The importance of Vivienne Westwood within lolita fashion

The inherently punk fashion that inspires my fashion illustrations

A friend and I at a lolita meet up.

What is lolita?

Lolita is a Japanese street fashion that started around the 1980s. It started as a rebellion against the expectations Japanese women faced from society at the time. Instead of the expectation of giving up your job and passions to get married and have children women started thrifting and making cute, feminine items as a way to do things just for themselves.

In a conservative society with strict uniformity and a collectivist culture this type of fashion really stood out at its inception alongside other jfashion at the time.

The fashion started less strict with a focus on D.I.Y and thrifting and wearing things based on rococo and Victorian elements. As time went on a more strict silhouette was defined. A bell or a line shaped skirt or dress and a headdress. Fashion brands creating lolita fashion were gaining traction and now the clothing is readily available. At least if you’re in Japan.

The most well known brands are the Japanese brands that were there at the start. such as Angelic pretty, Moi même Moité, Baby the Stars Shine Bright and Metamorphose.

I also have a video in which I look over Fruits magazine, a collection of photographs of Japanese street fashion, mainly lolita and explain it in a bit more depth.

Vivenne Westwood in Japan

Vivenne Westwood opened a store in Japan the 1990s. A British punk fashion brand with historical elements meeting a Japanese street fashion with punk sensibilities also inspired by historical elements. A match made in heaven.

Source: nsssmag.com

This image is lolita in a very rudimentary state, by the 1990s stricter silhouette rules were forming and this looks more like modern fairy kei but even then we can see the implementation of eventual classic, Vivenne Westwood’s rocking horse shoes.

Lolita fashion takes inspiration from 1800s and Victorian fashion so having access to rocking horse shoes, corset tops and the mini-crini fitted perfectly with the fashion.

As the fashion was gaining popularity abroad Vivenne Westwood was also a lifeline to those in Europe as Japanese lolita brands were difficult to buy and still are a bit of a hassle to buy from unless in the country.

Source: fyeahlolita.com

Lolita fashion today

I still have the punk spirit with a D.I.Y shirt and headdress

Lolita fashion is one of the longest running alternaitve Japanese street fashions. It looks different to the earlier images i’ve shown but a pair of rocking horse shoes or heart bag is still very welcome in the fashion.

Vivienne Westwood is a key part of lolita fashion in both aesthetics and the subversive ideals. The feminist ideals paired with the cute aesthetic is something I bring to my illustrations.

Thank you for reading and feel free to check out my Youtube channel if you want to learn more about lolita fashion.