Elegance Issue 20 August 2014
LOLITA IN PARIS
GOTHIC LOLITA STYLE HITS FRANCE
NEW BRAND A Midsommer Night’s Dream
LOLITA EVENT
Open Photoshoot in Chigago!
BODYLINE
to ship overseas
INTERVIEW WITH TRENDSETTER MINORI
Table of Contents
New Interview with Minori
The Anatomy of Gothic Lolita
A Midsommer Night’s Dream
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Cover image courtesy of photographer Yana Mio. Includes images from fanplusfriend.com, tokyofashion.com, bodyline.com, digsdgis.com
Chicago Lolita Photoshoot
BodyLine brand to ship overseas
the Lolita trend hits France
10 Crochet Tips For Petticoats
gothic style furniture sets
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Editorial othic Lolita is a fashion subculture originating in Japan based on the Victorian-era style of clothing. The look began centered around modesty and the overall quality of the garments and materials used but over the years, many different sub styles have branched off around the original Gothic Lolita look and the brand’s popularity has spread greatly beyond Japan.
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The original silhouette is of a knee length skirt or dress with a “cupcake” shape assisted by petticoats, but has expanded into various types of garments including corsets and floor length skirts. Stockings, blouses and headdresses have become integral parts of the fashion style. Mana, a famed Japanese guitarist known for his work as part of Malice Mizer and Moi dix Mois, helped the Lolita trend gain popularity in the 90s. He coined the terms “Elegant Gothic Lolita” (EGL) and “Elegant Gothic Aristocrat” (EGA) to describe his own Lolita brand Moi-mêmeMoitié, which was established in 1999. Today, it is one of the most coveted brands of the Lolita scene, even in some international markets.
My interest in the Lolita fashion trend started in 2004 when I first visited Kinokuniya, a Japanese bookstore located in New York City. As an artist, I fell in love with the princess feel to the Lolita fashion and my interest heightened the more I researched the style. The Lolita fashion trend has gained immense popularity in France and America, and more international brands continue to open up. I feel this magazine is important to help American fans of the style understand the history of Lolita fashion, as well as learn about various how-tos, brands, international markets, and Lolita venues in the United States.
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Interview with A
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Japanese fashion icon
Minori has a set a new fashion Trend in Japan
If you have been keeping up with Japanese street fashion, you probably have seen the Shironuri trend popping up around the fashion scene. Shironuri literally translates into “painted in white” and is the act of painting one’s face white. Shironuri artist Minori has reinvented this style and made herself the figurehead of the Shironuri style movement. Join Mary-Ann Russon as she speaks with Minori.
nature since I was small from the patterns on leaves, the shapes of flowers, to the grooves of the tree bark. I thought that if I could combine the aspects of nature with Shironuri it might be good, so I tried it.
Minori began dressing in Shironuri at the young age of 18 and gained a lot of popularity at the young age of 23. Though the emergence of Sihronuri may seem to new to some, Minori says the art of painting one’s face white is actually centuries old.
I liked dressing in lolita and gothic fashions, however I found that my skin tone and make-up didn’t totally suit the clothes. Around that time, my friend who was into Shironuri said “Minori, why don’t you give it a go?”
In the 9th to 11th century Heian period, men from aristocratic families painted their faces to show their status. There is also a theory that due to poor lighting indoors at the time, faces were painted white to bring out their features. Shironuri is a tradition that has been done by both men and women throughout the history of Japan. Shironuri is also influenced by the Showa perriod (1926-1989) but Minori’s version of Shironuri has little to do with these historical tradtions and instead is primarily influenced by nature. I grew up in the countryside so I have been witnesseing the beauty of
Minori uses nature as a reoccuring theme in her work and can she uses the power of white and Shironuri to showcase its beauty.
What started off as street style became a way of life for Minori. Now she is represented by the Tokyo art gallery Qualia Junction, who are helping her to develop a career out of her work. She first held an exhibition in 2013 in collaboration with photographer Teppei Takizawa. Being in Shironuri does not affect my daily activities and I make a point to bein Shironuri the moment I leave my house. I go on trains and walk the streets in it. Minori has another exhibition coming this December to showcase her upcming fashion brand “Petite cabbage cupcake girl.”
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