Lolita fashion is dead: Decline of Sweet and Gothic Lolitas in Japan, Laforet Harajuku shops.
Let’s touch upon a touchy subject. Gothic and Sweet Lolita fashion is undoubtedly on the decline in Japan — in the sense that fewer Japanese are wearing the style, and it’s not as visible in magazines and media. Sad, but true.
Personally, I’ve been feeling indifferent towards Lolita fashion as of late. Metamorphose’s bonnets and prints are as cute as ever. But the silhouettes, styling, materials… not much has changed in the past decade.
I still find Lolita designs beautiful. But I find more variety — and growth over the years — in other alternative street styles such as punk, electro, fairy kei.
One might say that the static styling — the “variations on a set theme” — are part of the EGL appeal. However, to me (and many Tokyo consumers), it’s not enough to motivate continued purchases. My eyes wander to Hellcatpunk’s leopard prints and polka dots.
Anyone have thoughts about why Lolita fashion is lessening in popularity? Perhaps the fuzzy bunny-girl and Mad Hatter aristocrat styles are not as accessible to customers.
I feel that most Lolita brands haven’t made enormous strides in design and presentation. The Metamorphose dress on the mannequin and cluttered store don’t exactly signal “top of the game.”
The catalogs and styling are also same-old.
On the flip side, I remain impressed with h.NAOTO, who designs in a variety of underground styles. In his Frill collection, he isn’t afraid to take risks with unconventional materials and flourishes. I think he pushes the fashion-forward envelope and succeeds.
I can’t wait for the IBI and Sixh runway show at Anime Matsuri in Houston; as you know, I’ll be a special guest at the anime convention! All information about the March 18-20th event is in this post; I hope you and your friends can make it.
What are your thoughts on the controversial subject of Lolita fashion’s lessening hold in Japan? Are you also a little bored with the recent offerings from the brands? I look forward to your comments; be nice to each other.
All these images were taken in Laforet, the Harajuku department store. To see Lolita fashion and how it changed over the past few years, there are photos from almost all the Tokyo stores in my shop guide.
Bonus: Sebastiano Serafini drew us with my fat Scottish Fold cat! There are more photos of Basil Farrow on his blog, and posted on my Twitter.
Japanese Word of the Day: Gentai = Decline
Song of the Day: Onmyouza – Kureha
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HARAJUKU SHOPPING GUIDE: TOKYO GOTHIC LOLITA PUNK SHOP PHOTOS, VIVIENNE WESTWOOD, JAPANESE COOLEST CLOTHING STORES.
Photo diary of a stroll through Harajuku, Tokyo’s best shopping destination for alternative, punk and Goth fashion. At the Takeshita Doori entrance, a rainbow-decora girl was selling socks and accessories.
Nearby, the Maxicimam store holds cute and elegant Lolita dresses.
Keep walking and veer towards the right. There are Visual Kei memorabilia stores, as well as inexpensive punky-electro merchandise.
Further down on Takeshita Doori, there are two stands that sell crepes. Sadly, the pumpkin ones are only available around Halloween. But the takoyaki stand (on the parallel street to the right of Takeshita Doori) is terrific year-round.
Near Takuya Angel’s shop, a truck serves “yum yum yummy” food.
Next door is the Vivienne Westwood Closet Child. Everything here is secondhand.
Including the rocking horse shoes — the original ones!
Vivienne Westwood’s iconic hats and punk plaid.
Heart and cherry shoes.
Unfortunately, Westwood is expensive in Japan, even when bought used.
However, the cute character goods stores in Harajuku are easy on the wallets. A great place to pick up souvenirs.
The alternative shoes are also incredibly well-priced. 5000-6000 yen for studded boots.
You can’t go wrong with the bright casualwear from stores such as AC/DC, with items mostly under 3000 yen.
Want more photos and peeks inside these stores? Mosey over to my complete Gothic Lolita shopping guide.
Have you gone shopping in Harajuku? What were your favorite stores? Did you find affordable purchases?
Japanese Word of the Day: Joshikai = Gathering for women only
Song of the Day: Suspiria – The Frozen Ones
LA CARMINA
