As a follow-up to my post about Chinese indie brands that sell old school lolita, and preceding my panel at J-Fashion University, I decided to create a list of every brand outside of Taobao that I could find that sells old school lolita on a semi-consistent basis. This was not a trivial undertaking, but I hope the results are useful.
I've already laid out my criteria previously. For this post, though, I was a little more stringent-- brands had to sell old school suitable garments semi-consistently, not just as one item among many. This list includes a lot of gothic and classic brands; brands that don't fit into the picturesque old school sweet image, but nonetheless maintain the same look and feel as gothic and classic lolita did around the year 2004. New items in old school style are essential; we can't make more old pieces, but we can keep expanding design accessibility through new pieces!
For this list, I looked through every brand on Lolibrary, on the indie lolita brand list, in several hundred Etsy results, and in every Gothic & Lolita Bible up until 2005. However, I'm sure to have missed something, so this is a living document-- please comment or message me for what I'm missing!
Japan-based brands
- Antique Beast
Gothic brand, opens sporadically. Many old school suitable items.
- And Romeo
https://www.rakuten.co.jp/auc-andromeo/
Affordable brand with lots of substyles; they often reuse older designs.
- Angelic Pretty
The quintessential sweet lolita brand. Occasionally releases or re-releases basics that work for old school.
- Atelier Boz
https://www.atelier-boz.co.jp/
Closing as I type this. Classy, well tailored designs that haven't changed since the first GLB. The designer may be reappearing soon, so watch this space.
- Atelier Pierrot
https://atelier-pierrot.stores.jp/
Gothic and classic staples, great for international shipping, pretty decent size range, and they stock several other brands.
- Baby the Stars Shine Bright (and Alice and the Pirates)
Frequently rereleases old designs under their "Classical Series" label. Famously featured in Kamikaze Girls.
- Bodyline
https://www.bodylinetokyo.co.jp/
Often called the Walmart of lolita. Variable stock of variable quality, but they still stock some old blouses, shoes, and dresses. Not highly recommended.
- Chocochip Cookie
https://chocochip-cookie.ocnk.net/
Mostly JSKs, OPs, and doll clothes. Lots of cute florals in commercially available fabrics.
- Emily Temple Cute
http://emilytemplecute-shop.com/
Often considered otome-kei, but has old-school lolita suitable items.
- Fairy Wish
A retailer with a house brand. Lots of nice, low-poof cotton items for more subdued sweet styles.
- Innocent World
The exact crossover point between sweet and classic lolita. Great for socks and accessories, and sometimes has cotton blouses and rereleased dresses.
- Jane Marple
http://janemarple.shop-pro.jp/
A brand that is typically classified as otome but has some old-school suitable items with a classic, British inspired feel.
- La Luice
Accessory brand with this one ballerina bunny bag that's very popular.
- Leur Getter
Otome brand. Some items may be suitable for old school sweet.
- MARBLE
A gothic brand specializing in raschel lace-covered items. Sometimes MARBLE is considered ita, but it's undeniably very old school.
- Mary Magdalene
Classic lolita brand with beautiful tailoring in limited sizes. May or may not actually be in business; their shop is up but empty.
- MAXICIMAM
One of my favorites. Has two main lines: MA, which is punk, and MAM, which is lolita, as well as MAM Lovely, their plus-size range for MAM designs. Also sells sewing materials.
- Metamorphose Temps de Fille
An old standby, now with overt plus sizing. Sweet and classic lolita. Their basics series is often usable for old school, and they still use raschel lace on occasion.
- MIHO MATSUDA
Gothic brand with small sizing. Has a lot of streamlined, tailored-looking options.
- MILK
The quintessential otome brand. Lots of goofy stuff, some of which works for old school.
- Milky Ange
An interesting mixture of old school sweet lolita and maid costumes.
- Millefleurs and Millenoirs
https://millefleurs-noirs.com/
Very elegant classic and gothic lolita.
- Moi-même-Moitié
Mana-sama's personal brand, now owned by Wunderwelt. Most of the current main pieces don't work for old school, but the accessories and jewelry are a nice gothic touch, especially for people who like crosses.
Primarily a corset shop; some pieces might work for old school gothic.
- Physical Drop
https://tawaraya-kato.ocnk.net/
Personal project of former Meta designer Kato-san. Typically has loose, slightly long silhouettes in cotton fabrics.
Sweet and sweet-classic, mostly main pieces.
Specializes in their unique style of prairie revival designs, often made of cotton. Not really lolita, but some stuff may work.
- Rosa Bianca
Streamlined classic lolita designs.
- Seraphim
Classic and historical-feeling pieces in longer lengths.
- Sheglit
Gothic and gothic lolita, uses a lot of butterflies as a motif.
- Sincerely
Very historically-inspired designs in long lengths.
- Spica
Punk and gothic accessories, plus some unbelievable mini-hats.
- Victorian Maiden
http://www.victorianmaiden.jp/
A classic lolita brand, resurrected. Known to have limited sizing.
- Vierge Vampur
https://viergevampur.wixsite.com/neko
Run by one person, who screenprints the dresses in her apartment. Screenprinted items might be nice for old school .
Brands based elsewhere
- A Gato Designs
Maryland, US. Changes style with basically every series; some items might be old school suitable, depending on how the designer feels that month. Might do commissions. Plus-size friendly.
- Anna House
http://www.annahousefashion.com/
Hong Kong. An excellent source for off-the-rack, custom designs, and custom-sized old school sweet.
Korea. A lot of longer lengths and elegant cuts for sweet and classic.
https://belladonna.storenvy.com/
Maryland, US. Primarily sweet, but also has done classic. Good size range. Great source for lolita face masks.
https://theblackribbon.bigcartel.com/
California, US. More-or-less classic, usually using commercially available fabric. Their old school socks are great!
- Chrysanthemum's Concerto
https://ccshop98497.wixsite.com/home/
UK. A newer brand with a lovely gingham JSK and good sizing.
https://www.instagram.com/cloudberry_lady/
Finland. Mostly custom, all substyles. Does amazing hats.
- Cloud Chamber
http://www.cloudchamber.co.kr/
Korea. Gothic with very limited stock.
- Clock Monster
https://www.etsy.com/shop/clockmonster
Tennessee, US. Does lovely full-shirred OPs and custom sizes.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/CoruscateUnique
Indonesia. Mostly sweet and vintage-inspired; lots of solids and many size options.
- Cruel Arcadia
Korea. Gothic lolita.
Sweden. Mostly old school sweet and classic, with custom sizing and a wide default size range.
- Eat Me Ink Me
Lithuania. Sold by Lolita Collective. Mostly classic and gothic, with some old school-able items. Custom orders are available.
- Elegy Clothing
Ohio, US. Mostly gothic, but has lots of good plaid items.
https://www.fluffytori.com/en/
Switzerland. Super-sweet with some old school-workable coats for the cold months.
- Glitter Tale
https://www.etsy.com/shop/Glittertalelolita
Vietnam. Sweet; known for their custom sizing. Very popular with newer lolitas.
- Goth Loli Closet
http://www.gothlolicloset.com/main/index
Korea. Lots of variety in design, but limited sizing.
- Happy Forest
https://www.instagram.com/happy_forest_2013/
Taiwan. Mostly sweet; orders via Instagram DMs. Limited sizing available.
- Ivy Frozen Designs
US. A good variety of designs; currently doing custom only.
- Kaneko Shop
Russia. Linen and cotton in subdued colors. Some very nice, simple aprons.
Texas, US. Retailer; sells Metamorphose, among other brands.
- Kyoko's Closet
https://www.etsy.com/shop/ichigoblack
Massachusetts, US. Specializes in bloomers with amazing size inclusivity.
- Le Carrousel
http://lecarrousel.iluria.com/
Brazil. Sweet and classic, a lot of which works for old school. Multiple sizes, but not a huge range.
- Lief
Korea. Sweet and classic lolita in a variety of colors, including unconventional ones like bright orange. Standard size range is okay but not super inclusive.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/SakuraFairy
Delaware, US. Mainly classic or sweet-leaning classic; known for excellent custom hair accessories and jewelry.
https://store.lolitacollective.com/
Illinois, US. Mostly a retailer for other brands.
- Magic Tea Party
https://www.etsy.com/shop/MagicTeaPartyDesigns
China. Sweet lolita, the exact same items as on Taobao, but marked up in price.
- Megan Maude
https://meganmaude.storenvy.com/
Georgia, US. Sweet. Limited stock right now, but has a blouse that could work. Many sizes.
- Me Likes Tea
Brazil. Petticoats, bloomers, and underskirts in a wide variety of styles and options. Custom size available.
- Meribel
Korea. Sweet, mostly accessories.
- Nemeth Wild
https://www.etsy.com/shop/NemethWild
Iowa, US. Solid basics in black and white. Wide variety of standard sizes.
- Noble Ghost Fashion
https://www.etsy.com/shop/NobleGhostFashion
Maryland, US. Gothic with a decent standard size range.
- Porcelain Doll
Czech Republic. Mostly sweet and classic, with a somewhat limited size range.
- Rose Red Memorandum
UK. Very overtly and uniquely focused on old school.
- Shiroi Tsubasa/White Wings
https://www.etsy.com/shop/ShiroiTsubasa
Russia. Mostly old school gothic; takes custom orders.
- Strawberry Paper Doll
https://strawberrypaperdoll.wordpress.com/
US. Custom sweet lolita and alterations. Streams on Twitch.
- Summer Tales Boutique
https://summertalesboutique.com/
Netherlands. Their Nostalgia line is amazing for old school. Some items available in custom sizes.
- Sweet Mildred
https://www.etsy.com/shop/sweetmildred
Pennsylvania, US. Sweet, classic, and gothic, with amazing lace-topped socks. Mostly does custom orders and sells at conventions.
- Violet Fane
https://www.violetfaneshop.com/
Spain. Recently released a line called "Sumire", which focuses on old school cotton basics.
- Vivienne Westwood
https://www.viviennewestwood.com/
UK. Not lolita but relevant. The quintessential punk brand, great for jewelry.
Ringlet wigs
- Dream Holic
A Chinese brand with good quality and worldwide shipping. Has one excellent ringlet wig.
- Maple Wig
The old school source for unrealistically curly ringlet wigs. Based in Japan.
No comments:
Post a Comment