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ALAMODE MARKET: GOTHIC LOLITA SHOPPING, CUTE TOKYO EGL JEWELRY BOUTIQUES.

Alamode Market, Gothic Lolita shopping and small designer boutiques, presented by D's Valentine in Tokyo Japan. Sweet candy accessories, cute jewelry

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…

Gothic and Sweet lolita girls, cute hats and rave outfits. Neo-Victorian cyber clothing. Alamode Market, Gothic Lolita shopping and small designer boutiques, presented by D's Valentine in Tokyo Japan.

…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.

Victorian costumes on Harajuku girls. Witch hat, giant bows on head, dolls Alamode Market, Gothic Lolita shopping and small designer boutiques, presented by D's Valentine in Tokyo Japan.

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.

Kikirara Shoten, big Victorian bonnets with fruits and flowers. Marie Antoinette curly hair, wigs. Alamode Market, Gothic Lolita shopping and small designer boutiques, presented by D's Valentine in Tokyo Japan.

I have a soft spot for over-the-top Rococo hats.

Misshapes club kid photos, Japanese photobooth portraits. Goth pirate costume with giant veiled hat and vest, dandy Victorian aristocrat fashion. Alamode Market, Gothic Lolita shopping and small designer boutiques, presented by D's Valentine in Tokyo Japan.

How I wanted to set up a make-shift photobooth in the back! Friends came together and dressed to reflect their personal quirks.

Baby lolitas, little toddler kid in bunny ears costume. Japanese girl carrying baby on back, dressed in crazy outfit. Alamode Market, Gothic Lolita shopping and small designer boutiques, presented by D's Valentine in Tokyo Japan.

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!

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44 Comments

  1. em
    Posted October 27, 2008 at 6:36 pm | Permalink

    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!

  2. em
    Posted October 28, 2008 at 1:36 am | Permalink

    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!

    • lacarmina
      Posted October 28, 2008 at 4:57 am | Permalink

      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…

    • lacarmina
      Posted October 28, 2008 at 4:57 am | Permalink

      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…

  3. em
    Posted October 28, 2008 at 1:36 am | Permalink

    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!

  4. lacarmina
    Posted October 27, 2008 at 9:57 pm | Permalink

    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…

  5. shauku
    Posted October 28, 2008 at 12:33 am | Permalink

    woa mommy lolita!

  6. Emma
    Posted October 28, 2008 at 1:35 am | Permalink

    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…)

  7. shauku
    Posted October 28, 2008 at 7:33 am | Permalink

    woa mommy lolita!

  8. shauku
    Posted October 28, 2008 at 7:33 am | Permalink

    woa mommy lolita!

  9. Kat @ Rock 'n Roll Bride
    Posted October 28, 2008 at 3:00 am | Permalink

    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

  10. lacarmina
    Posted October 28, 2008 at 3:31 am | Permalink

    Thanks, lady! I think the previous Alamode Market was on April 5, 2008…

    hahaha for now, you can dress Akira a la Lolita!

  11. Emma
    Posted October 28, 2008 at 8:35 am | Permalink

    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…)

  12. Emma
    Posted October 28, 2008 at 8:35 am | Permalink

    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…)

  13. Kat @ Rock 'n Roll Bride
    Posted October 28, 2008 at 4:24 am | Permalink

    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!

  14. Kat @ Rock 'n Roll Bride
    Posted October 28, 2008 at 10:00 am | Permalink

    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

    • lacarmina
      Posted October 28, 2008 at 10:31 am | Permalink

      Thanks, lady! I think the previous Alamode Market was on April 5, 2008…

      hahaha for now, you can dress Akira a la Lolita!

      • Kat @ Rock 'n Roll Bride
        Posted October 28, 2008 at 11:24 am | Permalink

        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!

      • Kat @ Rock 'n Roll Bride
        Posted October 28, 2008 at 11:24 am | Permalink

        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!

    • lacarmina
      Posted October 28, 2008 at 10:31 am | Permalink

      Thanks, lady! I think the previous Alamode Market was on April 5, 2008…

      hahaha for now, you can dress Akira a la Lolita!

  15. Kat @ Rock 'n Roll Bride
    Posted October 28, 2008 at 10:00 am | Permalink

    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

  16. Louise
    Posted October 28, 2008 at 8:38 am | Permalink

    Looks like paradise!!

  17. lacarmina
    Posted October 28, 2008 at 8:39 am | Permalink

    Totally overwhelming!

  18. Louise
    Posted October 28, 2008 at 3:38 pm | Permalink

    Looks like paradise!!

  19. Christiane
    Posted October 28, 2008 at 11:06 am | Permalink

    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!

  20. Zelda
    Posted October 28, 2008 at 11:26 am | Permalink

    I think I just died a bit….

    *_*

    T_T

  21. Christiane
    Posted October 28, 2008 at 6:06 pm | Permalink

    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!

  22. Zelda
    Posted October 28, 2008 at 6:26 pm | Permalink

    I think I just died a bit….

    *_*

    T_T

  23. Persilya
    Posted October 28, 2008 at 4:14 pm | Permalink

    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 ! ^_^

  24. lacarmina
    Posted October 28, 2008 at 4:40 pm | Permalink

    Merci beaucoup! Basil dit miao! ^^

  25. Smoke Me
    Posted October 28, 2008 at 4:42 pm | Permalink

    -too stunned…to really have anything to say-

  26. chaoticLady
    Posted October 28, 2008 at 4:42 pm | Permalink

    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^^

  27. lacarmina
    Posted October 28, 2008 at 4:43 pm | Permalink

    It was fun to attend and take pictures! :)

  28. Persilya
    Posted October 28, 2008 at 11:14 pm | Permalink

    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 ! ^_^

    • lacarmina
      Posted October 28, 2008 at 11:40 pm | Permalink

      Merci beaucoup! Basil dit miao! ^^

  29. Smoke Me
    Posted October 28, 2008 at 11:42 pm | Permalink

    -too stunned…to really have anything to say-

  30. chaoticLady
    Posted October 28, 2008 at 11:42 pm | Permalink

    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^^

    • lacarmina
      Posted October 28, 2008 at 11:43 pm | Permalink

      It was fun to attend and take pictures! :)

  31. LiTtLe_MiSs_PsYcHo
    Posted October 29, 2008 at 9:14 pm | Permalink

    KAWAII!!!!!!!

    awww the baby wearing that bunny hat thing is soooooooooooooooooo cute!!!!!!!!!!

  32. LiTtLe_MiSs_PsYcHo
    Posted October 30, 2008 at 4:14 am | Permalink

    KAWAII!!!!!!!

    awww the baby wearing that bunny hat thing is soooooooooooooooooo cute!!!!!!!!!!

  33. Baminyourface
    Posted February 8, 2009 at 6:48 am | Permalink

    The baby is so cute.
    I love the bunny hat thing.
    I Want one for myself ^.^

  34. Baminyourface
    Posted February 8, 2009 at 2:48 pm | Permalink

    The baby is so cute.
    I love the bunny hat thing.
    I Want one for myself ^.^

  35. Baminyourface
    Posted February 8, 2009 at 2:48 pm | Permalink

    The baby is so cute.
    I love the bunny hat thing.
    I Want one for myself ^.^