Documentary!
Event: Loli documentary filming!
Date: ...sometime in July 2009
Venue: The Curve and its surrounding area
Attendees: Bunnychan, Aiko, and Frack
Theme: BlackXWhite (or as Bunnychan called it, a tribute to Michael Jackson)

This is a long, long overdue post. I was hoping to post up some of the photos and videos that were taken by the crew but as of yet, have not got them. Will update with those when I get my little hands on them. For now, enjoy the teasers.

Aiko and two of the crew.
Notice the giant fountain in the background. It was very pretty, if non-functional... which is probably a good thing, in case one of us fell over into it. Wet!Loli :D


Pretty, pretty bunny.
You can just barely see the amazing lariat, which she beaded by hand, around her neck.


Obligatory camwhore shot.
I love my JSK's pearl straps. ♥

Of course, group shot. Both bunny and Aiko are in BtSSB. I was the outcast in Angelic Pretty.
I was trying to smile in the picture, I promise.
9:45 AM | Category: , | 0 comments

Summer Loliday 2009
Event: Summer Loliday 2009
Date: 6/6/209
Venue: Aiko's house!
Attendees: Bunnychan, Aiko, Michi, Ice Cream, Ginger and Frack
Theme: Floral Angels
Frack's co-ordinate theme: Rose parlour

Standing (L to R): Ginger, Michi, Aiko
Sitting: Bunnychan & Frack




Summary of events:
1. Aiko makes pasta!
2. Hungry lolis stuff themselves with pasta & Bunny's lovely cherry blossom tea. ♥
3. Clothing swap! Each of us brought a few items of clothing for the others to try on so everyone got to change co-ordinates and have fun! We even stuffed Michi into pink, shock horror! I fell in love with Aiko's Bodyline JSK with the little devil wings and a tail. Sadly, too big for me. :(

4. Much camwhoring ensues.
5. Teatime! Started off with longan ice, then cupcakes, Ginger's beautiful little pastries, and the cute loliday cake that Michi made and she and Bunny decorated. Sadly, we didn't even touch the cake as we were so full of food by then we couldn't eat anymore.


Loliday cake made by Michi, decorated by Michi and Bunny!
The decorations spell out "loliday 2009"

6. More camwhoring.

The Angel and the Devil: Ice-cream & Frack

7. Gift exchange and loliday message writing! I got a pair of lovely blackXwhite lace cuffs from Aiko. It was fated for me, haha.

Rest of the album is here:
7:09 PM | Category: | 0 comments

FAQ 1: Lolita shopping in Malaysia? (Lolita Around the World 1)
This is one of the most popular questions I get, so here's a basic guide to lolita shopping in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (I would appreciate any input on other lolita-related stores in Malaysia so if you know of any, do leave a comment. ♥) Hopefully this will be useful for both local and foreign lolis alike.

First off, if you're looking for burando (Baby, the Stars Shine Bright, Metamorphose, Angelic Pretty etc.), unfortunately you will not find any physical stores in Malaysia. Going online is your best bet. However, I will first focus on actual physical stores in KL. The online buying guide will be a separate post. If you're a local Malaysian lolita though, I would encourage you to buy online as the range is wider and it isn't necessarily more expensive.

If you're looking for Bodyline, K-star, GLP or other off-brand items, then you're in luck!

1. i-SOCKS in Times Square
Located in the Times Square shopping mall, so far this is the only store I know of that carries Bodyline. They also carry the brand GLP. They have a few branches within Times Square itself, with each branch carrying different styles such as punk and gothic-inspired clothing.
The branch of i-SOCKS that carries the lolita clothing is a "members only" area, meaning you will need a members' card to gain entry.

How to get a members' card: I am not sure of the exact policy, but I think if you spend a certain amount at any one of the other branches, you are eligible to become a member. Each card admits 3 people, if I am not mistaken, so if you yourself do not have a card, just get a friend who is a member to go with you. (If anyone knows the exact details of their policy, do leave a comment.)

According to delphnie, you need to spend RM30 in the non-members' area, which will grant you access to the members' area. Then, if you spend another RM50 in the members' area, you will get a members' card. So, in conclusion you have to spend RM80 in one day there. However, the policy is a bit unclear, so the best way is to just ask the shop staff about it if you want the card.

**Also, it may be worth noting that public opinion of this store is..... varied.

How to get there: Take the monorail to the Imbi station stop, which has a direct walkway leading into Times Square.

2. Anatomi in Sungei Wang Plaza
They carry the brand K-star. They also have a range of other alternative fashion styles. Unfortunately, I can't remember the exact floor the store is on but it is on the same floor as Sun Comics (the branch on the lower floor), one floor above Famous Amos. (I will update the exact info when I get a chance to check.)

How to get there: Take the monorail to the Bukit Bintang stop, which has a direct walkway into Sg Wang Plaza. It is also about a 5-minute walk from Times Square.

3. Anatomi in Sunway Pyramid
This is a branch of the Sg Wang store, and carries mostly the same things, with more casual clothing.

How to get there: Unfortunately there are no trains to Sunway Pyramid directly but from the Kelana Jaya LRT station (Putra line), you can take bus no. T623, which has Sunway Pyramid as one of the stops. The wait for the bus may be long though, so taking a taxi may be more convenient.

Map of the T623 route here.

Sells the Gothic and Lolita Bible, Gosurori, Shimotsuma Monogatari and other related books.

How to get there: Take the LRT to KLCC station (Putra line).

5. Others
If you're looking for loliable and lolita-related items, Sg Wang plaza and Times Square are probably the best bet. With a little time and patience, you can find some some cute accessories, socks and maybe even a bag or two.

Extra links:
Kuala Lumpur public transport map: http://www.malaxi.com/Map_transit.htm
10:29 PM | Category: , , | 6 comments

Outing!
Lolita outing next Saturday!

Venue : Seed Cafe, Mid Valley
Date : 30th May 2009
Time : 11am

6:17 AM | Category: , | 0 comments

Jrock no Tamashii
Not exactly lolita-related but I'm sure some of you may be interested. I'm pimping it so I have someone to head-bang with me. That and, two of my very awesome friends Reiki (of Drako'Zen) and Lina (of Gemini) will be performing. <3





10:13 AM | Category: | 0 comments

Rules on the Lolita
Text by 嶽本野ばら (Takemoto Novala)
From the Gothic and Lolita Bible vol. 23 , pg 49

Translation: (done 10.2.2009)

I want to be a lolita, you say.
And so I answer, good if that is so.
What should I do to seem like a lolita?
I do not have the answer to that.
A headdress is necessary, of course. A pannier too.
This co-ordinate, does it look strange?
As a lolita, am I making a mistake?
Ne, why do you want to be a lolita?
Because it has become popular, because your friends are wearing it too.......
Supposing that is true, you are not qualified to be a lolita.
If you just imitate, you will achieve the outer appearance.
However, I would like you to think.
For whose sake are you living?
You want to show your individuality, yet you fear isolation
You scream that you want to be free, yet you feel safe within the rules
If you don't even know why you were complimented, are you still satisfied.
You Vivienne Westwood girls who don't even know about the Sex Pistols.
Even wearing just a jersey, a princess is still a princess.
Because my rules for lolita, belong only to me.
Because your rules for lolita, belong only to you.
For my god is different from your god.
If there are angels draped in elegant robes that play the tambourine
Then there are also angels clad in armour, sword in hand, whose task is to fight.
Even if you ask me, I can't answer you.
If you would like a hint, they are scattered everywhere.
You simply didn't notice.
That what you believe is right, that is the answer.
Sew frills all around the border of your heart!
Wear a tiara upon your soul!
All you have to do is to be proud.

*I decided to take a more interpretive approach to this translation rather than a literal one. Some of the phrases that Novala-sensei uses here are quite lovely, and I really wanted to capture that in the English translation.

Original text:

ロリータになりたいと、君はいう。
なればいいと、僕はこたえる。
どうすれば、ロリータさんらしくみえる？
返す言葉を、僕は持たない。
ヘッドドレスは必要だよね。パニエも。
このコーディネイトって、おかしい？
ロリータさんとして間違っていないかな？
ねぇ、君はどうしてロリータがしたいの。
流行りだから、友達もしているから・・・・・・。
もし、そうなら君にロリータの資格はないね。
真似をすれば、それなりに格好はつくよ。
だけど考えて欲しい。
君は誰の為に生きているのかを。
自分らしくと思いながら、孤立するのを恐れている。
自由でいたいと呼びながら、規則の中で安心している。
納得出来ないのに誉められて、満足かい。
SEX　PISTOLSも知らないでVivienne　Westwoodな彼女達。
ジャージを着ていたって、お姫様はお姫様さ。
僕はロリータのルールは、僕だけのものだから
君がロリータのルールは、君にしか見付けられない。
僕の神様と君の神様は違うだろ。
優雅なローヴを纏い、タンバリンを叩く天使もいれば
甲胃に身を包み、剣を持ち戦うが仕事の天使もいる。
僕に訊かれても困るんだ。
ヒントなら至るところに転がっているけれど。
気付いていないだけさ。
君が正しいと思うものが答えだということを。
心の裾にフリルを縫いつ込め！
魂の上にティアラを飾れ！
君はもっと、傲慢になっていい。
8:52 PM | Category: , , , | 0 comments

Itadaki Loli Outing
Event: Itadaki Loli Cupcakes Outing~!
Date: Saturday, 29th November 2008
Venue: Sweetchat @ Times Square (originally meant to be bisou @ Asian Heritage Row)
Theme: Pink, white, desserts & sweets
Co-ordinate theme: Sweets no ohime-sama!



7:39 AM | Category: , , | 0 comments

Four Things I Wish I Had Known As A ko-Loli
The year was 2003 (or thereabouts). Back then, the Gothic and Lolita Bibles were still freely available on the Internet in the form of downloadable torrents and I had my first, fascinating look at GLB 1.

Of course, like most ko-lolis (in Frack speak, a ko-loli is someone who has just started to develop an interest in lolita fashion), I decided, heck, I can pull something like that together! I was into Gothic Lolita so obviously black+some lace+some crappy make-up makes me oh so Gosurori. What a disaster! Well, you live and you learn. Especially important life lessons like a pannier is not a skirt and will never be one. Sometimes I wish someone would have pulled me aside and said, "DUDE NO."

And that brings me to the main point:

Four Things I Wish I Had Known As A ko-Loli

1. How to take constructive criticism
If someone had come up to me and said "You call this loli?" I might have reacted rather violently and beat that person to a pulp with my parasol. However, it might also have prompted me to take a long, hard look at myself in the mirror before stepping out of the house in a pannier and half-assed veil. Being on the receiving end of criticism is hardly ever easy or pleasant but if you are going to post pictures of yourself on the Internet showing off your very first lolita outfit, criticism is going to come your way. Getting angry and accusing everyone of being elitist isn't going to help. The trick is to first, receive it graciously and second, filter through it with an objective mind.

Any comments that are blatantly malicious, mean or refer to you as "lala/seaweed/whatever offensive word" you can most probably ignore. Also, while comments screaming "kawaii" are always nice, they may not be the best indicator. Instead, focus on the comments that actually mention what they think isn't quite right with the outfit. If someone says your skirt is "not loli", it may be worth your time to think about why that may be so. Is it the shape, the length, the material? But remember, everyone has their own opinion and everyone makes mistakes so don't take anything too personally and don't blindly follow everyone's advice. Pick and choose what you think is the best advice and use that to improve on the next outfit.

Also, I think the way you give constructive criticism is just as important as how you receive it, but that's another rant for another day.

2. Lace, oh lace.
I think I have a slight lace fetish so I could go on forever about this topic, but I will spare you the excruciating boredom. The main point is: cheap lace is not your friend. Come now, repeat after me, cheap lace is not my friend.

I understand how hard it can be to pull together a nice co-ordinate when you're on a budget. Lolita fashion is expensive but that doesn't mean there aren't ways to save money.

But wait, what is that you say? You've already bought a dress (spent a good RM200 on it too!), covered to the brim in cheap lace and you finally decided that you don't really like it. Fret not. Take a good, long hard look at the dress. Look at the design. Imagine it -gasp- without all that lace. There, doesn't that make it a lot better? That was the easy part.

The hard part is replacing all that lace. No, I'm not kidding. Yes, it takes a LOT of time and a LOT of effort, but it can be done. However, first decide whether you like the dress enough to put in all that time and effort. Also, if the problem with the dress is its shape, cut or length, then no amount of lace-replacing can save it.

Now take a trip to your local lace shop, take the time to look around and pick up some nice lace (it doesn't have to be very expensive). However, it is important to have a design plan in your mind before you go lace shopping or you might end up buying lace you won't use or need. And it's not just the type of lace you want to worry about, you should also think about the placement and the size of the lace. Lace that is too wide or too elaborate can be overwhelming. Also, this is a huge generalization but using lace the same colour as the material (e.g. blackXblack, whiteXwhite) allows you to get away with using less expensive lace.

3. What maketh a loli?
And no, the answer isn't lace. 0 points for you. I have said this again and again but I feel that it just isn't said enough. Putting lace on a skirt/blouse/dress doesn't make it loli. To be fair though, these past few years, I have noticed that the ko-Lolis nowadays are quite knowledgeable which I will assume is the result of the increasing exposure that lolita fashion is receiving in Malaysia.

Anyway, back to the point. There is no one simple answer to the question but there are certain guidelines (albeit debated guidelines) by which the fashion usually adheres to. Personally, I feel the best way is to get a feel of those guidelines is to just keep looking at tons and tons of pictures of lolita fashion. Grab a few GLBs and start flipping through them, browse brand websites, join online communities like egl and daily_lolita. Really form your own personal opinion about what makes something lolita or not.

Pay close attention to skirt length and shape, the shape of the collars and sleeves on the blouses, the colour schemes, the type of shoes. Ask yourself this question: "What is it that makes lolita clothes so different from other clothes?"

Just remember, at the end of the day, there are no set-in-stone rules and the fashion is still open to some interpretation. Originality (while still keeping with the style) is always important in a good co-ordinate.

4. The importance of hair and make-up
Okay, so you've got your co-ordinate all ready, from your headdress to your pannier to your rocking horses. The next thing to consider is your hair and make-up. One of the most annoying best things about lolita is the utmost care taken for every little detail and thus, a beautiful outfit can really be undermined by untidy hair while a cute hairstyle can bring the whole outfit together in a nice little package. Of course, sometimes you just don't have the time to make sure every exquisite curl is in the right place but on those days, the least you can do is ensure that your hair looks neat. Unintentionally messy hair does not an elegant lolita make.

Wigs are also a good investment for bad hair days.

Now for make-up. The most important "don't" of all time: Unless you're Mana, blue/black lipstick and white face powder IS NOT FOR YOU. You can thank me later. Not wearing make-up is fine too, if that's what you prefer.

Finally, never be afraid to have fun and be creative with your co-ordinate. No matter what you're wearing, just hold your head high and walk like you're the most beautiful lolita there ever was. With these tips in mind young ko-Loli, go forth and be frilly.
9:29 AM | Category: , | 0 comments