An impulse buy!

Hello readers! Hope you're all well today. I'm a bit sad, because I had plans to go to Disneyland as my birthday treat (my birthday's on Tuesday) but I had to cancel them because I have a really awful cough :(

Anyway, I'll cheer myself up by posting about nice things! Last week I met up with Emma, another English lolita currently living in Japan. We spent the day in Shinjuku, going to Marui One and Takashimaya. Of course we spent most of the time on the lolita floor of Marui. It's summer sales now!

In Takashimaya, we checked out all the wonderful things in the craft section. There were fabrics, felting kits, resin jewellery kits, all sorts of things! It makes you want to be more creative. I feel like making some jewellery actually, but I wonder if I'll get around to it.  

We stopped to have a drink in Takashimaya. You might have noticed I cut my fringe extremely short; it wasn't entirely on purpose! I think it can look a little harsh, so today I placed my half lashes very low to create a drooping effect. I think it makes one's expression more gentle. Oh, and I wore my straw bonnet. Japan feels so safe, I think I could wear a bonnet everyday if I wanted!

Emma is so cute! She looks very fresh and pretty in these light colours. I hope we'll go shopping again soon. It might be a dangerous move though- on this day I tried on IW's Germaine onepiece in navy in the KERA shop. I thought it looked so fancy and elegant on the hanger, but I wasn't sure if it would look nice on me or not. Emma said "I think you should try it." So I did, and it seemed to fit very well. Then she said "I think you should get it!" so I did! Whoops! 

I don't regret it though, it's a lovely dress and I don't have a party dress apart from my Juliette bisque doll.  The back neckline is particularly lovely, so mature and gorgeous! Besides that the longer length is very good for me. I'm planning to wear it for the D tour final next month, so please look out for it then!

Here is today's coordinate, country and classical combined:

~Outfit Rundown~

Bonnet: Handmade

Cutsew: axes femme

Wrust cuffs: Baby, the Stars Shine Bright

Jumperskirt, bag: Metamorphose

Socks: Mikazuki Momoko

See you next time,

Sapphira

xxxx

Lolita Exhibition in London: Kitty and the Bulldog

Hello dear readers! How are you? Hope you are enjoying the weekend.

Have you heard of the current lolita exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London?

Both my friend and I couldn't attend the big meet up to see it last weekend, so instead we went to see it yesterday. It was great fun to catch up with her, and you know, the exhibition was really quite good! 

It was quite small, but free of charge, and I think the curator made a very good choice of outfits to represent different styles. The focus of the exhibition was illustrating the influence British fashion has had on Lolita fashion (hence the name). Here are the pictures I took:

~Innocent World~

~Baby, the Stars Shine Bright (r) and Alice and the Pirates (l)~

~Moi-même-Moitié~

~alice auua~

~Putumayo~

~Sixh. and MINT Neko~

(looks so much like AKIRA!)

~Takuya Angel~

~Mamechiyo Modern~

As you can see, it was not only lolita that was represented, but rather the whole contents of Shinjuku Marui One! My absolute favourite was the final kimono, so cute and lovely, and the fabrics were beautiful. 

Close up of the obi. I love the ribbon peeking over the top!

I'm happy that our beloved fashion is displayed here in London, and being treated seriously instead of dismissed as 'crazy Japanese stuff'. Maybe some new lolitas will be born after seeing this exhibition! 

Here's the link to the V&A's page about the exhibition:

http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/k/kitty-and-the-bulldog/

Have you seen this exhibition? What did you think of it? Or if you haven't, what is your impression of it from this post? I'll be very interested in your opinions!

See you next time,

Sapphira

xxxx

Classical Lolita Coordinate ~what does a blue rose mean?

Hello readers!

How are you? It's the Easter long weekend at last. I've been so busy at work I've really been looking forward to this little holiday! This weekend I will spend time on my Japanese studies, and also on making some tutorials to post here.

Today I'd like to show you the outfit I wore to visit Chichester with my father. The colour scheme was blue and white, with my Marie Antoinette skirt as the focal point. With the dandy style of the blouse and the smart double breasted waistcoat I intended to give my classic lolita outfit a bit of an aristocratic flair.

~Rundown~

Blouse: Vintage

Skirt: Baby, the Stars Shine Bright

Corsage: Handmade

Everything else: Offbrand

My father loves books, so we spent a lot of time in bookshops that day. I got a little book on the language of flowers, which I've been meaning to learn more about for the longest time. I discovered that roses especially have very pretty meanings, for example the Austrian rose means "Thou art all that is lovely", and the China rose means "Beauty always new".

But what about a blue rose, like mine? Blue roses aren't natural unfortunately, but owe their hue to being placed in coloured water. I was rather sad to discover this! Still, they are my favourite.

I hope you liked my outfit! See you next time,

Sapphira

xxxx

Springtime Antique Bouquet

Hello readers! How are you?

I have another coordinate to show you today! It's the second one that I made for the contest.

~Rundown~

Hat: corgi-corgi

Onepiece: Metamorphose temps de fille

Wrist cuffs: Baby, the Stars Shine Bright

Everything else: Offbrand

I got this onepiece when I decided that classical kei lolita was the style for me! I wasn't experienced in buying online at that time, so when it arrived I was a bit suprised at how short it was. However, this makes for a cute warm weather outfit!

Metamorphose's Antique Bouquet is one of my favourite prints! As I build my collection, I want an item from this series in each colourway. So far I have dusky pink and I have black. The eau de nil is so nice!

I hope you liked my outfit! The next post I do will be a review, something a bit different :)

See you next time,

Sapphira

xxxxx

Licca-chan exhibition at Okadaya

Hello readers!

Today's post is the last one about my trip to Japan in January. On this day I went to Okadaya, one of the most fun shops in Tokyo! Okadaya actually consists of two tall buildings, and it is filled with all manner of useful and pretty things for sewing, crafts and costuming. I love spending time there! This visit was even more interesting, because there was an exhibition of Licca-chan dolls.

Have you met Licca-chan before? She is Japan's answer to Barbie. She's very cute, don't you think? I loved Barbie so much when I was growing up, but Licca-chan is also very appealing and stylish, as you shall see!

I'd love to wear this outfit for shopping, or even at work!

This is another of my favourites. The apron is styled like German costume, but the denim gives it a prairie look. She looks so sweet <3 This colour combination is nice and a little bit unusual too!

Another natural kei/prairie outfit.

I know it's a bit frumpy, but I do love a smock. Here Licca-chan looks like Red Riding Hood!

Another coordinate I can easily imagine wearing. I think she might have had a little rucksack on her back.

I'm not sure how these huge clumpy boots would work with this dress on a real person, but on a doll they're very sweet. I like this vibrant blue!

I love her hairstyle here! She looks so casual and fresh, as if she's dressed for the first day of spring.

Pink-haired Licca-chan! I suppose this is an outfit for a stay at home day. 

Finally here's my outfit (not as cute I know....)

~Rundown~

Scarf (worn in hair) and blouse- Vintage

Cuffs- Baby, the Stars Shine Bright

Jumperskirt- Emily Temple Cute

Bag- Metamorphose

Others- Offbrand

I had tea at the Keio Plaza hotel and later had even more tea and dinner with my dear friend :)

I hope you've enjoyed this series of posts! It's been fun to look back at my holiday and I've really enjoyed your comments. Thanks so much for reading!

Se you next time,

Sapphira

xxxx

Yoyogi Koen and Meiji Jingu

Hello everyone!

Today's post is another installation of my trip to Japan. I'm coming to the end of these posts- I feel quite sad. However, it's nice to relieve these memories, and this particular day was one of my favourites.

Here's my coordinate:

~Rundown~

Hat: corgi-corgi

Blouse, scarf: Vintage

Skirt, socks: Innocent World

Basket: Disney Sea!

On this day we went to Harajuku again. This time we took a walk in Yoyogi Park and visited Meiji Shrine.... aaaand did some shopping!

I took a photo here the first time I came to Japan! Somehow this picture came out looking as if it was snowing. I don't know how it happened but it's pretty! The coat is Victorian Maiden and the muff is Innocent World.

Meiji Shrine is so beautiful, this picture really doesn't do it justice. It has the loveliest atmosphere, so romantic!

We took a walk in the imperial garden. January is seldom the best time to see any sort of garden, but it was such a beautiful clear sunny day that even though the plants were sleeping it was a very charming place.

Empress Soken used to fish from this jetty. I never imagined empresses fishing, but this one did!

Once again I went to Laforet! I'd seen some adorable wrist cuffs in Baby previously; as luck would have it they were still there! I really like the delicate tulle lace with a rose pattern and the cream colour. These will be so handy in summer when I wear short sleeves. The shop staff was so kind and wrapped them very carefully, and let me choose between an Alice and the Pirates bag or a Baby bag.

Then I got a handbag in Metamorphose too! Again, the shop staff was lovely. I took a while to decide between this one and a smaller one with rose embroidery, and she explained their features with great care which was very helpful. In the end I chose this one because it holds a lot but because of the shape it doesn't look too hefty. 

The most charming point is this metal plate. The scallops are so pretty too, and this particular shade of matte brown was just what I wanted. 

The zips are also adorable! Look at the tiny Metamorphose swans.

The lining is cream and brown, very handy. No chance of losing things in here!

I still sort of want the smaller bag too, the square one. There's a red version that's really lovely.

Thanks for looking, and I hope you enjoyed the pictures. Oh dear, I really do miss Japan!

Sapphira

xxxx

Hyper Japan Fashion Show 26/02/12

Hello readers!

Yesterday I had a wonderful time at Hyper Japan 2012 Spring. I ate a lot, including delicious curry croquettes, and learnt more about Japanese cinema. And I got a smile from the very cute Beckii Cruel :) I even met a couple of people who read this blog or recognised me from Daily Lolita! I was very suprised and happy. Thank you so much for talking to me, you are all truly lovely and it was a pleasure to meet you <3

I walked in the Japanese Street Fashion show, which showcased Lolita, Otome, Mori Girl and Cult Party kei. 

Scarlett and Tania opened the show. Scarlett was wearing kodona, and Tania was wearing a new print from Baby, the Stars Shine Bright.

Emma, on the left, was wearing Innocent World's Lotta print in classic-sweet style. Katie was hime-sweet in Baby. They are both so frilly!

Annie-May in classic. I really love this colour combination! Her bonnet is handmade.

It's me, accompanied by my dear friend Mr Albert Bear. Predictably, I'm in classic. One day I'll shock you by wearing head-to-toe AP!

With this coordinate I went for a "British school girl" theme, hence the red and blue argyll socks and sturdy boots. My jumperskirt is from Emily Temple Cute, socks are Metamorphose, blouse is handmade and everything else is offbrand. Mr Bear's ribbon hand-tailored at Savile Row.

Jenni wore classic-gothic, a style which I'd like to try out for myself. Her BTSSB hair accessory is so elegant, as is the simple but rich-looking colour scheme.

Mel looked so gorgeous, as always! I think she's one of the most beautiful girls I have ever seen. I really loved her decadent, gothic outfit.

Like many lolitas, I really look up to Phoebe! She puts so much creativity into her outfits. Her coordinate today was wonderful, with a handmade bonnet adorned with tiny bird skulls.

Here's our little mori girl pair, Mya and Shani. They look like two baby deers! I loved Mya's straw heart-shaped bag and Shani's hairstyle.

Antonia's outfit started off as mori girl but ended up as Cult Party kei with the addition of colourful accessories. Her beautiful red hair helped things along too! I really like the way she pinned up the different layers of her outfit.

Aimi was also in Cult Party kei. Her handmade hair crucifix was very cool! 

Sam was next, in otome. She told me that she reads this blog- hello Sam! 

To close the show, Bunny was also wearing otome in lovely hues of dusky pink and honey brown. She managed to walk very gracefully despite wearing those famous Vivienne Westwood Hermes sandals, which give me the chills despite being a heel veteran.

For the finale we all lined the stage, then it was time for the interviews. This gave the audience a chance to learn more about our different styles.

You can see Jenni's Grimoire tights better here! 

Explaining my socks....

It was interesting to hear about Cult Party kei. I've seen enough pictures to recognise it (seems to be based around white fluffy layers with flashes of colour and rather wonderfully morbid accessories) but I'm by no means an expert. It's a very new fashion, which is exciting! It's great to know that things are constantly changing and evolving in the world of Japanese street fashion; I would feel so sad to think that it would ever turn stale.

I thought Sam's outfit was not only gorgeous but also a wonderful example of otome kei, with retro touches like her lace-up boots, the cuteness of the strawberries on her dress (I love this series from Emily Temple Cute!) and also the modern, relaxed style of her blazer. If you need a reference for the difference between lolita and otome, you can look at this picture!

Finally all the lolis in the audience were invited onto the stage for the prize-giving. Tania the organiser, Scarlett (Hyper Japan's Kawaii Star) and Megu-san, Baby's shop staff, picked their favourite outfits to award prizes to. The prizes were donated by Gothic Lolita Wigs, Roxie Sweetheart, Teja Tights, Keep-it-secret and Now, Voyager. Well done lucky lolis!

I hope you enjoyed all the pictures, and if you see your picture here of course feel free to take it, and do let me know if you would like anything taken down or changed.

See you next time! 

Sapphira

xxxx