In the previous post, we’ve discussed two of the five places where you can learn more about Lolita and Harajuku Street Fashion. Let’s finish up with the last three items in our top five list.

Shimotsuma Monogatari

Shimotsuma Monogatari is a novel by Lolita maven Takemoto Nabara (Novala), which was adapted into a film with the same title. The movie stars Fukada Kyoko and Tsuchiya Anna as a Sweet Lolita and a street gang member in an unusual but deep friendship. Both the film and novel are famous for prominently featuring the Sweet Lolita fashion house Baby The Stars Shine Bright. BTSSB is responsible for many of the dresses featured in the film.

The film is entertaining more than it is educational, but it does impart the lesson that if one desires to follow the Lolita lifestyle, one should do it with all their heart. You do not dress Lolita only because you are going to a local anime convention — you strive to inculcate its values even in your daily life. True Lolitas are pleasant, well-mannered, loyal to their friends, and are interested in the finer things in life; Filipina Lolitas should strive to be the same.

The LiveJournal EGL Community

The EGL community on LiveJournal is an indispensable tool for budding Lolitas of all tastes and style preferences. It is a nearly inexhaustible repository of collective knowledge gleaned from years of personal experience by Lolitas from Tokyo to Los Angeles, Paris to Hong Kong. There are tips on how to make and wear handmade fashion items; the community is also a great place to shop for second-hand designer fashions.

The community is important since many of the members are not actually Japanese or live in Japan, which means that they — like you, the Filipina Lolitas, have had to adapt the style to their local culture, weather, and clothing resources. You can gain invaluable insight on different things you can do to make Lolita a style you can wear no matter your skin color or your dress size.

Style Deficit Disorder: Harajuku Street Fashion

Style Deficit Disorder is a book written by former KERA editor Tiffany Godoy. Tiffany Godoy is an important figure on the street fashion scene, as she not only held editorial positions with both KERA and GLB, she also hosted her own fashion-related TV show for NHK. Her book is the first of its kind written in English. It is an important resource since it chronicles the history of Harajuku Street Fashion from the early 80’s onward.

The book not only discusses the most popular street fashion choices, it also has detailed articles on the lesser known styles like Decoraa, Tokyo Hip Hop, and more. If you would like to learn more about the style of fashion you are emulating, above and beyond what your fashion magazines can give you, this book is an indispensable tool in educating yourself.

So that’s it for our top five list. If you follow any one of the many styles littering the streets of Harajuku, and have your own sources of inspiration, I’d love to hear about them. Please drop me a line in the comments page, and let’s talk shop~ 🙂