ALAMODE MARKET: GOTHIC LOLITA SHOPPING, CUTE TOKYO EGL JEWELRY BOUTIQUES.
Caution: the photos in this post may cause your eyeballs to leap out of their sockets! Above is my best attempt at a visual approximation of Tokyo’s bi-annual Alamode Market in Kawasaki (17 minutes from Tokyo Station, followed by a short walk). Dozens of independent designers set up tables to sell Gothic & Lolita clothes, accessories, dolls, illustrations…
…and hundreds of girls aged 15-30 paid 500 yen to stare and spend. Organizer D’s Valentine met me at the entrance and very kindly permitted me to take photos. Both sellers and customers wore neo-Victoriana and fluttered around in excitement, creating a bustling market straight out of a steampunk novel.
The casual setup enabled customers to chat with the designers in person. It was a treat to see handmade and one-off designs (here’s the full list of the independent boutiques that set up a stall). The prices were reasonable too, such as a $13 cotton bell-skirt.
I have a soft spot for over-the-top Rococo hats.
How I wanted to set up a make-shift photobooth in the back! Friends came together and dressed to reflect their personal quirks.
From its humble beginnings in 2003, Alamode Market has grown to a packed rorita gathering held two Saturdays a year (in April and October). With D’s Valentine at the helm, I have a feeling Alamode Market will be around for the next generation of Tokyo Lolitas!
This entry was posted on Monday, October 27th, 2008 at 00:52 and is filed under Art + Design, Tokyo Gothic Lolita. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.
October 27th, 2008 at 18:36
em says:That looks amazing! Too bad its only held twice a year; I'd definetly want to check it out, especially with what sounds like pretty good prices. I wonder how you would buy from these sellers otherwise…I saw the links to their sites, but I can't read them. XD
Anyway, it looks really awesome, and I'm glad you got to take pictures of it!
October 27th, 2008 at 21:57
lacarmina says:Unfortunately, most of them are very tiny one-person stores and only sell them at Alamode or locally… you can try emailing them but they may not even ship overseas or have product for you to look at…
October 28th, 2008 at 00:33
shauku says:woa mommy lolita!
October 28th, 2008 at 01:35
Emma says:Gorgeous! It's all I have to say.
It's like I'm in heaven! Again! Carmen, you know all my weak spots! o_o (Man Heaven, Shoe Heaven, Lolita Heaven…)
October 28th, 2008 at 03:00
Kat @ Rock 'n Roll Bride says:must..keep…breathing…..wow! i LOVE jewellery more than life itself – that place looks totoally amazing? when is it on in april? i'll be gutted if we missed it when we were there! as always lady, loving the pictures and that baby OH MY GAAAWWD how cute! if i ever have a kid that's how i will dress them
October 28th, 2008 at 03:31
lacarmina says:Thanks, lady! I think the previous Alamode Market was on April 5, 2008…
hahaha for now, you can dress Akira a la Lolita!
October 28th, 2008 at 04:24
Kat @ Rock 'n Roll Bride says:ahh thats ok..we didnt fly out wil the 13th so i wasnt there are missing it! hehe Akira would not be happy with that..but i may have to have a try!
October 28th, 2008 at 08:38
Louise says:Looks like paradise!!
October 28th, 2008 at 08:39
lacarmina says:Totally overwhelming!
October 28th, 2008 at 11:06
Christiane says:I really want to be in Tokyo now! The necklaces in the very first picture on the left are so gorgeous! <3333 I want one!
October 28th, 2008 at 11:26
Zelda says:I think I just died a bit….
*_*
T_T
October 28th, 2008 at 16:14
Persilya says:Hi !
Your blog is just amazing !!! O_O
I will come again in the futur, for sur ! ;-)
Arigatô gozaimasu for all those beautiful pictures !
(and your kitty is soooooooooo cute !!!! *w*)
Best wishes from France ! ^_^
October 28th, 2008 at 16:40
lacarmina says:Merci beaucoup! Basil dit miao! ^^
October 28th, 2008 at 16:42
Smoke Me says:-too stunned…to really have anything to say-
October 28th, 2008 at 16:42
chaoticLady says:o,g o,g i have to breath……omg ahhh i want to be there:)
the pics and your text are both so amazing….great awesome…totaly awesome^^
October 28th, 2008 at 16:43
lacarmina says:It was fun to attend and take pictures! :)
October 29th, 2008 at 21:14
LiTtLe_MiSs_PsYcHo says:KAWAII!!!!!!!
awww the baby wearing that bunny hat thing is soooooooooooooooooo cute!!!!!!!!!!
February 8th, 2009 at 06:48
Baminyourface says:The baby is so cute.
I love the bunny hat thing.
I Want one for myself ^.^
February 8th, 2009 at 14:48
Baminyourface says:The baby is so cute.
I love the bunny hat thing.
I Want one for myself ^.^