botanical garden – Lolita And The City

Lolita problems: which camera to smile at.

It was a beautiful and comfortable day for Sakura Matsuri at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. A great day for pictures and Lolitas to dress their best and show off some spring outfits. Strawberries and bunnies seemed to be a common theme. Also pink. Then again, when it’s bright and sunny everyone just wants to dress to match the weather.

Note: As always if you see you’re picture and would like me to take it down for any reason, just let me know!

They didn’t get to the chapel on time, but they were just in time for the photos afterwards

Navy blue florals to compliment pink blossoms

One of the first shots of the day.

Lovely coordinate from head to rocking horse toe.

Caught these two right after the Parasol Society Games.

I felt bad for asking her to stand back up after a long day. Was it worth it?

Trying sweet for the first time this year. How’d she do?

Toys parading into a bunny owned strawberry field.

That goes forever until the sky turns blue.

Sakura Matsuri was a perfect and brief introduction to spring. The sun was out and the weather held out for the massive crowds the Brooklyn Botanical Garden was soon expecting.

Whether it was the programming or the ultimate end to cabin fever, people attended in droves. The grass was covered in a sea of people enjoying the beauty of recently bloomed cherry blossoms amongst friends and other Japanophiles. And if you were old enough, you could enjoy the flowers in true Japanese fashion: lying on the grass with a bottle of sake to share.

Providing a mixture between old and new, Sakura Matusri’s programming featured everything from Taiko Drumming to Butoh Dancing to Swordfighting skits to anime-focused comedians to a cosplay fashion show as the festival’s closing number.

This of course attracted all forms of people interested in Japan.
Cosplayers are a vast-growing group that New York has no choice but to pay attention nowadays. Thankfully the Brooklyn Botanical Garden has listened and created a “J-lounge area” for anyone interested in the more kawaii and anime-centric side – while at the same time introduce a new generation to the more cultural aspects of Japan.

They had even included an event for Lolitas to strut their stuff on the runway. The parade that followed felt a bit unbalanced with abundance of Sweet Lolitas, but perhaps that’s what happens when the sun comes out. The urge to wear color is hypnotically suggestive.

The whole weekend was overwhelming with people, beautiful scenery, and pep-filled programming. I was unable to get a glimpse of alot of the programming, but I was able to take a few photos. Here are the best of the lot.