Category: wedding

YOLO – Recaps and Resolutions

A photo collage of 2012 from left to right in no particular order: Met Simon Doonan; hosted a summer potluck; Saw the My Little Pony Project; Went to AnimeBoston as press; Got Married; Started up an Etsy shop; Met some Bay Area Lolitas and Twinkie Chan; Celebrated the end of 2012 with a new career goal.

 Resolutions are really not meant to be kept, but act as guidelines to strive for. And always at the end of the year you should always give yourself an “A for effort.”  Even if you do not fulfill all of them.

However you should have accomplished at least one.

The only real resolution I would like to keep is to live life for the experience and get a good story out of it.  Because this was really a raison d’etre I have followed for most of my adult life.

It was the reason I chose the college I went to.
It was the reason I moved to New York City.
It was reason I got into Lolita fashion.
It was one of the reasons I created this blog.

You have probably noticed the voice of this blog has changed a bit the few times I’ve written.  In the future things won’t be too different – at least I hope not.  There will be less events posts and more event coverage posts. I hope there will be more quality posts. Perhaps more “what I think about the fashion” posts. 

And of course, lots of food posts.

Do you have any realistic resolutions 2013?

Raiding the Bank at Trinity Place, Bachelorette Style

No Secret Passwords Needed.

I’m not one to talk about work, but today my co-workers were kind enough to take me out to lunch for a bachelorette luncheon at Trinity Place Bar and Restaurant. 

What’s fun and very unique about this place is that it’s was originally a bank vault in the Trinity Building.  An ideal and archetype place for two stock brokers and the like to talk business.

Trinity does not have a dress code, but ideally it should be kept business casual or very toned down Lolita (natural hair only, please).

One person brought sparkling wine to enjoy the celebration, which the waiter was kind enough to pour for everyone, sommelier-style. The menu is very reminiscent of a speakeasy/high end bar menu with Guinness Pie, Kobe Burger, Duck Confit as entrees. 

The occassional called for Prosecco.

Since this was a party in my honor, I decide to splurge and ordered the Duck Confit with English Peas and Bacon.  The duck was crisp and the risotto just as cheesy.  I only wished there was more.  It was incredibly filling and I only had an Apple Cinnamon crepe for dinner.

Everything tastes better with bacon.

Also a big note is that since Trinity Place is located in the Financial District lunch was pricey at $20 per person.  It is well worth it. Though make sure to act like big money and you’ll get treated as such, since service was a bit slow with the credit cards. 

Princess for the Day.

During the whole event they gave well wishes, as well as a felt crown with little pockets of Post-It notes with advice on how to have a long and happy marriage.

This was my favorite out of all of them.

Runway Looks, Lolita Style – Ralph Lauren

Images via NYMAG

Ralph Lauren is sophisticated, clean, and European. So I suppose it’s know no wonder why he decided to use the theme to Downtown Abbey for his runway music (which I’m now desperately trying to find the video of).

Even without the video I can imagine the collection fitting with the music nicely what with the tweed and wool and lots of use of hats.

Anachronistic motorcyle outfits make a periodic outfit modern.

And I do love his use of menswear as womenswear.

A night at the opera or smoking lounge?

Periodic fashion is one of the core inspirations for Lolita.  Plus I love vintage, so this coordinate is inspired by a growing collection of vintage items.

Cloche from Strawberry – $25
Vintage jacket – $20
Vintage scarf – $10
Victorian Maiden blouse – $209
Metamorphose Tweed skirt – $100

Runway Looks, Lolita Style – Zac Posen

Images via NYMAG

Asian inspirations seems to be an ongoing theme. Zac Posen focused on Japan with dresses with stiff styled obis, folds and incorporated it into the more fitted looks he’s known for.

I’m a big sucker for Asian styled prints, and Posen uses peonies a bit.

Peonies symbolizes riches.

With the model’s hair styled in a slick bun with stiff swallowtail-like feather accents, Zac Posen made you feel like it was pre-war Japan.

Peekaboo shoulder sleeves suit her.

 
Unlike Jason Wu, I’m not going straight to a Wa-Lolita outfit. Instead I took kimono-like tops and layered them with a Chained Bouquet skirt.  The emerald green jacket plays off the jewel-tone colors I’m seeing in a lot of the collections.

Emerald Green Jacket – $10
Kimono shirt – $10
Kimono black sheer blouse – $60
Baby, the Stars Shine Bright Chained Bouquet Skirt (red) – $80

Runway Looks, Lolita Style – Ruffian

Images via NY Mag

Lolitas should look towards Ruffian. There design concept is very Victoriana and very vintage (not retro) chic. And lots of tweed and wool.

I like this collection because it harkens to Sam Spade movies and the mysterious woman looking for a detective to solve her mystery.

Leather and tweed really sells the outfit. But the blue fedora takes the cake.

I’ll be honest Ruffian’s fall collection is an excuse for me to post outfits with fedoras.  However the outfits are stunning and I’m attracted to ready-to-wear that fits my personal style (not neccessarily Lolita, but works both way the same).

This coordinate was inspired by Ruffian’s ability to use one item to make the whole outfit pop – whether it is a gold belt on a all blue outfit or bright blue fedora on an all black outfit.

Bodyline heart jacket – $50
Mastina Blouse (from Hong Kong) – $10

Metamorphose Tweed skirt – $100
Angora fedora – $20

Runway Looks, Lolita Style – Jason Wu

Fu (Wu)Manchu – Images via New York Magazine.

If you are unfamiliar with Jason Wu, he is one of the designers that Michelle Obama often wears. Also his collaboration collection with Target just came out and sold out (to the extent that a Florida couple bought the entire stock).

His designs are often very simple, but statement-worthy.  Originally I had planned to do a piece on Rag and Bone with their gradient hues, but I was blown away by Wu’s designs and the strong influence of Chinese royal regalia and Forbidden City (the entrance doors were inspired by palace doors!).

While most people may not understand the history symbolism behind it all, people can harken back to the pop culture archetypes of Fu Manchu (played by Christopher Lee no less!) and the infamous “dragon lady” (a sexy but fiesty Asian woman).

Wu’s power suit for the typical dragon lady.

As an Asian-American, it’s hard to embrace your culture without being a typical stereotype. It’s often like going uphill on a down escalator. Eventually you just have to accept your culture and incorporate it into your life.  Wu’s designs are solely him as a fashion designer and him showing his Chinese pride.

Maroon is definitely a color to use for fall.

Lolita fashion is all about breaking stereotypes, as well as embracing them. Qi-Lolita is a style that is influenced by the Chinese cheongsaam. A cheongsaam is a fitted silk dress with slits at the side with a mandarin-styled collar. It was developed in the 1920s and has become iconic with Chinese culture. 

Cheongsaam/Qi Pao whatever you call it, it’s still fashion

Incoporating cultural elements and Lolita is very difficult. Done right, Qi-Lolita (based on the qipao; not to be confused with Wa-Lolita, which is based on the kimono) can be very cute.  Kidsyoyo’s design one of the tasteful versions I’ve seen that’s wearable as fashion, and not totally seen as a costume. This style comes in red and black (a popular color combo in general for the original style) or pink and brown.

Always Lolita.

Ai Weiwei Sunflower Seeds 1/7 -2/4

Ai Weiwei’s Sunflower Seeds in Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall in London.

I discovered Ai Weiwei’s work while in London at the Tate Modern. I was fascinated by the fact that it was a simple exhibit of porcelain beads painted to look like sunflower seeds.  What was also amazing was that an entire Chinese town in Jingdezhen individually painted all of them.

The original idea was that the exhibit was meant to be walked on, but after a few days the dust it created was declared a health hazard and penned off. Personally while it would’ve been interested walking along a bed of porcelain, it was still very Zen to look at it.

And now if you head over toe the Mary Boone Gallery in Chelsea, you’ll be able to experience it too. While the exhibit in New York won’t be as large it will certainly be impressive. 

Ai Weiwei Sunflower Seeds
January 7th – February 4th, 2012
541 W 24th Street
New York, NY 10001

Wedding Dress Shopping for Lolitas: Tips and Shop Recommendations

I now pronounce you Lolita and bunny bear. (Tokyo Fashion Festa 2010)

It’s a bit hard to envision a wedding when your a Lolita. And there are not alot of resources out there.  GeekMeNina is recently posting updates about her upcoming wedding. And there’s Pink Milk Tea‘s posts about her simple ceremony at City Hall.

Especially, if you want to incorporate your love of Lolita, but also have a wedding.  A real wedding, not a civil ceremony at City Hall.

This goes same with a dress.  If you’re a Lolita, you have a good sense of what looks good on you, what materials you want it, and how you want it to look. Not too plain, but not too shiny, and maybe a bit of lace.

Some tips for the newly engaged and wear Lolita and looking for a dress:

  • Marathon at least one season of Say Yes to the Dress. This gives you a good idea what you do or don’t want. It also saves you money if you don’t want to buy and flip through several wedding magazines. (Also once you have a dress, stop watching.)
  • Leave David’s Bridal as your last resort. There are plenty of salons in your budget (see below) if you just look. Also I’ve learned your information is also given out to affliated third party vendors.
  • The best way to set a budget if you’re a Lolita: imagine there’s your ultimate dress on an auction site. What’s the maximum limit you would spend on this dress? (Note: Another tip is use your monthly rent as a typical gauge of how much you’d like to spend)
  • Bring a close friend who’s into fashion or a Lolita. 
  • Physically try on dresses before considering ordering online. You never know you’ll like it if you just try it on. Wedding dresses, I’ve found, look completely different on the hangar than on you. 
  • Start with a boutique that sells more traditional styled dresses before thinking offbeat. You may find out you want a dress that’s more traditional after all.
  • How to tell it’s the dress: nothing else will matter if you get the dress. Even if your significant other plans to wear a certified replica Doctor Who suit.

I’m sure you are not here to listen about tips, but physical places to look. Here are list of boutiques I recommend you check out if you’re in the New York area, or are planning to head to New York City to shop for a dress if you city lacks in the bridal department.

Birnbaum and Bullock – What I love about this place is that their website has a specific webpage addressing “Alternative Sizing.” They understand that not everyone is a size 4. Also they make sure you are the only appointment in the atelier so you can take your time and not feel like another cog in the wedding machine.

Their dresses are a bit traditional, but also different from your typical wedding dress styles looks and a fan of retro styles.

151 W 25th Street
#2A
New York, NY 10001

212-242-2914

Klienfield Bridal – If you want to go to Kleinfield’s for the sake of saying “I’ve been to Kleinfield’s,” then by all means go. No one is stopping you. They do have a large selection all in one place with a large number of price ranges. However, I recommend you know what you want in terms of a dress otherwise you may be shown a detailed dress out of your budget.

110 West 20th Street
New York, NY 10011
646-633-4300 

Lovely Bridal Shop – Another place which I think would be good for Lolitas who are also into mori-girl or natural-kei. They have dresses by Ivy & Aster and Elizabeth Dye, which are great for girls who are interested in flowly, etheral dresses or thinking of marrying barefoot in an outdoor fall wedding in an apple orchard.

313 West 4th Street
New York, NY 10014
212-924-2050

The Bridal Garden – A nonprofit boutique that has a variety of vintage to designer gowns. And all sales go to charity.

54 W. 21st Street
Suite 907
New York, NY 10018
212-252-0061


RK Bridal – If you are a no frills girl who just wants to sift through dresses and pick out what you want. Note: This is a store you shouldn’t go alone. Bring someone who can at least carry the ones you want to try on.

318 West 39th Street
#2
New York, NY 10018-1407
212-947-1155

Are you engaged and into Lolita fashion? Do you have any additional tips for brides-to-be? Most of all was this helpful?

Celebrate the Royal Wedding in NYC

While we’re just an ocean away from London but that doesn’t stop New York City from celebrating the Royal Wedding Friday April 29th. Check out these events going on around town and celebrate with your fellow Anglophiles:

The Paley Center for Media is open bright and early for a viewing party at 5:30AM. Celebrate in style with tea, scones, and, of course, champagne. There will be wedding trivia and eventgoers are encourage to wear their best bridesmaid dress for “Most Unique Bridesmaid” contest.

The DUMBO Improvement District and the BBC America are holding a grand old party under the Manhattan Bridge, known as “The Archway.” Featuring:

  • costume contests
  • facepainting
  • retro British music
  • traditional British games
  • a photobooth for keepsake memories
  • quizzes and raffles
  • and of course food such as scones and wedding cake
The event is free, but if you would like to attend a special evening wedding reception you can purchase your tickets here. (Note: if your not an early bird, it will be replayed after the wedding takes place. 
Tea & Sympathy is also getting in on the action to and encourages restaurant goers to come in their best (or even their wedding dress if you like). There will be a raffle where ticket proceeds will go to William and Kate’s charity. They’ll be open at 10:30AM. 

Lyon will open bright and early at 6AM, and hold a viewing party where you can order breakfast and English beer.

So grab your best hat (or make your own) and set your alarms for that early wake up call. Or if your not into going out, why not throw your own wedding party? Here’s a link for some party ideas.

Royal Wedding Viewing Party
5:30AM
Paley Center for Media
25 West 52 Street
New York, NY 10019
Admission: Free (but reserve your space here)

RoyalWeddingNYC
5AM
The Archway (under Manhattan Bridge)
Admission: Free

Evening Wedding Reception
8PM – 1AM
All Day VIP Pass Only $60
Evening Pass (8pm – 1am) Only $40

Tea & Sympathy
108 Greenwich Avenue
New York, NY 10011

Lyon
118 Greenwich Ave
New York, NY 10011