Dress thumbnail 1
Dress thumbnail 2
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Image of Gallery in South Kensington
Not currently on display at the V&A
On short term loan out for exhibition

Dress

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
Parts
This object consists of 3 parts.

  • Dress
  • Sleeve
  • Sleeve
Brief description
Dress with a pair of detachable sleeves, cotton and lace, designed by Kumiko Uehara for Baby, the Stars Shine Bright, Japan, 2005-2011
Dimensions
  • Dress length: 970mm (Maximum) (Note: Measured by conservation)
  • Dress waist measured on outside of costume circumference: 720mm (Note: Measured by conservation)
  • Dress sleeves length: 240mm (Note: Measured by conservation)
  • Dress sleeve cuff circumference: 300mm (Note: Measured by conservation)
  • Dress length of skirt, from waistband length: 530mm (Note: Measured by conservation)
  • Detachable sleeve overall length length: 470mm (Maximum) (Note: Measured by conservation)
  • Upper end of detachable sleeve, with buttonholes circumference: 280mm (Note: Measured by conservation)
  • Detachable sleeve, cirumference of bottom cuff, lace circumference: 680mm (Note: Measured by conservation)
Gallery label
Alice and the Pirates is the sub-brand of Baby, The Stars Shine Bright. It was launched in 2004 to cater to a growing demand for Gothic and Punk inspired clothing. The overall effect is still sweet, but there is a dark edginess to it. The combination of Alice (Alice in Wonderland) and Pirates (Vivienne Westwood's 1981 Pirate Collection) in the brand name is revealing. (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.314:1 to 3-2011

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Record createdNovember 25, 2011
Record URL
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