This week's topic is interesting food for thought.
What would I like to see in the future for lolita fashion? Well, I have some lofty dreams, some aspirations, and a nostalgia for a time gone that could return.
I would like to see a:
...decent documentary on a major streaming site like Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon.
This of course is a lofty dream. There have been many amazing, short documentaries published on Youtube but which don't attract a large audience. We've also seen a few disasters of television appearances and bad celebrity spotlights. I honestly don't want the fashion to become mainstream at all, since the niche aspect is what makes lolita special and pure. But I do wish outsiders would have a legitimate resource and might be more accepting and less judgmental about us.
...return to the sense of mutual support and camaraderie among lolitas online.
I want to see an end to shaming and bullying on anonymous websites. Before lolita became readily available overseas, the international community was much smaller and more like a group of friends and mutual mentors. Today, there are plenty of groups to help beginners, but people seem to be more willing to criticize and make fun of each other online than actually help or just appreciate that not everyone has the same experience or skill level. Let's stop being jealous and mean and petty, and let's rebuild that sense of camaraderie.
...return to an emphasis on casual, wearable dresses and coordinates.
I know I keep repeating myself on this subject, but I really hope to see more appreciation for simple coordinates in the future. Old-school is returning slowly, and I am slowly seeing more people feel comfortable again sharing photos of everyday outfits. I want AP and BTSSB to start releasing simpler prints and less expensive dresses. Not every release needs four different kinds of lace, five detachable parts, six motifs combined into one, and seven figure prices!
...physical store in San Francisco for Innocent World.
Of course part of me would die to work here, but I don't have the education or drive to be the one to open such a store. However, my dream would be a branch here in the U.S. that might also have a space for local indie brands to display appropriate accessories. Not only do I think an Innocent World store would get more foot traffic from tourists because it is more wearable than AP or BTSSB, but it would also mean increased business for my favorite brand.
What would you like to see for the future of this fashion? Let me know in the comments, I'm really interested in your ideas and dreams.
Image credit to Tokyo Rebel
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I feel you in every single thing that you wrote about this weeks topic. An IW brand store would be so awesome! Especially with the a small section in the store for indie brands. Really like that idea! It is nice to read that we have a similar view for the fashion as well, less bashing and more love for casual coords.
ReplyDeleteIf this happens, I know you'll come visit ;)
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ReplyDeleteI don't think there are more mean lolitas. If we look at BtB, there are less and less secrets. And on FB, some support groups exist. So I think things are better than years ago.
It's very nice to see that a lot of people would like more Casual lolita ! We need to wear lolita outside of big events too ! I do love big OTT coords like the ones at Omnia Vanitas. But lolita would only survive if we remember its roots : it was a street fashion first ! :)
I agree that there aren't more mean lolitas recently, but there has definitely been even less lolivalentines and such.
DeleteYes! Lolita is a street fashion first and foremost :)
I didn't think about a documentary on a more mainstream website, that's such a good idea. As you said, there are good ones available on YouTube, but I think that its accessibility and ease of posting content there makes it a bit less believable or trustworthy as a resource for some people. Conversely, having something available on Netflix, which has its fair share of well respected documentaries, might be helpful in convincing some people (especially thinking here about the younger beginners who often struggle with their close ones not understanding and therefore not supporting their fashion choices). And also, as great as some of the documentaries on YouTube are, something longer that went more in-depth would just be incredibly interesting to watch.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree on everything you just said. I hadn't considered about younger lolitas who would appreciate something legitimate to show their family and friends, but that is a really good point.
DeleteI agree with all of those, only replace "Innocent World in San Francisco" with "any brand anywhere in Australia", lol. I think we will see more casual coordinates though, a lot of people seem to be expressing a desire for that so I feel it's only a matter of time.
ReplyDeletexD your comment reminds me of One Day in Paradise. That was a bit of a mess, but it was something!
DeleteI agree on more simple stuff, like finding a simple ivory blouse to wear with skirts is like not very easy. All blouses seems to made with dresses only in mind lately.
ReplyDeleteThat's very true. I might suggest looking at Innocent World though if you haven't already - most of their blouses have ties in the back and ruffles on the bottom to go well with skirts since they release skirts pretty regularly.
DeleteSadly I am a few cm too big for IW, otherwise I have gone for them.
DeleteI'm so with you on the emphasis on casual lolita, especially with what is available online from the brands! More printless, casual and cutsew type items would be awesome, and might even inspire a higher frequency of wear (since it'd be more practical).
ReplyDeleteI agree, I miss cutsews so much!
DeleteI agree so much about the casual and wearable outfits. For me, lolita is pretty much only casual, cause I don't wear it out. I still wear it 4 - 5 times a week, but I feel I am not pretty (perfect) enough in my outfits to really post them.
ReplyDeleteHaving an Innocent World store in SF wouldn't help me much, unless they had an English online shop with a shopping cart system. I really do wish there were some way I could order from IW with such a system!
If IW did have a SF store, they would probably have an online shop (I'm pretty sure that the online store is what helps keep the BTSSB and AP stores afloat...)
DeleteI'm impressed you wear loltia 4-5 times a week!
I agree with you so much on the second and third points!
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