German article on Gothic Lolita and EGA from 2003 (pictures and translation)
Back in December, I posted my translation of this article's Sweet Lolita equivalent. Here's the follow-up!
Weekend Gothic Babes
Shirley Temple in Wonderland
They're all so cute, with their dresses made of stiff black lace, and on their mouths perhaps a little leftover chocolate from coffin cake. In Harajuku (Tokyo) little Demoiselles stroll about, dressing as sweet as little cakes. Lace, little bows, ruffles, everything black or white. Along with those meringue chantilly dresses they wear wigs: fringe, ringlets in golden blonde. This fashion is called "Gothic Lolita", and most of all times it's all "gothic" and black - but sometimes it's pink, blue, white and red: this is rather Lolita (you can read more about Lolitas in Daisuki #3 -> http://egl.livejournal.com/19815047.html)
photo caption: Very important: the hair accessory
Elegant Gothic Lolita
An "Elegant Gothic Lolita" does wear a knee-length dress most of the time (a stiff petticoat and pantalons [aka bloomers] beneath), knee-length socks, mary janes or lace-up boots, each time with platform soles. On the head definately belongs a cheeky mini hat or a lacey blanket [aka headdress], which is fastened under the chin with a bow. With their dresses adorned with lace and ruffles and their ringlet wigs they look like porcelain dolls from the second last turn of the century. Of course they are also interested in the "dark" side of life: a little bit of occultism and magic is part of the good style.
Accessories and Make-up
Important accessories for everyone are parasols with ruffles and purses with crosses. Jewellery is silver, often with skulls, cross- or heart motifs, lately also angel wings. At last when doing the make-up you have to decide: gothic? Then more eyeliner, less rouge. Or Lolita? Then little apple-cheeks, pink lipstick and really long, fake lashes. Nobody plays one role all of the time - if you are a sugary sweet angel today, you can still be a demon tomorrow.
photo caption: Lace, everywhere lace...
Elegant Gothic Aristocrats
Another style is "elegant gothic aristocrat": dresses are long and slim, no petticoats, the girls look like a victorian lady in mourning. There is also "Alice in Wonderland": Dresses with an apron and an invitation to tea by the mad hatter. Or the "french house maid": strictly black x white. The "neo gothics" lean more towards punk. "classic gothics" with their black hair and red lips do look like european goths, but apart from that, they have nothing in common.
photo caption: the "french maid" look
Fashion Links
IW: cute victorian lace dresses
BtSSB: simply enchanting
Boz: a treasure chest for Aristocrats
Exquisitelass: a US-shop offering custom tailoring
MMM: Mana-samas fashion label: the first "gothic lolita" is still a trendsetter
Jane Marple: if Agatha Christies Miss Marple knew about this, she'd think it's fancy
Lapin d'or: wigs every gothic lolita needs
Meta: Everything cute with lots of lace (english!)
Miho Matsuda: has something for all Gothics and Lolitas
VM: fairytale-like and beautiful
Midi-nette/Mana: Mana: first gothic Lolita, fashion designer and pop star
Union Jack: a little punk and lots of gothic
Naoto: Designer-punk by Naoto - very fashionable
Gothic & Lolita Bible
The "Gothic & Lolita Bible" is a magazine (coming out 4 times a year) and the most important reference book in matter of style. And the GLB is the law: Skirts never shorter than knee length, no patterns but tartan or flowers, black is only combined with white. The hairdos are also strictly mandatory: either "hime" style, or ringlets.
Brands and Shops of the Gothic Girls have magical names like BtSSB, AP, VM, Jane Marple or IW. And all of them have those charming dresses and coats transforming every girl to the hero of her own fairytale - princes are not so important.
photo caption: Mana - Star of the scene!
Mana creates the fashion
Gothic Lolitas are not rooted in european goths or wave fans, but in japanese pop music. It all began with "visual rock": bands like Malice Mizer don't only stand out because of their music, but also because of the outfits of the guitarist Mana - the first "gothic Lolita". Malice Mizer have disbanded long since, but the cult around the handsome Mana is unbroken - not least because of his fashion line "Moi-même-Moitié".
Always on Sundays
"Gothic Lolita" is a weekend-look. Because most of the girls who wear love this style are far from 20, they wear their school uniform during the week. On weekends, they transform into a lovely little demon. When their mini hat [sits just right], they go on a trek through their favourite stores with their friends. Being a stylish gothic lolita ain't cheap: a complete Outfit can cost up to 1000 Euros and more. After all, the dresses are nearly exclusively hand-sewn. And they feature countless details. Lace, embroidery and ruffles know their price! True Gothic Girls take care of their behaviour. Like a victorian Miss: not too loud or unpolite, no loud laughing, being friendly and tender. And when school starts again on Mondays, all the stuff gets back in the closet. Next Weekend she [I assume they mean the "gothic" personality] can get out again, so cute she could have gotten a main role at Charles Dickens. Or perhaps a lesser role as spoilt lass?
Weekend Gothic Babes
Shirley Temple in Wonderland
They're all so cute, with their dresses made of stiff black lace, and on their mouths perhaps a little leftover chocolate from coffin cake. In Harajuku (Tokyo) little Demoiselles stroll about, dressing as sweet as little cakes. Lace, little bows, ruffles, everything black or white. Along with those meringue chantilly dresses they wear wigs: fringe, ringlets in golden blonde. This fashion is called "Gothic Lolita", and most of all times it's all "gothic" and black - but sometimes it's pink, blue, white and red: this is rather Lolita (you can read more about Lolitas in Daisuki #3 -> http://egl.livejournal.com/19815047.html)
photo caption: Very important: the hair accessory
Elegant Gothic Lolita
An "Elegant Gothic Lolita" does wear a knee-length dress most of the time (a stiff petticoat and pantalons [aka bloomers] beneath), knee-length socks, mary janes or lace-up boots, each time with platform soles. On the head definately belongs a cheeky mini hat or a lacey blanket [aka headdress], which is fastened under the chin with a bow. With their dresses adorned with lace and ruffles and their ringlet wigs they look like porcelain dolls from the second last turn of the century. Of course they are also interested in the "dark" side of life: a little bit of occultism and magic is part of the good style.
Accessories and Make-up
Important accessories for everyone are parasols with ruffles and purses with crosses. Jewellery is silver, often with skulls, cross- or heart motifs, lately also angel wings. At last when doing the make-up you have to decide: gothic? Then more eyeliner, less rouge. Or Lolita? Then little apple-cheeks, pink lipstick and really long, fake lashes. Nobody plays one role all of the time - if you are a sugary sweet angel today, you can still be a demon tomorrow.
photo caption: Lace, everywhere lace...
Elegant Gothic Aristocrats
Another style is "elegant gothic aristocrat": dresses are long and slim, no petticoats, the girls look like a victorian lady in mourning. There is also "Alice in Wonderland": Dresses with an apron and an invitation to tea by the mad hatter. Or the "french house maid": strictly black x white. The "neo gothics" lean more towards punk. "classic gothics" with their black hair and red lips do look like european goths, but apart from that, they have nothing in common.
photo caption: the "french maid" look
Fashion Links
IW: cute victorian lace dresses
BtSSB: simply enchanting
Boz: a treasure chest for Aristocrats
Exquisitelass: a US-shop offering custom tailoring
MMM: Mana-samas fashion label: the first "gothic lolita" is still a trendsetter
Jane Marple: if Agatha Christies Miss Marple knew about this, she'd think it's fancy
Lapin d'or: wigs every gothic lolita needs
Meta: Everything cute with lots of lace (english!)
Miho Matsuda: has something for all Gothics and Lolitas
VM: fairytale-like and beautiful
Midi-nette/Mana: Mana: first gothic Lolita, fashion designer and pop star
Union Jack: a little punk and lots of gothic
Naoto: Designer-punk by Naoto - very fashionable
Gothic & Lolita Bible
The "Gothic & Lolita Bible" is a magazine (coming out 4 times a year) and the most important reference book in matter of style. And the GLB is the law: Skirts never shorter than knee length, no patterns but tartan or flowers, black is only combined with white. The hairdos are also strictly mandatory: either "hime" style, or ringlets.
Brands and Shops of the Gothic Girls have magical names like BtSSB, AP, VM, Jane Marple or IW. And all of them have those charming dresses and coats transforming every girl to the hero of her own fairytale - princes are not so important.
photo caption: Mana - Star of the scene!
Mana creates the fashion
Gothic Lolitas are not rooted in european goths or wave fans, but in japanese pop music. It all began with "visual rock": bands like Malice Mizer don't only stand out because of their music, but also because of the outfits of the guitarist Mana - the first "gothic Lolita". Malice Mizer have disbanded long since, but the cult around the handsome Mana is unbroken - not least because of his fashion line "Moi-même-Moitié".
Always on Sundays
"Gothic Lolita" is a weekend-look. Because most of the girls who wear love this style are far from 20, they wear their school uniform during the week. On weekends, they transform into a lovely little demon. When their mini hat [sits just right], they go on a trek through their favourite stores with their friends. Being a stylish gothic lolita ain't cheap: a complete Outfit can cost up to 1000 Euros and more. After all, the dresses are nearly exclusively hand-sewn. And they feature countless details. Lace, embroidery and ruffles know their price! True Gothic Girls take care of their behaviour. Like a victorian Miss: not too loud or unpolite, no loud laughing, being friendly and tender. And when school starts again on Mondays, all the stuff gets back in the closet. Next Weekend she [I assume they mean the "gothic" personality] can get out again, so cute she could have gotten a main role at Charles Dickens. Or perhaps a lesser role as spoilt lass?