Comments on: Haze-compatible

By: Sheri

Sheri — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 22:00:57 +0000

I’m such a rube. I don’t even live in the “country,” but that chick in that black get-up with the little bag and the weird tights and the black HEELS? Posed in front of the — what is that? hay? — totally made me snicker.

By: CGHill

CGHill — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 04:03:39 +0000

And the Gothic variation on Lolita, at least, has enough of a 1980s-pop feel to it, I think, to offset the potential “Let’s get a rise out of the salarymen” effect of this look. At least they don’t look so much like they escaped from a manga.

But to me, this is Karl Lagerfeld yelling, “Remember me?” If he has to simulate someone’s schoolgirl fantasy to move some couture, he will.

By: Galligator

Galligator — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 02:36:48 +0000

Admittedly, even the French may be a little leary of noting any connection to the Lolita aesthetic. Outside of the Gothic Lolita sub-culture, it still has powerful non-fashion connotations.

By: Galligator

Galligator — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 02:34:37 +0000

Gothic & Lolita fashion plays to a different role & context in Japan than in the west do (particularly in regard to the word ‘Lolita’). It makes more sense when you look at how fashion in Japan is about carving a niche out of a very insular and homogeneous culture than about following a trend or dressing for a societal role. There is a huge cosplay & manga tie-in as well that is just not commonly found in the west. Super-hero girls are almost a cultural meme in Japan; one that does not have any ready western analog. So, I was pretty surprised to see Chanel pulling from the Gothic Lolita scene; I have always seen their (Chanel’s) customer base as a mix of young sophisticates & refined career women. Gothic & Lolita are too cute & innocent in superficial structure to seem like an easy fit for Chanel. I would have been much less surprised had these looks been presented on a Betsey Johnson runway. The fact that even a handful of these looks managed to succeed in feeling like Chanel designs was quite a feat considering how contrary the Gothic Lolita aesthetic would seem to be from that of core-Chanel style.

I’m still a little in shock that of all the designers that have borrowed from fringe fashion, Chanel chose to mainstream Lolita. I’m even more suprised at how little commentary I have seen pointing this out for any kind of recognition or discussion. Most reviews I have encountered talked of “the Chanel country look”. ‘Scuse ‘em? Must’ve been all that hay on stage that caused them to miss the whole Japanese fashion scene’s heavy influence on this one.

But, I digress….Hopefully I haven’t rambled too much here.

By: canadienne

canadienne — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 02:15:10 +0000

creepy

By: Kay Dennison

Kay Dennison — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 00:57:07 +0000

One word: Yuck!!!! Haute couture used to be designed for grownups!