Responsive Japanese: the Acceptance of Gothic Lolita

This research explores how Japanese present their creativity and thought to complete different categories style of Gothic Lolita by using different apparel and accessories, the responsive, acceptance of Japanese about Gothic Lolita style and why?The first part of the analysis will discuss the different categories of Gothic Lolita style and how to wear in order to complete the style. The reports also outline the point of view by Japanese, why Gothic Lolita have influence a lot of Japanese's life through their acceptance.

Gothic Lolita gets its name from the dark and scary aspect of the Gothic, but from the detailed and distinct style of dark elegance and Gothic style. Gothic Lolita shares the Lolita's quest for innocence and elegance. It is said that the Lolita and Gothic Lolita cultures of Japanese enjoy a tight-knit community that is a nurturing place for otherwise-misfit kids to enjoy. It is a place where nostalgia for a simpler time is embraced and played upon.

Japanese Street Fashion is the best and most flamboyant outfits. Gothic Lolita is a street fashion among Japanese teenagers and young women, some men participate in this fashion as well. It is emphasizes Victorian-style and Edwardian fashion girl's clothing and aims to imitate the look of Victorian porcelain dolls.The important elements for Victorian style or Victorian porcelain dolls are puff sleeves, low neckline, bell shape, crinoline and corset with lot of laces decorations.

Gothic Lolita, as a more specific subset of Lolita fashion, has a great deal in common with Lolita style, in particular the nostalgic drive. One Lolita writes,

" Personally, I like the Gothic Lolita fashion because it's complicated and elegant and a return to an older time..."

However, Wikipedia mentioned that Gothic Lolita are often ‘Band-Gals', obsessive followers of one or more rock bands.

Many Japanese teens are not followers of a trend dictated from the top of the fashion food chain but are the creators of trends (and often their own clothing as well) that are then taken up by the fashion industry.

Gothic Lolita was and popularized by the imagery of some Visual Kei (or "visual rock") bands. Malice Mizer (pronounced Marisu Miseru) is a Visual Kei band (disband now), former leader and guitarist of Malice Mizer, Mana, is commonly given credit for starting the Gothic Lolita style. In 1999, he founded his own fashion label, Moi-même-Moitié, for which he coined the terms Elegant Gothic Lolita (EGL) and Elegant Gothic Aristocrat (EGA). Mana, a male, regularly appears in the Gothic & Lolita Bible, modeling his own Victorian-inspired designs with heavy Gothic makeup and big hair.

The popularity of Gothic Lolita as a very distinct style and community peaked around 2004 and 2005 in Tokyo. Its popularity outside Tokyo is slowly rising or at its peak in many areas, and the related maid cafe phenomenon still slowly growing.

The responsive of Japanese to the acceptance of Gothic Lolita not only the reflection of Japanese super high fashion sense and perseverance in fashion, but tell us something also of the Japanese society and Japanese culture, why the Gothic Lolita can be a vogue in Japanese Street Fashion.

Japanese are fashion-conscious people, especially teens and young adults. Fashion is highly embedded in Japanese society, with trends and new styles clearly visible throughout the country. Culture, tradition, and, of course, income, play a huge
role in determining the way in which people dress as well as the reasons behind it and Japanese possessing disposable incomes, it's no wonder that so many are willing and able to immerse themselves into the fashion world.

What follows is an analysis of different categories of the Gothic Lolita style presented by Japanese with using various apparel and accessories and the responsive, acceptance of Japanese about Gothic Lolita style and why?

The term used for a young lady or man that dresses in clothes reminiscent of Victorian dolls. Frills, lace, dresses, skirts, petticoats, and head-dresses are all very common with Lolita fashion. Accessories most Lolita carry around are teddy bears and parasols. Make-up is used sparingly, save for some cases in the Gothic Lolita look, and the idea is to look innocent and cute so skin isn't flaunted or shown unless it has to be. Lolita aim is to look like Victorian dolls. Full outfits can be bought secondhand or from stores that are strictly meant to sell Lolita outfits. Some Lolita prefers to make their own clothes. Hand sewn garments are combined with a mix of items from trendy city store.

Gothic Lolita Fashion had form a vogue in Japanese Street Fashion but why? Their choice of style is more than just a fashion statement; it is also a way of their life. This could reminiscent of Japanese society and Japanese culture.

Japanese street fashion is a fashion which far more elaborates from other country's fashion. The emphasis on uniqueness leads a lot of Lolita creates their own outfit.

Japanese street fashion is a rebellion against the conventions of a consumer based culture. There are very distinct styles can be found in Japanese street fashion, ranging from absolutely ridiculous to not-so-out-of-the-ordinary. But, their rebellion is being recycled back into the system which means these street fashion kids radical fashion has become the inspiration for local designers.

It is a chance for these Lolita to embrace the hyper-celebrity culture of Japan and integrate it top-down into their own lives. Some Lolita are inclined to dress up like their favorite celebrities, for example, Mana, again. Other go with their own variation of anime character, less like a direct imitation and more like an integration of anime style into their own wardrobes, for example, some Lolita will dress up themselves like the character in Alice in Wonderland.

The Gothic Lolita look is an amazing contrast of innocence and sexuality. The child-like physical look of young Japanese women contributes to this alluring illusion. As we all know, the Japanese have some of the most interesting fetishes and sexual habits of any culture on Earth. Female youth have long been exciting to older Japanese males and the innocence of looking like a child may appeal to these women because of the powerful sexual allure but also because it presents a way for them to escape growing up at least for the moments they are dressed in the Gothic Lolita style.

Nostalgia is a strong impulse during periods when the contemporary world is frightening or uncertain. In fact, Japanese people don't want to be growing up so quickly. Japanese culture places a high value upon extremely youthful appearance and behavior than any Western, and some adult women buy large amounts of products, such as Hello Kitty goods, that are typically marketed only to children in the West. Gothic Lolita fashion is perhaps a more visible extension of this phenomenon. Lolita don't just dress the part, they act the part, too. Hunched shoulders and pigeon toes, their body language is distinctly and purposely childish. It is a form of escapism, a way for them to spend time away from the high pressure Japanese society. Japanese peoples would like to stay young mentally and socially.

Unique and Distinctive is the best word used to describe the Japanese. They are self-admiration and they are very dare to trying something that is bizarre. But there is nothing wrong with it. They style aids in making the social lives of these Japanese more light-hearted and sweet, and it gives them a chance to express themselves very creatively. Trying to look young and elegant all at once is a purely Japanese phenomenon. Possibly this Gothic Lolita fashion look holds the allure for them as does the ‘Romantic Gothic', Victorian or Renaissance, style in the West. That allure of a more cordial and better dressed time in history. Or perhaps these young Japanese are just following a trend to be a part of the conformity of a bigger crowd.

Fashion today is not only about clothes but it is also reflects on one's self-esteem, self-definition, self-image, self-personality and one's culture or society. It is to present owns creativity, idea and identity of someone.