Not on display

Cape

1996 (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
Resist- dyed silk crêpe
Brief description
Cape, resist-dyed silk crêpe, designed by Takuya Sawada at Takuya Angel, Japan, 1996
Physical description
Cape made from vintage red and orange kimono fabric, decorated with brush painted details. With synthetic white fur, red tassels, metal buttons and leather straps.
Dimensions
  • Height: 54cm
  • Sleeves length: 61cm
  • Sleeves width: 36cm
Gallery label
Takuya Angel was established in 1995 by the self-taught designer, DJ and musician Takuya Sawada. Sawada makes all of his outfits himself, working at a sewing machine in a small second-floor shop in the heart of Harajuku. Much of his clothing incorporates recycled kimono fabric, of which he has built up a large collection.
Object history
This was part of the "Wa Lolita" or "Japanese Lolita" outfit 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.274-2011

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Record createdNovember 4, 2011
Record URL
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