Gothic & Lolita, In My Bookstore?

It's more likely than you think. Ever since the release of Tokyopop's English-language Gothic & Lolita Bible, you can skip on over to a Borders and pick up a copy full of frilly goodies.

And today I did just that! I've already been pleased [mostly] with the previous two. But there were some things I would like to quibble with, not only with this issue but with the magazine in general. Without further ado:

Things That Were Fabulous

-The Bible put a spin on Halloween for their autumn edition. This is particularly awesome because Japan doesn't do Halloween, and it's long been a source of questions and controversy for American Lolitas. Costumes? Lolita? Yes or no? Does it give people a bad idea about the true nature of Lolita? The Bible provides four different Halloween spins on Lolita costumes, including Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, a witch, and a pirate. I especially loved the witch outfit - which relies on a simple black and white jumperskirt/blouse combo with a hot splash of a curled purple wig.
Also included for Halloween are treats to make, a creepily beautiful occult story, and some of the beautiful photoshoots of Briony and Layla.

-The makeup and hair portion not only showed you how to do your real hair, but had excellent wig advice. I think more Americans shy away from wigs, but this should not be so! They can look very fabulous and polished.

-Needs More Lace - a one-page comic by Lilly Higgs, who you may recognize from Confessions of an American Lolita. Hopefully this becomes a recurring article, it was great!

Things Not So Wonderful

-It wasn't as much to my taste - it seems it had a slightly more Gothic slant. That's fine, especially since the last one was so sweet. The purple and skull cover is evident of this. This wasn't a huge factor for me.

-There are only so many interviews with Jrock bands I can read. They're mildly interesting but I'd rather see interviews with more designers, or more how-tos, or more makeup, or even more stories and fan content.

-On the other hand, some of the fan content is a bit much. There are definitely a recurring cast of characters in the photos and articles. A few people have been featured in all three volumes so far! I'd like to see Lolitas from other areas and disciplines.

-The patterns weren't too great. They are mostly goth and punk patterns, and most of them are hard in my opinion! The georgette blouse is beautiful, but I can hardly see myself stumbling through it - or wearing the bat-winged miniature top hat. I do like the Angelic Pretty velvet rose however.

So, all in all, I'd recommend it. it's not their best issue in my opinion, but still worth a read and has some great content.

Labels: review

posted by Victoria Suzanne @ 6:49 PM