1.) How did you get into Lolita, and how long has it been?
- I got into lolita around 1999. I was a fan of the Visual Kei band Malice Mizer, and when their lead gutarist, Mana, put out his own gothic lolita clothing label, I was instantly drawn to it.
2.) What are three words you would use to describe your style?
- Over. The. Top. (LOL)
3.) How did you end up in Japan, what do you do there?
- I had trouble finding a job in Australia right after I graduated from university, and someone suggested I could teach English in Japan for a year to get a chance to save money and get more life experience. I taught for about two years, and after that I have worked for several small companies in the travel and translation industries.
4.) How long have you been there; how long do you plan on staying?
- I've been here for three and a half years now, and I have no plans on moving back to Australia.
5.) What is the Lolita scene in Japan like? Compared to other places?
- It's not really an organised thing, because it's fairly accepted as just another crazy fashion here that people can wear. The people who are really into the lifestyle are pretty intense, and there is less of a causal "lets do normal things while wearing lolita" attitude and more of a "let's play make-beleive and have decadant parties" attitude.
6.) What is it like to be a foreign Lolita there? Any experiences when your identity as one was highlighted?
- Mainly just a lot of people stare and me and tell me that I look like a doll. People in the lolita scene are very accepting of me so I don't feel like me being foreign is a problem.
7.) What's the best thing about being a Lolita? The worst?
- The best thing is feeling beauitful when I put on my favourite clothes. The worse is trying to wash them without damaging them at the end of the day, LOL
8.) Is there anything you miss (like things you can only get elsewhere)?
- I miss being able to buy shoes in my size! I can't get cute lolita shoes in Japan, because the affordable brands don't make my size.
9.) How often do you wear Lolita, and for what occasions?
- I wear it at least once a week, usually when I got to concerts or go shopping.
10.) What do you think is important to wearing Lolita?
- Making sure that your outfit is coherent overall, and that you don't slack off on any point.
11.) What are some misconceptions people might have about Lolita? About living in Japan?
- A lot of people think lolita is a sexual thing, but for most people it's just clothes. As for living in Japan, I think a lot of people have only been exposed to Japanese life through movies and animations, which is usually not reflective of real life here at all.
12.) If you could have your dream coordinate, what would it be?
- Right now I really want the Angelic Pretty Mermaid Symphony dress, with matching clamshell headdress. I couldn't afford to pre-order it and it sold out really fast in the shop, so I'm a sad panda.
13.) When and how did you become a moderator for EGL?
- A long time ago the person who created the community asked for anyone interested in becoming a moderator to apply, and she chose me as one because I lived in a different time zone and spoke some Japanese.
14.) What is it like to be the moderator of such an old and large community? Things you've noticed?
- It's interesting to see how the lolita culture is evolving overseas. When it first started, people had no choice but to make their own clothes, and meet-ups were unheard of. Now everyone can easily buy Japanese brands online, and there are massive meet-ups all over the world. It makes me feel like a proud mother in a way, LOL
15.) Any tips on how to make the most of being a member?
- People should lurk, lurk, lurk until they get a feeling for what you should post on the community. I think a lot of people are scared of criticism so they won't post pictures of themselves, but really there is no better way to learn than that. You have to have a sense of humour and not take things too seriously. Be humble, be kind and be brave!
16.) What are three essential things people should know about living in Japan?
1. It's not an easy place to live and you will encounter racism often.
2. If you don't speak Japanese you won't get much out of living here because Japanese people don't speak much English.
3. If you don't/can't eat meat or fish you will have a very hard time eating out because apparently there are no people in Japan who are vegetarian or allergic to seafood.
17.) Is there a must-have Lolita item? What is it?
- A jumper-skirt (JSK). It's the most versitile all-season piece you can own.
18.) Any last words for aspiring Lolitas?
- Lolita is about feeling beautiful. No matter what people say, when you put on your favourite outfit and go outside, you will feel the confidence that comes with truly being yourself.