Japantown, San Francisco: A new building with a three-story glass façade sits on Post Street between Webster and Buchanan. Welcome to New People, an entire 20,000 square feet dedicated to Japanese pop culture. The complex features shopping, a gallery and VIZ Cinema, the nation’s first movie theatre devoted exclusively to Japanese film and anime.
Inside there are a variety of stores including Baby, the Stars Shine Bright, San Francisco’s spot for trendy Lolita fashion. Japanese Lolita fashion consists of many sub-trends, from Sweet Lolita – all pink and white frills with teddy bears and parasols -- to Gothic Lolita –black and white and innocence with a hint of macabre -- and many in between. Be careful to note, however, that Japanese Lolita styles take their inspiration from the Victorian Era dolls; this fashion movement has nothing to do with Nabokov’s scandalous novel.
Here are a few tips for Lolita Style:
Makeup: Keep it youthful, natural and fresh. Don't do whiteface or blue or black lipstick.
Skirt: Let hems hover around the knee- no minis allowed.
Petticoats: A definite do, though do not let it show through the fabric or below the hemline of your skirt.
Hair Style: Big sausage curls are a definite do.
Footwear: Don’t wear socks over tights.
Neatness counts: Clothes should fit properly and they should be pressed.
Marybeth La Motte writes for RedCarpetSF.com
