J-fans have always attracted stares due to their colorful appearance, and I’ve had my fair share of that when I was younger. The term ‘Lolita’ has sparked disapproval and misunderstanding among older people, and I’ve had to explain it as a term for a Japanese street fashion style. (b. 1986)
I feel that through lolita fashion, I can express my own aesthetic of dressing. I mix a lot of vintage into lolita fashion and aim for a slightly ‘old-fashioned’ feel in my outfit (although my values are modern and liberal). The hobby has brought a lot of good into my life; escapism from everyday life and the beauty of everyday life, but also good friends. The hobby is very important and dear to me. My self-esteem and confidence have also grown because people stare at someone dressed uniquely; it’s unpleasant, but you have to ignore it if you want to continue doing fashion. (b. 1990)
My clothes attract a lot of attention on the streets; teenagers like to shout and mock. There are also positive experiences; many want to know more or compliment my clothes as beautiful. The stereotype associated with lolita fashion is that I want to attract men with my clothes, or that I’m somehow mentally ill or childish. I don’t feel that it’s an individual’s responsibility to teach people what fashion or a hobby is; I just want to be left alone. (b. 1994)
Yes, due to the name of the fashion, it’s often misunderstood, and in Western countries, cuteness is associated with children, and lolita fashion might be seen as a strange fetish or something similar. But it’s just beautiful clothes and dressing how you want regardless of what others think. (b. 1989)
I thought I wouldn’t have many big dreams regarding lolita, but I find myself dreaming of more sustainable consumption, better material consciousness (on a general level), and a certain couture quality in my own workmanship. I would like my own wardrobe to look valuable. (b. 1989)
Hellocon provides an opportunity to dress in lolita, get inspired by others’ styles and fashion shows, participate in workshops, do shopping, and spend time with lolita friends. The event also has the advantage of being international, as some travel there from abroad. (b. 1991)
As a teenager, I also became interested in Japanese fashion styles. At that time, gyaru, decora, lolita, dolly kei, and mori kei were in fashion. I spent a lot of time on Tumblr and Livejournal browsing fashion images. I followed discussions about lolita fashion on the Finnish Enfant Terrible forum. (b. 1996)
Also read: Fashion designer Sanna Hautamäki’s blog post A Dream Life in England Introduced Me to Japanese High Fashion. (in Finnish)
