LOLITA [03.19.10]

Lolita is a fashion subculture originating in Japan that is influenced by Victorian clothing with undertones of Gothic fashion mixed in. No one really knows when exactly the movement started but it likely started in the 70’s when famous labels including Pink House and Angelic Pretty began selling clothes that you might call ‘Lolita’ today. Over time Lolita fashion became popular through bands such as Malice Mizer. The word Lolita, though often associated with the novel by Vladimir Nabokov, actually has nothing to do with sex. In fact those with partake in the Lolita movement often prefer to look ‘beautiful’ or ‘cute’ rather than ‘sexy’. The irony of the name is that the fashion was created to fight the growing exposure of the body and skin in today's society. It is often assumed that girls who dress in Lolita follow a Lolita 'lifestyle' where they try to emulate the mannerisms and etiquette of the Victorian era. Although some do choose the Lolita lifestyle, some just really enjoy wearing the clothes for fun. As for the majority of Lolita, it is simply a style or a statement of modesty. Hurray for modesty!

-Jiinx