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On the Street.....Young Tokyo

 
 
 
 
 















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Friday, April 23, 2010

On the Street.....Young Tokyo

posted by The Sartorialist at 2:24 PM

Comments on "On the Street.....Young Tokyo"

 

Blogger Unknown said ... (2:26 PM) : 

so beautiful! what lovely fabric and cut.

 

Blogger Comme Coco said ... (2:31 PM) : 

so pretty!

 

Blogger Viktorija Gudino said ... (2:36 PM) : 

Porcelain doll.
Like her hair.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (2:39 PM) : 

I don't know, I'm not fond of these kinds of clothes for girls. Makes me think they are being brought up as Alice in Wonderland. Give me jeans and a tee for girls.

 

Blogger anon said ... (2:44 PM) : 

Very lolita

 

Blogger The Photodiarist said ... (3:04 PM) : 

Is that on the street? Looks like you are in a studio with the white background. Beautiful photo.

 

Anonymous kagitsune said ... (3:09 PM) : 

This is a very good example of true Japanese Sweet Lolita fashion (please ignore Jessica Simpson's brazen disrespect of the entire subculture). I appreciate that you found "one of us" who has decided to eschew giant hair and hundreds of accessories, instead opting for the simple, doll-like look that Lolita originated from.

In response to Anonymous 2:39 PM, the model is most likely in her late teens or early 20's. She has chosen these clothes herself, precisely because she REJECTS the banality of jeans and a tee shirt. Tenniel's illustrations for "Alice in Wonderland" were a prime inspiration for the first Lolita designs.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (3:14 PM) : 

Definitely Lolita/"My Sweet Audrina"! I dig and it works for her.

 

Blogger The Sartorialist said ... (3:16 PM) : 

for the photodiarist
it was actually shot in a stairway at the
Bunka school with natural window light.

 

Blogger Luna : said ... (3:16 PM) : 

the detailing on the bottom of her dress is simply beautiful!

 

Blogger Gon said ... (3:21 PM) : 

Amazing photo! It's very whimsical in it's all, but the girl is very mysterious and the dress so beautiful!

Nice one ;D
Dimogonda blog

 

Blogger Style Scanner said ... (3:24 PM) : 

That's just incredible, the dress is adorably playful and whimsical.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (3:25 PM) : 

there's something very creepy and unnerving about this ultra-feminine style. i love it.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (3:25 PM) : 

Very nice shot. I love this dress, I can't remember it's name, but i know it's Baby, the stars shine bright. Nice to see some lolita representation : )

 

Blogger AmanoUsagi said ... (3:26 PM) : 

Thank You. This is a great view of Lolita. So often it is viewed wrongly and not seen for what it truly is.

 

Blogger Unknown said ... (3:41 PM) : 

I never knew why the Lolita style developed so I am grateful for kagitsune's comment. It puts the style into perspective and understanding for me rather than viewing the fashion as a desire to still look like a child.

 

Blogger Little Lovables said ... (3:49 PM) : 

I was wondering when the lolita scene would show up here.

 

Blogger Lisa Petrarca said ... (4:04 PM) : 

SHE is a human doll!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (4:07 PM) : 

So pretty! It looks as if you just did a cover shoot for Lula magazine.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (4:11 PM) : 

she looks just like a doll

 

Anonymous Adelaide said ... (4:20 PM) : 

Her look is a lot lighter than others I've seen sporting the "Lolita" style. I like this much better, it looks less cartoonish, more real.

 

Blogger Fashionstyle said ... (4:20 PM) : 

Trop poupée pour moi!!!

 

Blogger Fashionstyle said ... (4:20 PM) : 

Trop poupée pour moi!!!

 

Blogger SieveMaria said ... (4:22 PM) : 

The dress is is so delicate and the pattern so Charming I wish I could have a dress from that same fabric.

The contrast of her dark hair and eyes is remarkable.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (4:26 PM) : 

The dress is is so delicate and the pattern so Charming I wish I could have a dress from that same fabric.
The contrast of her dark hair and eyes is remarkable.

She is like a flower and I can imagine her in a garden.

 

Blogger FASHION SNAG said ... (4:27 PM) : 

I love it. So girly and feminine. Very cute.

www.FashionSnag.com

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (4:32 PM) : 

oh I love this.

very doll like and fun, she looks like she's from another world. I'd never wear this but i can definitely see the appeal.

 

Blogger taryn said ... (4:40 PM) : 

Beautiful photo.
Her fringe is just too perfect.

~taryn xx

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (4:46 PM) : 

amazing picture so beautiful girl

http://thescentofobsession.blogspot.com/

 

Blogger Goliath said ... (4:51 PM) : 

Wow! Amazing shot, was this really photographed on the street? Anyway, thank you for posting up a lolita outfit! Very cute & elegant~

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (5:18 PM) : 

she is so cute! I would love to see this style finally take off in America so that I can finally wear my own lolita dresses out in public without strange comments from people I don't even know. It would be so wonderful.

 

Blogger Hannah said ... (5:25 PM) : 

Big fan of the Lolita style. Beautiful!

 

Blogger JV said ... (5:51 PM) : 

Amazing. I normally wouldn't like this kind of thing but she pulls if off.

 

Blogger Leyla said ... (5:56 PM) : 

Great that you've found a lolita :) Great picture!
*your posts make me miss Japan*

 

Anonymous notsurebut said ... (6:13 PM) : 

sorry maybe i'm the wrong generation but lolita not remotely getting this as a positive statement doll like once again what the hell? this is a person have we become so used to the fashion industry's portrrayal of underaged sex objects that this is the acceptable way to react to this look?

 

Blogger Unknown said ... (6:35 PM) : 

It's almost too pretty, like the beginning of a horror movie, the one where the perfect little girl turns out to be a dwarf serial killer.

 

Blogger Silvia D. Hernandez said ... (6:41 PM) : 

Lovely Lolita look!! I secretly hope for this style to get more common un Europe. We need some diversity!!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (6:42 PM) : 

@notsurebut

Before you comment, you should at least consider the context of the photo. This is a Japanese girl. I'm not saying the sexualisation of commodities does not exist in Japan, but that the Lolita subculture has very different origins and justifications to what you're suggesting.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (6:44 PM) : 

@ notsurebut.

you can react to the look however you see fit, there is no right or wrong way to react to it. you either like it or you dont and no one is "wrong".

regardless of whatever hidden sexual meaning there are to this look, it is a legitimate fashion movement. (or so my 10 minute research on it shows)

I think its very very cute and whimsical. if I was younger I'd be all over this.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (6:49 PM) : 

wow!! I believe Tokyo is a million years ahead of us in fashion! This young girl looks amazing...so inspiring!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (6:50 PM) : 

She looks like a doll!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (6:56 PM) : 

to clarify...

"lolita" is not a statement meant towards the girl wearing this but it's the name of the fashion. the point of this fashion is to look "doll like".

according to wearers of the fashion the name of the fashion has little connection to Vladimir novakov's book and the current meaning of the word "lolita".


the fashion revolves around modesty (with knee length skirts being a must it seems) and not being overtly provocative. its heavily influenced by Victorian and Rococo fashion which is why I suppose a certain level of modesty is key.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (7:00 PM) : 

notsurebut,

If you view a woman in her early 20s who is showing no more visible skin than just her hands and her face as an "underaged sex object," I am truly concerned for you. I won't deny that there are people in this world who fetishize dolls, and may find this look sexual because it is very similar in appearance to a Victorian doll's, but these deviant people should not influence how women wish to dress themselves.

Lolita is not a sexual fashion. It is more akin to a rebellion against the sexualized fashions of mini skirts and skin-tight tank tops. It is the opposite of all that modern fashion culture has done to uncover the skin and increase the cleavage of teen girls.

But we don't wear it because of all that. We wear it because we love it, and we love ourselves in it.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (7:13 PM) : 

@notsurebut

Lolita isn't being used as an adjective for the look, it's the name of the Japanese street fashion that this look is part of, specifically Classic Lolita.

Unfortunately, the name of Lolita will always get people to assume that girls wearing Lolita are trying to be sexually appealing as little girls (first thing that comes to mind is the stripper scene from V for Vendetta). Often girls will don the clothes for quite the opposite; many would never wear short shorts and a cleavage-revealing tanktop.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (7:13 PM) : 

what do they call this style in japan? like her naturalness. actually reminds me of laura ashley dresses of early 80's that even trailblazing professional women were wearing, myself included (back in the dark ages, most professional women in traditionally male professions (wall st. execs) in nyc were wearing Brooks Brothers' suits and bow ties from BB's teeny women's dept. on mad ave, along w/ a little adolpho. we didn't have a sort of cult..it's just that the dresses were just so pretty, feminine, soft and irresistable...and a break from trying to figure out how to be taken seriously in a man's world.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (7:13 PM) : 

@notsurebut: I can't even understand what you're saying. o.O
But anyways, this fashion isn't about dressing for other people, it's about girls dressing for themselves how THEY want to dress. They could care less about what other people think. It's all about doing something to make yourself beautiful and more self confident.
Also, most of the girls who wear this style seriously are grown adults who can even afford to wear this style. Brands dresses can sell for hundreds of dollars, and accessories aren't exactly cheap either. >_>

 

Blogger lintmag said ... (7:22 PM) : 

I think this look was fun and innovative when it started years ago, but it is time for something NEW, young people of Japan and America, too. I am tired of seeing recycled looks with nothing different added to them.
She is a pretty girl, but just a clone of many with this outfit.

 

Anonymous Imogen said ... (7:43 PM) : 

@notsurebut... Since when does porcelain doll = underage sex object?

Personally I think she looks gorgeous and hits the perfect note between cute and creepy. :)

 

Anonymous fauvette said ... (7:51 PM) : 

Haha, what? You're thinking about the wrong lolita. This is a fashion for women. It's not about sexualizing little girls.

 

Blogger Alice In Fashionland said ... (7:58 PM) : 

I want that dress!! So beautiful!

whatislifebutadream.blogspot.com

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (8:21 PM) : 

I don't know what 'notsurebut' problem is, but look up the lolita handbook. the fashion lolita and the book are not related. and I don't see anything sexual about this dress, especially since this girl is probably in her 20's.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (8:25 PM) : 

@ notsurebut

It's not portraying underaged sex objects. It's actually far from that.

It's a style that rejects mainstream and draws from the Rococo modesty for inspiration for whimsical and sophisticated clothing

 

Blogger Suzy Wu said ... (9:10 PM) : 

love it when your photo generates discussions =)

 

Blogger Holier than Now said ... (9:13 PM) : 

this debate is kind of snoozy to me

love this photo; that's all

xo holier

 

Blogger Juju said ... (9:24 PM) : 

This fabric is so cute and the details of the bottom part are awesome!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (9:44 PM) : 

I'm finding this pictures from Japan so amazing and strange. It really does feel like an alien world. This one has such a weird and sinister quality. The still and the stare give the sense of something wild (and mad?) suppressed. As an aesthetic I find it unpleasant; as an expression of an idea, thought provoking.

Together, these pictures give such a feel for Japanese fashion sensibility and its extraordinary variety and inventiveness. They're an education. I love the guy in the picture below - if I could find a waistcoat with that rumpled charm I'd be a happy girl.

 

Blogger i.c. blogspot said ... (10:25 PM) : 

wonderfully delightful

 

Blogger Kuroneko-Hime said ... (11:06 PM) : 

Wonderful. Thanks for sharing this.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (11:09 PM) : 

lovee the dress<3

Sarii.

 

Anonymous Takeru said ... (11:24 PM) : 

Very cute!

 

Anonymous interinobaba said ... (11:39 PM) : 

Hey, people--let's get real here, and cut "not sure but" a little slack. Japanese society is extremely sexist. It ranks way below most other advanced industrialized nations on the U.N.'s "Gender Empowerment Index"--and we all know about "kawaii" (cute) culture and the infantilization of girls/women. Sure, lolita can be subversive and edgy--but it's also playing with the whole idea that women in their 20s (and sometimes even older) can look and sound like they're about 13, and get rewarded for it. Given what a lot of Japanese women have to cope with in adulthood, maybe it makes sense not to grow up!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (11:39 PM) : 

As usual the Americans just don't get it; the tendency to impose their own values on another culture precludes them from being able to. This girl is one of thousands of young people who participate in the street culture of Japan, which is codified with most complex set of stylistic gestures, attitudes and references... Perhaps if they visited Tokyo they might possibly begin to see how much more sophisticated Japanese culture is than their own - they even 'do' American clothing better!

 

Blogger À LA MODEST said ... (11:43 PM) : 

What a discussion going on over here! I like the way Lolita fashion is so modest, but some have tried to alter it by showing a bit more leg and chest than usual. That's where the style becomes sexual.. it's mixing innocent little girl inspired outfits into something more adult. Just like how uniforms are turned into sexy costumes. The classic Lolita in itself is quite elegant and very decent.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (12:01 AM) : 

It makes me wonder, these Japanese girls that dress like dolls or lolis in all their variants, how do they manage with money? Do they dress more average some days and put the amazing dresses on only from time to time? Are they all just insanely rich... or in huge, painful amounts or debt?

Because you simply can't wear that dress often without getting tired of it very quickly.

In any case, they are usually interesting-looking, and in some cases (like this one) a wonderful surprise!

 

Blogger Sarah said ... (12:04 AM) : 

@kagitsune - I like this idea of the "Sweet Lolita." In my circles of acquaintance over the years, I've seen far too many young women (East and West) doing the dark, flamboyant, very accessorized Gothic Lolita look. I thought that was the only Lolita look, actually. But I like the light storybook freshness of this Sweet Lolita look.

I would love to examine the scene on the skirt more closely!

It's unfortunate that the Lolita style name is going to be linked with the idea of a Nabokov Lolita by many. Should have gone with another famous child name...Shirley (Temple)? Alice (in Wonderland)?

cloudofsecrets.blogspot.com

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (12:18 AM) : 

It's all about fantasy, no matter the country, designer, era or genre. What is so compelling when looking at fashion in Japan is that most of the young men and women one sees really are doll-like, no matter what they wear, and they become one with the look they choose to convey. I knew we'd be seeing some thought provoking photos from Japan!

 

Anonymous Tebonin said ... (12:56 AM) : 

The reason of this kind of cute stuff only can find in Japan is because they are very brave and believe in their own fashion. Love it.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (1:59 AM) : 

Odd I have the very same BTSSB JSK hanging in my closet, thinking abt selling it as the print is from almost two years ago.

Also Lolita is mostly comprise of the modesty agenda a sort of rebellion from the over sexual world we live in. Also most Lolita's range from 17-24 as dress are around 300 to 400 dollar not including accessories, because most young girls parents are not willing to paying so much when building a wardrobe.

 

Anonymous Kazuko said ... (2:27 AM) : 

she's a little creepy but i love the attitude! very nice shot - the bright light. makes her look like a ghost.

 

Blogger Sista said ... (3:34 AM) : 

I agree..scary sweet

 

Blogger Sista said ... (3:43 AM) : 

To be precise,Gothic Lolita is one of the subcategories of the Lolita look. Other categories include "Classic Lolita" (more traditional, light-coloured, also more mature-looking) and "Sweet Lolita" (childish pastel-coloured clothes, lots of lace and ribbons).

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (3:46 AM) : 

I'm all for personal style and self-expression, but damn, I find the phenomenon of women deliberately infantalizing themselves really disturbing. Playing a kid-style dress off of some grungy boots and rocker hair I can see; this... no.

 

Blogger Dominica said ... (3:51 AM) : 

I would kill to look as good as her in that dress ... it's not something every1 can rock. I'm totally in love with the print on the dress ; gets your inspiration runnin' doesn't it ?

 

Anonymous ClockworkAngel said ... (4:18 AM) : 

She is absolutely gorgeous!
THANK you for picturing a lolita girl and getting it right rather than portraying another over-the-top-cupcake of a girl like other mainstream people do.

 

Blogger tiarastrash said ... (4:28 AM) : 

Ha. ha. loving the crazy chat, but love the picture more!
http://tiarastrash.wordpress.com

 

Blogger Move said ... (5:23 AM) : 

wow, shes so beautiful!

 

Blogger MELISSA Z. said ... (5:43 AM) : 

This photo is simply perfect! wow!

www.abitoffashion.com

 

Blogger Julia, the Thanksgiving Girl said ... (6:54 AM) : 

What a doll she is :)

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (7:12 AM) : 

Love her style. Hey, sometimes a girl just wants to wear a pretty frock.

 

Blogger Adéla S. said ... (7:20 AM) : 

It' amazing how people look just so natural on your pictures, no matter what they wear.

 

Blogger Unknown said ... (8:34 AM) : 

like a doll...


http://louis-myfashionshow.blogspot.com/

 

Anonymous Becquie said ... (8:42 AM) : 

A stunning photograph but, personally, I find this style rather nauseating.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (9:41 AM) : 

THIS is scary or creepy? Why do you consider this kid fashion, what kids look like that nowadays? Fashion changes... What about the american (?) phenomena of beauty pageants for kids?

/Marie

 

Blogger Kar said ... (11:03 AM) : 

tooo cute, My blog is just on japanese fashion

 

Blogger Nicoletta said ... (11:22 AM) : 

evanescente mi piace!

 

Anonymous Naomi said ... (11:40 AM) : 

It's true that Japan is still a very sexist culture.

However, to put things in their correct context, mainstream men/society in Japan do NOT want women to dress in this style, nor do they find it attractive (certainly there is a minority that does, but some people find squishing bugs with your feet sexy so...).

These girls refuse to "grow up", show some skin, and become sexual objects as is expected of Japanese women. If you have spent some time there (I lived there until 17) you'll see that the "mainstream" is of teeny tiny miniskirts, stilleto heels, tons of makeup, and a bippy attitude. Lolita style may be girly but it's THEIR way, by THEIR rules.

It's hard to see from a western perspective, but they
are really subverting what is expected of them. They refuse to grow up and be housewives! They put themselves first.

 

Blogger JP said ... (11:43 AM) : 

She looks like a life size doll

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (11:54 AM) : 

Hi Sartorialist- lovely photo's of Toyko peeps- one thing that resonates throughout is how slim people are, especially the men,
Starbucks fraps or no Starbucks fraps!

Anno

 

Blogger ChYmEc!nDy** said ... (12:16 PM) : 

Love that dress.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (12:20 PM) : 

I learned alot about this Lolita look from all these comments. And it makes me wonder... if this style is a rebellion against mainstream/oversexualized fashion and culture, what will happen if and when this Lolita look becomes mainstream? They say fashion is cyclical, so will micro-mini bandage dresses become the ammunition of choice at that point?

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (12:29 PM) : 

Scott - will you be visiting any other countries while in Asia? Would love to see shots from other Asian cities as well.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (1:29 PM) : 

Don't really like this pic...she looks spooky...

 

Blogger Angeles Almuna said ... (1:35 PM) : 

Adorable!!!!......and the creativity in Tokyo is beyond our fashion occidental world.
Besos

www.angelesalmuna.com

 

Blogger MlleV said ... (1:53 PM) : 

Mixed feelings. I can appreciate the striving for a certain look and she is truly a Japanese Alice in Wonderland. I prefer other looks more i.e. more tailored, more spontaneous ... less girly.

 

Anonymous returning scot said ... (2:25 PM) : 

Even tho I HATED to wear a dress when I was a wee girl, I'd never admit it to my parents...every-so-often it was fun to feel as though one was in some kind of fairy-tale.
Like it.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (3:52 PM) : 

I miss this style of lolita.
So sweet and simple
No cluttered ridiculously coloured prints ~

So sweet T_T

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (4:26 PM) : 

it's ok people say this is amazing,
every time we see these kind of images, most of japanese are hoping that people in other countries will not take this is ordinary ...

you can find these girls only in really small limited part of harajuku

 

Blogger thwany said ... (4:50 PM) : 

both cute and scary at the same time

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (5:09 PM) : 

Can a person have an opinion without getting skewered for it? Not liking this style of dress might not be because a person is not open to another culture, or politicizing it to mean something. Perhaps it's simply not appealing to some folks' aesthetic. Personally I enjoy seeing people wear things I might never put on, but, that said, this style of dress just seems derivative, something that imitates the past without adding something new, and not something that has an original allure to me. Sometimes a person doesn't like something simply because they don't like pink and white clothing!

 

Blogger Edenic said ... (5:31 PM) : 

Nice dress.

 

Blogger Unknown said ... (6:06 PM) : 

wooow!!!! Love it love it!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (7:35 PM) : 

Anonymous 5:09

It goes both ways. If you're brave enough to voice an opinion, be prepared to have it shut down.

Hopefully, a lot of people learned something about fashion through this photo.

 

Blogger Izzen said ... (8:02 PM) : 

De-LICIOUS.

http://izzenxoxo.blogspot.com/

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (8:53 PM) : 

OMG! This is a feminist's nightmare. I can find no justification for the infantilisation of this ADULT.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (9:33 PM) : 

it's interesting that there is all this intense discussion about the kind of sexuality/or lack of portrayed by this style of japanese fashion- while on the left side of the moniter is an ad for American Apparel, of a girl wearing only lacy black underpants.

Sexuality and femininity in fashion is unavoidable no matter where we are. It's good to be aware of it, but I guess every culture has it's own way of expressing itself. No need to judge too quickly, I think.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (9:53 PM) : 

Another anononymous.....I'm with 3:46am Anonymous. I get the idea, I like the creepiness, I really enjoy the distinctive creativity of much Japanese fashion, but I find the idea of a grown woman doing this without an undercutting element, a reference, a hint of some kind that she's playing with the idea just...odd, especially in a society which is often deeply sexist. I find this as unsettling as pre-teens in the West who are dressed in a deliberately sexy manner, in cut-down versions of older women's clothes. This woman doesn't feel to me like she's owning herself and her body, but rather running away from it.

 

Blogger Milt-fresh_best-dressed said ... (12:24 AM) : 

LOVE THE CLASSIC EARLY WESTERN FLAIR THAT EXPLODEZ WITH COLOR

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (1:51 AM) : 

The dress is pretty, especially the pattern.

But dressing up young girls as dolls is a bit creepy.

 

Anonymous rottenfish said ... (3:57 AM) : 

great shoot, not fond of girls of this sort though

 

Blogger NobodyKnowsMarc said ... (7:15 AM) : 

nice picture...
www.nobodyknowsmarc.blogspot.com

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (9:23 AM) : 

Adorable!! There's no place like Tokyo for amazing street style!

Miss B xx

http://agirlastyle.wordpress.com/

 

Anonymous men's t-shirts said ... (12:51 PM) : 

What beautiful material

 

Anonymous danielle said ... (1:56 PM) : 

The whole point of lolita is to be a little bit on the creepy side and I think it is completely aware of the infantilization of women's fashion. In many regards, it's very similar to punk, goth, etc. Goths and punks don't wake up in the morning and go, "what? people feel my style isolates me from the mainstream?," just like drag queens don't wake up and go, "what? people think my profession flirts with the notion of gender?" Lolita's aim, like the aim of all subcultural fashion, has never been to be approachable. There are women who are approachable who dress in the lolita style but they are all aware that they are dressing in a limited subculture that usually turns people from the mainstream off. The point of lolita is fantasy and, thus, it's no surprise that lolita fashion companies flourish during times of economic hardship. The creepiness of lolita is inevitable. Classic lolita companies group with gothic lolita and gothic elegant aristocrat companies in advertisements in magazines like the EGL Bible--which also promotes a common pool of musicians [Kana, Moi dix Mois,, etc.] It's clear there is a common intersection between classic and gothic lolita--and that intersection tends to fall into the creepier side of mainstream sentiments. I suppose it is a little bit surprising people are speaking about this photo as if she doesn't know precisely the impact her style has on its viewer. This girl has opted to be part of a subculture and she knows the implications and connotations of that subculture's visual impact on the viewer. As such, I feel like it's as appropriate to criticize her for sexualizing youth as it is to criticize a drag queen for sexualizing women. The point is to both shock and surprise the viewer that THE VIEWER sexualizes what they do--and not the dresser herself.

 

Anonymous Vincent said ... (2:11 PM) : 

haha, as someone who lives in Georgia, I first thought: "that must be really hot!" but I guess it's not 90 degrees in Japan yet.

 

Blogger Caylen said ... (3:47 PM) : 

Such a doll!


xx
cayliek.blogpsot.com

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (4:15 PM) : 

what a lovely dress!

 

Anonymous notsurebut said ... (5:36 PM) : 

wow debate i love it! i've logged on to this site for quite a while, seen, in the majority scott's fantastic images from across the world and become pretty bored with the response of oh how cute, oh great look, oh loving this, wish i looked like this blah blah i throw a wee little comment in (see above) and we have a discussion. hopefully there will be more of this because all these images definately deserve a little more effort from all of us "skewered" or not!

 

Blogger Unknown said ... (11:30 PM) : 

I am loving the PICNIC type of details on the dress, I would have loved it even more if the sweet thing were smiling!! Would have felt more Picnic like :) :)

 

Blogger Anastasia said ... (1:53 AM) : 

kinda creepy...

 

Blogger Cateaclysmic said ... (8:12 AM) : 

So simple, classic and elegant I adore this style much more than the super cotton candy sweet version of Lolita we see so much.

I wear the fashion and I have no desire to look like a child these clothes are so beautiful and detailed they express a woman's beauty and femininity. I don't think she looks like a child at all but a very elegant young adult, saying that I am more acustomed to the fashion that I no longer view it as out if the ordinary.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (3:18 PM) : 

This appeals to me on a cerebral level, as one of my guilty pleasures is Japanese horror films, which are often infused with erotic imagery and content. This young woman's expression puts me smack in the middle of one of these disturbing plots - the softness of her costume like a lullaby meant to erase any unease I feel at the back of my neck. Wonderful.
Sher13163

 

Blogger Mumei said ... (3:30 PM) : 

Little Loveables - The lolita scene showed up in North America in the late 90s early 00s. Most of them were goth-lolis though.

While I applaud the level of craftsmanship and hardwork that goes into these outfits (many of the owners make them themselves) and just how beautiful they are, the style is off putting because of the child like image mixed with the ideals of staying young and cutesy forever.

I thought the lolita scene was dying in Japan.

 

Blogger asuka ☆ said ... (6:48 PM) : 

Nice to see someone wearing lolita-fashion here.
I wear lolita myself, and no, it's not because I want to look like a child, be a feminist's nightmare or to rebel against anything. I like the clothes because I think they are pretty and elegant and they are so much more ME than regular jeans and t-shirt - it's just a personal choice of style.

Of course I can't speak for the girl on the picture, but maybe this can clear some confusion as to why someone would dress that way...

 

Blogger Victoria said ... (8:57 PM) : 

A Japanese Alice in Wonderland.

 

Anonymous Jenny said ... (10:20 AM) : 

oh wow i love that!! now splash a little blood... give her white eyes... yea. perfect ;)

 

Anonymous Sapna said ... (3:19 PM) : 

Yeah, I wonder where the sexualizing lies - maybe it's the beholder... The Lolita name contributes a lot how we (in the Western world) perceive it. Interesting discussion - now I get the context of the Baby The Stars Shine Bright store in my neighborhood in Paris (on Ave. Ledru-Rollin in the 11ème arr.).

 

Blogger M.L.Davis said ... (5:26 PM) : 

Reminds me of the woman from the movie "Shutter".

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (1:43 AM) : 

ah its so bizzare to see this here.

while reading through most of these comments it became painfully obvious how very little the world knows about japan and its 'crazy' fashions.

Lolita fashion is not "new" and definitely not a trend. its a subculture that's been around since mid to late 80's. most of japans "crazy harajuku trends" are infact more than just crazy clothes but japanese subcultures. much like America has its goths, punks,psycho-billy etc japan has its Lolitas, spank, mori, clubkids etc

these are not trends in fashion that people just wear and get over and find something new and weird to wear. but clothes that are deeply tied to the persons lifestyle, likes and dislikes etc, much like american subcultures it really is more than just clothes but a reflection of whatever they're into.

so no its not a 'trend' that has "passed" it was never a trend. people who look this way are very very few and far between (although lolitas are more popular now than ever, and even then there are not enough of them to call this a "trend" just a weird group of girls as far as most of japans public is concerned) and there is a bit of a social stigma tied to people of this (or any) subculture. they don't quite fit in with the public at large and are considered a bit "weird" by most. much like in america not everyone is say punk or goth...only... a bit worse. to brake of from the norm in in japan is far more taboo than it is in west.

 

Anonymous gwenfrew said ... (12:09 PM) : 

I love Japan and its contrast. Both the past and present meshed up perfectly. The dress is age-appropriate and has a dreamy effect on me. But it also sends chill to my spine. She reminds me of the girl from the movie "The Ring". It's her eyes, found it creepy. Sorry!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (6:31 PM) : 

i love her blank expression more than anything else, it's such a sharp contrast from her sweet dress. creepy!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (6:36 AM) : 

I love it! Alice in TokyoLand.

I'm always saddened seeing little girls dressed like slobs in the same pair of blue jeans everyone and their grandmothers are wearing these days. They aren't going to wear jeans and a tee-shirt anywhere important in their lives - unless they end up working for a landscaping company.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (5:30 PM) : 

Anonymous said ... (7:13 PM) :

I, too, loved the Laura Ashley '80s look and I'm trying to figure out how to mix some of those elements in my wardrobe today without looking overly twee or as if I'm in costume.

But this girl, while very pretty of course, looks cartoonish to me.

 

Blogger Orhedea said ... (11:10 AM) : 

Ah! In love with that dress!!!

 

Blogger Krickelin said ... (3:17 AM) : 

I love it.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (1:21 PM) : 

Baby, the Stars Shine Bright!!

I too was wondering when a Lolita would pop up on here. I think that particular dress is a couple years old if my memory serves me right.

There's a novel made into a movie called Kamikaze Girls that features a Baby the Stars Shine Bright-obsessed Lolita. Fun read neat flick.

 

Anonymous Maria Rinaldi said ... (4:24 PM) : 

So adorable!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (7:32 AM) : 

just lovely

 

Blogger Zbarsky said ... (5:42 AM) : 

beautttiifuull lighting!!

 

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