Friday, April 3, 2015

The Gothic Brands: Where to get Gothic Lolita

I've previously done a YouTube video about this topic, but I felt that it was worth reiterating here. Finding Gothic Lolita can sometimes seem like an arduous task, given that Gothic isn't exactly the most popular substyle at the moment (I would argue that place belongs to Classic now, usurping OTT Sweet's claim to the throne). But it is out there, and it is very accessible. Now, it's important to remember that black =/= Gothic in this--but remember, you can also find some items (blouses, wrist cuffs, socks, etc. as well as main pieces) from Sweet and Classic brands that will work for Gothic!

However, for the purposes of this post, I'm going to be focusing on the main Japanese-based brands that have Gothic Lolita as their focus. I'll likely do an Indie Brand follow-up at a later date, as well, so keep an eye out for that!

One more note: Just because a shop doesn't ship overseas doesn't mean you can't get ahold of their items! You always have the option of a shopping service to get an item you have your eye on. Without further ado, let's take a look at some of the beautiful brands we have at our disposal!


Alice AUAA



Coordinate from the Fall/Winter 2013-2014 Collection

Shop: (link)
Overseas shipping: No

Alice AUAA was launched in 1995 by designer Yasutaka Funakoshi. It's a Romantic, Gothic brand that focuses on making its items in black. They've been featured multiple times in the Gothic Lolita Bibles, and while they're definitely more of a "Gothic" brand than a "Lolita" brand, some of their items can be pulled over into the Lolita aesthetic.

Algonquins



Corset-style Suspender Shorts

Shop: (link)
Overseas shipping: No

Algonquins is a brand that, much like Alice AUAA, isn't exactly a "Lolita" brand, and falls more heavily on the Gothic and Punk side, with some Loli-able or Lolita-esque items released every so often. However, they have a large amount of Boystyle items, and a few of their cutsew-style tops could be worked into casual Lolita.

Antique Beast



Black Cat/Bat Headdress

Shop: (link)
Overseas shipping: Yes

Antique Beast is a relatively well-known Japanese "indie" brand. Their specialty are solid-color black pieces, with the occasional white piece. Their items focus on detail instead of print innovation, and come in a wide variety of fabric types. They're especially known for their accessories, including their infamous Black Cat/Bat headdress.

Atelier Boz



Roland Jacket

Shop: link
Overseas shipping: No

Atelier Boz is a brand that specializes in Gothic and Aristocrat items, as well as having a sizeable men's section. It was created in 1995 by designer Takashi Shibata. Black is the staple color of choice, of course, but the brand branches out a bit more than others. Its items tend to be more simple and elegant when compared to other brands.

Atelier Pierrot



Bustle Corset OP

Shop: (link)
Overseas shipping: Yes

Atelier Pierrot is something of a jack-of-all-trades brand when it comes to Lolita. It occasionally releases classic or even sweet-style items, but its focus is on Gothic items. Most often, it releases items in solids, or in floral prints. Like Atelier Boz, their items are known for their often elegant cuts. Their shops are also well known for carrying other Japense brands, such as Chantilly, Triple Fortune, Atelier Boz, and Victorian Maiden.

Alice and the Pirates



Treasure Hunt in the Mystic Island Alvida JSK

Shop: (link)
Overseas shipping: Yes
San Francisco Shop: (link)
New York City Shop: (link)
Blog list: (link)

Created in 2004 as an offshoot of Baby The Stars Shine Bright, Alice and the Pirates is a line dedicated to Baby's darker side. Alice and the Pirates often uses bolder and darker colors, and also has a strong presence of punk and pirate themes. They additionally make a good number of Boystyle items, and often release things in men's sizes.

Black Peace Now



Ribbon Line Frill Dress

Shop: CLOSED

Black Peace Now was a brand started by Satomi Imai. Unfortunately, in March of 2013, Peace Now (the parent branch of Black Peace Now) filed for bankruptcy, and closed its doors. Black Peace Now was wide-spread, carrying both Lolita-specific items (both printed and non-printed) as well as general Gothic, Boystyle, and men's items. The brand remainds relatively popular, and is widely available secondhand.

Enchantic Enchantilly



Diamond OP

Shop: (link)
Overseas shipping: Yes

Originally published under the name Chantilly, Enchantic Enchantilly is a brand that specializes in darkly colored (and often jewel-toned) dresses, both printed and non-printed. Their dresses tend to be opulent and highly detailed. They also occasionally release sweet or classic collections.

h.NAOTO



Coordinate from 2015 Collection

Shop: (link)
Overseas shipping: (link)

Launched in 2000, h.NAOTO is the self-titled brand led by Naoto Hirooka. h.NAOTO items tend to be Gothic Lolita or punk inspired. h.NAOTO is also one of the more well-known of the Japanese brands, even having a US shop in San Francisco for a time. h.NAOTO items thrive on detail and the use of punk stylings in a new, innovative way.

Moi-Meme-Moitie



Iron Gate OP

Shop: (link)
Overseas: (link)

The quintisential Gothic Lolita brand, Moi-Meme-Moitie is a brand founded by Mana-sama (of Malice Mizer and Moi dix Mois fame) in 1999. Often referred to as simply "Moitie" for short, the brand focuses on selling Lolita and Aristocrat items, usually in very elegant cuts. Their signature color combo of a vibrant royal blue with black has become a common color combo in the fashion. Well known for their simplistic approach to Lolita, their items often have sublte detailing. Their prints are usually screenprinted or floral, and often feature traditional Gothic imagery--gates, roses, thorns, coffins, crosses, and so on.

Na+H



Coordinate from 2015 Collection

Shop: (link)
Overseas shipping: No

Another punk and Boystyle-leaning brand, Na+H occasionally releases items (mainly accessories, but occasionally others) that can be used in Lolita coordinates, or that fit the Lolita aesthetic. The brand has also been featured in the Gothic Lolita Bibles on multiple occasions.

Putumayo



Cat Window Velveteen Skirt

Shop: (link)
Overseas seller list: (link)

Lead by designer Hasegawa, Putumayo specializes in more Punk and Boystyle clothing, but will occasionally put out Lolita-specific or Loli-able items. Their items tend to lean more towards "Punk" than "Gothic", but they're a great way to transition from a Western Gothic closet to a more Lolita aesthetic.

SEX POT ReVeNGe



Cross Chain Cutsew

Shop: (link)
Overseas: (link)

Started by the well-known Japanese designer Takashi Eto, SEX POT ReVeNGe is yet another brand focusing on the punk side of things. With a comparatively low price point in comparison to many Japanese brands (running around $70-120), it has become relatively popular. Accessories, bags, and cutsew tops are probably going to be some of the few Loli-able items from this brand, though their punky aesthetic could be of interest for a Punk or Gothic Lolita looking to work more unusual items into their coordinates.

Sheglit



Caged Ulysses OP

Shop: (link)
Overseas: (link)

Designed by an ex-designer of Black Peace Now, Sheglit is a more refined and elegant offering of what you could expect from the former brand. Sheglit specializes in solid-color dresses and simple prints, relying on a simplistic elegance as its selling point.

Triple Fortune



Edwardian Madame Hat

Shop: (link)
Overseas shipping: No

A Japanese indie brand known for their opulent headwear, Triple Fortune has been branching out into main pieces lately. Because they do not offer overseas shipping, the easiest way to get ahold of their items is via an overseas shopping service. Their items are sold in shops like Atelier Pierrot, though they also have an online shop.

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