lolita

Fashion Fraction: Convention Fashion [Shumatsucon]

Anime Convention/ Fashion/ Fashion Fraction/ feature/ kawaiiinfected/ kitsunefantasy/ lolita/ pastel goth

Fashion Fraction: Convention Fashion [Shumatsucon]

Hello and welcome to another installment of Project: Lixx’s Fashion Fraction.

Back in July, I provided you an introduction into fashion represented at conventions; if you missed that article, you can read up on it here.
As a small restate, fashion has its premise at Japanese Pop Culture conventions just as much as anime and manga- with there being many panels, events, and even special guests related to the fashion industry.
February 27 through March 1, I was at a brand-spankin’ new convention here in Columbus, Ohio known as Shumatsucon! This was its first year running and already I have high hopes for the baby convention!

While at Shumatsu, I met 2 of the most adorable and polite fashionistas- Kitsune Fantasy and Kawaii-Infected. I had seen them walking around on the Saturday of the convention in some seriously awesome decora/fairy kei co-ords but unfortunately wasn’t able to snap a photo. On Sunday, I found them in the bathroom (of all places) and got to talking- it was then I asked if I could feature them for the Shumatsucon version of Convention fashion!

Kitsune Fantasy:
Dress: Bodyline
Shoes: Forever 21
Tights: Tights by Cordelia
Jewelry: thrifted or handmade
Wig: local wig store for $10 USD!
I spoke to her briefly on what her favourite style is and why she loves to wear it, she said: “Fairy Kei and Sweet Lolita. It makes me feel super cute and I want to spread the message that you can be plus sized in this community and still be cute!”
I love her co-ord and what she had to say. When she told me her dress was Bodyline, I nearly lost my breath for a moment. When I first got into Japanese fashion, I heard of Bodyline being associated mostly with the likes of the amazing DJ Sisen. However, I also heard how “fatphobic” they were and it made me lose hope in ever buying from the brand but, after speaking to Kitsune Fantasy, I got up the courage again to look into buying clothes from them and already have a building wish list in my size!
I have to comment how I love that her shoes are from Forever 21. I plan to do an article in the future talking about “mall stores” and the like and how you can find pieces for a wardrobe that may just be Japanese inspired. I’m in love with her tights since they are, indeed, Sailor Moon referenced and I’m a HUGE Sailor Moon fan. I love seeing co-ords that are inspired by the series. If you are interested in a pair for yourself, go here.
Kitsune Fantasty also told me that she is looking into starting her own jewelry line be it on Etsy or StoreEnvy. So I shall have to keep a look out on that!



Kawaii-Infected:
Top/Skirt: Holley Tea Time
Waist Cincher: eBay
Shirt: Rainbow (obscure local store)
Shoes: thrift store
Wig: eBay
Headband: artist alley at a convention
Socks: SockDreams
I also asked the same question and received this answer, “pastel goth is my favourite. It reminds me of the goth stuff I loved as a child but, as I grew up, I got cutsey. I love the mixture of the two and it makes me feel pretty.”
Now, I had seen this pastel goth print on Pinterest awhile back and told myself “I need this!” being that I just got the fascination with this fashion genre. So, if you too are like me and want the print, be sure to check out Holley Tea Time.
I love how both of these fashionistas thrifted parts of their outfits- bringing forth that I will have an article in the future touching on how to thrift for your fashion.
Now… I have to mention SockDreams. I have experienced this store personally when I was searching for stockings to cosplay the character Stocking from Panty & Stocking With Garterbelt. They are fantastic quality and never have I thought I’d love a place that specializes in something that I once deemed so trivial as socks! But seriously give them a look through!
And that’s it for this version of Convention Fashion! Be sure to keep following all Fashion Fraction articles here on Lixx if you are a fan as well as just generally following Lixx on Blogspot, Twitter, Facebook and many more!
I will supply a list of conventions which I will definitely be at and will be on the look out for any fashionistas that may want featured on the blog!
Animarathon: Bowling Green State University ( specifically the Bowen Thompson Student Union); Bowling Green, Ohio – March 21
Ikasucon: Grand Wayne Convention Center; Fort Wayne, Indiana – July 10 – 12
Midoricon: Maumee Bay State Park Lodge; Oregon, Ohio – September 25 – 27

ero/guro/ Fashion/ Fashion Fraction/ lolita/ punk/ qi

Fashion Fraction: Focus On [Lolita] -Part 2-

Hello all you fashionistas following Project: Lixx.

Now it’s time for the final part of this Focus On [Lolita].

In the first section, I brought up the big genres in the lolita field and some of the brands that fall under them- along with some photos from fans. In this section, we’re going to talk about some of the other types of Lolita.

These types may not be as popular as the first section of genres but they are still a vibrant part of the lolita fashion community. Sadly, I did not receive any examples from the readers so I will be sourcing photos from Google Images. If you find an image that was used wrongly or if you are the creator and would like it removed from the article, please let me know and I will get to it ASAP.

With that said- let’s talk about Country/Casual/Sailor, Ero/Guro, Punk, and Qi lolita.

Country/Casual/Sailor – Country, Casual, and Sailor lolita are more on your end of general casual. Country lolita mixes a lot of what you would expect- country associated themes such as cowboy boots, wide brimmed hats, simplistic designs etc. Many of the time the patterns of the dresses are floral and accessories will also include flowers and woven baskets or large purses. Casual has the basic implication of simplicity as well while Sailor indicates school-girl themed (most of the time referring to the traditional sailor collar). Examples of brands that cater to country, casual and sailor lolita are Angelic Pretty, Metamorphose temps de fille, and Innocent World. (Sailor lolita example to the left and Casual lolita example to the right; both via Pinterest)


Ero/Guro/Punk – I decided to combine Ero, Guro, and Punk since they tend to cross over into each other a lot. Ero-Guro is also part of the Visual Kei world and is shortened for ‘erotic grotesque’- typically showcasing blood, disfiguration, and the macabre in a fashionable way. Ero, in itself, is eroticism and, in the lolita world, seems to go against the basics of traditional lolita (that is, if you aren’t thinking of the book- Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov); it’s where the skirts are shorter (sometimes not even there and replaced with just short bloomers) and the themes are more mature and risque. And Punk is exactly what people associate- punk influences from the underground start in London to the twists it has taken today. Famous Japanese rock performer, Nana Kitade (right) is often wearing punk lolita fashions. Examples of brands that cater to ero/guro and punk lolita are PUTUMAYO, h.Naoto, Black Peace Now, etc. Much of Guro lolita is handmade and/or modified from found items of other brands or even thrift stores. (Guro Lolita above from Kerli’s Buzznet page; Nana Kitade right via fotolog)

via Pinterest

Qi – This type of lolita is very similar to the Wa lolita… except it’s inspiration and origins come from the traditional fashions from China. The Qipao is the basis inspiration for this genre (as seen derived in the name) and many view this type of lolita as “special occasion” or even a cosplay type of fashion. A brand that can cater to Qi lolita is Metamorphose temps de filles- however, it is not so easy to find major brands that specialize in this kind of subgenre of Lolita… so most can be made, thrifted, or found on brands such as Bodyline.

And that is your final part to our Fashion Fraction: Focus On… LOLITA!

Please be sure to keep up on all things Project: Lixx is producing if you aren’t already.
The next Focus On… topic will be posted on OCTOBER 28~! And it will be covering Visual Kei and it’s main subgenres: Angura Kei (eroguro/chikashitsu), Kote Kei, Tanbi Kei, Nagoya Kei, Neo-Visual, and Soft Visual.

So please send in your personal Visual Kei fashion and the subgenre tag you want it placed in! I need all entries by October 25.

(Fear not! Oshare Kei will be talked about in a later Focus On… article!)

If you have any fashion topics you would like to see covered here on Project: Lixx or have pictures to send me for following articles, again… be sure to email me at taka_kagaku2011@hotmail.com.

~Taka