death and rebirth, if we are not, sometimes the forest becomes a jungle and we are consumed by it. (Distractions and mind pollution caused by advertising and marketing.)
We run through this forest, yet we cannot run from ourselves. We are confronted by ourselves no matter how far we travel, how deep we go. Sometimes we must go deep inside to shed our outer ego and external influences in order to see clearly who we are. To truly know who and what we are. It is though this constant experience that we are able to more-clearly see the truth that surrounds us. When you are in the forest you only have yourself. When I dream, I travel into a forest, but I fear not. I am in my present self and therefore cannot be weighted down by the karmic weight that is placed upon us by ourselves and society.
† Inspirational Artists, Designers and Superstars
Amanda Lepore, RuPaul, Eddie Izzard, Margaret Cho, Novala Takemoto, Mana, Siouxsie Sioux, Vivienne Westwood, Karl Lagerfeld, Alexander McQueen, Debbie Harry, Madonna, Peggy Guggenheim, Audrey Hepburn, Andy Warhol, Marcel Duchamp, Brice Marden, Matthew Barney, Jackson Pollack, Mihara Mitsukaz, Yumiko Kawahara, Lisa Mei Ling Fong, Ai Yazawa, Audrey Kawasaki, Ulrika Minami Warmling, Mark Ryden, Trevor Brown, Ernest Haeckel, Joseph Cornell, Damien Hirst, Louise Bourgeois, Annie Liebowitz, Nan Goldin, Hiroshi Sugimoto, Thomas Ruff, Bill Viola, Shirin Neshat, People that push boundries and are true to themselves.
There is no movie, there are no props, there is no 15 minutes, you’re already in it, as am I. xo -Andie
If you would like to be the next Gothloli of the Week, please read the submission instructions here. For all your Lolita shopping needs, check out the links to clothing brands on the right column of my blog.
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LA CARMINA
3 Comments
i think u look so amazingly cute~~~ and i absolutley love ur art!!!! promise to keep doing exactly what ur doing!!! hearts and kisses!
i think u look so amazingly cute~~~ and i absolutley love ur art!!!! promise to keep doing exactly what ur doing!!! hearts and kisses!
i think u look so amazingly cute~~~ and i absolutley love ur art!!!! promise to keep doing exactly what ur doing!!! hearts and kisses!