WA LOLITA: TRADITIONAL JAPANESE KIMONO DRESSES BY LACRIMA.
Wa Lolita is one of the minority denizens of the Lolita universe. The subset mixes traditional Japanese garb (such as the kimono and its casual summer variant, the yukata) with Loli styling (lace shirring, capes, the usual drill). The variation appeared relatively early on – the Gothic & Lolita Bible did a Wa Loli photoshoot with Kana – but hasn’t exactly boarded the popularity train. h.NAOTO’s East collection appears to have been discontinued, and the major Lolita brands rarely add a token Wa to their Sweet, Gothic, Classical and Punk lineups.
Leave it to the indies to pick up the slack. The small Japanese brand Lacrima (not to be confused with yours truly, La Carmina) calls itself a “kimono dress factory” and specializes in Wa Lolita works of art. Lacrima masterfully fuses the richest elements of the two styles: rich, traditional florals decorated with white lace, layered capelets with wide kimono sleeves, criss-cross corset lacing on the wide obi (sash). I think this hybrid is more striking but less accessible than Sweet and Gothic – perhaps because the latter two aren’t too far removed from historical European styling? I can picture a Juliette et Justine dress on Madame de Pompadour – but I’m hard pressed to imagine anyone in Wa Lolita other than a Japanese doll.
Still, these garments are breathtaking. Check out Lacrima’s website for close-ups of the intricate construction. Tell them La Carmina sent you!
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I love wa-lolita fashion. I the GosuLoli sewing magazine features at least one wa-loli style in each issue. Granted, they're nowhere near as detailed as the Lacrima work (who's shopping section I'm having trouble finding, btw…), but they're good starting points if you want to make your own stuff.
But I agree. Wa-lolita is not the most “accessible” of the lolita styles… It's pretty hard to pull off. Ironically enough, though, it seems to be gaining a lot more popularity in the US than in Japan… ^^;
I recently made a wa-lolita JSK that I wear pretty often (sans petticoat). It's probably the only wa-anything out there that doesn't have long kimono sleeves…xD Actually, the only thing “wa” about it is the really pretty Japanese dragon fabric… you can see it on my web-page if your interested, but I'm going to update those pictures soon.
Other brands that used to sell wa-lolita include the defunct “Stoic Doll” and “Jugem”. The only info I can find about these brands is a couple tiny ads in the Summer 2006 GLB… ^^;
These are fabulous!
Ah, good point about the sewing magazines. I really like your Dragon Dress and Little Doll photos! Very nicely done :)
I love wa-lolita fashion. I the GosuLoli sewing magazine features at least one wa-loli style in each issue. Granted, they’re nowhere near as detailed as the Lacrima work (who’s shopping section I’m having trouble finding, btw…), but they’re good starting points if you want to make your own stuff.
But I agree. Wa-lolita is not the most “accessible” of the lolita styles… It’s pretty hard to pull off. Ironically enough, though, it seems to be gaining a lot more popularity in the US than in Japan… ^^;
I recently made a wa-lolita JSK that I wear pretty often (sans petticoat). It’s probably the only wa-anything out there that doesn’t have long kimono sleeves…xD Actually, the only thing “wa” about it is the really pretty Japanese dragon fabric… you can see it on my web-page if your interested, but I’m going to update those pictures soon.
Other brands that used to sell wa-lolita include the defunct “Stoic Doll” and “Jugem”. The only info I can find about these brands is a couple tiny ads in the Summer 2006 GLB… ^^;
Ah, good point about the sewing magazines. I really like your Dragon Dress and Little Doll photos! Very nicely done :)
Hey, thanks! Thanks for stopping by… ^^v
wonderful even!
OMG!!! Those are to DIE for!!!
These are fabulous!
wonderful even!
OMG!!! Those are to DIE for!!!
Oh, those are so adorable! I love wa lolita style! ^^
Oh, those are so adorable! I love wa lolita style! ^^
These are the best !!!!!(^0^) ottimo lavoro!!!!
for me these works have a lot of individual approach ^-^
Do you create the patterns for the design raport aswell?
and ambroidery of Florence , you should try it too!!!(^0^)
did you try out with these models fully patterned sleeves ^—^?
really really beautiful colors ^—^ erai!!!!!!!!!!!
brava brava!!!
^-^ daisuki!
Wow ^^ I like Wa-Lolita very much and those dresses are just… incredibly beautiful!!!
These are the best !!!!!(^0^) ottimo lavoro!!!!
for me these works have a lot of individual approach ^-^
Do you create the patterns for the design raport aswell?
and ambroidery of Florence , you should try it too!!!(^0^)
did you try out with these models fully patterned sleeves ^—^?
really really beautiful colors ^—^ erai!!!!!!!!!!!
brava brava!!!
^-^ daisuki!
Wow ^^ I like Wa-Lolita very much and those dresses are just… incredibly beautiful!!!
Hey, thanks! Thanks for stopping by… ^^v
I LUV ALL THE COLOR..
I have to have one of these!! How are the sizes? run big/small?
very nice!! i couldn't find a lot of good pictures but these are really good :D
kawaii
all of them are great but i love the
I would be the happiest girl in the world hahaha well i don't think so but is really lovely
bisous
owwwww….it so lovely!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I LUV ALL THE COLOR..
I have to have one of these!! How are the sizes? run big/small?
very nice!! i couldn’t find a lot of good pictures but these are really good :D
kawaii
all of them are great but i love the
I would be the happiest girl in the world hahaha well i don’t think so but is really lovely
bisous
owwwww….it so lovely!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OH-MY-GOD O_O
OH-MY-GOD O_O
amazingly beautiful!
all them r pretty but i luv the blue one
@____@ i want the blue one
wow some great stuff
amazingly beautiful!
all them r pretty but i luv the blue one
@____@ i want the blue one
wow some great stuff
Those are some of the most beautiful dresses I've ever seen. The boots rock.
Those are some of the most beautiful dresses I’ve ever seen. The boots rock.
I've been searching google up and down for Lacrima's website D: but I have yet to find the official page,
help please?
Apologies – when I moved blog platforms, a lot of my links got lost. Here it is!
http://lacrima.tanmono.com/index2.htm
I’ve been searching google up and down for Lacrima’s website D: but I have yet to find the official page,
help please?
Apologies – when I moved blog platforms, a lot of my links got lost. Here it is!
http://lacrima.tanmono.com/index2.htm
Apologies – when I moved blog platforms, a lot of my links got lost. Here it is!
http://lacrima.tanmono.com/index2.htm
I’ve been searching google up and down for Lacrima’s website D: but I have yet to find the official page,
help please?
Recently, I've become more interested in Wa-Loli kei XD though I'm not sure if its because I've been listening to too much Kagrra, thesedays or if I've just become a lot more interested in Wa-type things.
I bought myself the issue of GosuRori(a month or so back) with the Wa-Loli yukata featured. I drafted out the pattern pieces from the instructions & made a white “nagajyuban”(broderie anglaise sleeves with the rest cotton poplin) as a practise piece. Yet, I'm not sure if I'll be able to make myself the full outfit, as its extremely difficult to find Wa-kei fabric prints in Scotland >.<;; I'm still searching for the perfect Wa-kei floral print! O.o; But I'm stuck in a limbo of research & planning at the mo' because I don't really wish to give in & use western type fabric prints T.T; I'm also planning to make two outfits, one full kimono set & a yukata set too ^__^;;
Recently, I’ve become more interested in Wa-Loli kei XD though I’m not sure if its because I’ve been listening to too much Kagrra, thesedays or if I’ve just become a lot more interested in Wa-type things.
I bought myself the issue of GosuRori(a month or so back) with the Wa-Loli yukata featured. I drafted out the pattern pieces from the instructions & made a white “nagajyuban”(broderie anglaise sleeves with the rest cotton poplin) as a practise piece. Yet, I’m not sure if I’ll be able to make myself the full outfit, as its extremely difficult to find Wa-kei fabric prints in Scotland >.<;; I'm still searching for the perfect Wa-kei floral print! O.o; But I'm stuck in a limbo of research & planning at the mo' because I don't really wish to give in & use western type fabric prints T.T; I'm also planning to make two outfits, one full kimono set & a yukata set too ^__^;;
Recently, I've become more interested in Wa-Loli kei XD though I'm not sure if its because I've been listening to too much Kagrra, thesedays or if I've just become a lot more interested in Wa-type things.
I bought myself the issue of GosuRori(a month or so back) with the Wa-Loli yukata featured. I drafted out the pattern pieces from the instructions & made a white “nagajyuban”(broderie anglaise sleeves with the rest cotton poplin) as a practise piece. Yet, I'm not sure if I'll be able to make myself the full outfit, as its extremely difficult to find Wa-kei fabric prints in Scotland >.<;; I'm still searching for the perfect Wa-kei floral print! O.o; But I'm stuck in a limbo of research & planning at the mo' because I don't really wish to give in & use western type fabric prints T.T; I'm also planning to make two outfits, one full kimono set & a yukata set too ^__^;;