Atelopus Cruciger

July in Japan #3

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 10:36:04 GMT

Well, I may just be a newbie with no authority, but I've been seeing a whole lot of lolitas lately. I ran into one in Akiba, one in Sapporo-eki, and one at the Sapporo summer festival - that's not including the flocks of girls shopping at the brand stores at MaruiOne, Takeshita-doori, and the Sapporo Aruta building. So, I figured I'd share a little of what I've seen.

Gothic and lolita have broken up? In Sapporo and Tokyo I saw a lot of lolitas and quite a few goths, but the styles didn't seem to have any intersection. Ouji and male aristocrat styles were far more common. In Shinjuku MaruiOne was packed with shoppers, but the gothic section of Kera Shop Angel was completely deserted; a large display of Atelier Boz lucky packs was sitting idly with no takers. In Sapporo I saw quite a few sweet and classic outfits, but no gothic lolita or female-role EGA styles at all. However, when I talked to non-lolita people about lolita, the word that came up the most often was "gosurori." Maybe gothic lolita is becoming more of a cosplay style. It's a shame, because the dark and decadent aesthetic is so interesting, but I feel like the big gothic brands (MMM and Lapin Agil) haven't come up with anything innovative lately. Maybe that's why sweet has taken over right now.

Lolita is accepting of everyone? Middle-aged lolitas, plus-size (by North American standards) lolitas, obvious brolitas... all kinds were there. Not all Japanese lolitas look like the ones in Kera or GLB.

Loyal to a brand until death? Head-to-toe brand co-ordinates were pretty common. I can understand why, since brands take such good care of their customers. When I went to Metamorphose in an Alice and the Pirates skirt, they treated me the same as when I came there wearing non-lolita clothes. But when I went into Alice and the Pirates in that skirt, the shop girls fawned over me, started suggesting co-ordinates, and helped me in and out of my clothes. I felt like a princess!

One size really does fit all? Before I came here, I was shocked by how tiny brand sizes were. But compared to clothes of similar price in mainstream Japanese department stores, brand clothes are a lot larger - the classic brands are about a size medium, and AP and Meta's shirring panel items are more like a size L or XL. I saw some girls so thin they were swimming in their brand clothes! So, although I wish brands made larger sizes, their sizes seem sufficient for the vast majority of their customer base.

What is brand? I'm in love with Atelier Pierrot and Mille Fleurs right now. Even if they may not be major brands, I'd choose their clothes over Mary Magdalene any day!

Japan really has a lolita aesthetic! Some of the off-brand frilled parasols, lacy swimsuits, and ribbon cardigans I saw in MaruiCity were a lot cuter than their brand equivalents. And it's easy to find loliable accessories like lacy knee-socks, crown rings, and sweets jewellery.

I don't want to go back! Heh, but I'm going through money way too quickly, plus I'm halfway through the length of my stay. I'll be hyped to come back and see everybody!

July in Japan #2

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 13:19:57 GMT

Alice and the Pirates corset skirt

Innocent World chess print skirt

Metamorphose shirred blouse

Metamorphose heart frill shoes

I also got a very nice bordeaux Atelier Pierrot corset skirt with an adjustable hem length, an off-brand headbow that goes with the brown skirt, and cream lace-trimmed knee highs from Kutsushitaya.

I met a lolita at the Sapporo summer festival today. Her name was Akane. We were wearing the same colours and we took a picture together; will upload it soon.

I'm spending too much time talking about lolita, but honestly there's so much other stuff to talk about I don't know where to begin, so I'm self-censoring.

July in Japan #1

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:02:33 GMT

Today was my first day in Tokyo. Seeing it so many times in photos has made it strangely familiar to me. I think the Germans have a word for "nostalgia for somewhere you've never been." It would be apropos.
At Asakusa Shrine, two great Akita hounds lapped at the healing waters of the fountain of the Dragon King. For a second I felt guilty about my materialism. Then I looked around and saw the temple market, selling votive tablets and good luck charms displayed side-by-side with Chinese bric-a-brac.

The LaForet mall in Harajuku was surreal. Sweet and gothic shops alternated. Angelic Pretty with its sugary hues seemed to beckon from amidst the darkness of Atelier Pierrot and Putumayo. My dreams of Mary Magdalene were dashed when I attempted to try on one of their dresses. Curse my Western ribcage! Closet Child Harajuku disappointed. Brand X appears to have recently closed down; the empty windows still bear bright pink signs, but on the door below the main sign is a paper notice: "There is no store here." I bought a very nice Atelier Pierrot corset skirt. There was quite a bit of ritual and paperwork involved. Even after I decided on an item, purchasing took about 15 minutes.

Afterwards, Akihabara. Maids, eroge posters, seas of gaikokujin. We became quite lost on our way to the Tokyo Anime Center. Getting lost was more interesting than being there; I have never seen a more garish or obvious tourist trap. In search of it we wandered into a restaurant, an anime school, and a blood donation center. A cute lolita in saxon blue was sitting in the waiting room of the latter. Somehow, being surrounded by sterile white plastic made her look even sweeter, like a crocus amidst a field of snow.

Tomorrow I'm taking some non-Lolita friends to the shops in Shinjuku. I feel bad about dragging my fellow travelers around, but they seem to enjoy it. LaForet was a huge success, even among the men. I'm sort of nervous to lead a group on my own, but in a good way.

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 15:23:35 GMT

This is my dream wardrobe.
Right now, though, I only have about 40,000 yen saved up, although I might have more by the time I get to Tokyo. I wonder which items I should get? Does this set co-ordinate well together?

Ah, RUIN VIRTU is so expensive... but I guess you need to pay the price for quality.