Category Archive for Tokyo + Japan
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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TOKYO REBEL: GOTHIC LOLITA SHOP IN NEW YORK CITY. NYC LOLITAS SHOPPING, GOTH PUNK STORES, BUYING HARAJUKU CLOTHES IN AMERICA.
Yell it to the rafters: there’s a Gothic Lolita store in New York City — Tokyo Rebel! The lovely husband and wife team behind the new boutique invited my all-girl Visual Kei group to visit. (I believe This Maddening Shroud is our favorite of all the killer band names you suggested for us.)
Jeff (a web designer) and Masayo (a nurse) opened Tokyo Rebel “because we love Japanese street fashion and we wanted to bring it to America.” Tucked away in the Lower East Side, they’re the only retailer in NYC to stock Japanese brand-name Goth Lolita Punk clothing and accessories.
Kanae headed straight to the vintage rack in the back (the store will accept and sell your secondhand Lolita clothing.) I couldn’t resist putting on an old-school Algonquins dress (left). Atelier Pierrot (right) is one of the bestselling brands because it appeals to a broad range of shoppers; a girl looking for an alt prom dress fell in love with the one I’m holding.
The Sweet Lolita dresses from Angelic Pretty (left) are the same ones on the racks at Marui One Shinjuku. Masayo and Jeff source the clothes and accessories directly from the Japanese designers, which include Victorian Maiden, Innocent World, Putumayo and Maxicimam.
All new Lolita clothing is expensive ($150-300 range). But at Tokyo Rebel, the price tags aren’t — or are barely — marked up. Amazing, and well worth saving up for.
I tried on an Evil Tail Frill One-piece by SEX POT ReVeNGe. Regi couldn’t resist buying a two-piece jumper set by Algonquins. We were also tempted by the crucifix/cute accessories under the glass counter, and the display of Kera Magazine. (Need we say the selection is excellent, and ranges from casual rock/punk to lace and bows elegance?)
I ended up with a warm and fuzzy Sex Pot Revenge skull scarf. And if I may reach for a metaphor… that’s the feeling we got from visiting Tokyo Rebel! Masayo tells me she first fell in love with Gothic and Lolita fashion over a decade ago, in Tokyo. She wanted to create a haven where she could be around the elegant clothing and meet others who appreciate the fashion — and the boutique was born.
Jeff says the store aims to stock more items from the current brands, including shoes, and expand to include more lines. If you’re in NYC, even for an afternoon, you’ve got to stop by to say hi and try on a couple of coordinates. Happy face for those who live elsewhere: you can order from Tokyo Rebel’s website as well. (All photos by Shichi.)
Have any of you been to Tokyo Rebel? What are your thoughts on the atmosphere and selection?
Song of the Day #301: The Creatures – Right Now
LA CARMINA
