Handbag
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 | Imitation leather |
Brief description | Handbag, imitation leather, designed by Mana at Moi-même Moitié, Japan, 2005-2011 |
Physical description | Handbag, black and blue imitation leather, bat-shaped featuring a blue cross on the front side and a coffin shaped zip. |
Dimensions |
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Gallery label |
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Object history | This item is part of one of the "Gothic Lolita" outfits on display from 23 April 2012 to 27 January 2013 in the "Kitty and the Bulldog" display at the V&A. |
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.255-2011 |
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Record created | October 28, 2011 |
Record URL |
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