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 Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 4:54 pm
In the past few years, lolita has really taken off and changed quite a lot. The style is no longer the same as when it started [and what fashion stagnates without dying?!], but the past few years it's really taken a huge change in direction, from what I've seen. This is especially so in the west.
Rarely do you see photos any longer of true gothic lolitas [as opposed to sweet lolitas in black], even in the photos taken by tourists! While it is probably the best known sub-style and the most easily recognized by non-aficionados of the style, it also seems to be far less popular than in years past. The style of it has changed as well. Gone are the days in which raschel lace was acceptable for any and all comers; netting lace and venise are more common, and chiffon and flocked tulle are being seen even in gothic styles.
This domination of lolita by the sweet is especially true of the Western communities, where mostly sweet brands are the easily available, and deco loli has exploded. The Followers of Mana have had their temples desecrated with macarons and ponies by the newly rising deities Maki and Asuka, and the Cult of Angelic pretty is quickly taking over bedroom shrines.
Of course, I'm exaggerating on this point, but it really does seem that sweet lolita--particularly over the top, Angelic Pretty style sweet lolita--is dominating the fashion.
A lot of people have different takes on this. Some feel it's an exaggeration all around and that gothic lolita is as strong as ever it was, that those who wear it simply don't post photos quite so religiously as those who wear sweet. Others feel that it's a cycle, that classic will take the spotlight next, then gothic, and back around to sweet. Even more feel like the style is simply going to develop into an even more over-the-top and ridiculous subculture, with wigs piled higher than Marie Antoinette's and decorated with My Little Ponies on a regular basis.
So my questions for all of you today. What do you think?
Is gothic really a dying breed?
Will sweet continue to be the forefront of lolita fashion?
Is another substyle waiting to take the lead? Will it be classic? Punk? Or some previously considered "theme" that will be the next big fad?
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Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 5:06 pm
I noticed the strong lean towards Sweet in the past few years, and I don't really mind that it's growing, but I don't want gothic to die out!
It's hard to notice if gothic is becoming less common though, I live in Portland and I see loads of punks and goths on a daily basis. Have yet to see a Lolita on the street though portland is supposed to be full of them.
How about getting an image or two of the original GOTHIC lolita? I admit, all I can really remember are the 'sweet lolitas in black'.
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Anembarassmentfromthepast
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Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 5:33 pm
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Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 8:08 pm
-C'est la lune qui conduit la danse...-
I wish that those "hardxxcore gothic lolitas" who always complain and diss sweet lolitas can do something smart like you know. Actually post more pictures, rather than complaining about something that they're helping make into fact. The whole "I'll get insulted/Will get ignored if I make a photo post" is a serious b.s. excuse and it doesn't excuse laziness. Gothic Lolita -can- be a popular style again if those wearers actually COME OUT OF THEIR SHELLS. If there were more people around to wear it, then Gothic Lolita can actually have new themes and new motifs rather than plain a** "I s**t bats and wear iron gates on my skirts".
And... I think since AP's currently barfing and shitting out loads of unsavory items (disgusting color/fabric pairs and unattractive rainbow-like prints), I think that more classic designs will be more popular later on, whether it's actual classic lolita pieces or classic-like sweet or gothic lolita pieces. Girls will probably try to get more into the "hime" aspect of lolita, and start collecting more pearl accessories and other common themes i.e. crests, fleur-de-lis, etc.
-...quand le soleil sera couché dans ton âme froide.-
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Anembarassmentfromthepast
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Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 9:10 pm
Wow. If I was a GL I would take great offense to that.
-____-
Sooo... it's their fault for not showing off more?
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Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 9:14 pm
Oh, and great examples spuntino. I like the outfits in the 3rd and 8th photo the best.
Now I'm remembering some of the Gothic lolitas in Fruits. Really great style.
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Anembarassmentfromthepast
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Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 9:36 pm
I kind of do have to agree with her on that point, though. Most of the really good gothic lolitas [at least, western ones] aren't very vocal about it being overpowered by sweet, but post photos relatively often. Also, many of those girls wear a variety of styles instead of JUST gothic, so they're less inclined to complain about not being able to find something they want to wear.
It seems like the sweet-hates-gothic and gothic-hates-sweet arguments are mostly sprung up by girls who don't wear the style for one reason or another, be it monetary or availability. What Amani is referring to in particular is the sweets v. gothic drama that crops up on Loli_Secret on LiveJournal. If you haven't seen it, some of the secrets can be pretty asinine on both sides of the argument. ^^;
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Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 9:39 pm
I agree with Amanikitty about classic potentially being the next big thing. I think Angelic Pretty may find a bit of a backlash against their super-sweet pastel and bow heavy designs, with lolitas choosing classic styles as a change of pace and to rest their eyes biggrin
I, however, am happy to stay with sweet style even if it falls out of favour, because that's the style I fell in love with many years ago, and I enjoy the child-like fun of it smile
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Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2009 12:17 am
Die Zukunft Wow. If I was a GL I would take great offense to that. -____- Sooo... it's their fault for not showing off more?
Had you known the "drama" I am speaking of that Sputino mentioned, you'd know better. And honestly if you were Gothic Lolita I wouldn't particularly care about your feelings anyways, because I wasn't making a blanket statement. Notice I said "those "hardxxcore gothic lolitas" who always complain and diss sweet lolitas". Meaning that had you understood, I was singling out only to those who do hate on sweet lolitas, so unless you were one of them, I would not be concerned about you.
-...quand le soleil sera couché dans ton âme froide.-
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Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2009 9:30 am
Ok, sorry.
I avoid drama like the plague.
But it seems extremists of any fashion are going to be that way.
I can see a classic lolita shift, though I can also see sweet lolita sticking around, it just won't be in the spotlight anymore. Most of the girls who are less attached to the lolita fashion won't be putting much effort into making a good classic lolita outfit, because I think it takes more consideration (and/or money) to keep an outfit from looking cheap.
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Anembarassmentfromthepast
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Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 5:21 pm
Actually, I have noticed more Sweet Lolis than Gothic... I think that since over here in the West, everything is bright and peppy (Scene kids and such) so the Sweet style is especially popular. Also (no offense) but to me it just seems that Sweet Lolitas just like attention a little more than Gotics and Classics. Again, please don't be offended. That's just how I see it.
My guess is that since Pirates are getting to be really popular that the next thing to explode may be the Pirate Lolita style. But that's just my guess. smile
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Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2009 11:48 am
Die Zukunft Ok, sorry. I avoid drama like the plague. But it seems extremists of any fashion are going to be that way. I can see a classic lolita shift, though I can also see sweet lolita sticking around, it just won't be in the spotlight anymore. Most of the girls who are less attached to the lolita fashion won't be putting much effort into making a good classic lolita outfit, because I think it takes more consideration (and/or money) to keep an outfit from looking cheap.
Also, I'm curious about what you mean about less effort in classic lolita outfits? You mean that they won't care as much since it requires more attention to details than sweet? Or ..? I think I'm misunderstanding the post!
Personally, I think classic requires equal amounts of attention to details as any other style. Lolita's very complex, very intricate, and requires delicate handling regardless of which subset you're working in.
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Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 3:49 pm
I miss seeing goth lolis.
The oldschool goth loli look is what got my into lolita when I was a kid.
When I went to Japan last year there I spotted only one *excluding the ones that work in goth loli stores* compared to the hordes of girls in AP.
I doubt the style will ever die, however, as gothic brands clothing still sells out on their websites, so there must be people wearing them somewhere xD
Lol. Macaroons & ponies in MY Mana temple?
Its more likely than you think No wai >;D
*that reeeeally makes me want to make a demotivator*
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Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 4:07 pm
Considering the EXTREME devotion that Moi-meme-moitie and AP fans have, I figured that it was apt. Particularly considering the jokes about the Cults of Mana and AP having been around for so long. XD
You know, I kind of want to draw a gothic carousel print now, with a super elabroate, skeletal carousel pony. Hrm. Tempting, temping.
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Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 4:57 pm
spuntino Considering the EXTREME devotion that Moi-meme-moitie and AP fans have, I figured that it was apt. Particularly considering the jokes about the Cults of Mana and AP having been around for so long. XD
You know, I kind of want to draw a gothic carousel print now, with a super elabroate, skeletal carousel pony. Hrm. Tempting, temping.
Over zealous cult members are over zealous xD
That reminds me of a lolita name generator that was on EGL last week (or maybe the week before). Some of the names that got churned out for me was
"Gothic Carnival Party" & "Guro Merry go round" and I've been thinking of how such prints would look xD
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