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Story by Karryn Cartelle

Take a short stroll away from the tree-lined boulevard of Omotesando and you’ll soon see youth fashion at its extreme. From lace bonnets and flowing pinafores to dog collar necklaces and platform shoes, Jingu Bridge has become a place where anything goes. Amidst the crowd, gothic lolita style of traditional Victorian gothic clothes and doll-like costumes is pretty hard to miss.

Each week there are just as many camera-toting tourists as there are gothic lolita girls on Harajuku’s famed bridge. Spinshell visited there one Sunday to find out more about these clothes, these girls, and the lifestyle.

Interview with a Japanese Gothic Lolita Harajuku Girl

“What do I think about getting photographed by foreigners? If they ask for permission I don’t mind. But it’s annoying when they don’t ask me first.”*

Interview with Corrine Adams, Gothic Lolita aficianado

“A lot of the Harajuku Girls like to have photos taken by photographers they know, but not so much by tourists. There are a lot of people that will actually refuse to have their photo taken. All of the people interested in the fashion and the music would gather here on Sundays and it’s to meet up with friends and trade fashion stuff and go shopping. A lot of times they will sit out and drink until really late on the bridge and have picnics. Also, a lot of people come here to get photographed by the amateur photographers and get their photos back to build portfolios.”*

Speaking with Patrick Macias, author of The Japanese Schoolgirl Inferno: Tokyo Teen Fashion Subculture Handbook, we found out that in reality most of these girls lead pretty normal lives.

Patrick believes that this gothic lolita fashion is used as a creative outlet for these girls. They like to plan activities with friends, make clothes, and customize the ones they buy at boutiques. Some of these girls are actually outsiders of their own schools and neighborhoods, so this Harajuku scene functions as a social group as much as an outdoor fashion show.

The outlandish fashion of certain bands inspired Corrine to first experiment with this gothic lolita style, a reason that seems to be common among foreigners. Japanese bands like Malice Mizer, Inugami Circus Dan and Moi Dix Mois are gaining attention overseas and the fashion seems to be following.

Fans of gothic lolita fashion can shop at OIONE near Shinjuku station, online, or at boutique stores in Tokyo. Or since the clothes don’t come cheap, they could make their own. Dresses typically range from around $150 USD upwards and brands like Metamorphose Temps De Fille, Angelic Pretty and Innocent World are some popular labels.

Patrick believes the look is not so much a trend as it is the group’s expression of their own sense of style. This eclectic fashion won’t be going mainstream anytime soon, but it does have a growing base domestically and internationally.

Those interested in the gothic lolita style can appreciate it on the streets of Tokyo, in the pages of a magazine, online, or in the pages of a tourist’s photo album.

* Quotes have been slightly altered for print. For the accurate quotations, please refer to the video.

All Rights Reserved, Spinshell Inc.
Spinshell Reports are three minute episodes of useful information about visiting and living in Japan.

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Tags: Gothic Lolita, Harajuku, Harajuku Girl, Japanese Schoolgirl Inferno, Jingu Bridge

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