Harajuku Fashion Is Alive: Thoughts On the Closing of Kera and Gothic Lolita Bible

When Gothic Lolita Bible (GLB) stopped publication several months ago and Kera went to digital only, the online lolita space went reeling with remorse. Cathy Cat made a particularly emotional response video. Many felt that with the death of the magazines came the death of Harajuku fashion especially after FRUiTS had already stopped publication earlier in the year after February 2017. However, plenty of signs of life still exist within the space. All hope is not lost as we'll discuss below.

Kera had been in publication since 1998 and GLB since 2001. In the years since the magazines began, Japanese fashion has continued to shift onward as explained by Tokyo Fashion in Japanese Street Fashion 2017 — 15 Things You Need To Know. As is natural amongst youth especially in the digital age, the trends are a constantly shifting landscape. Lolita has continued to gain in popularity overseas but died down in Japan according to sources such as Misako Aoki with the fashion becoming "buy in Japan, wear outside Japan" according to the article Where have all the lolitas gone? As such, it's not surprising for relics from that era to fade away along with the trends they accompanied.

Additionally, as the lolita population ages even overseas, it leans less towards OTT fashion suitable only for tea parties and instead toward more everyday wearable casual lolita and otome. Lolita dresses are being worn in an otome way and clothes from brands like Emily Temple Cute, Jane Marple and Leur Getter have increased in popularity.

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A post shared by Haruka Kurebayashi (@kurebayashiii) on Aug 19, 2017 at 9:05am PDT

昨日は家族に会えたし幸せな誕生日だった😆 今日は朝から撮影✌🏻 . #repost @larmemagazine . 💐HAPPY BIRTHDAY💐 本日は#中村里砂 ちゃんのバースデー🎂💕 お誕生日おめでとう〜🎉

A post shared by 中村 里砂 (@risa_doll_) on Jul 12, 2017 at 6:28pm PDT

The continual march away from print media to digital is also likely a huge factor in the magazine closures. With influencers like Risa and Kurebayashi are continually creating great fashion content for free online, the need for physical magazines has faded away. People no longer need to physically gather in spots like Harajuku but can instead have a fulfilling relationship with an online community via their Instagram feed. Selfies and mirror shots are easy and able to reach far which is a further cause for the death of magazines featuring street snaps. For the overseas audiences in particular, the accessibility to more easily translated digital resources along with the lack of hassle to order these magazines with shipping costs almost the same as the magazine itself is another factor pushing towards digital media as the primary method of communication.

Finally, magazines are rising to replace the fallen publications already. Melt is a new magazine which released it's first issue with a BtSSB pouchette. Publications like Larme and Spoon also continue onward which also tend to focus on more recent Japanese fashion trends.

What do you think about the above publications closing, and do you think the magazines closing indicates that j-fashion is dying? Please let me know by commenting below.

Alabama Cherry Blossom Meet 2016

I once again attended the cherry blossom festival at my local botanical gardens organized by the Japan America Society of Alabama. If you've followed me for a while, you'll know I've gone to the cherry blossom festival nearly every year since I've started wearing lolita and I posted about the experience in 2012, 2013, and 2015. 2014 was the one year I didn't attend, feeling pretty burned out from work that weekend though I did end up going to the gardens the week after to see the blossoms before they went away.

The festival was a colder and wetter than usual this year. It had been raining the night before, and the cold misting rain continued into the early morning. By noon, however, it festival began to warm up nicely making the afternoon much more pleasant. Sadly, most of the trees were not yet in bloom, having tiny little buds ready to burst into life within the next week or so.

Bodyline Squirrels hanging out with Meta Honey Picnic <3

Fortunately, our small band still managed to have a nice afternoon roaming around the gardens, viewing the few trees that had bloomed early and then eating at the Mellow Mushroom where I enjoyed a tempeh hoagie (not pictured, eaten too quickly). I went with a more casual coordinate as I knew I'd be walking around a lot that day so I wanted to wear my comfortable Mary Jane heels. Though this wasn't as good of a year as usual due to cooler and wetter weather than expected, I still had a fun time just hanging out with my comm.

Short Sanrio.com Review!

Hi all! I've ordered from Sanrio.com multiple times in the past and figured I'd do a short review of my general experiences ordering directly from Sanrio. Oftentimes, Sanrio.com features products which I don't typically see anywhere else except for the Japanese Sanrio site . Sadly, while the Japanese Sanrio site features many more products and items marketed to adult fans, I haven't found anything to indicate that they ship internationally.

As usual, Sanrio.com shipped my order out in a prompt fashion, about two days after I originally placed my order. I was kind of overly enthusiastic the day I got the package, so I forgot to take photos of the packaging itself. The items were well packaged in a brown box bound with thick tape reading Sanrio again and again. My only complaint for the shipping would the be price which for my roughly $40 package wound up being $10. That's a little steep, and I don't tend to see the site running free shipping events save for big holiday weekends.

Official stock photo

For my latest purchase, I grabbed a laptop bag. I've been looking for a laptop sleeve for my 13" Macbook Air for a while now but haven't been able to find an option that really suits me until now. The sleeve is a soft shade of pastel pink and lilac with a creme colored strap. I've been carrying it for a couple of weeks now and have found it to be really sturdy with no damage which is impressive as I tend to be clumsy/rough with anything I carry regularly. The main disadvantage is that the pouch isn't big enough to also hold the power cord well. I keep my power cord in a separate makeup bag in my messenger bag already, though, so that's not much of an issue for me.

I'd been alerted that the bag was available through one of Sanrio.com's regular newsletters which profile what items are new or currently on sale. Their newsletters regularly feature deals where you get free items by entering promo codes at checkout. This time around, I entered the code TISSUEROLL to get a free Gudetama toilet paper roll. My husband is pretty obsessed with Gudetama, so I tend to grab any cute merchandise I see of the lazy little egg. The paper is really cute, and I of course don't see myself using it any time soon. xD

Gudetama little plush I got my husband for Christmas plus the toilet paper roll freebie

Cute print on the paper

Overall, Sanrio.com is definitely a place I would recommend to order from. While the shipping is a bit steep, you can find really interesting items and promotional freebies to increase your cute character collection.

Bloomers Or No Bloomers?

Sleep shorts are typically cheaper and are often
decorated with cute patterns.

I always 100% endorse wearing some form of shorts beneath your dress, whether it be a pair of lacy bloomers or plain black short shorts. The wind is an unpredictable foe, and walking anywhere elevated risks exposing those on the lower level to what you're wearing under your coordinate.

However, do I think bloomers specifically are absolutely necessary? No. Wearing bloomers helps to contribute more with the lifestyle aspect of lolita and adds on another layer of frills with the detailing that so many lolitas admire.  However, bloomers are really specialized garments that can be replaced with other easier to obtain sport shorts or oftentimes soft and breathable sleep shorts. I never hesitate to use what I have clean on hand for beneath my coordinate.

The above post idea was originally from F Yeah Lolita's original list, Lolita 52 Challenge. 

Something That's Not My Style, But I Love Anyways

I've long admired ouji style from afar: the princely elements, the boyish charm, lolita elegance but with detailed trousers and vests. The style is very lovely, but I've actively avoided segmenting my closet into yet another Japanese street fashion. I'm also very unsure of how I'd look wearing the style, so I see ouji staying something that I admire but don't participate in for a long while to come.

The above post idea was originally from F Yeah Lolita's original list, Lolita 52 Challenge. 

Cooler Months Recap

Hello again, and happy new year! The fall and early winter is usually an overwhelmingly busy time of year for me, and this year has proved to be no exception. The weather in Alabama has been unseasonably hot even for the area, sitting at 70° F (21° C) on Christmas day causing tornados throughout the state. Tornado weather on Christmas was a first for me. o_o  Anyway, let's start diving into the moments that made the last season or so memorable and fun.

Bag: AP
Shirt: Forever 21
Skirt, necklace: BtSSB
Shoes: Claire's

As usual, I hit up the Birmingham Artwalk show for the year. The weather was pretty hot, so I opted for a casual cute outfit combining in some of my lolita clothes. The event was enjoyabler as usual, and, though I didn't end up buying anything this time, I'm already looking forward to browsing again next year.

So happy that there's a Pokemon Center USA site to order from now. Stocked up on Pikachu for the Halloween season. 

Super awesome custom Bidoof phone cases custom made for me by kaijincutie. Super happy to have these for special occasions! 

Because why not? 

Melanie Martinez Concert🍼

Fashion show time. Sailor lolita represent. 

Jsk: Bodyline l580
Blouse: fanplusfriend
Shoes: Bordello Pleaser Whimsey
Necklace, ring: Automatic Honey

October was an insanely busy month for me overall. I love stocking up on quirky goods to last me me through the rest of the year, so I indulged myself by ordering from the international Pokemon Center site. Since the Pokemon Center site has relaunched, I've been super pleased with the seasonal selection for items I would have spent way too much to import from Japanese re-sellers.

I was also super pleased when I realized that Melanie Martinez was actually coming to Birmingham, AL! I've been in love with Melanie's music for a long while and loved her often J fashion inspired wardrobe, so getting to see her in person was amazing. She's about to launch the second leg of the Cry Baby so look on her site to see if she'll be in your area soon.

The Alabama Lolita Coterie had the pleasure of working with Fal-Con to plan a fashion show. I had a great time being able to hang out before the show, and hellomermaid did a great job with organizing the show.

On Halloween day itself, my comm had a meetup in Montevallo for a small artwalk. I still want to do a review of Bodyline l580 at some point especially having worn it now. I don't typically wear gothic, so I'm not 100% on my coordinate above, but I did have fun experimenting outside of sweet lolita.

Adorable drawing by my friend drowsydragon <3

November is my birthday month, and I have some pretty awesome friends to share great times with. The big event of the month for me was going to CONjuration. I was hesitant for a while to go as I didn't want to add more stress into the holiday season, but I'm so glad that I went. I've had a love for Harry Potter since around the time the Chamber of Secrets first released. The convention was a lot of fun with both panels and events I was interested in along with a solid dealer's room. I represented Slytherin in my group of friends, and I had a great time roaming the con and attending the Yule Ball with them.

My single favorite sight in the dealer's room was the tortoise roaming with a basket on its back to raise money for the Georgia Reptile Society. Who doesn't want to give money to a tortoise with fairy wings? I threw money into his basket than remembered to actually ask what it was going towards.

Beautiful tea party for my comm's Christmas meet. My coordinate:
OP: Angelic Pretty
Shoes, socks: Bodyline
Purse: DreamV
Purse charm: BtSSB

Bingo card along with prize

My comm had its annual tea shop meet in December this year. We had a great showing 17 girls! For the meet, the previously mentioned hellomermaid and kaijincute worked together to make a coordinate contest along with lolita bingo. I won one of the bingo rounds and got a lovely pair of earrings made by fairykeiheaven. They remind me of the larme kei style that's been trending recently.

I saw the Force Awakens at the earlier 3D showing on the opening night. I was excited to get to break out my lightsaber and wear the Irregular Choice heels that I bought at their release. I was afraid that Disney would put another nail into Star Wars's coffin similar to George Lucas in the prequels, but I really and truly loved the movie. I'm already really looking forward episode VIII coming out in 2017.

For Christmas, my husband bought me the BtSSB x Pullip collaboration doll with Misako wearing the red and pink My Favorite Ribbon jsk. I'm super impressed with the level of detail that went into the collaboration and with just how perfect everything feels from her headbow balance above her perfect bangs (totally remembering her song Maepatsu Himeka) down to her tights with strappy shoes. The particular edition he bought me also came with Misako's nurse uniform which I'll be actually trying on the doll at some point soon.

And finally, we arrive at the current time, 2016! I'm pretty excited and pumped for this year so far. I've been truly working on reorganizing all of my clothes, dolls and plushes along with more reading and journaling AND actually putting together a proper skincare routine. I hope you've had a happy and productive new year so far too, and thank you for reading.

Hot Months Recap

I typically don't wear lolita during the hot months, but this year was an exception! I spent the early part of the hot months getting ready to get married then the rest of the summer relaxing and having good times with friends. Below is a recap of some of my favorite moments in a very photo heavy post. 

~Wedding~

Finally getting married! And yes, I am wearing Meta's Typewriting Squirrels. We had a very small ceremony at the courthouse then ate with family and friends at PF Chang's. <3

Also in love Vivienne Westwood Anglomania + Melissa Gillie shoes in pink metal that I wore that day. 

I may have gone a bit wedding crazy in Lineplay too, totally obsessed with the Santorini wedding set they put out. 

Set of bottles I picked up as souvenirs when we went on our honeymoon. One for me and one for my now sister-in-law. 

Kirby and Prince Fluff themed wedding cake we had done with Dreamcakes Bakery. I wish I'd been able to get a photo before we had to let it sit out before the reception and the icing of the ampersand began to run a bit. 

~Redecorating~

We received many beautiful and practical gifts, so we were able to spruce up our apartment a bit. 

Decorative rose lights from Amazon. 

Adding more nautical elements to the bathroom. 

~Good Times~

I had to bid farewell to several friends moving away this summer, but not before getting to hang out one last time. Prepped in a different look for me, ready for a night of karaoke. 

My lolita comm had a wonderful meetup at Ozan Vineyard and Winery! We got to have a bit of a tour around the facility and estate. 

Borrowed parasol up! The day was hot, so I tried to coordinate more naturally to avoid having to wear a wig in the sweltering Alabama heat. 

Lovely train ride through the vineyard estate. Definitely worth the price of the ticket for the tour. 

Finally, seeing the musical performance of the Little Mermaid at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. The details to the performance were gorgeous and the lobby had adorable decorations, seen above.  

Overall, I've had a really fun filled summer with so many more moments that the few pictures above can convey. Thank you for reading, and I'll be back soon with more.