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.