Petticoat thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at Young V&A
Japan: Myths to Manga

Petticoat

2005-2011 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Lolita fashion emerged during the 1990s as a radical form of street style born out of the Japanese taste for Hello Kitty cuteness. Whether dressed in pink, powder blue, red, white or black, Lolitas are immediately recognisable by their doll-like make-up, frilly skirts, fanciful headgear, ribbons and lace. A striking feature of Lolita fashion is the extent to which it is influenced by British culture: Alice in Wonderland, Glam Rock, the New Romantics, Gothic, Punk and Vivienne Westwood. Although the attitude and aggression of Punk and Gothic have no place in the world of the Lolita, the movement represents a similarly powerful rebellion against the conventions of contemporary society. The first three sections of the display are devoted to Sweet, Gothic and Punk Lolita. The final section, Japanese Lolita, shows how a fascination with the exotic and alternative has resulted in the reappropriation and sometimes extreme recasting of traditional modes of Japanese dress.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Polyester and plain weave cotton
Brief description
Petticoat, polyester and cotton, designed by Yumi Fujiwara at Innocent World, Japan, 2005-2011
Physical description
Petticoat, of white polyester with a white plain weave cotton waistband.
Dimensions
  • Height: 43cm
  • Waist width: 28cm
  • Hem width: 97cm
Gallery label
SWEET LOLITA - Innocent World is an Osaka-based design house founded by Yumi Fujiwara. The clothing is sometimes Sweet Lolita and at other times, as with the relatively sober outfit displayed here, what is called Classic Lolita. The company's concept statement speaks of 'elegance and cuteness' and of 'a simple world without dirt or blemish' that reflects 'the pure and innocent hearts of young women'.(11/12/2012)
Object history
This item is part of one of the "Sweet Lolita" outfits on display from 23 April 2012 to January 2013 in the "Kitty and the Bulldog Lolita fashion and the influence of Britain" exhibition at the V&A. Part of the V&A British Design Season.
Summary
Lolita fashion emerged during the 1990s as a radical form of street style born out of the Japanese taste for Hello Kitty cuteness. Whether dressed in pink, powder blue, red, white or black, Lolitas are immediately recognisable by their doll-like make-up, frilly skirts, fanciful headgear, ribbons and lace. A striking feature of Lolita fashion is the extent to which it is influenced by British culture: Alice in Wonderland, Glam Rock, the New Romantics, Gothic, Punk and Vivienne Westwood. Although the attitude and aggression of Punk and Gothic have no place in the world of the Lolita, the movement represents a similarly powerful rebellion against the conventions of contemporary society. The first three sections of the display are devoted to Sweet, Gothic and Punk Lolita. The final section, Japanese Lolita, shows how a fascination with the exotic and alternative has resulted in the reappropriation and sometimes extreme recasting of traditional modes of Japanese dress.
Collection
Accession number
FE.243-2011

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Record createdOctober 28, 2011
Record URL
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