East Coast/West Coast

So, now that the west coast can brag that they've got the first lolita store in America, the east coast had to one up them. I'm very pleased to write that Tokyo Rebel, a Gothic, Lolita, and Vis-kei store, is going to open its doors on October 3rd in New York City!

And being from the close location of Connecticut, you have to know that I am most excited! The new shop will be somewhere (location yet undisclosed) in the East Village, stocked with such brands as Victorian Maiden, Atelier Pierrot, and, if all goes well, even more lolita favorites. I love the fact that they'll be carrying many different items, especially ones not typically available online. If you can't wait, you can also see them at NYAF, where they will have a booth.

But of course nothing happens without impacting something else? What trends could result from this opening?

One interesting possibility of the Tokyo Rebel store is more mainstream acceptance. I have heard from some of my friends that since an actual storefront with lolita clothes exists in San Francisco, the local area has become more accepting. Not that you'll see every girl you know decked out, but that people will say, oh yes, that. Yeah, they sell those down in lower Manhattan. It's a thing, you know. And then they'll nod knowingly. It'll make a nice change from, Sweet Jesus, what is that lacy thing and should I call the national guard?

Dollpart has mentioned that since Baby, the Stars Shine Bright has chosen to nest on the west coast, some sort of rival company on the east coast (most likely its largest city, New York City) must spring forth. I would love to see Tokyo Rebel do well and draw the attention of other lolita brands, intent on opening their market overseas. I especially hold out hopes that perhaps Angelic Pretty would open up a New York City storefront, though as Baby continues to receive American money, they might be up to the challenge first.

Lastly, there may be more of a style shift, particularly for the NYC area. As of yet, the store mostly stocks clothes trended toward classic and gothic styles of lolita fashion. With Innocent World shipping overseas and now an American retailer of Victorian Maiden, it may be that elegance's stock has gone up yet again. Will we see an increase in classic florals and cleaner lines, instead of neon candy and cupcake-giant poof? Meanwhile, on the west coast in the area around San Francisco, will there be an upswing in adorable sweet style and more Alice and the Pirates? Or will the presence, with their promise of nearby shipping, effect the fashion trends of the United States as a whole?

Only time will tell, but I personally cannot wait to visit the new shop! It seems that after all these years of obscurity, lolita fashion will finally rise to its rightful place of... less obscurity, I suppose. And that is just where I liked it!

Want to keep up with Tokyo Rebel? You can follow them here on Twitter!

The above image is a beautiful Atelier Pierrot skirt being sold by Tokyo Rebel currently - you buy it using their shopping cart here.

Labels: fashion, shopping

posted by Victoria Suzanne @ 6:36 PM